Travel broadens the horizons, so the saying goes.
Indeed, it can't be argued that travel opens you up to myriad new sights, information and experiences, many of which will stay with you for life.
However, even more so than other destinations, a trip to Italy can actually be life changing-just ask anyone who has ever been to or spent some time there, including high profile celebrities.
Frances Mayes, author of several bestselling books on her experiences of her life in a villa in Cortona, and A-list celebrity George Clooney, said that purchasing a villa in Laglio has changed his life are both perfect examples.
Below, we present a couple of lighthearted ways in which your holiday in one of the lovely villas in Italy could change your life for the better.
Slow Down and Smell the Roses Some of the common reasons people go on holiday are to take a break from the stress of their everyday lives, or regain a sense of balance after sadness or illness.
Sunlight, fresh air and getting back to nature are the best balm, and there is truly no more beautiful place to retreat to than to any of the stunning villas in Italy.
Just ask Clooney, who spends time in his Laglio villa to escape the pressures of his Hollywood life.
"I realised how beautiful life was here and it really helped calm me," said the actor.
From the lemon groves of the Amalfi Coast to the vineyards of Sardinia, there is seemingly no end to the breathtaking countryside, which demands you slow down and enjoy the gifts of Mother Nature.
You can enjoy quiet moments contemplating life as you watch workers harvest olives in Puglia, or take a stroll across massive fields of lavender in Tuscany - everywhere you turn, the spectacular landscape has a soothing effect.
Gain a Sense Of History In today's fast-paced, technology-driven times, it's easy become overwhelmed and frustrated by the minutia of our everyday lives.
We ask ourselves, is this all there is? We may forget that there is a deeper meaning to our lives and that, as humans, we are capable of incredible amazing things.
In Italy, you are reminded of this fact everyway.
From magnificent castles to the most humble of villas, in Italy, history is so alive that it is impossible not to feel connected - not only to the land, but to the human race itself.
The Colosseum in Rome, which saw the rise of the Roman Empire and has stood for two millennia; the Tower of Pisa, from which Galileo Galilei was purported to have dropped cannonballs; and the Sistine Chapel, whose ceiling showcases the art of Michelangelo, are only a few of the myriad culturally and historically significant attractions.
There is also the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence, where you can admire the works of some of Italy's greatest artists, such as Donatello, Giotto, and Gaddi, as well as pay your respect to the tombs of some of history's most honoured men, such as Galileo Galilei, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Dante Alighieri, and Enrico Fermi, among many others.
The list of Italy's attractions is endless, and visiting such a historically and artistically rich destination can't help but broaden one's cultural horizons.
A short stay in any of the delightful villas in Italy will refresh, revive and rejuvenate you - and yes, it may even change your life.