Why you NEED to visit Italy

Everyone and their mother can agree that Italy could be visited 50 times and you still wouldn’t be bored!! There are so many cities, different landscapes, and vibes all around. The beauty of the mountains, the beauty of the coast, the amazing food and the one-of-a-kind gelato – it cannot be beat!

When to go

You could probably visit Italy 10 times and still not see everything you need to see. Italy is a land that ranges from beautiful rocky coastlines, to quant colourful towns, to soaring snowy mountains and green fields of wineries. It is truly admirable for a country to be so diverse when it is so small on the map! With that said, here are some places that you could visit in Italy and what they have to offer:

Where to go

There are waaaay too many beautiful places in Italy. Here are some popular destinations in Italy:

• The Almafi Coast – beautiful coastline on the Aegean Sea. Towns look like a page from a colourful storybook and there are built on the cliffs so the views are unbelievable.
• Rome – the capital of Italy. Home to the Trevi fountain, the Colosseum, and some of the best food in the world. Rome is a must-see – it is an architectural phenomenon of Renaissance intertwined with the remnants of Ancient Rome.
• Venice – the infamous city built on water. The only public transport here are by riding gondola’s along the canals to your destinations.
• Lake Como – A fairytale destination of colourful towns built on a glistening lake and a backdrop of the Alps. Only 40 minutes from Milan, it is a beautiful spot for a romantic getaway
• Milan – as the capital of arts and fashion in Italy, Milan boasts the infamous Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral and Leonardo da Vinci’s mural of The Last Supper.
• Florence – if you love art, architecture, history, and culture, you must visit this city!
  • Tuscany – within Florence, lies a beautiful region of green containing villages, wineries and green rolling plains. When you see photos and videos of Tuscany, this is probably what you see!
• Cinque Terre – A UNESCO World Heritage site comprised of 5 colourful coastal fishing towns on the Italian Riviera. This is an amazing place for all summer fun imaginable – hiking, swimming, beaching and boating. This is the place to experience the village life of an Italian.
• Dolomites – the Northeastern Alps of Italy are the perfect place for skiers in the winter and hikers or bikers in the summer. Even if you are just looking for a relaxing getaway with an incredible view, these are a must to visit.
• Capri – located off of the Almafi Coast, this island is the definition of stunning. The boat ride here is fantastic, and even better is the destination – made up of enormous rock formations and home to the blue grotto caves
• Sardinia – If you are looking for an incredible getaway made up of crystal clear waters, enormous yachts and possible celebrity sitings, this is the place to go!
• Bologna – the beauty of this city lies in its culture and history
• Verona – relive Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” in this romantic city of Italy
• Pisa – Make a quick stop to take a picture holding up the leaning tower of Pisa, here!
• Genoa – the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, Genoa is a colourful region of ports based on the on the Ligurian sea. It is the perfect place to be for that relaxing summer vacation comprised of excellent seafood cuisine, beaching, and boating (Portofino is a city of this region!)
• Lake Garda – in-between Milan and Venice lies Italy’s largest lake. Visit Lake Garda to experience the beauty of its crystal clear waters upon the incredible Dolomites.
• Sicily – this beautiful Mediterranean island contains the perfect mix of relaxation, culture, history and adventure. You could choose to lie on a beach one day, while hiking Etna volcano another day. You could check out the archaeological ruins in the morning and take a romantic boat trip at sunset,

Where to stay

Travelling in hostels are your cheapest option within the city centre. However, booking airbnb’s if you have a bigger group is totally worth it and cost-friendly for the most part!! The closer that you are to the city centre, the better, so you can get to all your attractions on foot. This is true for almost every city in Italy, except for Rome. But I wouldn’t worry, Rome is so well connected by bus routes that it is no issue getting from place to place.

• Take note: In some places, like the Almafi Coast, accommodations are very expensive, and it may seem like your cheap accommodation that is 12 iminutes from the city centre, is a bargain. However, you must consider that the accommodations are placed on a mountain. Therefore, your 12 minute walk may actually be 20 minutes because of how many steps you have to climb. In such a place like Almafi, it is worth it to spend a bit more money to be closer to the ground!

How long to visit

You could be travelling Italy for a month if you were to visit all the places above! It really depends which places you want to go to. For example, there are cities where you could easily spend 1-2 days in (ex. Milan, Pisa, Venice), and places where you could stay for 3-5 days (ex. Almafi Coast, Rome, Sicily). It also depends if you are trying to see many places on your trip and tourist hop from city to city, or if you would like some time to relax on the beach.

• I would strongly recommend at least 4 full days for the Almafi Coast if you would like time to relax and still have time to venture out to the islands.

What to do

• Site seeing – Italy is home to the ruins of Ancient Rome, the Sistine Chapel,
• Eating – this is the birthplace of pasta, tiramisu, and gelato! Eat your heart out!
• Hiking – whether it’s up mountains, up coastal cliffs or across villages, there are many beautiful hikes in Italy. So bring those runners, and start practicing on the stair master!
• Water attractions – swimming in lakes, in the sea, going on boat tours – Italy has it all!
• Enjoying life – eat good food, nap on the beach, get some sun, party it up at night – just enjoy it all!

What to know before you go

• Italy has to be one of the most popular summer destinations for people around the world. Book your trip well in advance for availability and good prices.
• If you can avoid high tourist season (especially July and August), then your experience in Italy will be much more pleasant
• Buy “skip the line” tickets online before you visit major tourist attractions, like the sistine chapel. Totally worth the extra few euros.
• Be prepared to pay tourist tax on your accommodation once you arrive. The tax varies based on the type of accommodation you are staying at, the amount of people you are with and where in Italy you are.
• Watch for pickpocketers. Always have your purse/wallet on you, even at the restaurants. Common tricks people may use on you is to try to “gift” you flowers, tell you that you dropped something, putting a ring or bracelet on your hand. They will pester you, so make sure to be very direct with them and
• To get amazing amazing food for a low price: talk to the locals, avoid restaurants with checkered tablecloths, and try out some restaurants that look like a hole in the wall!

My recommendations:

• the one place you must visit before you die is the Almafi Coast, or specifically, Positano. Wow. Just wow.
• Rome is also a city like no other that I’ve been to. It is a mix of beautiful European architecture and Ancient Rome ruins – you are truly taken back in time. It is unmissable.
• Favourite restaurants in Rome: Osteria da Fortunata (they make their pasta in front of you!), Bar dei Gemelli (best pizza I’ve ever eaten!!!), and Trattoria Luzzi (we were led to this place by a local who’s uncle owned the restaurant! Best find!)