Top 10 Travel Highlights in Italy

Italy is one of the most alluring destinations in Europe, It is known for its rousing architecture, splendid scenery, delightful gastronomy and dramatic art legacy. This stunning country is brimming with culture, fascinating experiences and opportunities to captivate you.
So we have chosen our top 10 Italian destinations with a brief description to help you select and plan.

Rome

Rome is a cultured city that combines a contemporary atmosphere with the unique elegance of the cities venerable history; astonishing architecture and chic cafes, restaurants and boutiques, make this city a must see. If your time is limited, we implore you to visit The Colosseum, The Pantheon, The Palatino Palace Ruins, St Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican (including the world famous Sistine Chapel) and The Trevi Fountain.

Florence & Tuscany

If the reason you are drawn to Italy is art; look no further than Florence! This stunning city is the core of Europe’s Renaissance possessing masterpieces recognised and adored all over the World. Soak in the unforgettable selections at The Uffizi Gallery, including Michelangelo’s Davis and The Duomo frescoes. You can then venture to the Via de’ Tornabuoni for some retail therapy at some of Italy’s primary fashion houses. After all they say fashion is one of the purest expressions of art. You can then escape the bustle of the city by making your way to the Tuscan countryside, engross yourself in the immense expanse of lush vineyards of The Chianti region that surround rustic churches and chapels in its folds. Send yourself on a sensory adventure by sampling the regions prominent vintage wines and remember to experience the olives too!

Venice

Venice, known for its charming canals occupied by singing gondoliers, the emblematic Rialto bridge, its attractive palaces and it being the residence of world-renowned artists, is more than enough reason to gain inspiration. Venice has enthusiasts visit all year round, boasting more artistic masterpieces per square kilometre than any other city on the Planet! Once you have experienced this city for yourself, you will comprehend why travellers from all corners of the globe choose this destination. if you’re able to overlap your trip with the annual Carnival of Venice, you will join thousands of people in elaborate masks and have true taste of the Venetian culture.

Pompeii

Listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, Pompeii has been a significant tourist attraction for nearly 300 years. The city was devastated by a ruinous volcanic eruption in 79AD that left it buried under 6 metres of ash and pumice, until a large-scale excavation in 1599 exposed remarkably well-preserved remains, giving modern historians, archaeologists and visitors a unique insight into the typical life of the ancient Romans. Taking a step back in time to walk among the Romans, their homes, amphitheatres, forums and brothels that have stood for centuries.

Verona

Again, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with remnants and monuments from every century, but more notably evoked as the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, you can rest assured this city is not alien to romance, drama and feuds.

Naples

Although Naples is not known for its idyllic scenery, there are many spectacles to adore. Tourists and historians alike gather to admire the city’s UNESCO-sanctioned historic foundation. Bask in archaeological artefacts like The Museo Archeologico Nazionale and Neapolitan artistry at the charterhouse-turned-museum identified as the Certosa e Museo di San Martino.

Sorrento

Sorrento is a haven with elegance, the perfect location to enjoy the local cuisine, soak up the sun and plan the next move whilst exploring the surrounding area. Covering 30 miles adjacent to the southern side of the Sorrento Peninsula, The Amalfi Coast is highly regarded as one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. Offering glistening bays, rocky cliffs, aromatic lemon tree gardens and impressive villas.

Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre (‘five lands’) is situated in the northwest coastal region of Liuria. The reason for the name five lands is because this city includes five picturesque cliffside villages; Manarola, Monterosso, Riomaggiore, Corniglia and Vernazza. If peace, quiet and distinction is what you are looking for, then look no further. The villages, coastline and encompassing hillsides are all linked to The Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has forbidden vehicles to enter. Instead the villages are joined by an elaborate arrangement of hiking trails and a bucolic train track.

The Italian Lake District

The Italian Lake District extends across Northern Italy, with smooth, temperate lakes in the south and deep, mountainous lakes in the north. There are over one thousand lakes in Italy and most of them can be found here, most notably are the largest of the lakes; Lake Como, Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. The appealing blend of stunning scenery and perfect weather make this region extremely popular with travellers. In fact, it is known to be the retreat for many stylish celebrities (including George Clooney and Richard Branson).

Pisa

Pisa, known of course for its unmistakable leaning tower. Although through the years it has been corrected somewhat for safety and to prevent it finally toppling, the famous tower has stood for centuries and is intended to stay for a few more. Have yourself a memorable and undeniable selfie in front of the leaning tower to add to the travel book.

If you are yet to experience any of these Italian highlights, then there is no time like the present to start preparing and planning your next trip! We would love for you to share with us any plans you have to visit these destinations on your next tour of Italy and share your previous experiences if you have visited before, tell us what you enjoyed most? Let us know!