Italy has always been one of my favourite countries, and it is certainly a place I never get tired of revisiting. From the historic streets of Rome and the artistic beauty of Florence to the colourful villages of Cinque Terre and the magnificent Italian lakes, every journey has revealed another side of the country.
Over the years, I have explored Italy on family holidays, weekend escapes and longer road trips. Along the way, I have collected plenty of personal stories, photographs and, of course, memorable experiences involving Italian food, wine and a few unexpected adventures.
And so, this Best of Italy travel guide brings together my favourite Italian destinations and experiences in one place. Whether you are planning your first visit or returning to discover somewhere new, start here.
Beautiful Italian Cities
Italy’s cities are filled with history, remarkable architecture and famous works of art. However, each one has its own distinctive atmosphere.
Rome offers ancient ruins, grand piazzas and some of the world’s most recognisable landmarks. Florence, meanwhile, feels like an open-air museum, while Milan combines historic architecture with fashion, shopping and a more contemporary Italian lifestyle.
Start with:
- Rome and the Vatican City
- Milan and Florence – Revisiting in August
- My Adventures in Florence, Pisa and Lucca
- Verona and the Reggio Emilia Province
The Italian Lakes
Northern Italy is home to some truly beautiful lakes, and each one offers something different. I used to live in Munich so driving to Lake Garda was quite a regular thing. I love this lake and it is, for me. the perfect spot to relax. Especially with the crystal clear waters for swimming. Lake Como, on the other hand, is all about magnificent villas, mountain scenery and picturesque lakeside towns. I really love this part of Italy.
From Menaggio and Tremezzo to Bellagio and Cernobbio, there are plenty of places to explore around Lake Como. However, the lake is much larger than it first appears, so allow yourself enough time to enjoy it properly. Travel Tip: For both locations, I would highly recommend to go off-season. If possible avoid high season as it can get very crowded.
Read more here:
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Tuscany and the Italian Countryside
For me, Tuscany represents so much of what makes Italy special: rolling countryside, historic towns, vineyards and wonderfully scenic roads.
Driving along the Chianti Wine Road was one of the highlights of my Italian road trip. Along the way, I visited Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Siena and Assisi. Although the narrow roads occasionally required a little patience, the landscapes made the journey worthwhile. And Assisi is the prettiest one of them all and a must visit. You won’t be disappointed. Not to mention all the wine you get to try along the way. Don’t miss Montepulciano as well!
Continue exploring:
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Cinque Terre and the Italian Coast
If you are looking for something different, Cinque Terre is undoubtedly one of Italy’s most recognisable coastal destinations. Its colourful villages, dramatic cliffs and beautiful sea views make it a wonderful area to explore on foot.
I spent a week hiking between the villages and visiting Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. However, Portovenere became one of my personal favourites. It felt more local, less touristy and wonderfully Italian.
Read my Cinque Terre stories Hiking in Cinque Terre – The Riviera of Italy and Cinque Terre – The Adventure Continues.
Further south, my travels also took me past Monte Cassino and along the famous Amalfi Coast. The road was beautiful, dramatic and occasionally rather challenging. But that is all part of an Italian road trip.
History, Art and Ancient Italy
As in many European countries, you find history everywhere. Of course also in Italy. In Rome, ancient ruins sit beside busy modern streets, while Vatican City contains some of the world’s most important artistic and religious treasures.
Elsewhere, medieval walls, Renaissance buildings, churches, castles and historic town centres make even an unplanned stop interesting. That is one of the things I enjoy most about travelling through Italy: there is nearly always something remarkable around the next corner. And following the art of Michelangelo.
My Personal Best of Italy
There is certainly plenty to see and enjoy in Italy. And although I still haven’t seen the lower half of Italy, nor Sicily, from my travel destinations, if I had to choose my personal Italian highlights, they would be:
- Best big city: Rome
- Best city for art and architecture: Florence
- Prettiest lakeside destination: Lake Como
- Best coastal scenery: Cinque Terre
- Favourite seaside town: Portovenere
- Best scenic road trip: The Chianti Wine Road
- Best combination of scenery and activity: Cycling around Lake Garda
- Most romantic city: Verona
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All My Italy Travel Stories
This page brings together my personal highlights and recommended starting points. You can find every article. including my Italian road trips, city visits, lakes, coastal adventures and unexpected experiences, in my complete Italy blog archive.
Of course I will continue updating this guide whenever I return to Italy and discover another beautiful part of the country. I hope you enjoy my Italy Travel Guide.
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About the Author
I’m Beate Pluta, an award-winning luxury and lifestyle travel writer, stylist and the creator of Sweettravelbee. Having travelled extensively around the world, I share my personal experiences, favourite destinations and honest recommendations through my stories and photography.
