Italy’s Top 10 Things To Do: Plan Your Italian Journey

Rome: Explore the Beauty of the Eternal City

It is home to beautiful museums, cathedrals, and ancient ruins of Rome, as well as gorgeous baroque buildings. The Colosseum is the ideal place to start your tour of Eternal City. This huge arena was once home to 50,000 people and was where gladiator fights were held.

Palatine Hill, the Roman Forum, and other places are great ways to experience ancient Rome. These famous archeological sites were once a major political, social, and commercial hub for the Roman Empire. The Pantheon is one of the most well-preserved buildings in Imperial Rome. It was once a Roman temple. Today, you can tour the interior and marvel at the exquisite architecture and perfect proportions.

The Vatican, the smallest nation in the world is located within Rome. The Pope’s seat is in Vatican City. It is home to the incredible St. Peter’s Basilica and Sistine Chapel, as well as the Vatican Museums. Here you will find masterpieces by Bernini and Raphael, and many other notable Italian artists.

Rome has many unique places that you must visit if your goal is to enjoy the city. The Galleria Borghese’s Renaissance sculptures and baroque art will delight you.

Piazza Navona is home to many restaurants and cafes where you can have gelato, pizza, and pasta. A guide can take you on a Vespa ride to see Rome from a different perspective.

To close your Rome visit, throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain. Legend has it that if you make three wishes, one being to return to Rome (or vice versa), all your wishes will be fulfilled.

Florence, World Capital of Art

It is a beautiful place. Florence is a paradise for architecture and art lovers. This capital of the Tuscany area is home to some of the most stunning galleries and museums in the world.

The famous statue of David by Michelangelo is located in Florence. This masterpiece can be seen in the Galleria dell’Accademia. You can also visit the Uffizi Gallery on Piazza Della Signoria to see the works of Botticelli and Titian as well as other notable Renaissance artists.

Palazzo Pitti is a beautiful place that houses galleries, where you can view the most stunning Renaissance artworks, breathtaking frescos, and Rubens works. Piazzale Michelangelo, which is located on a hill overlooking Boboli Gardens and Palazzo Pitti, offers breathtaking views of Florence. Not to be missed are the famous architectural sites Ponte Vecchio bridge or Palazzo Vecchio.

Florence also has significant religious buildings like the Basilica of Santa Croce and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Also known as Duomo and the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella.

Day trips to Tuscany’s most beautiful towns can take you to many museums and other interesting places. The Civic Museum in Siena is a must-see, as well as the towering leaning of Pisa and top-quality wineries in Chianti.

Milan: The City of Fashion and Beautiful Architecture

Milan is well-known for its fashion weeks and luxury boutiques. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is home to the best fashion stores, located on Piazza del Duomo.

The Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milan) is located on the same square. It took nearly 600 years to construct. The incredible details in both the exterior and interior of the cathedral will amaze you. This cathedral’s terrace offers a spectacular view.

You can also visit La Scala in Milan, which is a magnificent concert hall and opera house. You can enjoy the stunning interior as well as an extensive music repertoire. You can also visit the Museum of La Scala for more information about opera and musical instruments.

Museum-lovers will love Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco), which is located in the city’s center. Here you can visit many museums such as the Museum of Ancient Art, the Egyptian Museum, and the Antique Furniture and Wooden Skulture Museum. The Parco Sempione is a large, green space with trails for cycling and walking.

The Leonardo Da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology, which is located in a medieval monastery, features an exhibit dedicated to Da Vinci and the inventions he made. There are many technological and scientific subjects that have influenced the world of aviation, transport, and industry.

Milan also has one of the most recognizable football (soccer!) stadiums in the entire world. The San Siro Stadium is famous for its tall towers and capacity of up to 80,000 people. The stadium’s museum contains information about two local football giants, AC Milan and FC Inter.

Venice: A Place Unique and Full of Exceptional History

Venice, Italy is known for its beautiful architecture and rich history. It is situated on 118 islands that are connected by a network canal system. Grand Canal is famous for its many boats and gondoliers, which take tourists on a lagoon tour. Many travelers have made the gondola ride in Venice a top priority.

There are four bridges on the Grand Canal, the most well-known being the Rialto Bridge. It is a must-see landmark in Venice.

Beautiful frescoes and Byzantine decoration fill the beautiful St. Mark’s Basilica. It is located at St. Mark’s Square. You can also visit the Doge’s Palace nearby, which is the seat of local rulers. It’s now open for visitors to see its beautiful interior.

Two of the most stunning Venetian islands can be found: Burano for lace-making and Murano for glass-blowing demonstrations.

Learn how to communicate in Italian to get the most from your trip. Babbel offers lessons in Italian that are flexible to your needs and practice level. Find the Italian lesson offers and other language options.

Naples: The Soul of Italy

This is the best place to go if you love pizza. Pizza originates from Naples, Italy. The Neapolitan pizza chefs will delight you with high-quality pizzas in a variety of flavors. You don’t have to stop at the pizzeria to eat dinner. Take the time to explore the city and its surroundings before you go.

Cappella Sansevero is home to stunningly painted interiors as well as impressive sculptures. Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples is home to many outstanding buildings such as the Basilica Royale and the Royal Palace.

Mount Vesuvius offers the best view of Naples and its surroundings. It is easy to hike up this volcano, and you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of Naples bay. The destruction of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and other cities was caused by this volcano eruption.

These places can be visited by local guides. You will see how they look today because of the protection provided by the ashes.

Book your tour starting from Naples, around Pompeii, and Vesuvius today.

You can take a boat from Naples to Capri. This is one of the most stunning Mediterranean islands. The Blue Grotto Sea Cave is hidden on its rocky shores. This cave is extremely attractive because of the unique blue color of the sea.

Beautiful places can be found along the Amalfi Coast like Ravello, Positano, Salerno and Positano. The Amalfi Coast was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its natural beauty.

Discover Puglia’s Old Towns and Beaches

Puglia is located in the southern part of Italy. The area was once ruled over by the Greeks as shown by archeological evidence and the Greek language spoken by the locals. It is home to the longest coastline in Italy and has beautiful beaches. This makes it a popular holiday spot for many Italians.

Bari is the biggest city in the region. It boasts a stunning promenade that runs alongside the sea and a large, public beach. The Basilica of San Nicola is the city’s landmark. The charming Trulli houses in Alberobello will charm you. This spot is very photogenic and completely outlandish.

Lecce is one of the most beautiful cities in the south. Because of its magnificent baroque palaces, cathedrals, and other architectural treasures, it will remind you of Florence. The Basilica di Santa Croce is the most notable of all these buildings.

Matera is known for its stone churches and homes, which were built by locals on the rock. This makes it a popular location for movies. Matera, the European Capital of Culture 2019, is under UNESCO protection because of its rich cultural heritage.

Many of Puglia’s towns have an old towns with narrow streets, small shops, cafes, and restaurants. This area is known for its olive groves that produce top-quality olive oils.

A visit to Polignano a Mare, lunch, or dinner at a semi-open restaurant with a stunning sea view can spice up your Puglia tour.

Cinque Terre: Charming villages preserve the spirit of old times

Cinque Terre National Park can be found in northern Italy’s Liguria region. It is one of the most popular destinations in the Mediterranean.

Five villages can be found in the area along the Tyrrhenian Sea shores. They are all home to colorful homes built on cliffs. These villages are Manarola, Vernazza, Riomaggiore, Corniglia and Monterosso al Mare.

These villages are charming and not commercialized. The streets are narrow and there’s not enough parking space so you can reach them easily by train from La Spezia in only 10-15 minutes. You can also travel to Corniglia by boat.

These villages all have charming houses and stunning sea views. Comfortable shoes are a must as there will be a lot of walking.

You can take a stroll through the narrow streets, and then climb the stairs to reach the top. The view over the blue sea will be breathtaking.

You can try local cuisine at one of the small restaurants. The seafood, pasta, and bruschettas will delight you.

Book a guided hiking tour of Cinque Terre to enjoy your meals to their fullest.

Lake Como: Enjoy the Magic of Wonderful Scenery

Lake Como, which can reach a depth up to 410m (1,345 ft), is one of Europe’s deepest lakes. It is located in northern Italy in the Lombardy region. It is possible to sunbathe or swim on the beautiful beaches of Lake Como during summer. You can also go sailing and windsurfing depending on the weather.

You will find many beautiful villas along the shores of Lake Como. These villas are well-known for their beautiful gardens. Villa Monastero, Villa Balbianello, and Villa Balbianello are two examples.

You can enjoy Lake Como’s natural beauty by taking a boat trip from Bellagio. Enjoy the stunning views and lush greenery.

Take a guided sail around the beautiful lake and visit the entire coast with GetYourGuide. Book your dates here.

You can take a guided tour to Isola Comacina which is the only island in Lake Como. It also includes the beautiful locations of Tremezzina Varenna, Como, and Como. The Como Archaeological Museum houses some objects, pottery, and jewelry that date back to ancient times.

Funicular trains can take you to the top views of Lake Como from almost any location in Italy. Brunate, a small hilltop town, offers breathtaking views. You should try the Lombardy specialties. We recommend pizzoccheri with buckwheat pasta and risotto served with lake fish.

Verona, The City of Love

Most people are familiar with Verona, the town of Verona in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Like other visitors, visit Casa di Giulietta. Take a photo next to Julia’s statue or stand under the famous balcony.

The Arena di Verona, a Roman amphitheater that is similar to the Colosseum and has a capacity of 30,000 people, is well-preserved. The Arena hosts important musical events. This is a great opportunity to view the magnificent arena in its full glory if you visit Verona, Italy, during a concert.

Castel Vecchio was built in 14 century to protect the city. You can take a guided tour of the museum within the castle and visit the Castle Vecchio bridge, which is located next to it.

Basilica of San Zeno, also known as Romeo and Juliet’s wedding venue, is the Basilica of San Zeno. The extraordinary architecture makes it worth a visit. On the east bank, you will find the Giusti Gardens. Piazza Delle Erbe offers a delicious cup of espresso after you have seen all the sights.

Verona is just half an hour from Lake Garda. You can make a day of it and enjoy a boat ride along the lake.

Enjoy a relaxing day in Verona with the Amarone Wine Trail Tour. You can book here or cancel at any time before the event to receive a full refund.

Sicily: The Honest Beauty of the Mediterranean

Mount Etna is a rare experience that will make you feel like a true adventurer. It is home to the highest active volcano in Europe and the most famous landmark of Sicily.

The remains of ancient Greek temples are well preserved in the Valley of Temples Agrigento, southwest Sicily. This area is internationally recognized as the most important archeological park and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You can find the remains of two ancient Greek theaters in Sicily’s northeast: one in Taormina, and one in Siracusa. Palermo is the largest Sicilian village and Savoca the most picturesque Italian village. You can also visit important historical and cultural sites.

Sicily is also known for its wine regions. Look for quality wineries so you can bring home the best local wines. Try local Sicilian food. Cannolis and Sfincione Sicilian Pizza are delicious.

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