Italy

 

 

 

 

I t’s little wonder that Italy is one of the world’s top travel destinations. For a country that’s only about the size of Arizona — its long, boot-like shape makes it look larger than it really is – it’s packed with so many things to experience that you could spend years here and only scratch the surface.

One of its charms is that it’s really an amalgam of different destinations, each differing geographically and culturally from the other.

For example, in their Alpine setting, the lakes of the north – Como, Garda, Maggiore and Lugano — differ greatly from the rolling hills of Tuscany, the cultural treasures of Florence and the beauty of Siena — all only a few hours away.

See a slideshow of Siena

The cliff towns of the Amalfi Coast south of Naples have a distinctly different ambiance than the villages of Cinque Terra, which cling to the cliffs along the Ligurian Coast east of Genoa. Even Italy’s islands — Sicily, Sardinia, Capri and Ischia — provide vastly different vistas and experiences from one another.

So, too, is it with the cities. The chaos of modern-day Rome with its majestic ruins is in another world compared to the treasure troves of art and architecture one finds in Florence and Venice. The list goes on and on.

But what unifies the country, in addition to a common language and government, is every Italian’s love of good food which is treated with an almost religious-like reverence. It’s all part of la dolce vita, a respect for the good life, which is at the very heart of their character.

Quick Tours (video)

Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Top Experiences

Rome – charisma among the chaos
Florence – a masterpiece
Venice – eternal, ethereal, exquisite
Siena – Italy’s greatest piazza
The Amalfi – a spectacular coastline

Good to Know

Historic Cafes of Venice
Venice is well-known for its canals, gondolas, Carnivale and the Bellini. My Melange loves Venice for another reason – its historic cafes.

Day Trip to Capri
While it’s great to be able to spend an overnight or two on Capri, a day trip is also worthwhile since it provides enough time to get a picture-postcard view of the island.

The Italian Lakes
If you want a different Italian experience beyond the tourist meccas of Rome, Venice and Florence, head northward to Italy’s lake district on the southern side of the Alps.

The Mountainous North
Italy’s most famous mountain range is the Dolomites, a section of the Alps that pokes into northeastern Italy, carved over the eons into rugged and dramatic peaks and gorges.

Cinque Terre
There aren’t many villages in the world that have the “wow factor” of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare, collectively called the Cinque Terre.

Away From the Crowds in Umbria
Landlocked and set right in the middle of the country, Umbria is far less known than Tuscany and other areas but holds some very special experiences.

Coming Back to Como
Como is one of those incredible towns you only find so often. I’d been going there for many years, never quite getting my fill of the place, and I’ll certainly be back again.

The “Miracle” in the Castelli Romani
The Castelli Romani south of Rome has been producing wine since Roman times and still produces wine of many of Rome’s trattorias. This was bound to happen.

Bellagio’s Tie Guy
We found him way up a steep street in the Italian village of Bellagio. Who would have known that here was a guy who could make or break a US presidential election?

How To Visit Venice On A Budget
Venice is such a beautiful and unique place, but it comes at a price – a high one. As We Travel has some good suggestions for keeping the costs down.
Hiking and driving the Dolomites Great Road
It stretches just south of the Italian-Austrian border for about 70 miles, starting at Cortina d’Ampezzo, a couple of hours north of Venice, through a spectacular landscape.

Transportation

There are many flights from both the USA and Canada to Rome’s airports and other Italian cities, and a ferry service links the country with Greece. Train travel has improved greatly over the years and high-speed trains now link some cities. Buses connect many towns, but often the most pleasant, and efficient, means of seeing the countryside is via car.

Hotels

There are an exceptional variety of accommodations in Italy ranging from rooms in small pensiones to suites in incredible palazzos. If you look around and plan accordingly, you can often find good accommodations that suite your budget almost anywhere in the country.

Food

There is no lack of variety of excellent food choices in Italy. The “national” favorites – especially pasta and pizza – are found all over the country but delicious regional specialties abound.

Quality of Medical Care (Good/Fair/Poor)

Good