Aaah Italy! What is there not to love about this boot-shaped European country surrounded by azure-coloured sea? If you’re not into arts and culture, history, delicious food and wine, incredible coastal scenery, snow-capped mountains and mountain lakes, then why would you bother going here? I’m here to give you a travel guide to Italy that will simply take your breath away.
Italy can be broken down into roughly six regions for travel purposes:
The magnificent Lake Como in the north of Italy in the Lombardy region is set against the foothills of The Alps, bordering with Switzerland. The backdrop provides breathtaking scenery dotted with small villages full of charm and character. The lake is vast and is shaped like an upside-down Y, with three slender branches that meet at the resort town of Bellagio.
There are numerous charming villages nestled on the shores of the lake that are all accessible by ferry. These include the main town of Como, Torno, Cernobbio, Varenna, Pognana Lario, Lenno, Azzano, Tremezzo, Menaggio, Bellano, Lecco, Nesso and the ultra-chic Bellagio.
If you’re dreaming about visiting places like this, check out these Europe tour packages that often include iconic Italian destinations such as Lake Como, Venice, Rome and more.
Renowned as one of the most romantic cities in the world, the city of Venice is made up of 127 tiny islands and is a must-see when travelling to Italy. After visting Lake Como and Milan, it is worthwhile renting a car and taking the drive via Verona and then eventually to Venice. But once you’re in Venice you won’t be requiring a car as it is most definitely a walking or boating city.
The network of canals and the Grand Canal is lined with Renaissance and Gothic architecture palaces. The central square of Piazza San Marco, features St. Mark’s Basilica, Dogues Palace and Torre dell’Orologio bell tower. A gondolier ride down the narrow canals is a great way to experience it all or just wandering through the maze of narrow laneways over ancient arched bridges.
The dramatic coastal scenery of Cinque Terre, located in Liguria in north western Italy, is both overwhelming and jaw-dropping. How a string of five little fishing villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso, cling to the cliffs of this jagged coastline beggars belief.
From the town of La Spezia it is best to catch the Cinque Terre train that stops at each village. From each village you have the choice of catching a ferry or water taxi, or taking the hiking path that is high up above the villages, giving you a bird’s eye view of the coastal seascapes. Village hopping is definitely recommeded and treat yourself to a few days here to experience all that there is to see here.
The capital of the Tuscany region, Florence is an epicentre for remarkable pieces of art and renaissance architecture. It is recognised for boasting the strongest concentration of art known in the world. There is the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge over the river; the terracotta roofs from the tower and dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore; the Uffizi Gallery brimming with artistic masterpieces, Loggia dei Lanzi – an open-air museum with magnificent statues and arches; Palazzo Pitti featuring an ancient Medici residence, several museums and the magnificent Boboli Gardens; Michaelangelo’s iconic marble statue of David at Galleria dell’Accademia.
Tuscany is in the central region of Italy and offers an absolute bounty of treasures. After you’ve had your fix of art and renaissance architecture in Florence, you must explore this region. Not just for its green rolling hills laden with vineyards and olive groves, but for the medieval villages that cling to hilltops.
After visiting the exquisite city of Siena and spending some time browsing the ‘city of magnificent towers’ – San Gimignano, there are plenty of other Tuscan medieval villages or citadels including: Castellini in Chianti, Monteriggioni, Vertine, Volterra, Volpaia, Montefioralle, Montepolcenio and Barberino Val d’Elsa. Just to name a few. So a car is absolutely mandatory to get out and about to explore this vast region and of course visit a few wineries.
Many travellers start and finish their trip to Italy in its scintillating capital city of Rome. There is so much history and loads of places that are a must see in Rome. Highlights include: The Colosseum, Roman Forum, Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navone, the Circus Maximus, Tiber River and Isola Tiberina, Castel Sant ‘Angelo, St Peter’s Square and Basilica, Campo di Fiori and then the massive Vatican City and Museum, incorporating the Sistene Chapel.
I discovered that catching the Hop On Hop Off bus was the best way to see the whole city over two days. But you must also dedicate a whole day to exploring Vatican City and the museum and churches.
Southern Italy’s treasure, the Amalfi Coast is a stretch of 50 kilometres of dramatic steep cliffs and pretty towns clinging to the steep precipices rising up from the sea, abbreviated by sandy little beaches.
The 13 towns that make up the Amalfi Coast include: Amalfi, Atrani, Cetara, Conca de’ Marini, Furore, Maiori, Minori, Positano, Praiano, Ravello, Scala, Tramonti, and Vietri sul Mare. It is recommended that you base yourself in one of these charming villages and take day trips to the other cute towns. This can be done by bus, car of ferry to most places. A day trip by ferry to the Island of Capri is also a must do.
If you’re feeling up to a hike then the 6 kilomotre Path of The Gods (or Sentiero degli Dei) is accessible at different points along the Amalfi Coast. The views from this hike are jaw-droppingly stunning and it takes you through ancient Roman and Greek temples, vineyards, old convents and olive groves.
The Southern Italian region of Puglia stretches down the southeast coast of Italy to the heel of the boot and features a gorgeous sun-drenched coastline, delicious fresh foods and enchanting towns.
There are many highlights in this region including: the white building town of Ostuni; the Baroque architecture of Lecce; the trulli house town of Alberobello; the old town of Bari; Monopoli and Castellana Caves; the coastline of Polignano a Mare; and the city of caves – Matera in nearby Basilicata.
This year I am planning a two week stay in Puglia as well as a 10 day tour of Sicily. This will complete my bucket list of Italian delights and Italy must sees.
Located just off the toe of Italy’s boot, Sicily is filled with loads of natural beauty and many cultural destinations. The landscape is predominantly hilly and mountainous, but incredibly scenic and charming. It is the “real” Italy with delicious authentic food and friendly Silician locals.
Eastern Sicily takes in the Aeolian Islands, Taormina, Mount Etna, Siracusa, and the Baroque cities Ragusa, Modica and Noto. Whereas Western Sicily, cities include Trapani, Cefalù, Erice, Agrigento, and the western islands like Pantelleria.
Although I have only spent a day here on a Mediterranean cruise stop at the port city of Messina, I did a day trip to the gorgeous Taormina that sits atop Monte Tauro. In May this year I will be embarking on a 10 day tour of Sicily.
Italy is the quintessential European country that everyone should visit at least once. I was so entranced by it’s beauty and culture on my last visit, that I had to return and see more of this remarkable country. I often tell my friends, if I were to live anywhere else in the world, then Italy would be on the top of my list.
