No matter who you ask, everyone associates something different with Italy. For some it may be pasta or wine, for others it's fashion, art or architecture. Which impression you have of the country also depends strongly on which part you know best. Because not only the north and the south are fundamentally different, but also more inland, life is often abruptly different from city to city. And even if you've been there countless times, there's always something new to discover. With these five road trips through Italy, there's guaranteed to be something for everyone. There's only one thing left to say: pack your bags, fill up the tank and head straight towards the dolce vita!

A road trip is the best way to get to know the "Bel Paese." © Teodorik Mensl/Unsplash

1. northern Italy

"Here in Verona, where the plot thickens", begins not only one of the most famous tragedies of literary history, but also this route through northern Italy. From the medieval city on the Adige River, the journey goes via Modena to Bologna, the historic university city that stands out even by Italian standards with outstanding cuisine. It continues via Parma to Milan, the international metropolis and industrial center of Italy and one of the most influential fashion cities in the world. Finally, via Lake Garda, the journey leads back to Verona, optionally ending in Venice, the iconic city on the water.

Duration: 5-7 days

2. tuscany

The hilly landscape with its olive groves, grapevines and cypress avenues is made for a road trip. From one city to the next, you drive along picturesque routes that are at least as beautiful as the hubs themselves. Start in Tuscany's capital, historic Florence, where you can comfortably spend two to three days exploring its famous sights. The first stop on the trip is Lucca, a delightful city with medieval charm. From here, within a good half hour, you can be in the small but world-famous Pisa, where you can marvel at the iconic leaning tower. Heading south, the journey continues to Volterra and San Gimignano, two towns that delight with their monochrome brick buildings. Then follow the famous cypress avenue Viale dei Cipresi to charming Bolgheri before heading to Siena, whose old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The trip finally ends south in the Val d'Orcia, which with its picturesque landscapes is one of Tuscany's showpieces.

Duration: 8-10 days

3. the Italian Riviera

The northern Italian port city of Genova is not a typical hotspot for travelers, but this makes it the ideal starting point for a tour along the Ligurian coast. Here you start your vacation relaxed without the masses of tourists and get a taste of the colorful cities of the Italian Riviera. The first destination is the gorgeous Portofino, still associated with its many celebrity visitors. The itinerary then leads to Sestri Levante and Levanto before exploring the five villages of the famous Cinque Terre region with their pastel-colored houses. Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Manarola, Corniglia and Riomaggiore are very close to each other and are best visited by boat tour, as the roads between the coastal villages are very branched and rambling. The coastal road trip finally ends in La Spezia, the second largest city in Liguria, which hosts an important naval base.

Duration: 4-6 days

4. southern Italy

One of the most exciting road trips through Italy starts in Rome and ends deep in the south at the tip of the boot. Here you should plan fewer individual stops, but more time in the individual places, because there is so much to see. Starting from the Città Eterna (the eternal city of Rome) you drive via Caserta to Naples, where you should spend at least three days. The route then leads to Pompeii and Salerno, where you get a little breather after the turbulent Naples. After a detour in Cosenza, an absolute insider tip known as the Athens of Italy, you head along the coast to end the tour in Reggio Calabria, where dreamy beaches, buildings steeped in history and legendary food await.

Duration: 10-14 days

Insider Tip: Is this the best pasta in Rome?

5. apulia

The stunning region in southeastern Italy is becoming increasingly popular with travelers. No wonder: with its cities of white limestone buildings, an abundance of wonderful beaches, and excellent olive oil, Puglia is clearly on the rise. One of the dreamiest road trips through Italy starts in the Puglian capital of Bari, and heads to Ostuni, the white city, via Fasano. Continue west to Taranto, a fascinating city with influences from ancient Greece. The next stop is Matera, a city that 50 years ago was known as the "shame of Italy" because of its cave dwellers. However, today it is an up-and-coming hotspot among jet-setters. Via Altamura, you then head northeast again to Trani before coming full circle again in Bari, where you can enjoy big-city charm by the sea.

Duration: 3-5 days