Exploring Italy: Top Experiences and Must-See Historical Attractions
Exploring one of the most historical and diverse countries in the world is an unforgettable experience, and Italy truly is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the bustling streets of Rome, here are the best things to do in Italy, including a trip to the enchanting Vatican City.
Visit the Vatican City
A trip to Italy is incomplete without securing tickets to the vatican and looking around the wonderful Vatican City in your itinerary. Located right at the heart of Rome, the Vatican is basically the epicenter of the Catholic Church. Start with the largest church in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica, where the grandiosity of its architecture and sacred art, like Michelangelo’s Pietà , will leave you awed. And do not forget about the Vatican Museums, which pride themselves on their rich collection of art and historical artifacts accumulated by the popes. The main thing one goes there for, of course, is the Sistine Chapel, hosting Michelangelo’s astonishing ceiling and ‘The Last Judgment.’ The crowds thin if you book a guided tour for early morning or late afternoon.
The Colosseum and Ancient Rome
While in Rome, take a trip back in time by visiting the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, and the Palatine. The Coliseum is an architectural wonder that served the gladiators. A guided tour can help you learn more about this troubled history and the engineering feats of the ancients. Nearby, there is the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, which are crammed with more ruins, telling of other former glories of the city.
Take a Gondola ride in Venice
Venice is one of the mysterious cities called the “City of Canals,” which gives a special impression: its picturesque canals, bright architecture, and gondola. Travel past centuries-old buildings, bridges, and many more romantic sites that line Venice’s famous city canals in the gondola you’re on as your gondolier serenades you. A night ride is also available when the canals are quieter and, of course, to reflect the beautiful city lights off the water.
Enjoy the scenic beauty of the Amalfi coast
The Amalfi Coast in Italy is famous all over the world for its inclining coastline and beauty. From Sorrento to Salerno along the coast, just an unforgettable panorama over the Tyrrhenian sea, here and there interrupted by some bright villages hanging on the cliffs. Be sure to stop by Positano, the village of pebbled beaches on the side of a cliff with narrow streets twisting, full of boutique shops and cafes.
Experience Tuscan Wine and Food
A paradise for wine lovers and food connoisseurs, the region’s undulating lands are prettified with vineyards producing some of the finest wines across the world, including Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. Take part in a wine-tasting tour with local wine experts and taste their fine wines, combined with tastings of typical local culinary products such as ribollita and bistecca alla Fiorentina, which are typical of Tuscany.
Renaissance in Florence
First in line is Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance. It’s an art—and architecture-filled treasure chest. See the works of Botticelli and Michelangelo at the Uffizi Gallery. Do not miss the red-tiled dome of the Florence Cathedral (Duomo), designed by Brunelleschi. To get the best panoramic view of the city, climb to the top of the dome or the adjacent Giotto’s Campanile.
Discover the Ruins of Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius
The ancient city of Pompeii is a wonderful mirror of the life in the period of the Roman Empire. All buildings, frescoes, and casts of human beings are grouped within the archaeological area. Of course, there’s always the chance to hike Mount Vesuvius, the only mainland active volcano in Europe, to get rewarded with excellent views of the Bay of Naples.
Put your feet up on the beaches of Sicily
Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, has a rich historical experience, a vibrant culture, and beautiful beaches. Visit the Valley of the Temples, listed by UNESCO, or walk through the bustling markets in Palermo. Don’t miss beautiful beaches like Cefalù or the picturesque Turkish Steps, with unusual white marlstone cliffs that jump straight into the azure water.
Attend an Opera in Verona
Inaugurated in this old and huge Roman amphitheater, the city of Verona, where ‘Romeo and Juliet’ had been set up by Shakespeare, has the time-honored annual summer opera festival. To behold performances on this spot under the stars, with such historical and musical brilliance harmonizing under the same roof, it’s simply hauntingly beautiful.
Wander Through the Streets of Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is one magic string of centuries-old seaside villages in Italy perched along the rugged Riviera coastline, with houses and vineyards hanging onto steep terraces. Sentiero Azzurro is the grouping of footpaths that pass through the five villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. They afford a breathtaking view of the coast, more paradisiac than ever, with some 120 kilometers of railway at the foot of the cliffs. From here, if you walk around Manarola, you will discover many lovely places to eat fresh fish and taste the typical local Sciacchetrà , a white wine. To avoid it becoming so touristy, come here in late spring or early fall.
Visit Trulli Houses in Alberobello
Located in the heart of Puglia, Alberobello is world-famous for its Trulli, delightful white dwellings made of stone with conical roofs. This curious architectural style is characteristic of this place, and it has been named a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Uniquely, they are built without mortar and are thought to have been originally built as temporary field shelters and Italian storehouses. At the present time, most of them have been converted into homes, shops, and restaurants. A trip to Alberobello gives a window into the study of a lot about the traditional life of the Apulian land and a very distinctive background to your photos.
