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Travel Guide to Italy

Italy is without a doubt one of the most visited and well-loved countries by tourists from all over the world. Italy is home to almost 8000 kilometers of breathtaking coastlines, as well as thousands of years of incomparable history, art and culture. Visitors have been falling head over heels in love with the country for decades. Have we caught your attention yet? At The Travelling Souk, we’re here to give you all the travel advice you need for an inspiring, unforgettable adventure in Italy. Are you ready?  

Unmissable destinations in Italy

At the top of the list of places not to miss in Italy are its major cities such as Rome, Florence, Naples, Milan, and Venice. To fully immerse yourself in Italian culture, head to the foodie city of Emilia-Romagna or the stunning Amalfi Coast. And don’t forget that Italy is home to some stunning rural mountain regions as well as the big cities. Despite all of this, Italy is also a great place to throw away the map for a couple of hours and just go with the flow. Follow the tempting sights, sounds, smells (and of course tastes), and get lost in the very beauty of Italy.

There is never really a bad time to visit Italy, as it is as charming in the snow (and even the rain) as it is in the summer sunshine. Between November and February, the throngs of tourists decline considerably, making the destination less crowded and accommodation prices much cheaper. It’s also easier to get tickets for the main attractions like the Vatican. For the most beautiful places to visit in Italy, check out this post!

Italy highlights to add to your bucket list

Italy is a Mecca for all the art lovers out there. It is the land of Dante, Michelangelo, and Caravaggio, where you can marvel at some of the most famous pieces of art in history, from Michelangelo’s ‘The Creation of Adam’ to da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’. Even if you do nothing else during your vacation in Italy, being able to see these artworks in the flesh will be a memory you’ll treasure for a lifetime.

Italy is of course also the homeland of some seriously delicious food, including pizza, pasta, gelato, risotto, and tiramisu. It’s always wise to get off the beaten track and escape the tourist traps when searching for the best food in Italy. For example, follow the gondoliers as they finish their shifts for the day in Venice to find the real authentic places to eat, tucked away in quiet corners of winding streets.

• How to Spend 3 Days in Florence
• Best Hikes in the Dolomites
• 5 Days in Puglia
• The Coliseum
• A guide to Snowboarding in Italy
• Best Day Trips from Rome

Italy’s Fascinating Cities

Italy is home to some breath-taking towns and cities with world famous architecture, museums, artworks, churches, markets, gardens and so much more. We have noted down some of out favourites below with top tips to ensure your trip is unforgettable!

Milan

Visit Milan, Italy’s industrial and cultural powerhouse and see the modern face of this ancient country. The city is home to the Italian fashion and design industries and has a rich and vibrant food scene with the most Michelin stars of any city in the country.

Top tips

• Explore the city with a free Frog Walking tour created by passionate locals who will show you the past and present history of the city, some of its hidden secrets and top tips for making the most of the city
• Visit the Triennale Design Museum for an insight into the importance of art and design to the city
• View one of Leonardo Da Vinci’s greatest masterpieces, the Last Supper, at the Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie

Rome

The ancient capital of Italy has been a witness to some of the most famous events in history and for millennia has had an important role in shaping European and even world history. Take a wander around this living museum and find yourself transported back in time.

Top Tips

• Avoid eating in the city centre and seek out the cosy trattoria frequented by locals for the best food the city has to offer
• Make sure to order your coffee at the bar and avoid exorbitant costs of having it brought to a table
• Visit some of the country’s best museums for free on the first Sunday of the month

Venice

Famous the world over for its beautiful canals, stunning architecture and excess tourism, Venice is one of Italy’s unmissable gems. It is a home to striking artworks by old masters, some of the best seafood in the country and wonderful boutique crafts.

Top Tips

• Avoid the peak season in July and August for the best experience of the city and visit in early spring
• Visit the Gallerie dell’Accademia to see some of the best old masters in the city
• Experience the Venice Biennale, one of Europe’s premier art events showcasing alternatively contemporary art one year and architecture the next

Want to know more?

Think you know everything about Italy? Think again! Did you know that more than 30% of Italians don’t use the internet? Although this figure is decreasing over time, it remains quite remarkable in this digital era.

Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country in the world. It has a whopping 48! In a not-very-close second position is China with 36. The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pompeii, Verona, Venice and the Colosseum are just some of the unique sites you can find here.

Pesto was invented in the Italian city of Genoa. Like all airports across the world, Genoa airport places limitations on how much liquid you can carry in your hand luggage. But these limitations do not apply to pesto! There is even a specially designated pesto scanner at the airport.