Designed in 1964 by iconic Italian architect Gio Ponti, the Hotel Parco dei Principi in Sorrento, overlooking the Gulf of Naples, is an essential stop for architecture and design aficionadoes, who come to experience the all-encompassing Ponti aesthetic. Born in Milan and trained as an architect, the prolific Ponti designed buildings, interiors, furniture, and lighting, and founded the magazine Domus. Ponti's refined sensibility is on view at the Parco dei Principi; he designed every detail of the hotel, from the furniture to the lighting to the 30 different geometric-patterned blue and white tiles used in different combinations throughout the interior. The hotel underwent a meticulous three-year renovation from 1999 to 2002, and still captures Ponti's original vision; for more information, go to Hotel Parco dei Principi.