Steep uneven stone stairway up narrow alley with walls of houses painted red/orange in typical evocative style of Northern Italy, woman sweeping stairs with broom.

Detail of steep uneven stone stairway up narrow alley with walls of houses painted red/orange in typical evocative style of Northern Italy

Spanish steps, nobody on stairs, summer afternoon, with church of Trinita dei Monti above, Rome

Detail view of Villa Carlotta ornamental gardens, terraced stairways, fountain with statue and waterlilies, flowerbeds of red begonias, Lake Como, Northern Italy

Medieval side street, Assisi, Umbria, Italy

Medieval side street, Assisi, Umbria, Italy

Rooftop view of Italian village street with houses and roof tiles in foreground, and spectacular sunset and hills beyond, Umbria, Italy

Rooftop view of Italian village street with houses and roof tiles in foreground, and spectacular sunset and hills beyond, Umbria, Italy

Aerial view of Villa Carlotta ornamental gardens, terraced stairways, flowerbeds and horsechestnut trees in autumn colours, with view over lake to mountains, Lake Como, Northern Italy

Facade of Renaissance Villa Melzi with steps to terraced bilateral stairway, flanked by lion statues, grassy slopes and fountain with waterlilies on sunny autumn afternoon, Lake Como, Northern Italy.

Front of Renaissance villa, white stucco with ornate decoration around grey shuttered windows and balconies, ornamental gardens with flower beds, steps leading to ornate gold and black wrought iron gates with bronze statues on matching columns, Lake Como

Winding staircase in an old house in Albiano d'Ivrea, Italy