Here's why you shuold visit Bologna, Italy's capital of food. Why should I go? Known as “The crossroads of Italy”, Bologna is steeped in history, with a stunning opera house and leaning towers — one leans more than its more famous counterpart in Pisa. It’s also a great destination to pair with Florence or Venice.

Streets made for walking? Its ­historic centre is home to 25 miles of porticoes and 600 archways, something so unique it has been nominated as a Unesco World Heritage Site. These archways lead the way to all of Bologna’s key attractions, including Basilica di San Petronio, the city’s most important church.