Rome Colosseum
Both for its history as the capital of much of
ancient Europe and for its present day role as one of Europe's most vibrant
cities, for most tourists traveling to Italy, Rome heads the list of places to
visit. Relics of its ancient glories–the Colosseum, the Forum, the Pantheon,
the Appian Way, and the Palatine Hill–vie with the vast riches of the Vatican
as the top attractions.
Florence
The showcase of the Italian Renaissance,
Florence can at times seem like one giant art museum. The Duomo, the Cathedral
of Santa Maria del Fiore, is a landmark of world
architecture, topped by its gravity-defying massive dome.
Venice Canal
Who could fail to love a city whose streets are
made of water, whose buses are boats, and where the songs of gondoliers linger
in the air? It is a magic city, and its major attraction to tourists is the
city itself.
Tuscan Hill Towns
The undulating landscape of Tuscany is crowned
by stone towns whose foundations go back to the Etruscans. Each sits atop a
hill, and many still have the castles and towers that once defended their
commanding positions.
Milan Cathedral
Although Milan is a major entry point for
tourists because of its airport, it's often overlooked as a destination of its
own. That's a shame, because Milan has one of the highest concentrations of
artistic and architectural attractions in all Italy, and for those interested
in design and fashion (not to mention shopping), it's a must.
Lake Como
Italy's most beautiful lake, Como has been the
favorite summer retreat of the rich and famous since ancient Romans fled
Milan's summer heat to cool off in villas along its steep shores. Later villas
decorate its tightly clustered towns, especially pretty Bellagio, artfully set on a
point where the three narrow arms of the lake meet.
Amalfi Coast and Capri
The high, precipitous Amalfi Peninsula juts
sharply into the Mediterranean just south of Naples, forming the southern rim
of Naples Bay. It's hard to imagine a more beautiful–or unlikely setting for
the towns that spill down its steep slopes.
The Cinque Terre
The five towns that cling to the steep, rocky
Mediterranean coast north of La Spezia were almost impossible to reach by land
until the railway connected them by tunneling through the headlands that
separate them. Today, the trail along the cliffs that locals once used to
travel from town to town is one of Italy's great hikes; the shortest and widest
of its sections, between Manarola and Riomaggiore is known as the Via
dell'Amore, and will be closed until sometime in 2022, due to a landslide.
Pisa and Lucca Tower
These two nearby towns are worth visiting while
you're in Tuscany, the first for the exceptional Campo dei Miracoli complex and
the other for its endearing charms. The Leaning Tower of Pisa,
actually the campanile for the adjacent cathedral, is a well-known Italian
icon, and forms the centerpiece of a UNESCO World Heritage site that also
includes the cathedral, baptistery, and Campo Santo.
Verona
The compact historic center of 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 and Herculaneum
In AD 79, Mt. Vesuvius erupted violently and
suddenly, engulfing the thriving Roman city of Pompeii and encasing it for more
than a millennium in six meters of ash and pumice-stone. The city remained
frozen in time until excavations that began in the 18th century uncovered more
than half of its buildings and public spaces.
Siena
At its height in the 13th and 14th centuries, Siena rivaled Florence for its arts and culture, and it still has a wealth of art and architectural treasures. The highlight is the magnificent Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, whose inlaid marble facade and striped bell tower stand dramatically among Siena's mostly red brick buildings. The cathedral interior is a museum of works by great artists and sculptors, including Donatello, Giovanni Pisano, Bernini, and Lorenzo Ghiberti.
Naples Street
As the canals characterize Venice, and the
Renaissance is the essence of Florence, in Naples, it's the sheer exuberance
that will hold you spellbound. It's a boisterous place, its narrow streets
filled with color, noise, and life.
Sicily Agrigento Temple
The island of Sicily has earned seven places on
the UNESCO World Heritage Site list, three for its ancient sites, two for
natural wonders, and two for architectural treasures. Some of the finest
remaining examples of ancient structures are in Sicily: at Selinunte is one of
the largest Greek temples; in Agrigento, at the Valley of Temples, is one of
the three most perfect Greek temples anywhere; and the 3,500 square meters of
mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale in Enna decorate one of the best-preserved
villas in the entire Roman Empire.
Turin
One of the great industrial cities of the north,
Turin, unlike Milan, is relatively small and compact, its highlights easy to
explore on foot. There is a grandeur to its architecture and its formal layout,
designed by the Savoys to show that they were as regal as any of Europe's royal
families and could surround themselves with splendor that rivaled Paris.
Sardinia Cala Domestica Beach
This enigmatic Mediterranean island seems worlds
apart from Italy, and is itself a land of stark contrasts. Best known for its
glamorous Costa Smeralda, the jet-set paradise of luxury enclaves set against
the emerald waters of the northeast coast, Sardinia has a lot more to offer the
adventurous tourist, or even the sun-loving beach seeker.
Ravenna Mosaics
This ancient city on the Adriatic is truly
unique in Italy. Unlike any other, Ravenna's artistic origins are almost
entirely Byzantine, and here you'll find Western Europe's finest collection of
Byzantine mosaics, all in nearly pristine condition.