Traveling by train remains one of the most enjoyable ways to explore Italy. The country’s extensive rail network allows you to reach almost every town, village and city coast to coast. Settle in for a scenic ride: train journeys in Italy give you a leisurely front row seat to the experiencing country’s remarkable landscapes and culture.
The thought of a romantic holiday in Italy has fascinated lovers of all ages for centuries. Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, the most famous love story of all time, is set in Verona, which makes the city one of the most romantic places in Italy. Verona even hosts a festival of love every February, and the house in Verona with Juliet’s balcony attracts thousands of lovers each year. But Italian romance stretches all across Italy, from romantic hotels in Venice to sunset strolls across Rome.
Romantic sunset stroll in Rome
The tradition of Neapolitan pastry can’t be denied — hundreds of years of effort and craft have gone into the creation and evolution of fabulous Neapolitan desserts. While the Neapolitan pastry is known worldwide, Italian pastries aren’t the only thing you can find in Naples — there is a wide variety of tremendous Italian desserts to sample while you’re there.
The Amalfi coast is justifiably famous for its magnificent villas, gardens and global reputation as a destination for the international jet set. But as summer turns to fall, a quieter (and more affordable) side of the region reveals itself.
Once the scorching summer heat is past, autumn visitors can enjoy some of the best hikes in Italy. By mid-October, the crowds have thinned out, the weather is a pleasant 15 degrees, and your list of things to do on the Amalfi Coast looks like a glimpse back in into the old world traditions of this unique destination.
Whether you're talking about a coffee shop in Tuscany or Apulia, Italian cafe culture is renowned all over the world, largely due to the country’s rich history with our favorite caffeinated drink. From being the first European power to import coffee beans in the 16th Century to the more modern invention of espresso, Italy has long been a powerhouse in the coffee world.
We’ll let you in on a secret. The best time to visit Tuscany is not in the summer, with the hordes of tourists swarming Florence’s Duomo or lining up in front of the Uffizi for a glance at Michelangelo’s David. No, it is in the fall, when the vineyards in Italy are dripping with grapes and the wineries in Tuscany assemble to celebrate the vendemmia (wine harvest). A dream for any wine lover, here are the best wine festivals to visit in Tuscany.
Greve Chianti Expo
First week in September
A long-standing center of culinary excellence, Italy continues to have some of the world’s most celebrated restaurants. Different regions of Italy are consistently represented in some of the top-ranked eateries in the world.
For an exceptional night out we take a look at some of the country’s best restaurants while you’re on your visit.
Osteria Francescana in Modena (Emilia-Romagna)
When it comes to sightseeing in Venice, off-the-beaten-path options are more than a bonus, they’re practically a necessity. The fabled city is more popular than ever, and only a 330 mile train ride from Rome, resulting in crowds and long line-ups at the more popular sights — particularly during Venice’s busiest seasons.
Trieste is one of the best locations in Italy for coffee lovers. The history of Trieste is deeply tied to global coffee production and has served as a gateway for coffee into Italy since the 18th Century. This bustling seaport has been the main coffee harbour in the Mediterranean for centuries.
Because Trieste was a distribution hub for the world’s most in-demand bean, it also became a global center of coffee roasting. Illy, one of coffee’s most famous brands, originated in Trieste.
If you’re looking to discover off-the-beaten-path adventures in Italy, set your sights on Orvieto. This shining medieval city, inhabited since before the Roman Empire, sits on the flat top of a volcanic bluff from a long-ago eruption. With a long-standing history, gorgeous architecture, and a famous local white wine, it makes an excellent visit for any Italian trip.
