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Famous for its archaeological sites, picturesque hilltop villages, magnificent cities, beautiful Mediterranean beaches and gastronomic delights, Italy is a veritable treasure trove of natural and cultural wonders! It is therefore next to impossible to make a list of things to do and see in Italy. However, whether this is your first or fifteenth trip to the land of Dante, there are some experiences and visits that can be considered classics and must-sees.
The Colosseum, the Forum and the Pantheon are synonymous with Rome, and embody the beauty of Italy throughout the world. Allow at least one day to visit the Colosseum, the Forum and Mount Palatine, all of which are included in one ticket. The Pantheon, as well as other Roman sites such as Piazza Navona, Campo de' Fiori, Piazza di Spagna and the Trevi Fountain are also among the wonders not to be missed during a trip to the capital.
The 44 hectares of Vatican City, the world's smallest sovereign state, are home to a collection of cultural treasures of the highest order. On this tour you can visit the famous Basilica and monumental Piazza San Pietro, the vast art collections of the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel.
Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Michelangelo, the Uffizi Museum... The flamboyant capital of Tuscany, considered the cradle of the Renaissance, is a masterpiece in its own right and one of the great stops on any trip to Italy.
Siena is a city of art and history where it is always a pleasure to merely stroll around... and to take gastronomic breaks to sample the culinary specialities of the region, accompanied by a good glass of Tuscan wine, of course. Nearby San Gimignano is an obligatory stop on any trip to Tuscany.
Sumptuous, fascinating, romantic and mysterious: the City of the Doges is a veritable open-air museum. Saint Mark's Basilica, Palazzo Ducale, Rialto Bridge... these monuments and mythical sites are the must-see stops on any itinerary in Venice, whether you decide to take a ride on a gondola or not.
The Cinque Terre, the five seaside towns on the Italian Riviera, are usually accessible on easy day trips. Alternatively, you can rent a car or take a tour boat that connects the small, colourful towns.
Bustling, bewildering, sometimes chaotic, Naples is a city of character, history and tradition. With its many cultural sites, including a renowned archaeological museum, the Palazzo Reale and the Castello d'Uovo, a visit to Naples will keep you busy for days. And of course there is the street food, pizzerias and bakeries, reputed to be among the best in Italy.
The Almafitaine coast is gorgeous and eternally stylish, at least from June to August, when Italians and an international crowd of jet-setters flock here to enjoy the coves, small elegant beaches and restaurants serving fresh seafood and other local delicacies.
Young, modern and avant-garde, Milan contrasts in many ways with the rest of Italy, which is more traditional. History lovers, however, are not left out, with a collection of exceptional monuments such as Italy's largest Gothic cathedral, the Duomo; its renowned opera house, La Scala; and many charming neighbourhoods. Plan to spend at least a weekend in this great northern Italian metropolis.
The Italian Dolomites boast breathtaking views, plenty of outdoor activities, quaint little towns and several attractive regional cities, such as Bolzano and Trento. With a culture that is more Austro-German than Italian, the towns and villages of Alto Adige give you the impression of being in another country. The skiing here is among the best in Europe.
If you had to choose just one region of Italy for a food and wine holiday... you'd have to go for Emilia Romagna. The breadbasket of north-central Italy is considered the region with the best cuisine in the country, largely due to the quality of the meats, cheeses and handmade pastas, which make up the region's traditional cuisine. Try the lasagne bolognese, prosciutto and parmesan in Parma and the balsamic vinegar in Modena.
Sumptuous beaches, fascinating cities, ancient remains and even a volcano: Sicily, Italy's largest island, is a land of natural and cultural treasures. History, gastronomy and a host of exceptional landscapes are waiting for you on a tour through the island of Sicily.
The eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD has left archaeologists, historians and modern travellers with a snapshot of a 1st century Roman city. Pompeii and its neighbour, Herculaneum, are both well worth at least a day trip from Rome, Naples or the Amalfi Coast.
Matera received few visitors in the past because of its location in a rather poor and unknown region of southern Italy, Basilicata. Suddenly, since its nomination as European Capital of Culture in 2019, it has grown in popularity. Here you will discover enigmatic cave dwellings and an atmosphere full of mystery. The town was the setting for Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ.
Puglia, the heel of the Italian boot, is home to unique trulli, conical stone dwellings that conjure up images from movies like The Hobbit. You can stay in a beautiful trullo villa in or near Alberobello. Don't miss the fabulous beaches of the Adriatic and the seaside towns of Puglia.
The picturesque towns and villages of the Umbrian hills make for wonderful day trips from Rome. You can also explore towns such as Orvieto, famous for its cathedral and spectacular position atop a volcanic plateau; Assisi, the city of St Francis, the founder of the Franciscan Order; Perugia, with its Etruscan and papal origins; and Spoleto, which hosts its famous Festival of the Two Worlds every summer.
Italy's second largest island, Sardinia is quite different from the mainland, both in landscape and character. The mysterious buildings, the nuraghi, the historic capital of Cagliari, the exceptional beaches and the wild and rugged inland reveal a fascinating and enchanting island for those who make the effort to discover it.
In these less touristy regions you will discover elegant villages and charming highland towns, national parks inhabited by wild animals, ski resorts, immaculate lakes and lively seaside villages.
Italy's Alpine lake district is certainly one of the most spectacular landscapes in Italy. Each lakeside town has a different atmosphere, from the elegant Bellagio on Lake Como to the peaceful Peschiera del Garda on Lake Garda and the lively Stresa on Lake Maggiore. Castles, fortresses, luxury villas and magnificent landscapes are all wonderfully photogenic.
