It’s appropriate that the most famous Gen X film about stag parties is called The Hangover. Back then, an entire generation of gentlemen expected to jet off to foreign climes and test the limits of their livers whenever their peers popped the question. Now it seems, the party is over. A recent survey by tour operator First Choice found that 69 per cent of Millennial and Gen Z men actively dread the prospect of booze-fuelled “boys’ holidays”, with more than half routinely making up excuses to avoid them. Gone is a thirst for excessive alcohol and hangovers that make your hair hurt – replaced by a hunger for cultural immersion, shared experiences and elevated cuisine.

When it comes to booking that long-awaited, sunshine-filled getaway, you can never go wrong with an Italian sojourn. But while coastal hotspots like Capri, Portofino and Amalfi may spring to mind, finding yourself crammed in with the crowds during peak season is rarely ideal. Thankfully, they don’t call Italy the bel paese for no reason. There are plenty of secluded, lesser-known places that are a little more out of the way and are all the more breathtaking for it. Below, five Italians share the islands where they love to vacation – so all you need to do is pack your bags.

Summer diaries often fill up fast with social plans, group excursions and family vacations, which might leave you longing for a little time alone. For when you’re craving a solo reset, here are five hotels you’ll be glad to enjoy all by yourself.

It isn’t hard to see why the Mallorcan capital of Palma has become such a city hot spot – with its honey-toned old town, vibrant social scene, striking Gothic cathedral, art and culture institutions, and close proximity to the island’s breath-taking beaches and bucolic countryside. But, unsurprisingly, it is a challenge to avoid the tourist hoards and get a true sense of this buzzy Balearic island. Below, Enrique Miró-San, co-owner of the Portella hotel – a recent addition to Palma’s hotel offering, a thoughtfully reimagined 17th-century residence in the old town – shares his expert insider recommendations.

It’s appropriate that the most famous Gen X film about stag parties is called The Hangover. Back then, an entire generation of gentlemen expected to jet off to foreign climes and test the limits of their livers whenever their peers popped the question. Now it seems, the party is over. A recent survey by tour operator First Choice found that 69 per cent of Millennial and Gen Z men actively dread the prospect of booze-fuelled “boys’ holidays”, with more than half routinely making up excuses to avoid them. Gone is a thirst for excessive alcohol and hangovers that make your hair hurt – replaced by a hunger for cultural immersion, shared experiences and elevated cuisine.

When it comes to booking that long-awaited, sunshine-filled getaway, you can never go wrong with an Italian sojourn. But while coastal hotspots like Capri, Portofino and Amalfi may spring to mind, finding yourself crammed in with the crowds during peak season is rarely ideal. Thankfully, they don’t call Italy the bel paese for no reason. There are plenty of secluded, lesser-known places that are a little more out of the way and are all the more breathtaking for it. Below, five Italians share the islands where they love to vacation – so all you need to do is pack your bags.