It’s pretty much impossible not to fall in love with Italy.
Whether it’s cruising down the canals of Venice, eating pizza in a piazza in Naples, shopping in the fashion capital of Milan or driving along the scenic roads of the Amalfi coast, there’s truly something for everyone in one of Europe’s most popular destinations.
There are plenty of things to do in Italy no matter what time of year you visit, from the magical Christmas markets that light up the festive period and famous Carnevale di Venezia in February to eating gelato on the beaches of Sicily and Puglia during the hot summer months or going wine tasting in Veneto’s Prosecco vineyards during the lively September harvest.
And the food. Oh the food. There’s no country in the world that does food quite the way the Italians do.
Of course there’s the pizza, pasta and all-important coffee (be sure to order correctly) most people associate with Italy, but Italian food is so much more than just that. Italian cuisine is seeping with tradition and history, with an abundance of regional specialties made using only the finest locally-sourced seasonal ingredients.
It’s the fresh seafood caught by local fishermen in the small coastal towns, the hearty risottos of the mountainous north, the infinite regional varieties of tasty focaccia and, of course, the locally produced wines which must accompany every meal.
Italy is certainly not a country that can be visited once and ticked off the bucket list. It’s a place that must be returned to time and time again to experience all of its majestic historic cities, colourful coastal towns and diverse natural beauty.
So far I’ve made it to Venice, Verona, the Prosecco hills, Milan, Florence, Pisa, Rome, Naples, Urbino, Puglia and Sardinia.
I’m sure I’ll be back to cover the rest of the country soon!
Puglia has much to boast about: skirted by both the Adriatic and Ionian seas, the heel of Italy’s boot is a dichotomy of flat, sandy coastal lands and hilly interior, scattered with olive trees . A pioneer of the slow food movement, where the simple life dominates, Puglia is the real dolce vita; yet it remains relatively untrampled … Read more
Ever had one of those trips where sightseeing takes a back seat and you end up spending close to eight hours a day languishing over super long lunches and dinners that stretch on to midnight? No, well, I can highly recommend it. Spending time lingering over one of the best diets in the world (Sardinia … Read more
The historic city of Verona is one of the most interesting and beautiful places in Italy’s Veneto region, and despite often being overshadowed by nearby Venice, it is somewhere which should certainly be added to any northern Italy itinerary. Dating back to 89 BC, Verona is filled with impressive historical architecture, beautiful ancient churches and an … Read more
Let’s be honest, the idea of eating Italian food in Italy is part of the reason you booked your trip, right? It’s certainly one of the reasons I keep returning to the boot shaped country. Which is why I was so supremely disappointed when I got to Venice and for the first time in all … Read more
I had a draft of this blog called: Milan – the city that never satisfies. Because until this trip (my 4th to Milan), that’s how I felt about the city. Perhaps it was because I’d only ever spent one day in Milan. Or it was because most of articles about things to do in Milan … Read more
I conducted an entirely unscientific survey over the festive fizz period of December – I asked everybody with a glass of Prosecco in their hand if they knew that the Prosecco region was just one hour from Venice in Italy. Results: 10o/10o people didn’t know (or some number like that). The ensuing conversations went a … Read more
Want to know the best things to do in Sardinia? Read on… I’d always thought Sardinia would be a beach-based trip for me – after all, isn’t that why most people fly into what is Italy’s largest island? However, there’s not much you can do to talk me into sitting on a beach in November … Read more
I’m the kind of person who will find any excuse possible to sup on something bubbly – “What? My second cousin, third removed just found out she doesn’t need a root canal? That requires a celebration.” POP. Whether you’re a woman (or man) after my own heart or whether you prefer save the popping of corks … Read more
Francesco Cetti once said, “There is not in Italy what there is in Sardinia, nor in Sardinia what there is in Italy.” The 18th century zoologist was probably talking about the wildlife. Probably. But he could equally have been talking about Sardinian food. I’m fast loosing count of the number of times I’ve been to Italy, but … Read more
Even if you’re decked head to toe in Gucci and are sauntering around Venice, Florence or Rome with all the panache of an Italian superstar, there’s still a very simple way to tell whether you’re a local or not: how you order coffee. Believe it or not, there is a huge (and unhelpfully unspoken!) protocol … Read more