There are so many things to do and places to see in Italy; you may want to begin with one of the larger cities, such as Rome, Florence, Venice, or Milan. It is a good idea to outfit yourself with a good set of walking shoes as many of the streets are cobblestone and you will certainly want to walk around to explore if you are able. If you want to rent your own car, drivers should be cautious because the Italians drivers certainly live up to their reputation of being crazy. If you don’t want to walk or rent your own car, you can always rent a moped, a bicycle, take the bus or a taxi to get around.
The capital of Italy, Rome, has ancient ruins and architecture mixed into the everyday lives of the people who now dwell there. You can tour old ruins at the Roman Forum, the Colosseum, as well as visit all of the beautiful fountains that draw the city together. Piazza Navona is one such focal point in Rome, where young and old alike gather. There are marble fountains, restaurants, shops for browsing, gelateria shops, and many other things to do. Piazza di Spagna is another popular area in Rome. Right near all of the designer shopping stores, Piazza Di Spagna and the Spanish Steps offers a great place to rest and take in everyday Italian life. All major cities in Italy are bustling with artists who vie for the attention of tourists and Italians alike.
For those interested in art or history, a visit to the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo is certainly a must. You can take tours of the Vatican, the Gardens and the Chapel. The beautiful St. Peter’s Basilica is a wondrous sight, and where the Pope delivers all of his speeches from. Be forewarned that Italy is strict when it comes to appropriate dress and church visits. All visitors must have their shoulders and legs covered in order to enter. Shirts and shoes are required and no shorts are allowed. Sometimes long sleeve shirts are required.
Besides all of the famous piazzas (squares), the shopping and the wonderful buzz that comes with Florence, there are also some of the most famous art museums in the world. Art buffs will be interested to explore Galleria degli Uffizi (the Uffizi), Galleria dell’Accademia (the home of Michelangelo’s famed “David”), and Museo Nazionale del Bargello (the Bargello) among other treasures. You can climb to the top of the Il Duomo and even stand out at the famed dome overlooking the beautiful city. The Pitti Palace shows a glimpse into the Florentine Royal life and has an outstanding art collection as well. The Boboli Gardens behind the Palace offer exploration among fountains, statues and flowing landscapes.
The regions of Tuscany and Umbria offer many sights and interesting things to do. If you love horses, consider visiting when the Tuscan town of Siena runs its famous “Il Palio”. Neighboring San Gimignano offers pottery galore and several towers to climb to gain a bird’s eye view of the city. A lazy day driving on “La Chiantigiana” or the Chianti Road, allows you the opportunity to stop and browse at the vineyards famous for producing Chianti wine. Several vineyards offer tours and free tastings. You can visit the home of Perugina Chocolates and even take a tour at the factory in the town of Perugia. The Leaning Tower of Pisa and located about an hour from Florence and offers a beautiful ride in the country along the way. Renting a bicycle and riding the walled city of Lucca can be a fun way to see this city. Gubbio and Deruta offer pottery factory tours and even offer shipping for your purchases. White wine lovers will love a visit to the city of Orvieto.
On the southwest coast of Italy, an area known as the Amalfi Coast, you can explore Sorrento, Naples, the ruins at Pompeii, the beautiful town of Positano and even ferry out to the islands of Capri and Ischia. The coastline here is nothing short of magnificent and food lovers will rejoice in all of the fresh seafood available in this region.
Italy has its own Riviera, close in proximity to the French Riviera but brimming Italian flair. Portofino, San Remo and Genoa highlight this area along, of course, with the beaches. The Cinque Terre is a beautiful area made up of 4 little villages and 1 larger city. This area is well worth a day trip to explore and seems to transport you back in time. There are trails linking each village so you can hike between them. Boat tours are also available but there are no cars allowed.
Sicily boasts beautiful Mt. Etna where you can sign up for hiking tours that traverse the rough mountain. The city of Taormina has a Greek Amphitheater, from which you can see Mt. Etna. The city of Syracuse offers many archeological delights including a Greek theater, a Roman amphitheater, and catacombs. If you are interested in history, then you will certainly want to visit the famous Valley of the Temples, which houses some of the world’s most beautiful Greek ruins. Palermo, the Sicilian capital, offers catacombs, several museums, shopping and is also the largest port on the island.
The Piedmont region is especially known for its production of Barolo wine, and is not too far from Milan if you wish to visit. It is true that wine lovers will rejoice no matter where in Italy they find themselves. The lake region of northern Italy is most famous for the houses that surround Lake Como. This is not too far from Milan and is so close to Switzerland, that you could take a day trip over the border. Milan has one of the most beautiful churches, Il Duomo, and also boasts one of the largest shopping “gallerias” in all of Italy. It is also home to many museums, high fashion boutiques and the famous La Scala Opera House.
A trip to Venice should include a tour of the famous St. Mark’s Basilica located in the equally famous Piazza San Marco. Visitors can also enjoy gondola rides along the Grande Canal or exploring the narrow winding pathways that make up the city. Murano Glass can be found everywhere and this is the place to buy it while shopping. The Dolomites, famous limestone formations are located in the region near Venice. Any hikers or skiers might be interested in combining a trip to Venice with this beautiful area.
This is really only a small sampling of the many sights and offerings that Italy has. It is a beautiful country in so many ways including architecture, history, art, the warm people and rich culinary delights. You can rent a small villa in the countryside or stay in the chic city hotels. You can sit and relax or explore churches, museums or indulge in one of the spas throughout the country. With such diversity, Italy truly offers something to please everyone.
