Different ways of exploring Italy and its territory: A Travel Guide Blog

Italy

Italy is a dream destination for travelers and ranks among the most visited countries in the world. Every corner of this stunning nation is brimming with iconic landmarks and hidden gems.

Venture into the south of the country and the beautiful region of Sicily. It’s one of my favorite places, where you can soak in breathtaking coastlines and savor delicious local cuisine. Whether you’re seeking art, adventure, or relaxation, your options are endless when planning a trip to Italy.

Lago di Carezza, summer itinerary to the Dolomites

What you need to know before traveling to ITALY

  • Language: Italian is the official language, but English is widely spoken in tourist areas and larger cities.
  • Currency: The official currency is the Euro (€).
  • Visas: If you visit from outside the EU, check if you need a Schengen visa to enter Italy or if your country is on the visa waiver list.
  • Time Zones: Italy in in the Central European Time Zone (CET).
  • Travel Insurance: if you travel outside the EU, make sure you have travel insurance that covers medical expenses and emergencies.
  • Mobile: using an eSIM when you travel in Italy is very convenient, as it requires no physical card and can be activated remotely before you arrive in Italy.
  • Plugs: Italy uses Type F power outlets. If you’re a foreign traveler, I recommend buying an universal adapter.
  • Transportation: Within cities you can easily use buses and metro services, while you can either rely on a train or car to travel between cities.
  • Accommodation: Italy offers a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets, from hotels to Airbnbs and Agriturismo.
  • Tipping: Is not mandatory and many restaurants include a fixed fee (usually between EUR 2-4) per person to cover service charges.
  • Must-try food: There is no place as renowned for food as Italy and the list of the must-try dishes in Italy is truly endless. You can’t leave Italy without trying pizza, pasta, gelato, risotto, lasagna focaccia and tiramisu.

The Best Time to Visit italy

As someone who was raised in Italy, I’ve experienced every season and in my opinion there is no wrong season to visit it. Choosing when to visit Italy depends a lot on the activities you want to experience during your stay.

Summer months are very hot and some beaches in the South of Italy can be very crowded. I would recommend not visiting in August, as that’s when most of the corporate businesses close for at least two weeks and everyone is on holiday.

Winter is a dream come true if you’re a ski lover. The Dolomites are especially popular during these winter months, not only because of the snow but also because of the Christmas Markets.

My favorite time of the year to visit Italy is either Spring or Fall. The temperature is more mild, crowds are fewer and you get to enjoy a place more.

ITALY Adventure Guide

  • Rome: is my favorite city in the world! This not only because of its lasting history, iconic Colosseum, Vatican City, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps, but also because of its unremarkable dishes. You cannot leave Rome without trying a Carbonara, a Cacio e Pepe or sweeten up the day a delicious gelato.
  • Venice: romanticized in many movies, every corner in Venice seems to hold a piece of history. From the city’s main waterway, the Grand Canal, to the iconic architecture in Piazza San Marco, and the dreamlike Gondola rides, Venice is a place where you feel the beauty of the past and present intertwine. If you visit Venice, don’t miss out on visiting the island of Burano nearby.
  • Amalfi Coast: is one of the most scenic drives along the coast of Southern Italy. On your way stop to visit Pompeii, the ancient Roman city completely covered by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Continue to Positano, a very picturesque cliffside town, Amalfi and its beautiful cathedral and Ravello with its stunning historic villas. This is one of the best places in Italy to try a fresh lemon, which can be as big a ball.
  • Tuscany: Start by visiting Florence’s Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery. Continue on a countryside road trip south to Chianti, known for its world-famous wine, Siena known for its Palio horse race, San Gimignano for its medieval towers and Pisa for its leaning tower. The best way to explore the region is by car, to fully capture and enjoy the beauty of this territory.
  • Cinque Terre: famous for its five colorful coastal towns perched on the cliffs of the Ligurian Sea. My favorite way of exploring these towns is while hiking from town to town, but you can also take an easier and shorter train ride.
  • Sicily: I recommend to start exploring this island in Palermo, a historic city with Arab-Norman architecture and go on a road trip around the entire island. Sicily is home to the Etna Volcano, which happens to be one of the most active volcanoes in the world. If you have time to only explore part of the island, you can split your trip in either Western side of Sicily or Eastern side.

Why you should travel to ITALY

I might be biased since I’ve been raised in Italy, but there are countless reasons why Italy should be at the top of your travel list. Firstly, you can immerse yourself in the ancient Roman history and visit one of the best preserved treasures, the Sistine Chappel in Vatican.

Alternatively, you can go on many scenic road trips along rolling hills and vineyards in Tuscany or sun-kissed coastlines in the Southern Italy.

You have both lakes like Lake Como and the Mediterranean Sea at your doorstep. But if you prefer the mountains, the trails can be easily reached from the main cities.

Oh, let’s not forget about the delicious food. You won’t find any dish as good as the ones in Italy and I challenge you to prove me wrong!

Have I convinced you yet? Read below for more inspiration and the related blog articles.

LOCAL TIP: If you’re traveling to smaller towns in particular, be aware that many stores and business will close for a few hours in the afternoon, usually between 12pm and 3pm. Similarly, restaurants open their doors for dinner after 7pm.

Best Places to Travel in Italy if you like:

Having many places you want to visit on a single trip but only limited time to see it all, can quickly feel overwhelming. To help you narrow down the destinations, I clustered the main attractions by activities.

Outdoors

  • Dolomites (Trentino – Alto Adige): Are a UNESCO World Heritage site with stunning mountain peaks, valleys and alpine lakes. If you are a mountain and nature lover, there is no place like the Dolomites. Whether you’re visiting in summer or winter, you can hike, ski or climb year-round.
  • Cinque Terre (Liguria): If you start in La Spezia, you can hike along the rugged coastline and the surrounding hills that connect the five main picturesque towns. It’s an amazing experience!
  • Lake Como (Lombardy): The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor adventures, from hiking to kayaking or enjoying the lake framed by the mountains.
  • Gran Paradiso National Park (Aosta Valley): Is one of Italy’s oldest national parks, where spectacular hikes and alpine camping awaits. You can do an array of activities, but you can also enjoy some relaxation.

Wineries

  • Tuscany: and the Chianti region has some of the best vineyards and wineries in the world. Make sure you add the following wine-renowned towns to your trip: Montalcino, Montepulciano and San Gimignano.
  • Piemonte: The Langhe region is especially famous for its rolling hills and vineyards. Some of the finest wines produced in this region includes Barolo and Barbaresco.
  • Sicily: the volcanic soils of the island add to the distinctiveness of the wines. If you want to try great wine, head to the areas around Etna and Marsala.

Historic Towns

  • Rome (Lazio): is the ultimate destination for history lovers. With its ancient ruins, historic landmarks such as the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Pantheon, it is a must-see place and should be on anyone’s bucket list.
  • Florence (Tuscany): From the Uffizi Gallery to the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio, Florence really stands up to its name as the birthplace of the Renaissance.
  • Siena (Tuscany): Mostly famous for the Palio horse race, Siena is a medieval town with narrow streets and ancient buildings.
  • Verona (Veneto): Famous for Romeo and Juliet and the Arena di Verona, the historic center being a UNESCO World Heritage site and the 1th century caste “Castelvecchio”.
  • Bologna (Emilia Romagna): The birthplace of Bolognese sauce (ragù) and delicious tortellini, Bologna has also some of the most iconic landmarks, such as the Two Towers, Porticoes and Piazza Maggiore. Interestingly, Bologna has the oldest university in the world, founded in 1088.

City Life

  • Milan (Lombardy): If you love fashion and design, look no further. Additionally, to experience Milan’s nightlife I recommend heading to the Brera district for chic cocktail bars and trendy nightclubs in Navigli and Corso Como.
  • Naples (Campania): A lively city known for its pizza but also for its friendly and welcoming people. The Chiaia and Vomero districts are known for the trendy bars and clubs, as well as the live music.
  • Rome (Lazio): Head to Trastevere to enjoy Rome’s best nightlife scene. There’s something for every taste, whether you’re into an elegant drink or dancing until dawn.

Scenic Drives

  • Tuscany: A road trip through Tuscany’s rolling hills, vineyards and medieval towns is everyone’s dream. The variety of scenery and activities on the road is endless with every corner showcasing the true beauty of Italy.
  • Amalfi Coast: One of the most scenic drives in the world, with stunning views of cliffs, coastal towns and the Mediterranean sea.
  • Lake Garda: Is the largest lake in Italy and a popular holiday location. A road trip around the charming towns with panoramic views of the lake is an absolute must.

Beaches

  • Sardinia: If you could only choose three beaches to visit, I would mention La Pelosa Beach, Cala Brandinchi and Cala Luna. At these beaches the crystal-clear waters and the fine white sand make you feel like in a tropical paradise.
  • Sicily: Has many stunning beaches, from Cefalù to Scala dei Turchi and San Vito Lo Capo. Sicily has some of the most photogenic beaches in Italy, where you can both relax and try water sports.
  • Puglia: The area of Pescoluse is known as the “Maldives of Italy”, as the beach has fine, white sand and turquoise water.

Read all my posts about traveling in Italy