Italy holidays 2015: What's new and exciting?

Google has just revealed that Italy is the top rising holiday destination for 2015, with searches for hotels and deals in the country increasing at a rate of knots. With the likes of George Cluny and Kim Kardashian opting to tie the knot here, the glamorous side of Italy has rarely been out of the limelight recently - but you certainly don't need to be rich or famous (or even the proud owner of an ample behind) to sample its joys.

The diversity of this country is surely the secret to its allure. There are the treasures of the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican City to admire (still one of the world's most visited tourist destinations), the rolling landscapes of Tuscany and Puglia to explore; the spectacular landscapes of the Amalfi Coast and the Cinque Terre to wonder at, not to mention the fascinating historical cities of Rome, Florence and Pisa (to name but a few). It's no wonder, then, that visitors simply never tire of Italy's charms.

And this is a country that is second to none when it comes to cultural legacy: Tuscany alone has more historical monuments than any other country in the world. In fact, Italy has it all: it's the perfect place to hike up a mountain, lie on a beach, eat wonderful food, drink delectable wine, ramble through remote countryside, explore the most glorious art galleries, historical monuments and show-stopping cities.

No matter what your taste, 2015 heralds a new array of offerings to choose from, including a guided cycling tour from Pisa to Florence and a whole bundle of of new hiking tours, too. For those with less energy to burn, there are some luxurious new hotels to keep an eye out for. Or perhaps you fancy a spot of star-gazing in the bay of Naples or are yearning to sample some of the country's best wines: whatever your desires, there's going to be something here to lure you. Check out our favourite new things to do this year in the slideshow below.