Best experiences / Blog articles
Short description: Italy is one of the most diverse countries in Europe. In the north you can find spectacular alpine landscapes, modern cities and cultural hotspots – the ideal combination for outdoor sports and shopping. But the further south you go, the Mediterranean influence on food, culture, architecture, and people becomes more obvious. The south of Italy offers rich history with abundant roman remains, abandoned villages, great beaches and, of course, delicious Italian food.
Best photos: check out our favourite photos from Italy
Best time to visit: all year around, but especially spring and autumn to avoid summer heat and winter rains
Best experiences
- time travel – Did you know that Italy has more UNESCO heritage sites than any other country in the world? It is a paradise for history lovers with the abundant remains from many different historical eras. One of the oldest civilizations that used to call Italy home are the Etruscans. The colorful tomb frescoes of Tarquinia are the best preserved site of the once-powerful civilization. When the Etruscan civilization fell, arguably the most famous period of Italian history began: the Ancient Roman Empire. To savor the grandeur of the Roman Empire, head to the archeological remains of the Forum Romano and the Colosseum in Rome, or visit the preserved city of Pompeii which was famously buried in a volcanic eruption. Fast forward a few years, and Italy was once again the center of attention – this time, through the Renaissance movement. If art and architecture are your passion, remnants of the Italian renaissance greet the visitor on almost every step – for a highly concentrated dose of art we recommend the city of Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance movement. For insights on the recent past of Italy, the EUR neighborhood in Rome offers an unparalleled opportunity to see Mussolini’s vision for Italy. The architecture here combines ancient Roman motives (like mausoleums and even the Colosseum) with more massive and modern infrastructure.
- perennial sun and sea – The choices for a beach vacation are nearly unlimited. The months of July and August can be crowded, so it is best to enjoy the beaches in the late spring or early fall. For a unique combination of warm sea, dramatic landscape and sea vistas, and old seaside fishing villages head over to either the dramatic cliffs of the Amalfi coast or the five quaint villages called Cinque Terre, where we suggest hiking the scenic Sentiero Azzurro (or ‘blue’) trail between the villages.
- mask carnival – The sinking city of Venice, where water canals replace paved roads, holds an annual festival featuring the famous Venetian masks, which are made of leather, porcelain or glass. During the festival artisans feature their skills in mask-making by participating in the contest for the best masked costume. The combination of the canals, old Venetian architecture and the elaborate costumes makes this one of the most unique experiences in the world. And for those with a little more time, why not invest in your very own Venetian mask made by one of the master mask-makers or mascherari.
- rolling hills of Tuscany – It is true what all those Hollywood movies tell us, Tuscany is a paradise for romance. Take an evening stroll through the city of Florence to admire some of the world’s most recognizable Renaissance art and architecture. Or pose with the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Or take a scenic drive through the misty hills planted with lavender to one of the most charming medieval cities in the world built of iconic red bricks, the city of Siena. If your timing is right, you can catch one of the famous bareback Palio Horse Race on its main square. And if you still have some extra time on hand, make another stop in the city of Lucca with the imposing Renaissance wall and a medieval tower topped with oak trees.
- fairytale Dolomites – Turquoise-colored lakes surrounded by colorful meadows and deep green forests, and then arching high above them imposing rocky peaks – that is how summer in the Dolomites looks like. It is one of the most scenic places to go on a hike and breath in fresh mountainous air. To try to take in all the sights (and also stop along the way for some great hiking opportunities), it might be best to drive along the Great Dolomite Road or do at least a 4 hour drive on the Short Dolomite Loop Drive.
- hiking the volcanoes – In Italy you can find two interesting (and still very active) volcanoes – Vesuvius and Etna – and you can hike them both! Besides desolate basalt landscape and solidified rivers of lava, they also offer amazing views over the surrounding countryside and towns.
- spoiling your taste buds – Italian food is world famous and whatever you decide to try, you cannot go wrong. Knock yourself out with more than 300 different pasta types, each designed to hold a specific sauce – we vote for trofie found in the region Liguria that goes perfectly with pesto. Or maybe you would like to fill your days with pizzas, in which case definitely visit Naples which is believed to be the home town of pizza. As for dessert, gelato is the right way to go and if you happen to be visiting Sicily try pistachio of Bronte (the green gold of Etna) ice cream. And while exploring all the amazing sights, grab an arancino (stuffed rice ball) or two for a snack. And all these are just the beginning…
