Book excerpt: From nights in simple bed and breakfasts to luxurious villas that are rented by the week this guide features memorable places to stay. In cities such as Rome, Florence and Venice we include an excellent selection of albergos, pensiones and small hotels. Seven regional itineraries keep you on track through the romantic hilltowns of Tuscany, the beguiling backroads of Umbria, the Lake District, Amalfi coast and Sicily.