Nature, cities, food & wine, UNESCO sites, volcanos, islands… Name it, Italy has it! Traveling to Italy and exploring the country means discovering it truly is a dream destination! Whether you prefer the mountains or the beach, relaxing or exploring, shopping or museum hopping,… Italy has a little of everything for everyone and it will always be one of my most favorite countries in the world.
I used to travel to Italy when I was a teenager with my parents every Summer. Ever since I got hooked to this incredible country and I kept returning to visit more. I even learned the language! I already created so many wonderful memories there and I can’t wait to create more next year (hopefully)! Which is why I want to remind you why you should also travel to Italy (If you decide to do it in the near future, please do it responsibly and check the local Covid-19 situation and restrictions)!
6 Reasons why traveling to Italy is a must
Charming Cities
Italy is packed with cities rich of tradition, culture and history. You can’t travel to Italy and not visit any of its fantastic cities. Whether you are going to some of the most famous ones like Venice, Florence or Rome or to smaller towns like Treviso or Sienna. You will never be disappointed! Every city has its own character and offers a lot of beautiful architecture and art.
My favorite cities to travel to in Italy:
Treviso
This little town is only 30 km north from Venice and also called the Little Venice of Italy. You can wander along its canals and admire the architecture in the streets. French, Roman and Venetian influences can be found throughout the city.
MORE TRAVEL TIPS ABOUT TREVISO HERE
Verona
It’s hard not to fall in love with Verona. Go experience the sun set from Castel San Pietro and enjoy a drink in the evening at Piazza Bra while listening to the opera playing at the arena.
MORE TRAVEL TIPS ABOUT VERONA HERE
Venice
One of the most romantic cities in the world so definitely a must when traveling to Italy! Do not only visit the famous monuments but also get magically lost! Wander around the labyrinth of canals and narrow streets. It may seem pricey, but a gondola ride is definitely a must when exploring Venice!
MORE TRAVEL TIPS ABOUT VENICE HERE
Florence
If I tell you that Florence is the birth place of the Renaissance, it shouldn’t surprise you that Tuscany’s capital is packed with magnificent museums, architecture and art. Even if you’re not into art and history, you can’t deny the city’s beauty. The best view can be found at Piazzale Michelangelo and the Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore is probably one of the most beautiful churches in the world!
MORE TRAVEL TIPS ABOUT FLORENCE HERE
Rome
Rome is simply an open air museum. Behind every corner is a treasure waiting to be found, whether it is a beautiful fountain, a romantic square or even a Roman ruin. I could spend a whole week in this city easily. Places you should definitely visit are the Sistine Chapel, the colosseum, Pantheon, the Trevi fountain and the Spanish Steps. But Rome has way more to offer than those!
MORE TRAVEL TIPS ABOUT ROME HERE
Charismatic Coastline & Idyllic Islands
If you are traveling to Italy and you want to hang out at the beach, Italy has you covered! With its approximately 7500 km of coastline, Italy is the ideal place if you are a water lover. The wide variety of its beaches makes it perfect for every type of vacationer. Whether you are in search of nature, fun, or rest and relaxation, you’ll find it in Italy! The Italian coast is known for its countless gulfs, touristic ports and long, sandy beaches. It is truly adapted to the water lover’s every demand. It is chock-full of fishing villages and coastal cities. Most of them are easily reachable by car or public transport.
I used to kayak or take a pedalo often during my teenage years at the lesser known Calabrian beaches. I loved exploring the coves and inlets with my new Italian friends. Now I long to travel to Italy so I can do it again!
Along the coast you’ll also find the most beautiful islands such as Capri, and the lesser known Aeolian islands such as the volcanic Stromboli. If you are looking for more culture or color you should go to Murano and Burano.
I visited Capri and the Aeolian islands when digital photography wasn’t invented yet! So I have no photos to publish, but I do have an old photo of me visiting the extremely colorful island Burano. Even on a rainy day it looked absolutely splendid!
Magnificent Mountains
In all its territorial variety, Italy boasts a large number of beautiful and evocative mountain localities. You can visit them any time of the year, whether summer or winter. From north to south, the Italian mountain scene offers tourists a range of landscapes. You’ll find lakes at high altitude, incredible forests and enchanting villages. Do not forget the rich history and traditions.
The major part of Italy’s mountain retreats also invite visitors to experience a wide array of cultural and outdoor activities each season. During the wintertime you can go skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, trekking or Nordic walking. While during the warmer days you could go hiking, mountain biking, swimming or horseback riding.
My favorite mountain hikes in the Dolomites
I explored the Dolomites last Summer. This impressive mountain range in the northeast of Italy enchanted me so much with all its rough beauty! The Dolomites have some of the most jagged mountain peaks! Hiking here is something you must do at least once in your lifetime!
Tre Cime di Lavaredo
This hike around the three distinctive battlement-like peaks is probably the most popular hike in the area. It is a 10-11 km loop hike that took me a whole day since I couldn’t help stopping every few meters to take photos of the epic views on the way.
Cadini di Misurina
This short hike starts at the same place as the hike around the Tre Cime, so you can do them both in one day. The short trail takes you to the famous epic view of the green rocky ridge and the rough jagged mountain peaks of the Misurina mountains in only 30 minutes.
Seceda
At Ortisei you can take the cable car up to Seceda (2500 m). At the top you can hike and admire the view of one of the most dramatic mountains of the Dolomites. Crazy jagged peaks and huge drop-offs make it all the more photogenic and mysterious!
Lago Sorapis
This is one of the most challenging hikes I have ever done! The first hour the hike is easy and rather flat. But the second part of the trail is very steep. I had to use both hands and feet at certain parts to climb over trees and rocks. Metal stairs and narrow paths with cables will lead you to the brightest turquoise lake you’ve ever seen!
Lovely Lakes
If you love lakes, it is also worth traveling to Italy! In fact, Italy offers over a thousand lakes! They are renowned for their incomparable beauty. Each is characterized by distinct features. Lago Garda, Lago Maggiore and Lago Como are now well-known throughout the world. They have become ideal destinations for spending some time in the sun and getting in close contact with nature.
Italy’s major lakes are fully equipped and offer a range of accommodation facilities. The beaches provide all the comforts and are suitable for bathing. In addition to relaxing, you can have fun testing your skills with a variety of outdoor activities. Several water sports are offered: water skiing, canoeing, windsurfing, sailing, scuba diving, and even fishing, with national level competitions!
My favorite lakes to explore while traveling in Italy
When you travel to Italy you should also explore the smaller lesser known lakes. Here you can enjoy nice walks in all calmth and sometimes it is allowed to swim in them as well.
Lago Sorapis
As mentioned above it takes a serious hike to reach this mountain lake. But the beauty of this lake is so worth it! Never had I seen such a bright colored turquoise lake! I visited the lake early in the morning and I had it almost completely to myself. Which made the experience even better!
Lago di Braies
Even though it is super popular I can’t help but loving this place. The walk around the emerald green lake reflecting the mountains offers absolutely stunning views. You can also rent a boat to relax on the water.
Lago di Carezza
Another beautiful emerald lake you can hike around. The different shades of emerald green are just magical to watch!
Lago di Como
There are a lot of cute villages to find at the shores of Lago di Como such as Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio. Do not hesitate to rent a boat for a day on the lake!
Wonderful Wildlife Parks
If you are traveling to Italy and you love nature, then Italy has a lot to offer in this department as well! Its wildlife parks boast untainted beauty. They offer the ideal setting for those who would like to discover Italy’s flora and fauna. You can visit Italy’s sunny islands, surrounded by the typical Mediterranean landscape. You can enjoy an unforgettable experience exploring Italy’s rough and wild environment.
There are many national parks well worth exploring: the Gran Paradiso, Circeo, Stelvio, Dolomiti Bellunesi, Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga, Cilento and Vallo di Diano, and Gargano National Parks, the parks of Calabria and Aspermont, not to mention the Maddalena and Tuscan Archipelagos, the Vesuvius, the Cinque Terre National Parks, and many other protected areas, nature reserves, and marine parks.
Fantastic Food & Drinks
Traveling to Italy also means eating and drinking a LOT and GOOD! Italy’s traditional cuisine offers more than just gelato, pasta and pizza! Even though these are already to die for, you shouldn’t forget Italy is also the land of pesto, cheese, delicious sauces, wines, risotto, Limoncello, Amaro, Aperol Spritz and Tiramisu!
My favorite food and drinks
- Tiramisu: Its recipe is born in a restaurant called Le Beccherie in Treviso. It consists of eggs, mascarpone, sugar, ladyfinger cookies, coffee, Amaretto and cocoa powder.
- Pasta Carbonara: a pasta with eggs, pancetta and cheese
- Risotto ai funghi porcini: risotto with porcini mushrooms
- Limoncello: lemon liqueur produced in the south of Italy
This article is sponsored by Glenaki and the Italian Tourism Board, however my opinion is as always my own.
For more information you can always check the following:
- http://www.italia.it/en
- https://www.facebook.com/italia.it
- https://twitter.com/italia
- https://www.youtube.com/user/JoinItaly
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