Rome (Roma)
Rome heads the list for most tourists traveling to Italy due to its history as the capital of Europe. It also attracts visitors for its present-day role as one of the most vibrant cities. Relics of its ancient glories such as the Colosseum, the Forum, Pantheon, Appian Way, and the Palatine Hill captivate visitors. These relics vie with the vast riches of the Vatican for the top attractions.
Venice (Venezia)
Who fails to love a city whose streets are made of water? The buses are boats, and the songs of gondoliers linger in the air. It is a magic city, and its major attraction to tourists is the city itself.
Florence (Firenze)
The showcase of the Italian Renaissance, Florence can at times seem like one giant art museum. The Duomo is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. It is a landmark of world architecture. It is topped by its gravity-defying massive dome.
Lake Como
Lake Como has been the favorite summer retreat of the rich and famous since ancient times. Ancient Romans fled Milan’s summer heat to cool off in villas along its steep shores.
Amalfi Coast and Capri Island
The high, precipitous Amalfi Peninsula juts sharply into the Mediterranean. It lies just south of Naples. This formation creates the southern rim of Naples Bay. It’s hard to imagine a more beautiful setting for the towns that spill down its slopes.
The Cinque Terre
The five towns cling to the steep, rocky Mediterranean coast north of La Spezia. They were almost impossible to reach by land. The railway connected them by tunneling through the headlands that separate them.
Tuscany Hill Towns
The undulating landscape of Tuscany is crowned by stone towns whose foundations go back to the Etruscans. Each sits on a hill, and many still have castles & towers.
Siena
At its height in the 13th and 14th centuries, Siena rivaled Florence for its arts and culture. It still has a wealth of art and architectural treasures. The highlight is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. Its inlaid marble facade and striped bell tower stand among Siena’s mostly red brick buildings.
Pisa and Lucca
These two nearby towns are worth visiting while you’re in Tuscany. The first town is famous for the exceptional Campo dei Miracoli complex. The other town is known for its endearing charms.
Verona
This former Roman stronghold is embraced by a deep curve in the Adige River.Dominating its heart is the remarkable well-preserved first-century Roman arena, scene of the world-renowned summer opera festival.
Pompeii
In AD 79, Mt. Vesuvius erupted violently and suddenly. It engulfed the thriving Pompeii and encased it in 6m of ash and pumice-stone for more than a millennium.
Sicily
The island of Sicily has earned seven places on the UNESCO Heritage Site list. Three are for its ancient sites. Two are for natural wonders. Two others are for architectural treasures.
Ravenna
Unlike any other city in Italy,
Ravenna’s artistic origins are almost entirely Byzantine, and here you’ll find Western Europe’s finest collection of Byzantine mosaics…
Turin
Turin is one of the great industrial cities of the north. Unlike Milan, it is relatively small and compact. Its highlights are easy to explore on foot.
Sardinia
This enigmatic Mediterranean island seems worlds apart from Italy, and is itself a land of stark contrasts. Best known for its glamorous Costa Smeralda, Sardinia is a jet-set paradise of luxury enclaves set against emerald waters. However, it has much more to offer the adventurous tourist. It is also perfect for the sun-loving beach seeker.
