Vintage Cars on Roupell Street, Central London

Sometimes used as a backdrop in period dramas, Roupell Street - near Waterloo Station - is a good spot for vintage car spotting.

The Climb to the Stelvio Pass, Lombardy, Italy

 

There are 42 hairpin bends on the road from Bormio up to the Stelvio Pass, which, at more than 2,700 metres, is the second highest road in the Alps.

Riding the Mortirolo Pass, Lombardy, Italy

One of the toughest climbs in Lombardy (no matter which way you go up), the relentless ride up to the Mortirolo Pass is worth it for the serene scenery on the plateau at the top (and then the super smooth tarmac on the hairpins down to Grosio).

Bormio, Lombardy, Italy

With its roots and architecture in the Middle Ages, Bormio makes for an attractive and enthralling base for a winter skiing or summer cycling trip. As Italy's gateway to the Stelvio National Park, the Alpine town is surrounded by scenic cycling routes and walking trails, as well as ski lifts. Within Bormio, there are cobbled streets, medieval churches and the Piazza del Kuèrc, which is lined by cafes, the Palazzo del Podestà and the Tower of the Bajona, Bormio’s civic bell tower. As you browse the old-school eateries and shops on both sides of the Adda river,  you're likely to cross Bormio's distinctive 14th century stone bridge - Ponte di Combo,  

Ripa di Porta Ticinese, Milan, Italy

 

Running alongside the Naviglio Grande canal, Ripa di Porta Ticinese is lined with quite touristy bars and restaurants. Despite the obvious commercialism, it's an attractive and atmospheric place for an early evening stroll or sundowner.

Bellagio, Lake Como, Lombardy, Italy

 

An upmarket tourist hotspot on a peninsula jutting out into Lake Como, Bellagio is in an enviable location. Its cobbled alleyways tumble down to a busy waterfront at which hordes of American and Asian visitors alight and aboard frequent pedestrian and car ferries.  Some of the elegant mansions that line the lake host smart hotels and pricey restaurants, while most of the genteel shops are targeting the tourist trade. Although the budget conscious should stay (and eat) outside the historic heart of Bellagio, don't be put off by the high price tags - loafing about by the lake is free and fun.

Duomo di Milano, Lombardy, Italy

 

Built over six centuries, the Duomo di Milan is a vast, yet intricate, building that gleams almost white in the afternoon sunshine. More squat than most of its peers, Milan's Duomo is both very majestic and very distinctive. Built in the Gothic style, the Cathedral's mesmerising facade is an onslaught of detailed stonework. Although construction work began in 1386, the building wasn't considered complete until the 1960s. Fittingly, the Duomo overlooks a grand square, which is major draw for tourists, but doesn't feel particularly crowded even in summer.

Como, Lombardy

 

On the southwestern tip of Lake Como, a short train journey from Milan, sits the small historic city of Como. Its pedestrianised core, demarcated by the 12th century walls, is a pleasant place to wander round for a couple of hours.  Although you won't be the only one admiring the fine 14th century cathedral, cobbled streets and Renaissance and neoclassical architecture, Como feels like less of a tourist trap than some of the other settlements around the eponymous lake.