Where to Go in Italy

One of the most beautiful cities in Italy and one of the most important centers of Renaissance art and architecture, Florence is considered a must-visit for any Italy itinerary. Its cobblestone streets are home to incredible museums like the Accademia Gallery which showcases many of Michelangelo’s works like the marble statue of David that stands over 13 feet tall. The Uffizi Gallery, which dates back to 1541, is one of the most famous and oldest art museums in the world, showcasing one-of-a-kind works from Michelangelo as well as Raphael, Botticelli, and da Vinci, primarily spanning from the 12th– to 17th-centuries. The magnificent churches of Santa Croce and Santa Maria Novella are veritable art galleries, while the Brancacci Chapel in the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine is often referred to as the ‘Sistine Chapel of the early Renaissance. Its painting cycle is among the periods most influential and well-known, created between 1425 and 1427. 

Rome is one of the most charismatic places you’ll ever visit, birthed in the 8th-century BC , growing from a small town on the Tiber River into an empire that encompassed the majority of continental Europe, Britain, northern Africa, the Mediterranean islands and much of western Africa. As you stand in front of the Roman Empire’s largest amphitheater, the Roman Colosseum, you can almost hear the deafening roar of the crowd that included as many as 50,000 spectators, and see the gladiators battle it out. This is a city that’s filled with iconic attractions with just a few of the others including the Roman Forum, the Vatican (technically in Vatican City, a city-state), Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and the Pantheon. As the capital of modern Italy, you’ll find a wide range of shopping, nightlife, and dining experiences too, from world-class eateries to opportunities to learn to cook authentic Italian with local chefs. 

Also referred to as Apulia, Puglia is located in southeastern Italy, extending from the Fortore River to Cape Santa Maria de Leuca at the tip of the Salentine Peninsula, the “heel” of the boot. It’s one of the less-visited regions of Italy, missed by most tourists, yet it offers everything from the stunning coastal town of Polignano a Mare with its spellbinding sea caves to Alberobello with its famous cone-shaped Trulli architecture and the walled hilltop town of Ostuni. Discover brilliant turquoise seas, golden sands, olive groves, and delicious cuisine. The region offers all the Mediterranean favorites like fresh seafood, artichokes, and olive oil, all locally sourced. Here you can take winery tours and cooking classes to learn how to make fresh pasta and find out how olive oil is made. It’s the kind of place that offers a more authentic experience that’s best not rushed, slowing down and interacting with the locals.

See a different side to Italy on our Undiscovered Puglia example itinerary.

Amalfi Coast is the breathtaking coastline you’ve probably seen in countless images with its charming towns set atop cliffs towering above the azure Mediterranean. It’s known as one of the world’s most awe-inspiring destinations, a sensual blend of both cultural and natural wonders. Terrace vineyards and orchards are scattered about often bringing dazzling views of the brilliant water below. With the communities here looking as if they’re part of the rock, it adds to the striking natural beauty. The fishing villages have long been popular tourist destinations with many boutiques, restaurants and hotels, along with opportunities to take boat tours to visit the island of Capri and see the famous blue grotto. Towns like Ravello and Amalfi offer many excellent examples of art and architecture, while Sorrento’s Old Town is the perfect spot to haggle for a bottle of limoncello with the product made from Sorrento lemons. 

The most famous of the Italian Lakes, Lake Como has stolen the show in many films like James Bond’s ‘Casino Royale’ and actor George Clooney owns a villa along is shores. The main town is Como, overlooking the southwest end on the Swiss-Italian border, while Bellagio lies in the heart of the lake, known for its upscale boutiques, five-star hotels and grand, historic lakeside villas. The small town of Tremezzo sits just across the water from Bellagio along the western shores as one of the lake’s most scenic places. It’s home to Villa Carlotta, a museum with a collection of works by renowned sculptors and painters, as well as featuring a 17-acre botanical garden. The famous Villa Balbianello, featured in ‘Casino Royale,’ sits on the tip of the Laveno headland nearby.