Why Polignano a Mare Is the Most Dramatic Town on Italy’s Coast
Discover Polignano a Mare, the ancient Puglia town perched on limestone cliffs above the Adriatic — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
Places to visit
Italy is a country full of history, culture and outstanding natural beauty. Some must-visit places include the romantic city of Venice with its famous gondolas and canals, the capital city Rome, home to ancient ruins like the Colosseum and the Vatican City. Florence is famous for its Renaissance art and architecture. The Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre are renowned for their stunning coastal scenery. Other notable places include the fashionable city of Milan, the picturesque region of Tuscany, the historic city of Pompeii and the beautiful islands of Sicily and Sardinia. Beyond cities and landscapes, Italy is also known for its delicious cuisine and world-class wines.
– Venice: Known for its romantic ambiance, iconic gondolas, and beautiful canals.
– Rome: The capital city is home to ancient ruins like the Colosseum and the Vatican City.
– Florence: Famous for its Renaissance art and architecture.
– Amalfi Coast: Renowned for its stunning coastal scenery.
– Cinque Terre: Another area known for remarkable coastal views.
– Milan: A fashionable city, known as a global hub for design and fashion.
– Tuscany: A picturesque region with rolling hills, vineyards and historic towns.
– Pompeii: An ancient city with well-preserved ruins from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
– Sicily: The largest island in the Mediterranean sea, known for its rich history and diverse architecture.
– Sardinia: A beautiful island with stunning beaches and clear blue waters.
– Italian Cuisine: Famous for its delicious food like pizza, pasta, gelato, and many regional specialties.
– Italian Wines: Italy is one of the largest wine producers in the world, with famous varieties like Chianti, Prosecco, and Barolo.
The Baroque Island in Sicily Built on the Bones of Ancient Greece
Ortigia, Sicily’s ancient island city where a Greek temple became a baroque cathedral — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
Why Trieste Is the One Italian City That Has Never Felt Quite Italian
Why Trieste is Italy’s most underrated city: Habsburg palaces, a unique coffee language, and the haunting Miramare Castle all reward the curious traveller — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
The Italian Word That Explains Why Everything in Italy Looks Effortless
Discover sprezzatura — the 500-year-old Italian art of effortless excellence born in Renaissance Florence that still shapes how Italians live, dress, and create — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
The Reason Italian Olive Oil Tastes Nothing Like What You Buy at Home
Discover why Italian extra virgin olive oil varies so dramatically by region — and how to taste the difference for yourself — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
Why Matera Was Once Called Italy’s National Disgrace — and Then Changed Everything
Discover Matera, Italy’s ancient cave city in Basilicata — from national disgrace to UNESCO treasure in one remarkable story — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
Why This Tiny Italian Island Was One of the Most Important Places in the Ancient World
Discover Lipari, the Aeolian island that powered the ancient Mediterranean trade in obsidian — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
Why the Best Porchetta in Italy Has Never Appeared on a Restaurant Menu
Discover why Italy’s greatest roast pork is never served in restaurants, and where to find real porchetta across Lazio, Umbria, and at local markets — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
Why Taormina Has Been Italy’s Most Dramatic Stage for 2,500 Years
Discover Taormina in Sicily — the clifftop town with an ancient Greek theatre, Mount Etna views, and medieval streets that have captivated visitors for 2,500 years — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
Why Lecce Is the Most Beautiful City in Italy That Nobody Talks About
Discover Lecce, Puglia’s golden baroque city — hand-carved limestone streets, a hidden Roman amphitheatre, and Italy’s finest pastry await — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
Why So Many Americans Arrive in Italy Feeling Like They’ve Been Here Before
For millions of Americans with Italian roots, arriving in Italy for the first time feels like coming home. Here’s why — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
Why Capri Gets All the Tourists While Ischia Gets All the Magic
Discover Ischia, the volcanic island in the Bay of Naples with thermal spa gardens, a medieval castle, and authentic Italian village life — without the crowds. — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
Why Italians From Naples and Venice Can Barely Understand Each Other
Discover why Italian regional dialects are so distinct that Neapolitans and Venetians can struggle to understand each other — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
The Venetian Mask Makers Who Have Kept the Same Secrets for 500 Years
Discover the ancient craft of Venetian mask-making, the six mask types and their hidden meanings, and where to find genuine artisan workshops in Venice — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
Why the Trulli Houses of Alberobello Were Built to Disappear
Discover why Alberobello’s iconic trulli houses were built without mortar and the clever story behind Puglia’s most mysterious architecture — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
The Tuscan Island Where Napoleon Was Exiled — and Never Wanted to Leave
Discover Elba island in Tuscany — where Napoleon ruled in exile, and Italy hides its most beautiful beaches, medieval hilltowns, and crystal waters — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
Why the World’s Most Beautiful Suits Are Still Made by Hand in Naples
Discover the centuries-old craft of Neapolitan tailoring — why the world’s finest suits come from Naples’ backstreets, not Milan or Paris — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
Why Umbria Is the Italy That Tuscany Tourists Always Miss
Discover Umbria — Italy’s green heart with medieval hilltop towns, world-class truffles, and barely any tourists — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
Why Italy’s Least-Known Region Is Its Most Rewarding to Visit
Discover Molise, the Italian region travellers overlook. Medieval hilltowns, Roman ruins, Adriatic beaches, and food untouched by tourism — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
Why Italians Walk the Same Route Every Evening — and Have for 2,000 Years
La passeggiata is Italy’s 2,000-year-old evening ritual — a daily stroll practised in every town across the country that most visitors walk straight past — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
The Sardinian Villages Where Living to 100 Is Almost Ordinary
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