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, exploring the wonder of Rome, 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 Sardinia and Puglia during the hot summer months or going wine tasting in Veneto’s Prosecco vineyards during the lively September harvest.
While in Tuscany there is Pisa, Lucca, Florence and nearby Tuscan towns to explore.
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 Italian coffee 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. Sardinia and Rome are a world of cuisine on their own.
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.
My most popular guides to Italy include:
If you’re searching for local food for your trip to Puglia, you’re already steps ahead of most of the millions of foreign visitors who arrive in Italy each year. Just recently, strolling down a side street in Florence I had a waiter holler at me across the street: “pizza, pasta, spaghetti”. It was as though … Read more
In 1372, work was completed on a tower in Pisa that would later come to be one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world. That tower was the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Located in the beautiful Tuscany region of Italy, Pisa is a popular stop on most Italian itineraries. But what else is there … Read more
A 5th Century city of canals where romance oozes from the ornate buildings, Venice is a dream destination for most of us. I’ve visited many times (I even run wine tours from Venice). And each time I fall more in love with the floating city. With 118 islands lying across a web of canals, linked … Read more
Rome, Roma, the Eternal City. Whatever you call it, there’s no denying that Italy’s capital city, Rome, is one of the most beautiful and fascinating cultural cities in the world. With a complex history that dates back thousands of years, there’s an almost endless supply of ancient ruins, incredible architecture, world-renowned landmarks, and fascinating museums … Read more
On the one hand, you really want to see Venice, but on the other, you’ve heard some horror stories about crowds and prices and flooding. Which leaves you wondering – is it possible to experience Venice without the disappointment? The answer, fortunately, is yes. In this guide I’ll share my Venice travel tips which will … Read more
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 a 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 Milan mostly listed a series … Read more