What is so special about Italy? Why do travelers fall in love with Italy? Why do people love to visit Italy? Why do people keep going back to Italy for vacation?
I’m totally in love with this stunning country for a lot of different reasons and I have been to Italy uncountable times. But I’m not the only one. I and other world travelers will tell you what we love about Italy the most.
I have to start by saying that I could list a million reasons why I love Italy. Most and foremost, I love Italy for its people.
I could also list hundreds of things that make me love people in Italy. Now, I would like to highlight two very important characteristics that Italian possess that made my journey easier and happier in Italy. Italians are extremely friendly and helpful.
I have been to Italy several times and each time I have been there, it was the same. I just love Italians and I’m grateful to them to make my time in Italy so memorable with their kindness towards me and for helping me in unexpected situations.
Love from Diana from The Globetrotting Detective
Living dolce vita in Italy
Dolce Vita and the art of living, here is why I fall in love with Italy, again and again, every time I visit it.
Italy, for me, is a country of love, sun, beauty, and joy. I have been to Italy many times and visited different regions from the North to the South of the country. The beautiful nature and complex history of the country have influenced the mentality of its inhabitants.
All Italians I met were kind, friendly, and very emotional people. The attitude of Italians to life can be described by one phrase: maximum pleasure in everything.
Like other Southern nations, Italians appreciate the little things in life and spend a lot of time on pleasures.
They know how to enjoy art, food, and love. That’s probably why Italians are so good at all of these things.
What I admire most about Italians is that their “art of living” doesn’t depend on how rich one is. Yes, wealthy Italians live really beautiful lives and have created the whole concept of Dolce Vita. But even ordinary and not wealthy Italians know how to enjoy life in all its manifestations and turn their life into “dolce vita”.
If you want to experience what a dolce vita-style vacation is like, head to Lake Como, not far from Milan. Como is one of the ten most beautiful lakes in the world – and I agree entirely with it. George Clooney, Versace, Madonna, James Bond bought villas here, and celebrities from all over the world spend their vacations here.
Until recently, this quiet corner in the North of Italy was considered a club for the elite. Lake Como was a symbol of the dolce vita of the Italian elite for several centuries.
Now you don’t have to be a millionaire to afford a vacation on Lake Como. There are plenty of budget apartments and inexpensive restaurants, and you can take a public ferry on Lake Como instead of a private yacht.
I remember not only the fabulous scenery, the emerald water of the lake, the Alpine mountains, luxurious villas, and divinely delicious food, but also the feeling of “the art of living” and “dolce vita” that was in the air. I took this feeling with me from Italy, and I try to resurrect it in my daily life: enjoy the little things in life and not rush.
Love from Alexandra at The Alternative Travel Guide
Italy has hundreds of stunning islands and you can actually explore dozens of picturesque islands in Italy. One of the reasons I love Italy so much is these beautiful islands. These Italian islands are diverse in terms of landscape, climate, culture, and cuisine.
The most stunning islands you will find in the Southern part of Italy.
The largest island in Italy is Sicily. It’s surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and includes several small islands and archipelagos. Sicily is home to stunning beaches and loads of historical cities such as Palermo and Taormina.
Due to their impressive history and a rich tourist offer, these cities are a frequent stop in the Mediterranean cruise itineraries.
Sicily’s most impressive and mind-blowing geological wonder is Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest active volcano.
The second largest island of Italy is Sardinia which is famous for hiking, climbing, camping, and beach activities.
The most stunning small islands are Capri, Procida, and Stromboli. Capri and Procida are the most gorgeous islands in the Bay of Naples.
Capri features breathtaking beaches, mindblowing rock formations, drop-dead gorgeous gardens, and colorful buildings.
Procida is a smaller and less touristic fishing village. Procida is the most magical island in Italy. Its colorful buildings will take your breath away.
Last but not least, let’s talk about Stromboli. Stromboli is not an ordinary island. The island itself is one of the most active volcanoes on earth. And even though it’s an active volcano, you can hike there.
Stromboli has been active for nearly 2,000 years. On this small island, you can experience regular explosions every half an hour. You can see Mount Stromboli throwing out the glowing lava from its summit crater.
Love from Diana from The Globetrotting Detective
One of the most typical food in Italy is the Tortellini which can be stuffed with meat or cheese.
It might seem cliché to say the food in Italy is so good because it’s made with love, but I can’t think of any other reason.
Admittedly, I’m a little biased. My family came from Italy so I grew up eating the regional foods of my grandparents’ homes in Campania and Puglia. When I got married, the foods of Sicily were also brought into the mix. But you don’t need an ancestral connection to love Italian food.
One of the reasons food in Italy is so good is that it still reflects the region in which it is grown and eaten. For example, it’s actually quite difficult to get the same foods in Florence that you ate in Bologna just an hour away. I asked for Tortellini in Brodo on my first trip to Florence and the waiter said I should go to Bologna and get it myself!
This very simple concept is hard for many people to understand, especially Americans, where just about any food you want can be found in most major cities, at any time of year regardless of seasonality.
This is a big reason food in Italy is so good — Italians honor the season. The anticipation of foods grown only at certain times of year is something to be relished and then savored, if only for the short time. Italians take pride in this. Local chefs and Nonnas alike adhere to it. Fresh, seasonal ingredients result in fresher tasting dishes. Simple.
Additionally, the Italian government regulates a strict system of production over its most significant foods — the DOP/DOCG designation, or Designated Origin of Protection — which results in a higher quality product. From bread, wine and olive oil to balsamic vinegar and cheese, the quality of Italian foods is admirable.
Food is Italy’s heritage — a source of pride. For me, it’s the last thread that binds me to my ancestors. With each new bite, I understand more and appreciate the love that goes into making it… then it’s easy to see why it tastes so good!
Love from Lori at Italy Foodies
There are three active volcanoes in Italy: Mount Etna, Stromboli, and Vesuvius.
All of them are breathtaking volcanoes. Thus, it’s really awesome that they are volcanoes you can climb.
Yes, indeed. All three active volcanoes in Italy are volcanoes you can hike. They are actually some of the most beautiful and exciting hikeable volcanoes in Europe that cannot be missed from your Italy itinerary.
Mount Etna is Europe’s largest and highest active volcano. It stands as high as 3,326 m (10,912 ft) above sea floor level. It’s located on the east coast of the beautiful island of Sicily, 40 km north of Catania.
Beautiful volcanic landscape with a collapsed cone in the Etna National Park, Catania, Sicily
Stromboli is one of the most active volcanoes on planet earth. It’s one of the Aeolian Islands where you can climb up to 400 meters (1,312 ft) above sea level and admire regular explosive eruptions.
Stromboli Island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the north coast of Sicily, is one of the Aeolian Islands containing Mount Stromboli, one of the three active volcanoes in Italy
As for Mount Vesuvius, it’s situated just outside the city of Naples in the region of Campania. It’s one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world because there are about 3 million people living around it.
Mount Vesuvius is the volcano that destroyed and buried two ancient cities: Pompeii and Herculaneum in AD 79.
Mount Vesuvius in Vesuvio National Park, Naples, Campania, Italy
Recommended by Diana from The Globetrotting Detective
The fairy tale town of Varenna in Como Lake district in Italy
One of the most popular lakes to see in Italy is Lake Como. It is absolutely stunning and known for its beauty and clear waters. It is also the third-largest lake in Italy. There are tour excursions that take you around the lake with two or more stop-offs so you can experience the surrounding towns.
It isn’t just a great place for a photo opportunity but the town Como is also a fantastic place if you want to grab something to eat and experience Italian food whilst you’re there (probably one of my absolute favorite cuisines!)
Lake Maggiore is another very popular lake located on the south side of the Alps in Italy. It is also the second-largest in Italy! One thing to do is to visit a small village/Island called Isola Bella – one of the Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore.
To get there, you can get a boat from the boat dock in Stresa which will take you there and back, so once you are finished looking around the village you can hop on the next boat and travel back to Stresa – easy and hassle-free!
Pragser Widlsee is a beautiful lake but also has some history to it. In World War II this lake was how they transported concentration camp inmates to Tyrol. If you like you can go swimming in this lake – however, be careful as it may be very cold.
Lago Blu is another stunning lake and as the name suggests the waters are very blue. I mostly like it for relaxation and the stunning views. I wouldn’t advise swimming though as the waters are freezing cold.
Lastly, Lake Garda is my personal favorite and also the largest lake in Italy. It is known for having crystal clear waters and gorgeous views. It is also quite common to swim in this Lake and if you visit, you absolutely must visit the charming town of Sirmione.
There is also a mini island on this lake called “Jamaica Beach” However it can only be reached by foot at a low tide. Once there, you can rent a pedal boat and explore the waters surrounding the Island yourself.’
Recommended by Alice from Adventures of Alice
Falling in love with an Italian man in Italy can happen when traveling to Italy.
There are a few clichés about Italy that seem to be accepted worldwide: Pasta is eaten all day, every day; wine flows in copious amounts; the country is home to the most exquisite architecture and last, but not least, Italian men are Casanovas from cradle to grave.
While the first three points hit the mark, the last one requires a bit of nuance. A few years ago I would have told you that the last point is the reason why I steered clear of men with Italian roots when it comes to romantic endeavors. Then I met my current partner who – paradoxically – is as Italian as they get.
To circle back: Yes, Italian men are Casanovas but not in the sense you might think. They know how to woo a woman, how to make her feel like the most beautiful creature in the world. The first thing I hear in the morning, without fault, is “Ciao Bella” and this is repeated voraciously throughout the day.
An Italian man will express love through food, either by them cooking for you or by taking you out to wine and dine on a regular basis. When we go on holiday plans are made for where we will dine, the monuments and things to see are planned around the restaurants.
An additional benefit of dating an Italian man is that you will get an intimate look into Italian culture and be whisked away to off-the-beaten path places in beautiful Italy.
I have been extremely lucky to spend a month driving around Sicily and finding the unspoiled beaches around the island, to go wine tasting in Tuscany and to drive around exploring Umbria and its wonderfully romantic medieval villages.
Going back to countries I have visited is not usually something I enjoy but now I know that I had no clue of the wealth of cultural treasures that each different region in Italy holds. We go back to Italy at least once a year and eat pasta all day, drink copious amounts of wine and visit exquisite architecture and I would not have it any other way.
Love from Caroline at Veggie Wayfarer
Italians are really proud of their coffee culture. And it’s not just to get your caffeine dose quickly but to enjoy it. Italians go to bars to drink coffee.
Bars in Italy mainly sell coffee but also sell snacks, pastries and alcohol.
Italians love having milky coffee with pastry for breakfast. Milky coffee includes capuccino, caffé latte and latte macchiato.
Capuccino in Italy is made with espresso, steamed milk and foamed milk in equal quantity. Caffé latte has more steamed milk and less foam milk. Latte macchiato is steamed milk with a splash of espresso.
Italians like to drink espresso, a strong and powerful shot of black coffee, anytime of the day, especially after meals.
Espresso has a lot of varieties today such as caffé macchiato, caffé coretto, caffé americano or caffé lungo. One of the most delicious coffees among these is the caffé correto which is mixed with a splash of alcohol such as grappa (Italian grape-based pomace brandy) or sambuca (Italian anise-flavoured liqueur).
Caffé americano has the most intresting story. As Americans love drip coffee, Italians decided to mix their espresso with a lot of water to please tourists in Italy.
As for caffé lungo, it’s similar to americano but much stronger.
Italians created a lot of different type of coffees over the centuries.
My absolute favorite coffee in Italy caffé shakerato. The name of this coffee means coffee shaken up. It’s made with a shot of expresso, sugar and with ice shaken up with a coctail shaker. In the end, they add a gorgeous cloud of foamy froth top to it.
Cala Goloritze’, a beautiful bay located in the Ogliastra region, on the Gulf Of Orosei, in the central-eastern coast of Sardinia.
One of the things I love the most about Italy, and that makes me proud of being Italian, is its incredible beaches. Of course, being a peninsula, beaches are found all around the country, yet the best ones are easily those of Puglia (the beaches of the Gargano and Salento are easily the best ones in the region); Sicily (Scala dei Turchi is probably the best known, internationally) and Sardinia.
This is to say that if you think that Italy is only ideal for a culture-, art- and history-packed vacation, you should think again: it is also a perfect travel destination for a beach vacation as well!
I am from Sardinia. Thus, I am probably biased about the beaches here but one thing I can assure you about is that our beaches are actually much better than those of the Caribbean Islands. I personally get annoyed when I hear people saying that Sardinian beaches are “like those of the Caribbean” – because having been to the Caribbean myself, I can tell you that they are much much more beautiful, and the transparency of the water can’t be beaten.
We have all sorts of beaches in Sardinia. Long, very sandy beaches with fine golden or white sand like the beaches of Costa Rei, in southeastern Sardinia; tiny coves like the ones of the Costa Paradiso in the north of the island; isolated beaches where you can only get by boat or – even better – in a hike like the beaches of the Gulf of Orosei.
Moreover, there are the exclusive, glitzy, and glamorous beaches of the Costa Smeralda too, which have a reputation of attracting the rich and famous. I have recently visited Cala Brandinchi, a 30 minutes drive from Olbia on the northeastern coast of Sardinia.
This small cove has powdery white sand, small sand dunes, incredibly shallow, clear waters and a forest with Mediterranean pines singing cicadas who entertained me throughout the day.
Love from Claudia at Strictly Sardinia
The Milan Cathedral (Duomi di Milano) is the largest church in Italy, the second largest church in Europe and the the third largest church in the world
Many people think about coming to Italy to see St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, but I love traveling through Italy to see all the beautiful cathedrals – both the magnificent and marvelous and the small and mighty.
Whenever I’m in an Italian city, I like to find the city’s main cathedral. One of my favorites is the Cathedral of Milan (Duomo di Milano). Built over centuries, starting in the 1300s and only finished in the 1900s, it’s a testament to the city’s will to survive and thrive despite world events. But a visit to the Duomo isn’t all serious! There’s a fun (perhaps accidental!) baby dinosaur hidden on the church’s facade.
But there is so much more to church tourism than just a city’s big cathedrals! There are small shrines, hilltop parishes, palace chapels, and so much more! Some are famous pilgrimage spots, while others are almost lost to history.
Another one of my favorite churches in Italy is another church in Milan called the San Bernardino alle Ossa. I had no idea this was in Milan when I arrived in the city, but I learned about it from a tour guide.
The church itself is beautiful, built in the contemporary Baroque-Rococo style of its day. However, what makes this church so special is that it is one of the churches in Europe that are decorated with human bones! At first, the chapel was used as an ossuary to hold the bones that could not be buried in the church’s cemetery. Over time, the church started to use bones to decorate the walls as well.
When I visit places like this, I get so much more out of it than just a stop in a pretty building. You learn local history and culture at the same time, which is really rewarding in smaller corners of the country.
The best way to explore and learn about Milan including its most famous church is by joining a guided walking tour.
Lake Sorapiss (Lago di Sorapiss) situated at 1,925 m (6,316 ft) in the mountain range called Sorapiss is one of the most stunning lakes in the beautiful Italian Dolomites in the province of Belluno.
There are so many reasons why we love Italy, and its magnificent mountain scenery is just one of them. While mountains might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about visiting Italy, the country actually has some of the most beautiful, jaw-dropping mountain landscapes in the world.
From the most impressive rocky peaks of the Italian Alps in the north to the Apennine Mountains that stretch through the entire country, Italian mountains will take your breath away!
If you are looking for some of the absolute best mountain scenery in Italy, head to the north of the country and explore the regions of Valle D’Aosta, Trentino – Alto Adige, or Friuli Venezia Giulia. Technically, the mountains here are all part of the Italian Alps, but most people refer to the mountains in the northwest (Valle d’Aosta) as the Alps, whereas the northeast region is better known as the Dolomites.
The latter is home to the most famous places such as Lago di Braies, Marmolada, aka the Queen of the Dolomites, or Tre Cime di Lavaredo – the iconic symbol of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site. Postcard views are guaranteed anywhere you go!
Hiking in the Dolomites is one of the best ways to explore the natural beauty of the region, but there are also many places that you can easily visit without much physical effort. The nice thing about this region is that it’s dotted with picturesque little towns and villages and there are plenty of possibilities to taste some of the best Italian food.
The Italian Alps are also very popular in winter, and you’ll find many mountain resorts offering all kinds of fun activities. From skiing, snowboarding, or sledding to horse-drawn carriage rides through the fairytale-like winter scenery and charming Christmas markets, Italian mountains are a wonderful winter destination as well!
We have spent countless vacations in the Italian mountains and we keep on going back. I could write thousands of words and share many amazing pictures, but nothing compares to seeing the beauty and experiencing the magic of the Italian mountains in reality. So if you are planning a trip to Italy, be sure to take some time to visit the mountains. It will make you fall in love with Italy even more!
Love from Jurga from Full Suitcase
Inside the Royal Palace in Turin in Northern Italy. This beautiful historic palace was built in the 16th century was one of the palaces of the famous dynasty, the House of Savoy
One of the many reasons to visit Italy is its history and heritage. For me, nothing compares to the beauty of the palaces and castles you can find all over the country.
Some are world-famous, like the Palazzo Ducale in Venice, a masterpiece of Venetian Gothic style. Others are still unknown as the Royal Residences and Palaces in Turin, the capital city of Piedmont, which was the first capital of unified Italy in 1861, way before Rome or Florence.
The architectural styles are diverse and stunning. You can see from Medieval fortresses to Neoclassic palaces and Baroque villas. And they are everywhere.
Every destination has its palace or castle. Milan, for example, has Sforzesco Castle, Rome Castel Sant’Angelo, and Florence has Palazzo Pitti. All of them are famous, well-preserved, and worth a visit.
But what I love about Italy is the hidden gems, palaces, and gardens you can find out of the beaten path. Places where you can dive into history, appreciate the architecture, and feel like traveling to the past.
An interesting fact about Italian royal residences and castles is that most are museums or galleries. In Turin, for example, the Royal Garden turns into an open-air movie during the Summer nights.
If you like medieval structures and breathtaking views, Castello Aragonese is the place to visit. Located in the Ischia region, at the north end of Naples Gulf, this castle was built in 474 BC and sits on an islet connected to the Island of Ischia by a causeway. You can visit this castle all year round, so don’t miss it when traveling to Naples.
Wine lovers must visit the Castello di Baralo located in Barolo town, the famous region that produces the unique and beloved Barolo wine. You can go there because of its history, the views of the vineyards, or for the wine. The castle houses a winery and a wine museum, another great reason to add the city to your next Italian trip.
Let’s not forget about the charming castles of Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake. They have been guarding Lake Garda for centuries.
The palaces and castles in Italy deserve a dedicated blog post about them or even a book as there are hundreds of them scattered around the country.
You can choose with sea views, hanging by mountain cliffs or majestically located in the middle of a busy city or secluded village. Italy is full of surprise and enchanting places, its castles, palaces, and villas follow this same rule.
Love from Natalie at the Best of Turin
Trevi fountain at sunrise in Rome, Italy
Italy is home to some of the most notable works of art in the world.
If cultural tourism excites you, there is perhaps no other country in the world that has a deeper art history than Italy.
During the Renaissance Era, Italy was the center of artistic development. Throughout the country, you’ll find famous statues and paintings gracing galleries, museums, cathedrals, and even common piazzas. From sculptures like David, carved by Michelangelo to the fresco painting of The Last Supper, by Leonardo da Vinci in Milan, you can gaze upon works that are centuries old and celebrated worldwide as artistic masterpieces.
Both Neoclassical and Baroque Eras, which dominated the 17th and 18th centuries respectively, began in Rome. The artistic styles eventually spread widely across Europe. To this day, Italy maintains its claim as a leader in the international art world.
The country is home to some of the top art museums in the world. If visiting Florence, check out the Uffizi Gallery, one of the world’s oldest and finest art galleries.
It houses a huge collection of famous works of art from the Renaissance Era, including The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli. The Accademia Gallery is another must-visit attraction in Florence, as it houses one of the most famous sculptures in Europe, the statue of David, created by Michelangelo.
The country’s capital city of Rome boasts beautiful art and intricately sculpted fountains seemingly in every square or corner. From the world-renowned Trevi Fountain to the halls of the Borghese Gallery, Italian art is prominently on display in Rome, the city where much of it originated.
With such a rich history, Italy is an art-lover’s dream destination. Whether you’re wandering the streets or visiting one of the many expansive museums, you’ll find plenty of eye-catching, recognizable, and even perplexing works that will leave you in awe of Italian art.
Melissa from Parenthood and Passports
Italian souvenirs in Sicily made by skilled local craftspeople. As for the Moor Heads, you can see them on the upper shelf in the picture.
There are a million reasons to love Italy – but the one thing that keeps me coming back is the country’s craft traditions. I love discovering new places through handicrafts, and Italy has a never-ending list of products and techniques to explore and experience: From Murano glass to textiles, pottery, mosaics and costumes.
Travelers can learn a lot about Italian history, culture and identity by exploring heritage crafts. Some traditions such as glassblowing date back nearly a millennium.
Because so many crafts are regional specialties or even particular to a specific city or village, this is a great way to get your head around Italy’s diversity and the many different influences that have permeated the country over the centuries.
One particular tradition that I love is something I discovered when traveling through Sicily. Teste di Moro or ‘Moor Heads’ are colorful ceramic vases that depict a couple wearing flamboyant headdresses and gold crowns. Most feature fruit – split pomegranates bursting with jewels, bunches of grapes and lemons – and local flowers.
Teste de Moro are made through Sicily by local craftspeople. Not only do they make for an authentic souvenir, they also have a great story behind them.
The myth of the Moor’s Head goes back to Palermo’s Arab quarter, where in the 11th century a local girl fell in love with a Moorish trader. Acting out of revenge for her unrequited love, she took his head and made it into a pot plant to sit on her terrace! Ever since then, the vases have symbolized eternal love and the meeting of two souls.
Each craftsperson puts their own spin on the design so no two pairs of Teste di Moro are exactly alike. Each one has its own personality.
Once you know the story behind them, it’s great fun to explore the different boutiques and workshops around Italy where they’re sold, comparing decorations and expressions. You can find them all over Italy, but Sicily remains the backdrop of the legend and the spiritual home of Teste di Moro.
This beautiful oval amphitheatre, the Colosseum, located in the center of Rome is the largest ever built amphitheatre in the world. It was built by the Romans and this is where they organized the infamous gladiator games hundreds of years ago.
Since I was a small child, I’ve loved the ancient world, from the stories and myths to the art and languages. All this led to me studying classics and ancient history when I got older. And throughout all the legends and research, so many places in Italy came up again and again.
There was Rome, of course, the center of the Roman Empire. And not far away was beautiful Fiesole, the stronghold of the Etruscans in the 8th Century BC. Further south, was the infamous Mt Vesuvius and the tragic cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. But, actually traveling through Italy, it wasn’t just the famous sites that brought history to life for me.
Instead, it was walking through cities and towns and seeing the fragments of Roman ruins everywhere – the remnants of an old wall here, the old forum there. Throughout the country are ancient theatres, temples, baths, walls… and it’s easy to just walk past them, barely realizing they are there.
Cities are layered, newly built on top of the old for centuries and millennia. In Italy – and Rome in particular – you can actually see that, right in front of you. The old marble floors in renovated buildings, the churches converted from ancient temples, the archaeological sites that appear whenever a city attempts to do anything underground, like building a metro or laying pipes.
Walking through the ancient cities, there were moments when I could almost see them differently, in the same way, perhaps, as they looked two thousand years ago, full of colors and people and vibrancy. Some places I was sad to see so changed, as I’d only ever pictured them as they must have looked before.
But walking through these ancient buildings brought me a sense of peace, and seeing roads, columns and art I’d only seen in pictures before was a remarkable experience. And, spending more time in Italy also taught me about the history I’d never quite learned, about the Renaissance and the rediscovery of the knowledge of the classical world.
Love from Roxanne at Faraway Worlds
Is there any more beautiful or poetic language than Italian? If there is, I haven’t heard it. Italian is vibrant, fun and expressive whether it’s spoken softly over candlelight or shouted at a fish market.
There’s something quite entrancing about the elongated vowels and rolled ‘r’s best heard in one of my favorite Italian words “allora”. Pronounced “ah-law-rah”, it roughly means “then”, “ok then” or “well, then” and it’s used as a little thinking pause or joining word. It’s not a necessary word. In fact, it’s quite the opposite, but “allora” is one of the most used words in Italian
I also love the culture of saying “Buon giorno!” whenever you enter a shop or meet someone in the street. This little greeting is a mark of respect and acknowledgment of the person you’re interacting with. It’s just a little thing but if you forget to say it, you may be considered rude or abrupt.
So it’s not just the words, but the culture and nuance behind them that make me love the Italian language so much. For instance, you may hear Italian described as the language of love. But be warned, you need to learn the right way to say “I love you” in Italian. There are different words for this phrase depending on whether you’re saying it to a romantic partner or your parents. Get them mixed up and it could be quite embarrassing.
Italians love to talk and why not? Hearing their beautiful language is one of the things I enjoy most about stepping off the plane and landing in Italy.
Love from Katy at Untold Italy
Negombo, Ischia’s best thermal spa hosts amazing pools filled with naturally warm and mineral-rich water
You might not think of spas when you think of Italy, but the thermal springs that pop up in some of Italy’s mountainous and volcanic areas have got to be the best way to relax on an Italian vacation.
My favorite is the Negombo Thermal Spa and Gardens on the island of Ischia in the Bay of Naples. Ischia is blessed with a hundred hot springs thanks to the volcanic rocks the island is made of, and it bubbles to the surface all over the island, including just off a beach, where it turns the sea into a fabulous hot tub.
At the Negombo spa, the hot springs are channeled into 14 separate pools, each with a different character. There are waterfall showers, an infinity pool, a grotto and a Japanese-style bath, all set in lovely gardens dotted with sculptures. Many hotels in Ischia also have their own private thermal baths.
Elsewhere in Italy, there are more special thermal spas to enjoy. In the mountains of the Italian Dolomites, you can sit in an outdoor whirlpool bath at QC Terme near Bolzano and take in the amazing scenery while you leisurely decide which of the 40+ other water treatments to try next.
The spa is fed by a natural, sulphuric spring that’s been famous for its reputed health benefits since 1493.
QC Terme also has spas elsewhere in Italy, including at the gloriously Wes Anderson-esque Grand Hotel Bagni Nuovi in the Stelvio National Park near the border with Switzerland.
On the shores of Lake Garda, thermal waters bubble to the surface near Sirmione. The ancient Romans loved the water here, and people have been coming here to relax ever since.
The beautiful surroundings of the lake and Sirmione’s lovely castle already make visiting the spa here pretty special; it’s difficult to think of a more idyllic day than lazing around in the thermal baths while you look out across Lake Garda.
Love from Helen at Helen on her Holidays
The colorful houses and yachts in a little bay harbor of Portofino, Italy
Italy’s towns and villages are known the world over for their beauty and charm and they certainly won my heart. From the north to the south and on each of the country’s main islands, the towns of Italy are where I go to experience the bel paese (beautiful country) at its enchanting best.
Cobbled streets, small laneways, medieval ramparts and views for miles are just some of the things I love about venturing out of Italy’s cities and discovering the lesser-known hamlets. I’m always enchanted and start to wonder, could I live there, as I am swept up in the moment, just like in the movies Eat Pray Love and Under the Tuscan sun.
Tuscany is famous for many of Italy’s beautiful towns. Known as Italy’s Manhattan, San Gimignano is set on a hilltop in the Chianti region and features 14 medieval towers made from sturdy stone. I love wandering its streets and discovering squares lined with palazzi (palaces) and houses draped in vines.
Up in the Dolomites mountains, I like to stay at one of the hundreds of villages and towns where you can experience another side of Italy. Influenced by the style towns just over the border in Austria and Switzerland, these Alpine hamlets feature pretty churches with soaring spires and chalet-style houses. I love visiting them at Christmas when they are adorned with lights and the local market is in full swing.
I’m always swept away by the seaside charm and then the towns of the Amalfi Coast are sure to capture your heart. Pretty Atrani is tucked into a cove next to Amalfi and has a delightful small beach lined with umbrellas where I like to gaze out over the azure blue Tyrrhenian Sea. And how could I forget getting off the beaten path in Sicily and discovering sweet Marzamemi where we lounged over a long seafood lunch in the piazza and watched local cats dip their paws in the sea.
It would take a lifetime to explore Italy’s towns and villages and there’s no doubt they are some of the country’s main attractions. The challenge is, I’m always finding new favorites, and never want to leave.
Love from Katy at Untold Italy
Raising glasses of aperol spritz at the dinner table in Italy.
One of my absolute favorite things about Italy is aperitivo. Aperitivo is the Italian word for aperitif, and means “pre-meal drink”.
In Italy, most shops and many delis offer aperitivo, usually from 17:00 – 19:00. It’s like the Italian version of happy hour. The way aperitivo works in Italy is that you purchase one drink, and then you will have full access to a buffet of delicious deli cuts, breads, and appetizers.
Traditionally in Italian culture, aperitivo is a way to open one’s stomach up before dinner by consuming drinks and snacks.
Today, the two most popular drinks ordered today for aperitivo are white wine, and Aperol spritz. An Aperol spritz is made from sparkling white wine, called Aperol (an orange liqueur), club soda and an orange wedge.
Aperitivo is not just limited to restaurants and shops. It is a common practice for Italians to offer their own aperitivo when entertaining dinner guests, or just dining with the family.
Even when preparing a large dinner, Italians like to take the time before dinner to sit, relax with guests and have a drink and some small appetizers. It is indeed a social and relaxing experience.
One of the other things I love about aperitivo is how affordable it is. The price of an aperitivo is usually 5 – 8 euros.
Nevertheless, the best part of aperitivo is the relaxation aspect. It seems that every day in Italy, during those few hours before dinner, everyone just slows down, and takes the time to enjoy themselves, with or without the company of others.
I think taking that time to enjoy oneself is so important, and aperitivo is a wonderful opportunity to do so, all while enjoying delicious drinks and food!
Love from Haley at Gathering Waves
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