Italy

Italy has a rich culture and a fascinating history. You will love the delicious Italian food, beautiful scenery and amazing people!

Italy

Italy is a large and diverse country that stretches from the high Alpine peaks in the far north to the sunny southern heel of the boot. Each area has its own unique history, culture, and food. With so many options, choosing where to go on your vacation can be difficult. Here, we list the best 5 destinations in Italy that, in our opinion, should not be missed. They range from famous cities like Rome, Venice, and Florence to unassuming coastal islands like Ischia and opulent resorts like Capri and Lake Como.

Rome

Rome is worth seeing simply because of the Baroque fountains, Renaissance art, medieval cathedrals, and ancient remains.

Rome, also known as the Imperial City, is where you’ll find the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, and the Trevi Fountain. You can hardly turn a corner in this city without running into an ancient ruin or a Renaissance masterpiece that is hanging in an unmarked tiny empty church. The streets here seem to be paved with European history.

We can set up a guided walk of the Forum and Colosseum for you if you’re interested in learning more about the earliest Romans, or you can go to a church that was built on one of the first Christian churches, which was in turn built on a Mithraic temple.

Rome’s classical splendor was restored during the Renaissance, and you can see treasures from that time period all over the city, including works by Raphael and Michelangelo in the Vatican Museums as well as the frequently disregarded Galleria Doria Pamphilj.

Rome’s cuisine may not be as well-known as that of other places, but it is a hearty cuisine that features dishes like cacio e pepe and the decadent suppl (deep-fried rice balls filled with cheese). You can go on a food journey through the Jewish Ghetto to get a sense of the city’s Jewish history.

Venice

The city is full of masterpieces of the Romanesque and Renaissance, Carnevale, and canal-side taverns.

Venice, which is spread across more than 100 islands connected by waterways and bridges, is regarded as the most romantic city in the world. There is a lot more to see here, in addition to the Grand Canal, Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Square, and Basilica.

Aperitivi and Cicchetti, the Venetian equivalent of tapas, are served at the canal-side restaurants known as Bacari. You will be impressed by the city’s unique rowing technique, which was developed by gondoliers, for something a little more active.

The city explodes in a Bacchanalia for Carnevale during the ten days leading up to Lent. You can find revelers dressed in costumes along the canals as today’s festivities match those of the festival’s heyday in the 18th century. The numerous museums and galleries in the city are evidence of its illustrious creative history. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection, which emphasizes more contemporary works, and the Accademia, which contains masterpieces spanning from the Byzantine to the Baroque, are definite highlights. The Biennale, which alternates between years, is the most prestigious display of large-scale installations in Europe.

The iconic masks of the Carnevale are made by master craftsmen who take inspiration from a rich past. You can construct your own mask to take home by enrolling in a mask-making class taught by a seasoned professional in the field.

On the islands of Murano and Burano, where skilled artists continue the tradition, you can still tour workshops where Venetian blown glass and lace, status symbols throughout the Renaissance, are produced.

Florence

Florence is where the Renaissance began.

Renaissance architecture, culture, and art are the major reasons to visit this wonderful city.

Florence embodies the European Renaissance in every way, from the ochre dome of the Duomo, to the graceful palazzos & the storied collections on display in the city’s numerous museums and galleries. The city is a living gallery devoted to that era.

You can spend days perusing the works of Michelangelo, Botticelli, Da Vinci, Titian, and other Renaissance masters in the stately halls of the Bargello, Uffizi, and Accademia. Outside, you can see the same artistic brilliance at work in the Piazzi, churches, and castles.

Florence is a great location to experience all of Tuscany’s renowned cuisine, whether it be through dining establishments or cooking classes. It’s an excellent starting point for exploring the Tuscan countryside, which is dotted with vineyards.

Although Siena and San Gimignano, two nearby towns, are less well-known than Florence, they share the same flourishing culture and wealth that made Florence so alluring. We are able to set up a road trip to see these neighboring cities.

Everything evokes the time when Florence was the center of the global cultural exchange, including the building, the wall paintings, and the formal gardens outside.

Positano, the Golden Mountain

This is a must-see place, with beautiful Piazzi and vistas of the coast in the sunlight.

Positano should be your choice if you only visit one village along the Amalfi Coast. This former fishing community epitomizes the allure of the Amalfi Coast with its chic waterfront, busy beaches, and upscale shops.

We advise you to leisurely stroll through the town, stopping by upscale stores, admiring the charming churches, and occasionally stopping for a cup of coffee, a scoop of gelato, or a drink of limoncello, the region’s signature liqueur.

Of course, you can also take a moment to enjoy the expansive views of the Mediterranean as it sparkles in the sunlight.

You can tour from a private boat for a unique perspective of the village and the entire coast. You can unwind in the sun, enjoy the views from the ocean, and take short swim breaks.

The views from the Infinity Terrace of Villa Cimbrone in nearby Ravello are even better than those in Positano.

Lake Como

The greatest gemstone of the Lakes Region is Lake Como.

It must be visited because of the Bellagio, elegant villas, and Alpine vistas.

Como is a glittering location in every way: the deep-blue water glistens in the sun, and the elegant visitors sparkle in diamonds and Ferraris. Como is a three-armed lake nestled amid the forested peaks of the Italian Alps.

But you don’t have to belong to the privileged to tour Lake Como. You can kayak through its waters with a local guide and take in the luxurious homes that line the shores, or you can unwind on a private boat while enjoying a drink of wine as you pass by the numerous fishing communities that still exist here.

Bellagio is known as the Pearl of the Lake; you’ll surely immerse yourself in the rich beauty of the well-kept gardens, stone staircases, tile-roofed buildings, and manicured streets. We can set up an e-bike food trip or a walking tour, to help you deal with those steep streets.

A Month by the Lake, Casino Royale, and even Star Wars: Attack of the Clones were all filmed at Villa del Balbianello to take advantage of the magnificent Renaissance gardens, Italianate buildings, and panoramic views of the lakes and mountains.

Don’t miss out on the other lakes, which are equally as beautiful despite Como’s appeal sometimes overshadowing them. Although less populated than Como, Lake Maggiore, and its Borromean Islands have the same allure as the Alps.