I’m heading back to Italy in a few weeks for the first time in several years, and I couldn’t be more excited. I visited for the first time in 2002, and fell in love with this beautiful place. Italy’s history and culture make it one of the most intriguing countries in Europe; Italy’s people are welcoming, friendly, and proud of their heritage. Additionally, the food alone is reason enough to plan a trip to Italy.
With all that wonderful culture, how do you decide where to spend your time in Italy? Consider this brief overview as a quick introduction to ten notable places that are popular for first-time visitors.
If you visit only one destination in Italy, make it Rome. Known as the “Eternal City,” the capital of Italy is one of the oldest cities in the world and a favorite among Italy lovers. In addition to standing in the Roman Colosseum, be sure to include a visit to Vatican City where you can see St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Take a stroll through the different piazzas (town squares) and see the famous statues and fountains. Finally, don’t skip the Pantheon, one of the oldest continuously-used structures in Europe.
Most people think of Venice when they think about the romance of Italy. This city is built around a series of canals connecting 118 islands with more than 400 bridges. The Grand Canal is the most famous; its S-shape splits the city into two parts. Take a gondola ride through the canal and under the famous Ponte di Rialto bridge. Enjoy the ringing of the St. Mark’s Campanile from St. Mark’s Basilica and visit the beautifully ornate Doges Palace. Venice has some of the best gelato in Italy as well!
This capital city of the Tuscany region was the birthplace of the Renaissance. The Florentine skyline’s most notable features are the Duomo, the cathedral capped by Brunelleschi’s magnificent dome, and the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence’s town hall. The town hall overlooks Piazza della Signoria which houses a replica of Michelangelo’s David statue. The original David statue is located in the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze. Art lovers should be sure to also visit the Uffizi Gallery – be sure to book ahead to avoid a long wait in line.
This city is known mostly for its influence on the world’s art and fashion; it hosts the famed Milan Fashion Week yearly. While in town for fashion, be sure to see some of Leonardo da Vinci’s best works like The Last Supper and take in an opera at La Scala Opera House. The Milan Cathedral is one of the finest examples of “flamboyant” (flame-like) Gothic architecture on the continent. Additionally, Lake Como, near the Italian/Swiss border, is just a short train ride away.
Don’t limit your experience in the Tuscany region to only Florence. First-time visitors will want to see the Tower of Pisa, as well as enjoy all that the countryside has to offer. This region is also known for its classic Italian wine, Chianti, its medieval architecture of San Gimignano, and the perfectly-preserved town of Siena. The Italian landscape is at its most beautiful here, particularly in the evening as the sun sets behind the hills.
This city’s historic center is the largest of its kind in Europe and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has much to offer from natural beauty to unbelievable ruins. Enjoy the city full of historic castles like Castel dell’Ovo (the Egg Castle) and Castle Nuovo. Be sure to also make time to visit the Royal Palace of Caserta during the spring to see its gardens and parks in full bloom. Pompeii and Herculaneum, two famous ruined cities, are nearby. Preserved in volcanic ash from the Mount Vesuvius eruptions of 79AD until excavation, they are just a quick commuter train ride away from the center of Naples. Finally, food lovers should not leave the city without a slice of Neapolitan-style pizza – this is, after all, its birthplace!
When you picture the Italian coast, you are probably conjuring an image of the Amalfi Coast. This luxurious area is made up of 13 coastal towns including Positano and Amalfi. Positano is made up of pastel buildings, resorts and restaurants built into the cliffside, while Amalfi is a historic maritime republic. Enjoy a hike along the Path of the Gods and treat yourself to limoncello which is produced in this region.
Located in the Bay of Naples, the Isle of Capri is a famous Italian island; it is known for its laid-back but luxurious charm. You can stay on the island for holiday or take a ferry for a day trip. In addition, a visit to the Blue Grotto natural sea cave is a must. In the cities of Capri or Anacapri, visitors enjoy shopping and dining. And for those looking to slow down, Capri is an excellent place to practice the dolce far niente, the “sweetness of doing nothing.”
This triangle-shaped island is Italy’s largest island and one of its 20 Italian regions. A visit to Sicily gives you a tropical island with mixed with sandy beaches, green hills and ancient ruins all in one topped off by some of the best seafood and pastries in the world. Sicily is also crowned by an active volcano – Mt Etna – and has several Greek ruins scattered around the island.
Though it has long been a favorite spot to vacation for locals, the lesser-known region of Puglia is beginning to grow in popularity for tourists and some are even calling it “Little Florence.” This area, located in the heel of the boot, is a more slow-paced and quiet retreat. Boutique hotels pepper the small towns, and local food abounds. In Puglia, visitors can participate in the nightly passeggiata, the Italian ritual of the evening stroll through town. Additionally, there are some great architectural things to see like the trulli houses that have cone roofs in Itria and the white city of Ostuni. And finally, Lecce is where you can see the Basilica di Santa Croce and the Sant’Oronzo column.
You could easily fill a vacation with any of these destinations, whether short or long. As a first-time visitor, you may want to focus only on one or two popular places like Rome or Venice or organize your trip around a theme like food or history. No matter where your Italian vacation takes you, I hope you build beautiful memories! Ciao!
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