Whatever your travel passion, chances are excellent that Italy can help out and deliver the best experiences in Italy, especially when you travel like a local.
If a food and wine enthusiast, the mantra for amazing culinary experiences is – Chianti, pasta (of any kind), pizza, gelato – and you can’t go wrong. From Rome to Cinque Terre to Tuscany to Italy’s food capital, Bologna – anywhere you travel in Italy will have tasty Chianti, pasta, pizza and gelato.
If a romantic, you don’t want to miss Venice, Verona, Lake Como, and Capri. But truth be told – because Italy is obviously filled with lots of Italians, everywhere you venture is sure to have its own romantic flair and atmosphere. After all, it’s about living ‘la Dolce Vita’.
If a history buff, it’s quite possible that you may never return home if you plan to see and experience everything historical. From the Eternal City’s ancient history-packed world to Pompeii’s stunning ancient ruins to Pisa’s dramatic leaning tower to Tuscany’s hilltop fortified castles – you will be in history heaven.
If an art aficionado, you don’t want to skip a serious visit to Florence where the Renaissance is alive and well – where the Renaissance Masters dominate the Florentine scene with world-renowned museums hosting famous works by Botticelli, Michelangelo, Raphael, Caravaggio and so much more. Like Florence, Rome is also a living, breathing art museum bursting with master works such as Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, Bernini’s sculptures and so much more.
No matter what your passion, your best experiences in Italy will likely be wrapped in breath-taking seascapes like those along the Amalfi Coast and in Cinque Terre, rolling vineyard-dotted landscapes like Tuscany’s, and cityscapes in Assisi, Florence, Venice and Rome.
Make Like a Roman
Tentatively approaching the massive, city-center Colosseum, we held our collective breath and frantically ran across the 5-lane traffic circle filled with cars honking and swirling around the ancient behemoth.
Upon entering the iconic Roman Colosseum, I vaguely felt the air shift around us – there was no escaping the significance of the drama that had played out on these battle-fought grounds. Still today, imposing structures like the Colosseum, Forum, Chariot Races, and Temples portray Rome’s storied legacy of unbridled power and might.
Walking in the historic footsteps of Roman citizenry was one of my best experiences in Italy – whether in the Colosseum where crowds up to 50,000 strong roared as gladiators clashed, the Roman Forum brimming with archeological treasures like the Temple of Julius Caesar, Palatine Hill where the aristocrats lived, or Circus Maximus where chariots raced to entertain the masses – you can engage in the city’s unique history, experiencing a slice of ancient Rome’s everyday life.
Whenever visiting Rome, I revisit the city’s historic footsteps, awash in stunning history and rich culture, the foundation of ancient Rome’s legacy. As the old adage says, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
No matter how many times I visit the iconic city it remains at the top of my best experiences in Italy.
Explore the Rome of ‘Angels and Demons’
As we wandered through some of Rome’s most iconic places, I had to wonder – just how many churches does one city need? Apparently, lots!
Combing the streets of Rome, instead of shopping ‘til you drop’, it felt like I was church visiting ‘til you drop’. I figured we weren’t going to see all 900 churches that reside in Rome (who had the time!), but certainly there were quite a few.
Tracing centuries-old enigmatic sites portrayed in Dan Brown’s book, Angels and Demons, you can enjoy a treasure trove of intriguing and mysterious landmarks, including lesser known gems, throughout the Eternal City.
It’s an interesting way to explore noteworthy historic sites like those described in Angels and Demons, discovering that each stop – whether a church, corridor, obscure footpath, palace, statue, or piece of art – yields a fascinating serving of political and religious intrigue from Rome’s secretive past.
Sites featured in the book include the Pantheon for its Oculus, Santa Maria del Popolo for Bernini’s sculpture Habakkuk and the Angel, St Peter’s Square for its West Ponente mosaic tile, Santa Maria Della Vittoria for Bernini’s Ecstasy of St. Teresa sculpture, Piazza Navona for Bernini’s Fountain of Four Rivers sculpture, Sant’Agenese in Agone for its Borromini church facade, Castel Sant’Angelo for its Passetto di Borgo hidden passageway, St. Peter’s Basilica for St. Peter’s tomb, and the Sistine Chapel for its Papal Conclave and Michelangelo frescoes.
If you’re an Angels & Demons fan, you will have one of your best experiences in Italy, hands down.
Take a Walk in 79 A.D. Pompeii
What kept playing in my mind, was picturing the sheer terror of the citizens of Pompeii and their gut-wrenching panic and chaos, as their tragic fate mercilessly descended upon them, almost 2,000 years ago.
Below Mount Vesuvius, wandering through fully unearthed cobbled streets, and able to visit resurrected villas, town squares, coliseum, and religious temples, results in an experience so authentic that you feel like you are walking in a time capsule, frozen in ancient Roman times.
Excavated Pompeii reveals a detailed snapshot of a Roman Empire civilization in the 1st c. AD. Although the cataclysmic eruption buried Pompeii under a cloak of volcanic ash and crushed rock, the town’s buildings and works of art remained well preserved during almost 2 millennia.
Today, an archeological showcase of ancient Pompeii eerily unfolds as you discover, in breathtaking and intricate detail, a veritable wealth of ruins, painstakingly painting a surreal picture of everyday life in ancient Roman times.
As you walk through the uncovered ancient streets, you can find frescoes like those at the town’s Lupanar brothel, a bakery, a doctor’s office, houses like 2nd c. BC aristocratic House of Faun filled with mosaics, and imposing structures like the amphitheater and Apollo’s Temple.
- For Pompeii experiences, see here.
Escape to Capri – Be a Jet-setter for a day
Perfect for a day trip to escape Rome’s hustle-bustle, Capri epitomizes the idyllic island paradise where you can be off the grid for a glorious seaside resort interlude.
With its beautiful rugged cliffs sprouting from the sea, sun-drenched coastal climate, cove-studded coastline, and dizzying glamor, Capri stars as the Amalfi Coast’s crown jewel, a World Heritage listed village, and a favorite island escape destination for the jet-set yacht crowd.
You can while away the day luxuriating on picturesque pebbled beaches, browse the island’s famed top designer fashions in high-end boutiques and hotels, museum-quality jewelry shops, and quaint local artisan displays.
- For Capri experiences, see here.
Bask in Florence’s Stunning Views
Arriving by foot at hilltop Piazzale Michelangelo, nearing sunset, I literally had to catch my breath. Promised that the sweeping views of Florence from Tuscan hillside would be drop-dead gorgeous, I thought I was prepared. I wasn’t.
People-watching at the piazza’s outdoor café while seated in front of a copy of Michelangelo’s ‘David’ statue and with lots of people armed with cameras of gigantic proportions, a hush abruptly washed over the photo-clicking crowd. Slowly the sun was setting over the Duomo, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Baptistery, Uffizi Museum, the city’s eight bridges, Arno River, and a multitude of churches as the sky became a golden-hued Tuscan heaven.
When looking to capture dramatic views of the Renaissance city’s beauty, there are other spots like Piazzale Michelangelo such as the top of the Duomo’s dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, 311 foot high Palazzo Vecchio tower, San Miniato al Monte Basilica, and the department store Rinascente at Piazza Repubblica.
I’m in love with Florence. I lived there for 3 months and would go back in a heartbeat to live for a while. Full disclosure – Florence is my number one choice for best experiences in Italy.
Up Close and Personal with Michelangelo in Florence
I kept running into Michelangelo. Whether wandering through one of Florence’s numerous museums like the Bargello, people-watching at a bustling piazza like Signoria, or catching a tour bus at Piazza San Marco where he apprenticed some 400 years ago, Michelangelo was there.
If you follow the Renaissance Master’s footprints, you will find original art masterpieces like the David at the Galeria dell’Accademia, the Crucifix in the Santo Spirito Basilica, paintings in his home Casa Buonarroti, and 400-year-old graffiti Michelangelo charcoal-sketched during turbulent political times, in a recently discovered secret underground chamber beneath the Medici Chapels at San Lorenzo Basilica.
What really adds to the pervasive Renaissance atmosphere, is encountering copies of a Michelangelo masterpiece like the David at lively Piazza Signoria or at the hilltop Piazzale Michelangelo or discovering any masterpiece at a random spot in the city.
- For Florence cultural experiences, see here.
Get lost in Florence’s Cobblestone Maze
While living in Florence, cradle of the Renaissance and capital of Tuscany, I got lost for fun in the city a lot, and on purpose. It was like being on a treasure hunt, not knowing what the treasure would be that day.
Winging it in the living fairy-tale renaissance museum, resulted in spontaneous discovery of some off-the-beaten track gems like an outdoor café with a view of historic statues by Renaissance Masters, a lesser known church or convent boasting famous artwork inside, a peaceful sculptured garden, or a lively piazza perfect for socializing and people-watching.
Walkable and small, Florence’s pedestrian-friendly cobblestone streets and alleys are a delight to navigate by foot while exploring the ubiquitous nooks and crannies of fabled history, on both sides of the Arno River.
- For Florence experiences, see here.
Sip and Swirl Under the Tuscan Sun
Waking up to the strong aroma of Italian coffee brewing, tucked in at a cozy ochre-hued villa in Tuscany’s wine country, I knew that it was going to be a fun, and very tasty, day.
Just outside the window, awaiting our discovery, were infinite rolling vineyards, groves of olive trees ready for picking, and the medieval village of Cortona (of Under the Tuscan Sun movie fame) perched atop a nearby Tuscan hill.
In the Tuscany countryside, you can experience a wine tasting adventure by bike, hike, train, vespa, or car. And, you can opt to have a taste of Tuscany for only one day (for example, on a day trip from Florence) or add an overnight stay in one of the wine estate villas like those near Siena and San Gimignano, offering cozy lodging where there may be a chef and sommelier to enhance your regional wine and food tasting experience, under the Tuscan sun.
- For Tuscany experiences, see here.
Explore Cinque Terre – Have a baby goat encounter
Trekking the winding trail back down to the Monterosso, I suddenly heard animal distress cries from below. Rounding the sharp bend, I saw a baby goat squirming in his owner’s arms, being swiftly carried down the steep footpath. The owner explained that they were to be reunited and the cries were them calling to each other, desperate to be together.
Brushed in a painter’s easel of bold and bright colors, the cliff-straddling villages loom over the sea creating a remarkable spectacle of nature – exponentially more vivid and dramatic than any photos I’d seen before.
A World Heritage site and protected national park on Italy’s western coast, there are five phenomenal coastal towns that make up Cinque Terre (five lands) – Manarola, Monterosso, Vernazza, Riomaggiore, and Cornigia.
Joined together at the hip, the fishing villages have remarkably overcome challenges throughout the centuries – surviving the natural wear and tear of time – clinging to formidable craggy cliffs along the Ligurian Coast in western Italy.
Compact and connected by train, you can hike trails crossing from one picturesque town to the next. You can also experience Cinque Terre by sea, cruising from one village to the other, for a fresh-catch lunch, souvenir shopping, village discovery strolling, and soaking in majestic views at a laidback seaside café sampling olives and wine.
Once you arrive you’ll see why Cinque Terre ranks high for one of the best experiences it Italy.
- For Cinque Terre experiences, see here.
Go Beyond the Tower in Pisa
Arriving by train on a day trip from Florence, I didn’t know what to expect from the town made famous by a leaning bell tower. What I discovered, to my delight, was a vibrant and charming provincial city full of surprising experiences, meriting more than a fleeting visit.
A small picturesque Tuscan city, Pisa proved to be rich in history, culture, and charm, eclipsing earlier expectations. Beyond the popular Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles), famous for the cluster of the city’s stunning white-on-white 11th c. cathedral, beautiful baptistery, and 12th c. 6-tiered leaning bell tower, you can discover other compelling landmarks nearby such as the 16th c. Knights of St. Steven’s Palazzo dei Cavalieri (Knight’s Square), Dante Square, Garibaldi Square, and some 20 churches sprinkled throughout the graceful city.
In Old Town, you can visit the Church of San Sisto, one of Pisa’s oldest churches, people-watch at a quaint café along the cobblestone streets, or meander the colorful promenade (Lungarno) along the Arno River. Surprisingly, lovely Pisa turned out to be one of my experiences in Italy since the town surprised me by charm and history which I had not expected in Pisa.
- For Pisa experiences, see here.
Immerse in Assisi – Mystical and Misted
Stepping out of the bus onto one of Assisi’s highest hills, a sense of serenity immediately came over me. Slowly walking up the hill, the unfolding mystical picture stole my breath away. Reaching the top, I was met by a purple-hued sky brushed with layers of misted fluffy clouds blanketing the peaceful mountain-ringed valley, sprinkled with basilicas, churches, and bell towers.
Walking down the winding cobbled lane, heading into town to ultimately visit the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, you can stop for a coffee at the lively Piazza del Comune, browse souvenir shops, and visit many of the noteworthy churches and popular religious sites such as the Duomo di San Rifino and Basilica di Santa Chiara.
By following the main cobblestone street through the charming historic center, you eventually reach the astounding World Heritage listed Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, one of Italy’s most famous and endearing treasures. Once here you will understand why Assisi is absolutely one of the best experiences in Italy.
For Assisi Experiences, see here.
Indulge Your Sweet and Savory in Perugia
Trying to descend to Perugia’s lower city layer via escalators, I quickly found myself lost in a shadowy labyrinth of cobbled ancient streets and alcoves. Deciding to soldier on, I kept walking downwards and eventually arrived at the train station in the modern part of the city. Visiting Perugia will turn out to be one of my best experiences in Italy.
Part of Perugia’s long storied history dating back to Etruscan times includes remainders of a medieval underground city of ancient towers, massive chambers, and vaulted ceilings directly below Perugia’s historic center. Today, the underground city is a passageway connecting the upper city level where the Old Town is and the lower city level where the modern city is.
One of the best experiences in Italy, enchanting Perugia offers unique streetscapes where you can weave through pedestrianized cobblestone Old Town roads and piazzas. The central extra-wide street, Corso Vannucci, is the main artery for branching out to explore iconic landmarks like the gothic San Lorenzo Cathedral at one end and the stunning Carducci Gardens at the other end, offering incredible 360 degree panoramas over the fabled Umbrian countryside.
Strolling the Corso, you can pop into the celebrated medieval art museum, Perugina chocolate store, pottery artisan shops, charming hotels, and a delicious mix of local street food, outdoor umbrella studded cafés, and regional specialty restaurants to while away a pleasant day of discovery.
For the gourmands, Perugia is not only famous for Perugina chocolate (especially Baci chocolate kisses, each wrapped in a love note) but also regional foods such as truffles (on everything) and porchetta, an herb-packed boneless pork roast.
For Perugia experiences, see here.
Stroll Venice by Gondola
Walking the Christmas-lit streets along the web of intricate waterways, I mused as to how best negotiate hopping on and off a gondola without the assist of a boat pier while attired in boots and winter coat. Suddenly, I heard a loud plop then an “oh no!”- a passenger had missed a step exiting a gondola, resulting in a bruised ego and soaked boots. I figured that tomorrow, in daylight, was probably a better choice for a gondola adventure.
A matter of survival for centuries, the gondola has been the mainstay transportation on the Venetian waterways. Whether for socializing or commerce, Venetians relied on them for getting from point A to point B for business or pleasure.
Today, gondoliers rely on them for the tourist trade since strolling Venice by gondola offers a perfect romantic way for city visitors to experience how legendary Venice lived and thrived over the centuries. While gliding under famous bridges like the Bridge of Sighs, you can imagine past citizens greeting friends for a chat, shopping for fresh catch, or enjoying a romantic ‘happy hour’.
For Venice experiences, see here .
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