Regions - Italy
Like much of Europe, Italy is a landscape of contrasts, with venerable urban centers of learning and culture and industry, and idyllic countryside villages set into lush fields, rolling hills, mountain valleys, or even sea cliffs. Click on each region in the left menu to learn more about that region.
Rome
The central gateway and true birthplace of the modern culture of the Italian peninsula, this large, busy city balances history and present commerce perfectly. Aside from its amazing monuments - the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Vatican, the Catacombs - and stately piazzas, the city has a surprising number of hidden corners and quiet neighborhoods with romantic spots for honeymooners; Trastevere, the medieval quarter across the Tiber comes immediately to mind. The countryside around Rome is not to be missed as well - a quick drive or train ride can take you to any number of towns and villages sheltering vibrant marketplaces in the shadows of Renaissance palaces and Roman ruins.
Tuscany
Tuscany, or Toscana, is a fertile countryside stretching from the Mediterranean to the central mountains a few hours north of Rome. What makes this part of Italy so appealing is the lack of modernity and rush - even its beautiful towns are somehow organic and peaceful. Spend some time exploring the region's many wonderful villages, like Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra, and Lucca, and sip some Chianti in their cellars. In addition to the landscape, you'll be hard pressed to find a better collection of art and architecture anywhere. A perfect places for wine touring and agricultural tourism - stay on a working farm and villa, if you like!
Florence - The cultural and spiritual capital of this region, its stately piazzas along the Arno crowned with religious, civic, and aristocratic architecture, all done in stone and terra cotta in keeping with the traditions of centuries. One of the best-preserved Renaissance cities in Europe, Florence delights its visitors with wonderful museums, restaurants, and shops. Fiesole, the original Roman city in this vicinity, is far uphill from the busy city and worth a trip for the views and fresh air.
Pisa and Siena - More than for their signature cathedrals - Pisa, with its leaning belltower, and Siena, with its majestic Duomo - these Tuscan cities should be visited for the charm of their people and beautiful natural settings. Either can be done as a short daytrip from Florence, and can also serve as a point of departure for countryside exploration.
Umbria
Assisi, Narni, Spoleto, Spello, Marmore, Trevi: the names of the towns of Umbria call to mind Etruscans and saints, fountains and forests, palaces and farms. Within two hours' drive of Rome, travelers disappear into lush hills and the foothills of the Apennines, to stay under the eaves of castles and citadels, and to hear the ever-present churchbells of this land of pilgrims and farmers. Inns, shops, vineyards, and churches offer welcome at every turn, making this an excellent region to pair with Rome, Venice, or the North.
Lakes District and Mountains of the North
Northern Italy has long been the retreat of the privileged - Roman villas, Papal mansions, and grand European palaces tower over the calm lakes nestled beneath the Italian Alps. For romantic trips, this region offers everything from skiing and hiking to world-class spas; operas, plays, fashion, and fast cars in Milan; Shakespeare in Verona; shrines in Turin, and decadent relaxation in Garda and Como.
The Italian Riviera
Like Amalfi to the south, the Italian Riviera is an ideal place to relax in comfort, looking out over the Mediterranean. Along the coast, you will find minuscule bays and inlets, along with dramatic rocky cliffs. One of the region's most popular towns is Portofino, a collection of brightly painted peninsular buildings that take on a magical glow at sunset. Life is rich and simple here for visitors - unwind, eat and people-watch in style. A cultural and natural highlight is the Cinque Terre ("Five Lands"), a collection of five fishing villages that sit on bluffs above the sea, offering picturesque village squares, incredible views and tiny, pretty beaches..
Venice
Occupying well over one hundred islands in the azure waters of the Adriatic, this lagoon city is a watery maze of canals grand and small, a plethora of bridges, and the Europe's most famous sandbar, the Lido. Though thoroughly walkable, getting around Venice is a mesmerizing experience aboard the city's variety of public transport boats, the vaporetti or smaller (and more expensive) gondolas. Venice's enticing, exotic beauty - typified by the Byzantine architecture, framed jewel windows above the Grand Canal, and the masks of the Venetian Carnival - attests to the city's historic role as a great trader to the East. The entire Mediterranean flowed through the Venetian Republic, adorning the city in the splendors that illuminate it today.
The Amalfi Coast and Capri
This is the gorgeous coastal region south of Naples, lined with romantic little towns and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. Connecting these towns is the Amalfi Drive, a cliff-hugging stretch of road that meanders for 40 miles from Sorrento to Salerno. Erosion from the sea has created bizarre rock formations and hollowed out secluded grottoes. Along the road, there are beautiful white villages, each offering its own take on Italian coastal life. Positano is a particular favorite, with a colorful cascade of hillside buildings and boutique shops right alongside the functional marina. Across from Amalfi is the island of Capri, Italy's most glamorous seaside getaway. This craggy island is made up of magnificent cliffs and grottoes, Moorish architecture, tiny town squares, and narrow medieval alleyways. A lesser-known gem is the garden isle of Ischia, across the Bay of Naples from Capri.
Sardinia
Through all the ancient processes of colonization which have shaped the course of Mediterranean history, the people of Sardinia have retained their identity and singularity, remaining as unique and timeless as the landscape of their island. Cagliari, the capital, is a very welcoming port, with an interesting medieval section and a beautiful beach. For honeymooners, the real draw is in the north, with the classic beaches and resorts of Olbia and the Emerald Coast, the grottoes and Spanish-influenced palaces of Alghero, and the warm hospitality of the Nuoro backcountry, with its ancient ruins, ranches, and inns.
