Villa della Pergola

For his first film, The Pleasure Garden, Alfred Hitchcock chose the grounds of Villa della Pergola as a shooting location. The terraced botanical gardens, located on the western coast of Liguria in northern Italy, are even more photogenic today, thanks to modern restoration — and just as impressive is the villa itself, one of three opulent 19th-century mansions that make up this luxury hotel. A range of architectural styles are represented, but the grandeur is consistent throughout the museum-like property: think dramatic staircases and high archways, abundant statuary and delicate watercolors, striking marble floors and massive fireplaces. Breakfast is a treat, with products sourced from the garden, and the restaurant, open to the public, is a destination for foodies.