Last Updated on May 3, 2022 by Tia
Planning a trip to Italy? Then look no further! This article gives you all the reasons you need to visit Breathtaking Italy and decide where to go.
The choices are endless, as Italy is undoubtedly one of the most incredible countries in the world. Filled with history, beauty, architecture and unforgettable food, you will be spoiled for choice!
So if you are planning a trip to Italy and want an expert opinion on the best, then keep reading!
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Italy is undoubtedly my favorite country in the world.
I couldn’t post enough pictures, share enough content, or sings its praises long enough to make you realize, that not visiting Italy at least once in your lifetime, is a complete and utter travesty.
Table of Contents
My Italian Experiences
I have lived in Italy for a year, particularly in Florence and have traveled separately to the country a further 5 times. This says a lot as I usually see something once and like to move on!
I have seen its every season; from bitter cold and breathtaking during December; to hot and picture-perfect during July… and everything else in between.
I have stood in awe in front of the Sistine Chapel in Rome and climbed the 414 steps of the Duomo Cathedral in Florence. I have posed with the Leaning Tower of Pisa and fallen in love in a gondola Venice.
Nothing can stop you from falling head over heels with Italy! The History, Architecture, Food, Language, Lifestyle, the People.
Visiting Italy isn’t a simple holiday. Its a dream holiday, an utter necessity and the travel experience of a lifetime.
La Fontana Di Trevi – Rome
So here we go!
All the Reasons you will ever need to Visit Italy! Narrowing this down to a mere 11 was pretty painful.
1. Planning a trip to Italy: Stand in Awe in front of Every Building and Cornerstone in Rome
The Colosseum, Rome
What is there to say about the Italian Capital, that hasn’t been said a million times?
There is no other city in the world like it- Period.
- it’s a modern 21st-century city and a large archaeological dig that goes back to 2,800 years at the same time.
- Every step you take is surrounded by so much influential art, architecture and history it practically screams.
- Because it is home to the ancient ruins of the Colosseum and The Forum – taking you back to Julius Caesar and the Romulus Golden Eras.
- It is the Home of the Catholic Faith – the Vatican City- and the breathtaking Vatican Museums which houses masterpieces like Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel.
- Because a visit to Rome isn’t complete until you’ve tossed a coin and made a wish at the Trevi Fontana and because i know of this hidden little bistro that makes the best pasta i have eaten in my entire life.
If you are planning a trip to Italy, I would start and end every trip to Italy with Rome.
Read this detailed guide on what to do in Rome to make the most of it!
Travel to it, Explore it, live it, fall in love with it – it is inevitable.
Recommended Stay: 6-8 Days
2. Planning a trip to Italy To Fall in Love With Venice
Yes, it’s sinking, it’s expensive and the water often smells.
But seriously, where else would you find a city that despite all this, STILL remains one of the most sought after cities in the world?
Imagine the audacity of building an entire city of Grande Marble Palaces on an actual lake.
Imagine a city with no roads, just gondolas, water taxis and houses partly submerged in water.
Then, picture gorgeous Italians unlocking the front doors to their Grande Palaces into their gondola before they go about their day.
Think of exclusive Venetian cuisine.. signature dishes, and some of the best seafood in Italy.
Sipping Venice’s signature drink- The almighty Prosecco- whilst overlooking gondolas lazily drift in the Grand Canal.
Explore the Venetian Architecture in the forms of the Palazzo Ducale and Basilica di San Marco.
Experience ”La Bella Vita”, the wake-up call of gondoliers calling ‘Ooooeeeee!”!!
Fall in love with the fuchsia pink Sunsets.. and life, nature, and art.
Wander the backstreets to discover priceless marbles and paintings and grandeur of a different era.
Planning a trip to Italy without a visit to Venice is a tragedy!
Venice is magical, its the stuff of fairytales that only dreams are made of!
Recommended Stay: 3-4 Days
3. Planning a trip to Italy -Make Florence your favorite City in the World
Florence – Firenze Italy
I had the fortune and privilege to live in Firenze (Florence) for a year and it was one of the best years of my life! Romantic, enchanting and truly irresistible, this is THE place to feast your eyes on world-class art and your mouth on gourmet Tuscan Dining.
I cannot fault Florence anywhere, I honestly can’t!
A small and utterly gorgeous city packed with architectural masterpieces and extraordinary art on every step and every turn you take.
A city that has hardly changed since the Renaissance days, with narrow cobbled streets- many with no access to cars! You will find 15th-century palaces, medieval chapels, and churches. You will witness marble basilicas and world-class art museums packed with masterpieces and sculptures by Botticelli and Michaelangelo.
All of this with the grande Piazza Duomo in the center of it all. And, of course, the breathtaking Duomo Di Firenze (The Cathedral di Santa Maria del Fiore).
This breathtaking cathedral is worth the 414 steps you must take to climb to the top for the views alone.
Duomo Cathedral – Florence
What to do in Florence
- Credit cards at the ready, be sure to do some shopping! Italy’s fashion industry was born and bred here with Gucci and Salvatore Ferragamo being bred right here in Firenze.
- In the Piazza Di Duomo, discover exclusive, luxurious and indulgent boutiques.
- observe goldsmiths and shoemakers at work
- and buy custom made perfumes.
- Find the local tailor enjoying a mid-morning espresso break with the butcher next door.
- Indulge in the best Caesar salad of your lives at the Savoy Hotel in the heart of the square.
- Walk to the Arno River, stand on the bridge and watch the mood and colors change with jaw-dropping variations.
- Wine and dine with exclusive locally-produced Tuscany wines and local delicacies of a more refined palette.
My Florence- the most beautiful city in the world!
Florence is mega-rich in culture, supported by history and glued together by deeply rooted family values and the Catholic Faith.
It is a dream, a city not to be missed at any cost!
Recommended Stay: 5 days or ideally your entire life. I am moving back, I can’t wait!
4. Planning a Trip to Italy – Photograph the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Tuscany
You know you want a photo in front of this tower! It’s fascinatingly been leaning since its completion in 1372.
This 56m white-marble cylinder is the bell tower of the Romanesque Cathedral that rises next to it in the Piazza dei Miracoli.
The fact that it has somehow managed to defy gravity to this day, makes it fascinating enough to deserve a mention!
Pisa is only an hour or so from Florence, so if time permits, take a visit!
Recommended Stay: 2 days
5. Planning a trip to Italy – Wine tasting sessions in Tuscany
Wine tasting, Tuscany
Continue exploring Tuscany by going deeper into the countryside and taking advantage of what Tuscany is famous for; wine tasting.
Combine it with cooking classes, wine cellar tours or cheese, and supreme olive oil tasting. Prepare yourselves for a truly authentic Italian experience!
Countless options for wineries and tours; like the world-famous Chianti Classico just south of Florence with grape variations dating all the way back to 1716. Or a tour of the great wineries at the far east of Tuscany, the Morellino Scansano and Montecarlo.
Wine lovers rejoice- Salute!
Recommended Stay: 3 days
6. Planning a Trip to Italy – Eat the Best Food of your Life
Pasta like you’ve never imagined before!
Italy is home the best cuisine in the World- followed closely by us Greeks.
Best Food in Italy
- Let’s start with the obvious; the all mighty Pasta. Home to over 300 types of Fresh Handmade Pasta and eaten practically every day in homes across the country!
I had the fortune to be taught how to make fresh pasta from scratch by an Italian grandma! Definitely an experience (and taste) I will treasure forever!
- Let’s move on to the Antipasto – a starter version of the famous Greek Meze and similar to the Spanish Tapas. Prosciutto Crudo, Prosciutto Cotto and Various other cured meats that taste insane. Then, Buffalo Mozzarella (the real kind, still warm from the store and about 5 times the size of Mozzarella you see overseas). Add succulent Olives, sun-dried tomatoes and an abundance of bread and olive oil. Its 100% Italian; Real, Fresh Magnificent Food.
- The Pizza – which you’ve never really tasted until you’ve been to Italy. No sausage, stuffed crust, ketchup smothered nonsense here. Fresh and simple ingredients, aromatic basil, marinara’s made from scratch and a wafer-thin base!
The making of Fresh Pasta
- The authentic Ceasar Salad
- The Arancini (mozzarella, tomato sauce, and meat wrapped inside of a fried rice ball)
- the homemade Gelato, Tiramisu and Panna Cotta
- the strong Espresso and the hot chocolate that’s so thick and indulgent you could eat it with a spoon.
Ooohh i could go on for days!
Eating out in Italy is a Luxurious Travel Experience in itself.
7. Planning a trip to Italy – Soak up the Culture in Bologna
Bologna
A city seemingly divided in half!
On one side, the super-rich valley – with operas, grande theaters, and fine dining restaurants.
On the other side, a politically edgy city with graffiti- embellished piazzas. It is also seemingly overtaken by quirky students of the oldest University in the world and graffiti- embellished piazzas.
Bologna is indeed a city booming with life and culture! Exhibitions, music, art and design events, alongside food and wine festivals, are only some of the Bologna Highlights.
Recommended Stay: 2 days
8. Planning a trip to Italy – Live out your Romeo and Juliet Fairytale in Verona
The city of Verona
An underrated gem in Italy, The Province of Verona, is a city in Northern Italy’s Veneto region. It boasts a medieval old town built between the Adige River.
Verona is the city of love, romance and all things pretty; primarily famous for the balcony of Juliet (La Casa Di Julietta) which was the setting of the famous play “Romeo and Juliet”.
Flocks of tourists wait their turn to photograph themselves in the famous balcony and the walls are lined up to 2m high with love notes, many attached with chewing gum.
Aside from the search of renaissance hopeless romance…Verona is a bustling center! It is dominated by a huge and remarkably well-preserved 1st-century amphitheater, which is the venue for the city’s annual summer opera festival.
Additional sights not to be missed
- Piazza Delle Erbe
- The Basilica of San Zeno
- The Roman Arena
- Castelvecchio Museum.
Recommended Stay: 2 days
9. Planning a trip to Italy – Snowboard the Dolomites Mountains
The Dolomites
Snowboarding in the Dolomites is a must for all adventure lovers.
With over 9 snow parks to choose from and 23 routes of varying difficulty, there is a snowboard experience for everyone.
- There are four blue slopes for beginners and people wanting to brush up on their technique.
- Then, there are four red slopes of medium difficulty designed for those who are already familiar with the sport.
- Finally, one black slope for real experts, with some really steep, challenging parts.
- Breathtaking sunsets, Great drinks and food in both taste and price (an interesting mix of Italian and Austrian Cuisine)
- artificial snow machines in case the weather fails
I still vividly remember the first time I snowboarded – and the utter quiet up high on the mountains! Also, the way the sun reflects on the snow, the breathtaking sights and my heart racing with adrenaline.
If you love to ski and snowboard, then consider planning a trip to Italy and the Dolomites!
For more information on the Dolomites different routes and parks please click here
Recommended Stay: 2-3 days
10. See the Most Beautiful Lake of Lake Como
Lake Como
The magnificent scenery of Lake Como (also known as Lake Lario) has enchanted artists and travelers for centuries.
From the Lake’s shores, you can enjoy multiple, fascinating views. You will witness splendid villas and lush gardens, classic Italian charm, culture, and nature.
For hundreds of years, it’s been a popular destination with the rich and famous, like property owners George Clooney, and Richard Branson. But there are plenty of things to do at Lake Como for the humble tourist, too.
- Make sure you ferry hop around the various towns and villages. Como, Bellagio, Menaggio, and Varena,
- enjoy a lake cruise and be sure to do a spot of villa sightseeing too – Lake Como must surely boast more luxury villas than anywhere else on earth.
You’ll be hard-pressed to decide which ones to see!
Recommended Stay: 2 days
11. Live Your Best Life in Sardinia and the Amalfi Coast
Sardinia
Crystal clear waters and white fluffy sands. At the same time, mountains, caves and cliffs, and wild unspoiled nature.
This is Sardinia, the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.
- Take the 600 steps down to the Neptunes Grotto and take a guided tour into the famous stalactite cave.
- Hike to Capo Caccia and do some scuba diving
- wander the archaeological sites.
- Live out your shipwrecked fantasy in the secluded beaches of Cala Goloritzé, Cala Luna and Capo Testa.
Classic Mediterranean beauty, secluded luxury and unspoiled nature. Yes,Sardinia a must when planning a trip to Italy
Recommended Stay: 2-3 days
Amalfi Coast
Amalfi Coast
Declared by UNESCO as a “World Heritage Site”, The Amalfi Coast is a destination to be enjoyed leisurely and at a slower pace.
- Rent a boat and go to Positano, one of Italy’s most exclusive resort areas.
- Walk its steep street steps and winding roads.
- Take in the astonishing views
- Sunbathe at the cosmopolitan Marina di Cantone
- keep on walking to quieter beaches like Maiore, Fornillo, and Marina Grande.
- Then, visit Capri and get a real taste of ”La Dolce Vita”. In Capri, you will experience jet-set glamour and mega-yachts slicing through the shimmering blue seas! Make sure you visit the famous Blue Grotto.
For more information on the dozers of things to see and do in Amalfi Coast please click here
Recommended Stay: 3-4 days
Amalfi Coast
If you are not in love yet, i don’t quite know what to tell you.
Italy is a country so close to my heart; and will be my forever Top Europe Travel Destination.
To see it is to love it .. so take the plunge- book those tickets and enjoy the journey of an absolute lifetime!
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Grazie A tutti!
Tia
xoxo
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