Charming harbor towns embellish the shores of Lake Garda, Italy, the largest Italian lake that has welcomed famous people over the centuries, people like the Roman poet Catullus, the writer of the Divine Comedy Dante Alighieri or St Francis of Assisi, who founded a monastery in Isola del Garda in 1220.

Benàco, as the lake is also called, is on the edge of the Brenta Dolomites, spreading across three distinct regions, Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino-Alto Adige.

Lake Garda is not far away from Venice, Milan, and Verona, which makes it easy to combine your stay in Lake Garda with visits or day trips to these attractive Italian cities. And a drive a little over two hours eastwards takes you to elegant Lake Como

The northern part of the lake is narrow and encircled by imposing mountains while in the south it widens considerably and is surrounded by hills and vineyards that make the landscape sweeter.

What to Do in Lake Garda, Italy

Covering an area of about 140 sq miles / 370 sq km, Lake Garda’s shores are dotted with picturesque, interesting towns and villages full of history and traditions that will give you lots of things to do or see, probably more than you can handle in a single vacation.

If you are the adventurous type, you may want to combine lakeside town visits and relaxing lake swimming with sailing, windsurfing, climbing, sailing, hiking or mountain walking among other sports activities.

On the southern shore, Desenzano del Garda is a good base to explore the towns. Besides the railway station that connects to Milan and Venice, several ferries connect it to other lakeside towns. Desenzano itself has grand views of the Alps, four beaches, and several hotels. It has a lively nightlife, open-air cafes, good restaurants and a 12th-century castle towering above the port.

Sirmione and The Castle Of Lake Garda

On the southern shore of Lake Garda, Sirmione is renowned for the healing properties of its thermal waters, the Roman Grotta di Catullo and the 13th century Scaliger Castle.

The Lake Garda Castle of Sirmione is a fortress from the Scaligeri era, a dynasty that ruled the city of Verona from 1262 to 1387. The castle is bathed on all sides by the waters of Lago di Garda and its construction began around the middle of the 13th century, probably on the remains of a Roman fortification, as protection against enemies and the locals.

The castle of Lake Garda stands at the entrance to the Sirmio peninsula where the historical center of Sirmione is located. It is surrounded by an intact moat and two drawbridges, which still are the only way to enter the fortress. It houses a small museum with local finds from the Roman era and a few medieval artifacts as well as a panel exhibition with fundamental information about the castle.

This fortress nicknamed the Sinking Castle is a point of access to the historic center of Sirmione and it is one of the best-preserved castles of Italy and a rare example of lake fortification.

Visitors to the castle can roam the grounds of the fortress on their own and if you walk the one hundred and fifty steps to the main tower you will be rewarded with a splendid view of Lake Garda and the city of Sirmione.

Charming Malcesine on Lake Garda, Italy

Againts the impressive Monte Baldo, Malcesine on Lake Garda is mainly renowned for the Palazzo dei Capitani and the 13th-century Castello Scaligero. It was here that a local magistrate questioned the great German writer JW Goethe on suspicion of being an Austrian spy because he was seen drawing sketches of the Scaligero castle.

Whether you visit Malcesine in winter or summer, if you want to have impressive views and provided you are not afraid of heights, we advise you to take the cable car Malcesine – Monte Baldo that will take you to about 5,500 ft / 1,700 m above sea level. This cable car is one of the most modern in the world. It has rotating cabins that will allow you to fully enjoy the majestic panorama of Monte Baldo and Lake Garda, Italy.

More Attractions and Lakeside Towns

In Riva del Garda on the northern tip of Benaco you can admire the Cascate del Varone, a deafening waterfall almost 330 ft / 100 m high, at 1.8 mi / 3 km from Riva. Worth visiting are also the Tenno Lake and the Ledro Lake regarded as one of the cleanest in the Trentino region. It features four beaches and quite a warm water temperature for a mountain lake.

Also in Trentino, Nago-Torbole are two lovely villages in one, so to say. On the slopes of Monte Altissimo, Nago offers stunning views and lakeside Torbole rises as an amphitheater surrounded by the mountains of the Monte Baldo range.

There is a 2.5-mi / 4-km long panoramic walking trail of recent construction with a balcony that overlooks Lake Garda and connects Torbole to Tempesta, the ancient border between Austria and Italy. It has fabulous views and it only takes a little over one hour.

In Gardone Riviera, on the western shore, you’ll want to visit the Vittoriale degli Italiani, the former residence of the controversial poet-soldier Gabriele D’Annunzio and the botanical garden maintained by the André Heller Foundation.

Known for its lemon groves, excellent olive oil and the longevity of some of the locals, picturesque Limone sul Garda is also worth a visit. When you see so many people flocking to this small town of a little over 1,000 permanent residents it is hard to grasp that until the 1940s there was no road and it was reachable only by boat or through the mountains.

Stunning Isola del Garda

Although privately owned by the noble Cavazza family, Isola del Garda has been open to guided tours since 2002. It is a rare opportunity to be able to visit a private island. Don’t miss it if you can.

Boats depart from San Felice del Benaco, Salò, Gardone Riviera and Sirmione but not every day, so it’s advisable to plan ahead.

The largest of the five small islands in the lake is covered by a luxuriant park and the Venetian neo-Gothic Villa Borghese Cavazza stands in the place of the former Franciscan friary I mentioned above.

A short distance away is the second largest island, the island of San Biagio, also known as Rabbit Island because in the 16th century there were numerous hares and rabbits. The island is a short distance from the coast and in dry periods can be reached on foot.

Discover Amazing Pictures of Lake Garda

Uncover the calming waters of Lake Garda, the towns and main landmarks with our photo gallery. Click the button below to enter the magnificent region of Lake Garda, Italy.

Lake Como, Italy is a gorgeous place surrounded by charming towns and luxurious lakeside villas with exquisite gardens —the favorite retreat of aristocrats and wealthy people since Roman times.

Famous people that stayed on the shores of Lago di Como include musician Vincenzo Bellini, fashion designer Gianni Versace, politicians like Winston Churchill and Konrad Adenauer, Richard Branson, Madonna and the American actor George Clooney, who owns Villa Oleandra in the small town of Laglio.

Located about 30 miles/40 km off Milan, in the Lombardy region, this magical lake of glacial origin that locals also call Lario, spreads a surface of 56 square miles or 146 square kilometers. It is the third in size of Italy’s three major lakes, after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore, and one of the deepest in Europe.

If you are currently browsing vacation destinations and enjoy combining days packed with activities with relaxation time devoted to admire the superb views and the exquisite natural scenery, here are a few tips about the best things to do in Lake Como, Italy, and the endearing towns around the lake.

Visit the City of Como

The capital of the province of Como is a beautiful town on the south shore of Lake Como centered around the Como Cathedral and Piazza del Duomo.

The Duomo di Como is generally regarded as the last Gothic cathedral built in Italy. Construction works began in 1396 but the impressive west front wasn’t built until the second half of the 15th century.

The town has been a world-famous center for silk making for centuries, so interested visitors can visit the Educational Silk Museum –Museo Didattico Della Seta in Italian– to see the steps in the silk-making process.

Although nowadays most of the raw silk thread is imported from China and Brazil, Como still has many weavers and factories that transform the raw silk into ties, scarves, designer accessories among others. Some famous designer brands that rely on Como’s silk industry include Armani, Chanel, Yves St Laurent, Versace and Ungaro.

Lake Como is the ideal place to do some silk shopping and get truly special gifts to take home. InComo in the town of Como and Azalea in Bellagio are two good outlets to shop for quality Italian silk items.

Take a Tour of Charming Bellagio

This is another town you must see. The steep and narrow streets, the quaint buildings, the welcoming little cafes and eateries with their terraces in the street exude the Italian rural charm that make this region so idyllic.

Take a Cruise on Lake Como

The lakeside towns show their most beautiful face when you look at them from the lake. Embark on a cruise ship to see the superb villas where the rich and famous spend their time, take one of the regular ferry services to cross the lake or hop into a Venetian-style water-taxi – the itineraries are just as varied as the vessels you can choose from.

Take A Look At The Lake From High Up

There are several funicular railways and cable cars that take you up to green, scenic hiking trails above the lake.

A very popular ride is the funicular that connects the town of Como to the small village of Brunate, 700 m/3,000 ft above the sea. This funicular made its first journey in 1894 and it’s still the quickest way to go to Brunate. It is very safe an environmentally friendly despite its age and the panoramic views of the azure lake are memorable.

If you aren’t afraid of heights you can also take the cable car between Argegno and Pigra that takes you from 200 m/650 ft to 800 m/2,600 ft in 5 minutes and offers spectacular views of Lake Como, Italy.

Whether it is the small towns like Lecco, Varenna or Cernobbio, the medieval architecture, the lake’s natural beauty or the Italian countryside that you are interested in, Lake Como has it all.

Get a Taste of Exquisite Lake Como, Italy

If the idea of visiting Lake Como, Italy, appeals to you, but you would like to see more before you book your vacation, click the button below to view the gallery of photos.

Everything you can see and experience in the Dolomites, Italy, the accommodation, the general atmosphere and the culture in the mountain towns and villages reflects a special and unique combination of the Italian, German and Ladin take on life.

The Italy Dolomites are a range of Alpine mountains located in the northeast of Italy. The range of the Dolomites is almost equally shared between the provinces of Trentino, South Tyrol in the region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol and Belluno in the Veneto region.

The temperate climate of the Dolomites makes them a wonderful tourist destination all year around. There is a wide variety of activities to enjoy and spectacular views to admire, whatever season you choose for your visit.

In summer, the hiking trails are lined with wildflowers such as crocuses, snowdrops and Daphne blooms and you can enjoy the fresh and delicious local fruits and local specialties such as wines and dishes prepared using game hunted locally

Instead, in winter the entire area becomes transformed into a wonderland covered in sparkling white snow.

If you like the idea of spending your next vacation in the Dolomites, Italy, here are a few tips to make your stay exciting and enjoyable:

By Cable Car in the Dolomites

Try the cable car Siusi/Alpe di Siusi that links Compatsch/Compaccio and Siusi allo Sciliar.

The longest cableway in the world features a varied range of modern, comfortable cable cars and is also very well-connected and easily accessible from the surrounding towns and villages.

The Seiser Alm/Alpe di Siusi cable car takes you to the top hiking area in the Dolomites, the unique Alpe di Siusi high plateau, a region of astounding natural beauty.

Skiing in Madonna di Campiglio

If you visit in winter and you are a skier, you’ll love skiing all day long in Madonna di Campiglio and Pinzolo with great runs and slopes.

The ski area around Madonna di Campiglio offers 150 km / 93 mi of ski runs on 98 ski slopes of different difficulty grades and 40 km / 25 mi for Nordic skiing. It has also links to the pistes of Pinzolo, Marilleva and Folgarida.

This skiing paradise also has spas that will allow you to relax your tired muscles after a busy day spent on the tracks.

Go Hiking and Biking

Summers are also amazing in the Dolomites, the slopes covered in snow during the winter become spectacular hiking and biking trails in the hot season, with via ferrata routes like nowhere else.

Several long-distance footpaths called alte vie in Italian cross the Dolomites. These high paths take about one week to walk and they are served by many mountain huts or rifugi.

The classic high route in the Dolomites, Italy, and also the easiest is the Alta Via 1 that runs south from Pragser Wildsee/Lake Braies to the town of Belluno, which is included in the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park, a World Heritage Site.

The Brenta Group mountain range, the only dolomitic group west of river Adige is also a World Heritage Site. Most hikers that explore the Western Dolomites, as they are also called, hike along the Via della Bocchette and linked vie ferrate, such as Sentiero Castiglioni.

Enjoy Extreme Sports

The Dolomites are also renowned for sites where you can enjoy your favorite extreme sports. Whether you are a fan of base jumps, you like hang gliding, free climbing or paragliding, the area has lots of centers where you can have fun.

Rocca Pietore, next to the Marmolada Glacier and Cortina D’Ampezzo are probably the most well-known.

Nature and culture, calm, serene beauty and wonderful opportunities to spend your holiday exploring an amazing area – these are the qualities that make the Italy Dolomite mountains such an appreciated destination. Just make up your mind about how you want to spend your well-deserved vacation – the Dolomites will provide the setting for it.

Aren’t you convinced yet? If you want to check the views and see pics that capture the true beauty of the Dolomites, Italy, before you book a vacation to the area, click the button below to view the gallery of photos – just browse the images and imagine yourself experiencing and exploring all that rugged beauty.

The second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and home to luxuriant vegetation, Sardinia, Italy, is a true miracle of nature.

Something particularly striking is the island’s aspect in itself: mainly consisting of rocky coasts covered in plants in the most vibrant shades of green, it is surrounded from all sides by the emerald waters of the Mediterranean Sea, as if it were waiting to be drowned in them.

If you have decided to travel to the sunny lands of Sardinia, then here are four places you absolutely have to see:

1. Santuario e Basilica di Nostra Signora di Bonaria

Once you are in the capital of the island, Cagliari, if you go about one kilometer, approximately three-quarters of a mile, southeast of Via Roma, the Bonaria hill, home to the sanctuary built in honor of the Virgin Mary, will welcome you with its arms open.

The main attraction is Nostra Signora di Bonaria, the patroness of Sardinia, Italy, a wooden statue representing the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus in her arms that dates back to at least the 14th century. According to tradition, it miraculously landed on the beach in front of the Bonaria hill.

Legend has it that on 25 March 1370 a ship coming from Catalonia was caught in a storm and so the sailors decided to throw all cargo overboard. As soon as they threw the heavy box containing the statue into the sea, the storm suddenly abated.

Since then, devotion to Our Lady of Bonaria quickly spread over Sardinia, especially among seaman and fishermen who invoked her as their protector.

2. Archaelogical Site Su Nuraxi

A nuraghe is a Sardinian megalithic edifice dating back to more than 1000 BCE, and is nowadays regarded as one of the island’s main symbols. Abandoned and inhabited for centuries in a row, the structure was excavated relatively late, in the 1950s’. The process took little over six years. Today, the tourists interested in its architecture can thoroughly inspect it, as it is the only completely excavated nuraghe in Sardinia.

3. Cattedrale di Santa Maria

Piazza Palazzo, the main square of Castello, one of Cagliari’s main neighborhoods, is the place to go if you want to see the Cagliari Cathedral, also known as the Cattedrale di Santa Maria e Santa Cecilia.

Built in the 13th century in the clean Pisan-Romanesque style, it was modified several times across the ages, mainly due to the new conquerors and their native architectural designs. Today, the structure has a bit of them all: the Gothic columns —renovated in the 1930s’, a Neo-Romanesque façade which aimed to resemble the old one, and the interior décor, enriched with baroque elements.

4. Museo Archeologico Nazionale

Imbued with tradition and a vibe of the past like no other, the archeological Museum in Sardinia is easily one of the most sought-after out there. Here, you can find everything a history buff would want to see, from the Nuraghic Bronze statues, to more recent Iron structures, as well as Phoenician and Roman artifacts.

For most visitors, Sardinia will feel like love at first sight. Goddesses standing tall alongside the thin layer of mosaic, memories of a yet to understand nuraghic period and gorgeous shores bathed in sun rays are just a few of the things that will lock your heart to this place.

If you want to get a glimpse of the magic you’ll find in Sardinia, Italy, click the button below and have a look at our wonderful photo gallery.

The city of Palermo, Sicily, is one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the entire world, and for good reason. Dating back to more than 2.700 years ago and stretching across the Golf of Palermo, Ziz, its old Phoenician name, meaning flower, is absolutely astonishing!

Famous not only for its prodigious architectural heritage and well-renowned gastronomy, Palermo is highly popular amongst travelers passionate about culture and history. Being the perfect fusion between the old and the new, the city will leave even the pickiest traveler in complete awe.

There is a Latin saying that translates to All roads lead to Rome. However, if you let your eyes wander a bit on a map, they are sure to find the warm southern lands of Italy and this beautiful ancient city a lot more mysterious and interesting.

Here are the top 5 reasons why you should take a trip to Palermo:

1. It Is Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites

On the province of Palermo there are several religious structures, out of which the cathedrals of Cefalu and Monreale are the most famous, as well as fabulous palaces like the Palazzo dei Normanni.

Many architectural jewels in Palermo Italy date back to the era of the Norman Kingdom of Sicily, which is extremely visible in the way they were built.

After the Norman conquest, the architectural style in the old Palermo was strongly influenced by the Arab and Byzantine cultures, which were quite distinct from the typical Gothic design.

The Norman rulers built in the Arab-Norman style, which incorporated the best elements of Arab and Byzantine architecture.

2. Palermo Italy Has a Vibrant Street Life

If you go to Palermo, Sicily, then you are bound to fall in love with its people, no doubt about that. Like in most of the country, the Palermitani will welcome you with their arms and hearts open, and all of a sudden you’ll feel at home.

The dazzle will not leave you for a moment: the locals often gather in the main squares for special festivities and, drenched in the sun, dance and enjoy each other until next morning.

3. It Has Food Like No Other

Besides the representative Italian treats, you’ll find in Palermo a plethora of dishes that combine the heat of the Arabic world with the passion of the Spanish and the good taste of the Italians.

You can buy the most delicious treats and dishes from pretty much everywhere, from the crowded markets buzzing with life to the fanciest of restaurants, where great Sicilian and Italian cooks will prepare you lavishing foods flavored with the finest spices.

4. Teatro Massimo: Where Caruso Saw Fame

The largest opera house in Italy and the third biggest on the European continent, Teatro Massimo will impress you with its gigantic Roman-style columns, and its elegant design will take you back to the country’s golden age.

5. Palermo Is Home to Solunto

Ancient Soluntum was one of the three main Phoenician settlements in Sicily, on the north coast, about 16 km or 10 miles east of modern Palermo. Excavations on the site have uncovered substantial remains of the ancient town from the time of the Roman dominion, but there is still a great deal that remains well-kept and unexplored.

Going on a tour, you will see the remains of an Ancient world. Looking closely, you’ll even have the feeling that you are a part of it.

Courtyard villas, the residence of the Carthaginians and Romans, old mosaics cracking under the visitors’ feet, and the blue sky covering the forgotten amphitheater are all imbued with a vibe of the past more intimate than in any other place.

Generally, people associate the Vatican City with the official residence of the Pope. The smallest state in the world, both by the number of inhabitants and area, Vatican pulses with a strong sense of spiritual life inside Italy’s capital, Rome.

The city has become one of the most popular destinations in the world for tourists, both young and old. What was once but an ecclesiastical state is in our days a major attraction, both from the religious and the touristic point of view.

Here is what you have to know when traveling to the Vatican City:

When to Go to the Vatican City

In terms of seasons, winter seems to be the most convenient for the tourists who don’t necessarily like crowded places. Take into account one aspect though: avoid the period between December 20th and January 6th, when the main religious services take place for the holidays.

There’s no day of the week with fewer people walking the streets of the Vatican City. However, you might find it more suitable to visit it in the early morning, as the majority of tourists prefer the afternoon hours.

How to Get to the Vatican

Booking a ticket and getting to Rome was probably the most difficult part of the journey. Luckily for all the foreigners who have decided that this is the perfect spot for their vacation, there is a simple and very efficient way to reach the Vatican once in Rome: use the subway.

The subway has a station just outside the state’s walls, and it will take you no more than 10 minutes to go to St. Peter’s Square from there.

Another easy method would be taking the bus. There are many buses that pass nearby the city’s walls, and some even have it as a terminal point. You won’t wait much for the next bus to take you there.

If you like to see more of the surrounding area, then the natural solution would be walking. Take full advantage of your time in Rome and the Vatican City, as you never know when you’ll come back.

What to See

Saint Peter’s Basilica is probably the main touristic attraction on the state’s territory. Most people come to the city of Vatican to see it, as it is home to a very famous piece of art, Michelangelo’s Pieta.

The Vatican Museums are another central point of your visit there. The magnificent Sistine Chapel with its ceiling frescos and The Last Judgement by Michelangelo, will bring to live even the most tired of tourists.

One simple tip: if you want to avoid being pushed from side to side or save some time, then go first to the Museums and then to St. Peter’s Basilica. There is a passage between the two that starts from the Sistine Chapel and leads to the Basilica, but not the other way around, unfortunately.

Gallery of Pictures of Vatican City

Finally, to save time, make sure you purchase the ticket for the Museums ahead of time. Meanwhile, click the button below and catch a glimpse of what the the Vatican City has in store for you, through our extensive, high-quality photo gallery.

A rugged and charming landscape with five villages that line the coast like jewels, the medieval Cinque Terre towns rise up in the middle of a fierce and beautiful landscape.

Cinque Terre is in the Italian Riviera, in the north-western coastal region of Liguria and it is made up of five fishing villages located on a coastal strip of 15 km (under 10 miles). From West to East, they are: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.

Although Italy Cinque Terre feels the pressure of its many visitors, efforts have been made to protect its precious heritage as much as possible.

The five cliff-side towns, the surrounding hills and the coast are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also a part of the Cinque Terre National Park, the Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre, which was the first Italian national park.

We advise you to get to Cinque Terre by train from La Spezia, so you don’t have to worry about the shortage of parking spaces.

If you want to visit the different towns, the passenger ferry that runs between the Cinque Terre villages, except Corniglia is a good option.

Where Does the Name Cinque Terre Come from?

Literally translated, Cinque Terre means Five Lands. Cinque is Italian for five and according to some terra was the medieval name for village in the Ligurian language. Another view is that the term was rather a hint at the isolation of the remote, distant Cinque Terre villages.

In the past, the small Cinque Terre towns were only accessible by sea or through tortuous paths and mule paths, and the term terre referred to those inaccessible fishing villages. As the five villages didn’t have a collective name, people started calling them The Cinque Terre, the same term we still use today.

Invigorating Cinque Terre Hiking

One of the best things to do in Cinque Terre is hiking and one of the most popular trails is the Sentiero Azzurro, a walking path that crosses Cinque Terre from Monterosso to Riomaggiore. But remember that you have to buy a day ticket to walk the Sentiero Azzurro.

Unfortunately, as we are writing this some sections of the Azure Trail are closed for repairs due to floods and landslides, like a large part of the Via dell’Amore between Manarola and Riomaggiore.

The stretch between Manarola and Corniglia is rather easy, although it finishes with 386 steps and sometimes it is also closed. The only sure thing is to find out once you get there, before getting too excited about hiking Cinque Terre.

For those of you who love hiking, there’s another hiking trail known as Alta via delle Cinque Terre. This old mule path runs along the watershed that separates the Cinque Terre coastline from Val di Vara and is a part of the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri, which in turn is a part of the Sentiero Italia that runs through the whole of Italy.

What’s Up with Via dell’Amore

The Via dell’Amore is the most popular stretch of the Sentiero Azzurro, the coastal trail with splendid views that links the five Cinque Terre villages. Compared to the other parts of the Sentiero Azzuro, it’s an easy one-km stroll of about 20 minutes —not even a mile.

Until mid-20th century the Cinque Terre towns were very isolated and hardly anyone married someone from another village. The relationships between the two Cinque Terre towns were virtually non-existent as shown by the significant differences between the dialects from both villages and the Ligurian language.

The trail that links Riomaggiore and Manarola that we know as Via dell’Amore, Pathway of Love or Lover’s Lane in English, was built in the early 1900s and it had a significant impact in the relationships between people of both villages.

Because of dangerous rock and landslides the trail was often closed. The rocky terrain and steep cliffs made it a continuous struggle to hold slides at bay but even so it became a vital meeting point.

After a serious accident in 2012 the Lover’s Path was closed until 2015 when it partially reopened, but only the 200 m that run from the Manarola train station to the Bar Via dell’Amore, still closed to the public.

For tourists the whole or partial closure of the Lover’s trail can be an inconvenience, but for the residents of both villages it is upsetting as it interrupts a lifeline between the two villages —a place for courting couples, where families stroll together, young people meet and older people sit in the sun and chat.

Unfortunately, nobody seems to know when the entire Lover’s Path will open again.

In the meantime, an alternative hiking trail between Riomaggiore and Manarola is the Beccara trail #531, which offers astounding views by the way. Keep in mind though that this isn’t an easy walk like the Via dell’Amore but a rather strenuous hike that requires proper footwear and fitness.

The Five Cinque Terre Villages

The five villages of Cinque Terre date back to medieval times, offering the visitor the opportunity to visit well-preserved castles, lovely parish churches, admire works of art, eat good food or just roam the streets and take in the amazing constructions and the exhilarating proximity of the azure Mediterranean Sea.

Most beaches are rather rocky but even so swimming in the deep blue water is a delightful, revitalizing experience for body and mind.

Charming Corniglia Tucks Away from the Sea

Corniglia is the village in the middle, to the east of Vernazza and Monterosso, and west of Manarola and Riomaggiore. Corniglia is the smallest and the only village that doesn’t tower directly over the sea. It is on the top of a promontory surrounded by man-made terraces and vineyards on three sides and a fourth side that falls sharply into the Ligurian Sea.

From Corniglia you can reach Vernazza through a lovely walk between mountain and sea.

Westernmost Monterosso al Mare

Monterosso al Mare is at the center of a small natural gulf and it has the only large sand beach in Italy Cinque Terre.

With about 1,500 residents, Monterosso al Mare, or Monterosso for short, is the largest of the Cinque Terre towns and is famous for its large number of aromatic lemon trees.

Worth seeing is the Church of St. John the Baptist in the old town with its main portal featuring a fresco portraying the baptism of Christ.

Apart from sublime views of the sea, the omnipresent convent of Monterosso, Complesso conventuale dei Cappuccini in Italian, owns many art treasures such as the Crucifixion attributed to the Flemish painter Antoon Van Dyck.

Don’t leave without seeing the Statue of Neptune, the Monterosso Giant. This impressive sculpture of about 14 m or 46 ft in height was built by the architect Francesco Levacher and the scultpor Arrigo Minerbi, the favorite sculptor of Gabriele D’Annunzio.

No Cars in Elegant Vernazza

Vernazza remains one of the most picturesque villlages of the entire Italian Riviera with colourful houses that have clung to impossible cliffs for many centuries. Its surroundings brighten with steep terraces growing olive groves, grapes and lemon trees.

Vernazza boasts the only true harbor of Cinque Terre, nestled under the shades of the Doria castle and the Belforte bastion that was built to protect the village from the pirates.

If you are fit and like hiking, you can visit the Santuario di Nostra Signora di Reggio —about an hour or less of steep walking on a panoramic path marked with the Stations of the Cross at intervals.

Vernazza is part of the I Borghi più belli d’Italia, meaning literally The Most Beautiful Villages of Italy, an association of small Italian towns of historical interest that works to preserve and revitalize their valuable heritage.

If you are lucky you’ll be in Vernazza during the Pirate Festival, which as far as we know doesn’t have a fixed date. You’ll see pirates landing on the port and marching to town accompanied by music!

Colorful, Friendly Manarola

Manarola is the second smallest village in Cinque Terre, after tiny Corniglia, and until 2012 the first obvious thing to do for the visitor was to walk the Via dell’Amore, the popular trail overlooking the sea that links the villages of Manarola and Riomaggiore.

Sadly, as we mentioned above, the trail had to close for repairs and as we are writing this only a small section of the Love’s Trail is open to the public. You’ll need to find out about the current state of the path when you get there.

Thought to be the oldest town of Cinque Terre, Manarola is dominated by the parish Church of San Lorenzo in Gothic style and dating back to 1338. If you go up to the Church square, to the Piazza della Chiesa, you’ll be able to enjoy great views of the village.

A fantastic place to admire the impressive structure of Manarola is Punta Bonfiglio, a rocky promontory on the walking path towards Corniglia. It is from here that you can take a truly picturesque, postcard photo of the village to show to your friends.

Manarola produces a sweet wine called Sciacchetrà renowned since Roman times. This millenary dessert wine is made with grapes from the famous terraces surrounding Manarola and other villages of the Spezia province and it is worth tasting.

Genoese Tower Houses in Riomaggiore

Riomaggiore is the southernmost and easternmost of the five Cinque Terre towns. The Genoese Case Torri, Italian for tower houses, lean on each other and frame deep, narrow alleys and the small, evocative quay.

The old town follows the valley of the river Rio Maggiore, the ancient Rivus Major from which the village takes its name.

There are several interesting churches you can visit: the Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista, the Santuario di Nostra Signora di Montenero and the Santuario di Nostra Signora della Salute.

Don’t forget the castle, the Castello di Riomaggiore in the old town.

Next: A Gallery of Magnetic Cinque Terre Pictures

If you want to sample the secluded natural beauty of the Cinque Terra towns, click the button below to view our photo gallery. We have selected stunning Cinque Terre images featuring that will give you MORE ideas for things to do in Italy Cinque Terre.

In the Amalfi Coast dramatic coastal mountains drop astonishingly right into the sea creating a spectacular landscape of bays and cliffs.

Hiking trails like the famous Path of the Gods wind amidst those cliffs. Houses are built following the rugged slopes of the terrain, and vineyards and citrus orchards grow on man-made terraces that use any patch of arable land.

The stunning Amalfi Coast stretches for about 55 km or 34 miles along the south of the Sorrentine Peninsula from Vietro Sul Mare in the east to Positano in the west.

The Costiera Amalfitana, as the Amalfi coast is known in Italian, takes the name of its main town —Amalfi, the same one that in the 10th and 11th centuries was the capital of an influential Mediterranean trading center, the Duchy of Amalfi.

The area gives home to a number of fishing villages providing picturesque sites with their pastel-colored buildings, tiny ports and lemon groves that yield the basic ingredient of the famous limoncello, the after-dinner digestif served in chilled, ceramic glasses along the Amalfi Coast.

Whether you prefer hiking on the trails, swimming, exploring the food in local eateries or just relaxing and taking in the beautiful scenery, here are a few tips about what to see and what to do on Italy – Amalfi Coast.

Explore the 13 Amalfi Coast Towns

The thirteen towns of the Amalfi Coast are connected by the Via SS 163, a scenic road that follows the coastline and provides breathtaking views.

From East to West, they are :

• Vietri sul Mare
• Cetara
• Maiori
• Tramonti
• Minori
• Atrani
• Ravello
• Scala
• Amalfi
• Conca dei Marini
• Furore
• Praiano and
• Positano

Just west of Salerno, Vietri sul Mare is the best town to start your tour of the Amalfi Coast. The first Pearl of the Amalfi Coast as its inhabitants like to say, is also famous worldwide for its bright ceramics.

The Duomo of Amalfi is dedicated to the Apostle Saint Andrew and accommodates his remains. Don’t miss the Chiostro del Paradiso, literally Cloister of Paradise in English.

While Atrani is the smallest and best preserved town, Positano amazes the visitor with its hidden, tiny beaches and Byzantine buildings in narrow, winding seats.

In Furore you can visit the small fjord and the house of the great Italian actress Anna Magnani, now a museum.

And from Villa Cimbroni in Ravello you can admire the most beautiful view in Italy according to some Italians!

Hike on the Path of the Gods

Il Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods in Italian) has about 10 km or 6 m and until the building of the SS 163 in the first half of the 19th century, it was the only road that connected the towns of the Amalfi coast.

The suggested track starts at 650 meters above sea level in Bomerano, a district of Agerola, and winds among coves and vineyards up to Positano. The walk is around three hours or longer depending on your condition and route and takes you to the most amazing spots in the Amalfi Coast.

Fascinating Emerald Cave and Li Galli Islands

From Conca dei Marini you can visit the Grotta dello Smeraldo with its bright emerald light. The cave is accessible through the main Amalfi Coast road 163.

From Positano you can also make a boat trip to Gallo Lungo, the largest island of the Li Galli archipelago. The great Greek Geographer Strabo already mentioned the islands in the 1st century BC and called them Sirenai and Sirenusai because of the sirens that inhabited the islands!

Concentrate on Delicious Amalfi Cuisine

Amalfi is famous for its fresh and varied seafood, its desserts, with fine dining and rustic, traditional food equally available in local trattorias and restaurants. You can also enjoy local wine and the limoncello we mentioned above that has made the region world-famous.

Amalfi Coast Pictures

There is certainly a lot to see and to do in one of the most extraordinary regions of Italy – Amalfi Coast. Click the button below and enjoy the gallery of pictures of the Amalfi Coast.

If you are planning for your upcoming trip and want to check the best places to visit in Italy, then you might want to try Florence, Siena, Pisa or travel along the Chianti Wine Route.

Italy is filled with wonders, whether they are ancient man-made monuments such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa or the rustic vineyards in Chianti.

Continue reading to learn more about these amazing locations as well as what you can see in each of them.

Siena Is Truly Amazing

While most people go for the more popular neighbor, Venice, Siena is a marvelous spot to visit. The city has a charm and an atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else.

The historic center of Siena will certainly take you a few days to fully explore, an area that is centered around Piazza del Campo. There the famous Palio di Siena horse race has been taking place twice per year for the past four hundred years.

You also get to admire architecture ranging from Gothic to Renaissance and modern. You also get to see things such as the Pinacoteca Nazionale, the Palazzo Salimbeni or the Duomo.

Extraordinary Chianti Wine Route in Bucolic Tuscany

If you’ve ever tasted or at least heard of Chianti wine, then you certainly don’t want to miss the opportunity to see where it comes from and get a taste of this remarkable wine. Tuscany is one of the best places to visit in Italy for a superb experience

The Chianti wine route takes you along a route which snakes between hills, rustic small villages and several medieval castles. You could enjoy the culinary delights of local traditions, admire the art and culture of the area and, of course, indulge yourself in one of the best wines produced not only in Italy but in the world.

This world-renowned beverage is produced from fresh grapes of local vineyards, according to recipes handed down through generations. Some owners might even divulge a small secret and invite you for a glass of this godly liquid while you admire the green pastures and panoramic views.

Don’t Miss the Unique Tower of Pisa

One of the peculiar monuments which have stood the test of time is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Located in the town with the same name, Pisa, this unintentionally tilted bell tower was built on a soft foundation and started sinking within several years after the construction started.

Taking 199 years to complete, this marvelous piece of architecture has defied centuries despite sinking one millimeter each year.

But there’s more to the city than just the tower. This city has more than twenty historic churches, palaces, and art galleries, and it is also home to the University of Pisa, a cultural center dating back to the 12th century.

Check Stunning Pictures of these Locations Beforehand

Whether you want to stroll through the vineyards along the Chianti wine route, witness the tilting Tower of Pisa or immerse yourself in the historical city of Siena, you might be eager to enjoy a glimpse of them before you arrive in Italy.

You can do that and check other locations across the country too, simply by entering our photo gallery. Click the button below and take a look at the best places to visit in Italy even before you get there.