Italy is a country where it is not difficult to find the sights, but instead it is tough to decide which part to choose. With ancient Roman heritage sites, cities with Renaissance architecture, spectacular lakes in the mountains, and different coastlines of the country, it is impossible to discover the whole territory in one trip. This guideline classifies the top tourist destinations of Italy by regions so that people would stop asking where to go and start wondering what kind of Italy they would like to discover.
Venice and the Veneto
Venice does not require much in the way of an explanation, but it does offer rewards to those who are willing to venture beyond the area of St. Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge. The regions of Cannaregio and Castello in the north and east, respectively, offer beautiful canal architecture minus the throngs of tourists, while the trip to the islands of Murano and Burano ensures that everybody gets their fill of glass- and lace- making in one journey.
Many visitors base themselves not in Venice itself, where accommodation runs expensive and rooms book out early, but along the nearby coast, with Lido di Jesolo a common choice given its beaches and easier availability. The regional airport most travellers land at for this stretch of coast is Treviso, roughly 40 minutes inland, and arranging a transfer aeroporto Treviso Lido di Jesolo in advance is worth doing given that public transport between the two involves at least one change and doesn't run late into the night. From a Lido di Jesolo base, Venice itself is a straightforward day trip by bus or boat.
Rome: where most Itineraries start
Rome is the most logical choice for its attractions. The Colosseum is just a short walk away from the Roman Forum and together they give a clearer picture of ancient Rome than either of them could achieve by standing alone. The Vatican Museums, culminating in the Sistine Chapel, require a separate half-day at least and advance reservations have to be made in busy seasons due to the lines that form.
Apart from touristy sites, Rome makes strolling more enjoyable. The quarter of Trastevere, located across the river from the old city, still gives an impression of a small town because it has narrow cobblestone lanes and small restaurants that are much less appealing to tourists than those near the Trevi Fountain.
Florence and the heart of Tuscany
Florence contains so much Renaissance art and architecture in its compact old town. The Uffizi Gallery boasts some of the world's finest collections of Renaissance paintings, while Michelangelo's David at the Accademia alone attracts visitors. The dome of the Cathedral of Florence, designed by Brunelleschi without modern engineering, can be climbed for a bird's eye view of the red roofs of Florence.
Florence is also an excellent starting point for day trips into the Tuscan countryside to explore the fortified towns of Siena and San Gimignano, as well as Chianti wine region and Saturnia's thermal springs.
The Amalfi coast and Naples
The southern parts of Italy have a distinct atmosphere and looking differs in terms of landscape and architecture. The Amalfi Coast which includes towns like Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello is noticeable mainly by how slowly it should be appreciated: the coastal road is a narrow one, winding with steep turns, has a lot of seasonal traffic and eventually can take quite a long time to drive. In addition, there are always alternative ferries that go from town to town and can serve as a faster and more exciting means of transport during peak times.
Naples, the largest city of the region and the starting point for the journey to the coast, is often left aside by tourists who go straight to Amalfi instead. It is important and a popular place since it is known as the place where the modern pizza was introduced, it is home to one of the biggest archaeological museums in Italy and it is situated very close to Pompeii and Herculaneum, two ancient cities destroyed by the Vesuvius eruption in 79 AD.
The Cinque Terre
There are five villages situated along the coast of Italy that are well-connected with a hiking trail and also a short train that helps tourists to reach those places and take a trip that covers all of the five villages in a single day. Every village has its own character even though they all have similar and beautiful buildings.
Milan and the Northern lakes
Milan is often viewed as a business pit stop instead of a place to visit, yet it has its own attractions like the aforementioned work of art of Leonardo Da Vinci - The Last Supper, which requires reservations due to a limited number of visitors per day. The gothic Cathedral of Milan is a remarkable building that stands out among the best examples of gothic architecture in the world.
The northern lakes Como, Maggiore, and Garda can easily be reached from Milan. Lake Como is a highlight of travel-related photos thanks to the beautiful villas and gardens located along its banks. Lake Garda is the largest of the three and offers both places of historical and cultural value, as well as various water sports and well-known amusement parks located in its southern extremity.
Sicily: a different Italy entirely
Sicily is located far to the south and possesses its own history. The history of this island is full of layers – from the Greek period, Arab influence on the island development, the Norman period, and finally Italian influence. In this regard, we may say that the island can be compared to a separate nation. The Greek temples of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento are among the best-preserved temples outside Greece. The markets and Baroque churches of Palermo bear the traces of many centuries of rule. Mount Etna, an active volcano located on the island, offers various hiking routes across the volcanic area unique for Italy. Sicilian cuisine is exceptionally different from mainland Italian food.
Practical notes on getting around
High-speed rail in Italy, primarily provided by Trenitalia and Italo, links the main cities effectively and usually offers a more relaxing and quicker alternative to driving. For longer trips connecting the cities of Rome, Florence, Venice, and Milan, travelling by train is usually more comfortable and both cheaper and faster than driving. Travel in the countryside or small towns in regional areas like Tuscany is often better done by car or regional bus, so travellers generally find it more effective to rent a car for the shorter parts of their journey and travel between cities by train than to commit to one travel mode for their entire journey.
When to visit
The months of April, May, September, and October are perfectly timed: pleasant weather and crowds that are not overwhelming are generally present in many parts of the country during these times. July and August guarantee high temperatures and prices, especially along the beaches and in the Cinque Terre region, while many small businesses close up shop in August when locals take their vacations. Winter can be a better choice for trips focused on urban destinations such as Rome, Florence, and Milan, but lakes in the North and coastal towns shut down to a large extent during that time. Planning a lot of places to see and do during one visit to Italy, such as Rome, Florence, Venice, Amalfi, and Sicily, is not effective; it is best to stick to two or three regions or cities during one visit for the best experience.
