Why Italy never disappoints
Few countries pack so much beauty, history and flavor into one peninsula. Whether you crave Renaissance art, ancient ruins, alpine lakes or perfect pasta, Italy delivers. Here are the experiences worth planning a trip around.
The Colosseum and Roman Forum, Rome
Rome's 2,000-year-old amphitheater once held 50,000 spectators. Book a timed ticket (around 18 euros) online to skip the queue, and combine it with the adjacent Forum and Palatine Hill on the same pass.
Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
Walk the long galleries to Michelangelo's ceiling, then step into St. Peter's Basilica. Go early or book the evening slot to avoid the heaviest crowds.
Florence and the Uffizi Gallery
The birthplace of the Renaissance holds Botticelli's Birth of Venus and works by Leonardo and Michelangelo. Climb Brunelleschi's Duomo for rooftop views over the terracotta city.
Venice and the canals
Get lost beyond St. Mark's Square, ride the vaporetto down the Grand Canal, and visit the colorful island of Burano. Spring and autumn are far kinder than the summer crush.
The Amalfi Coast
Positano, Amalfi and Ravello cling to cliffs above turquoise water. Drive the coastal road or take the ferry between towns for the best views without the parking stress.
Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius
The city frozen by the 79 AD eruption is astonishingly intact. Pair it with a hike to the crater of Vesuvius for sweeping views over the Bay of Naples.
Cinque Terre
Five pastel fishing villages linked by hiking trails and a scenic train line. A Cinque Terre Card covers trains and paths between Monterosso and Riomaggiore.
Lake Como
Elegant villas, mountain backdrops and lakeside towns like Bellagio and Varenna. A boat trip is the perfect slow afternoon.
Tuscany's countryside and wine
Rolling hills, cypress lanes and hilltowns like Siena and San Gimignano. Tour a Chianti vineyard and taste Brunello near Montalcino.
Matera's cave dwellings
In the south, the ancient sassi of Matera are honeycombed into the rock. This UNESCO city is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places on earth.
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