A Guide to Italy: Venice, Rome, Florence, Trieste, Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast (and Vatican City)
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What does one think when you hear about Italy? Luxury fashion, sports cars, excellent food, cultural heritage, ancient history, etc. The list goes on and on. It is therefore no surprise that it is one of the most popular destinations in the world. The country itself is home to 60 million people, is the 10th largest country in Europe, boasts the world’s most World Heritage Sites, and is the 5th most visited country in the world.
Northern Italy is home to the southern Alps and the Dolomites for those who love mountainous terrain for hiking and skiing, and the southern part of the country is for those who love beaches and staying in the warm weather sun. Essentially, whatever your preference, you can find a destination in Italy that is right for you.
I have been fortunate enough to be able to see a variety of different cities and regions in Italy and have written about my time in each one, including some of my most favorite attractions that I saw. Therefore, please use this guide to check out what each city offers in Italy and read further on my blog posts dedicated to each place.
The specific places I will highlight are Venice, Rome, Florence, Trieste, Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast, and also Vatican City (even though it is its own country, located in the heart of Rome). I will update this page whenever I explore a new town/city/region in Italy!
Check out my drone video of the Amalfi Coast, Italy below!
How to get to Italy
Getting to Italy isn’t really that hard, it is just a matter of how much time you have and how much you want to see. The major airports in Italy are Rome Fiumicino (FCO), Milan Malpensa International Airport (MXP), Naples International Airport (NAP), Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE), and Pisa International Airport (PSA). There are of course other smaller airports that may be closer to your chosen destination, but these main ones may be cheaper to fly into.
Once you have landed, you can opt for many different modes of transportation to get to your accommodation. We found that TrenItalia was a pretty decent train operator during our travels through Italy. We booked ahead since we wanted to get the best value for our tickets as prices are inevitably higher or fares are no longer available on the day of. We also relied on FlixBus on an occasion or two when we had the time and didn’t care about comfort.
As far as transport within your destination, we always try to take local buses or metro, or even walk if the weather is nice and it’s not TOO TOO far. I can’t remember the last time we took a taxi, we would rather put that money into a delicious meal!
If you like some of my photos that you have come across, just know that I have many prints showcasing a variety of landscapes, including Italy, available for purchase below! (Sold as Posters, Canvas, or in Metal-Frames and Wooden-Frames).
Venice
(See Blog Post - A guide to getting lost in the canals of Venice)
When one thinks of Venice, they usually think of Gondola rides, boats, art, great food, endless canals, or the opening scene in The Italian Job. Venice is all of these things and despite its small size, packs a punch with plenty of landmarks and attractions to explore. The city is starting to clamp down on overtourism, and rightfully so considering it experiences more foot traffic year by year that threatens the identity of the city. Nonetheless, what is most exciting about Venice is that even though it is a small island that can be explored quickly, it possesses hidden gems in small alleyways throughout the entire lagoon.
Florence
(See Blog Post - Florence: One of the best cities in Italy)
The city of Florence (or Firenze) lies in Tuscany, a region in Italy known for its wine, hilltop towns, and dramatic landscapes. The city is essentially a treasure trove of art, scattered across many of the cities’ galleries and museums. Florence was considered the center of medieval European due to its great wealth, derived from the fields of trade and finance. It is where the Renaissance started, and has a rich and shaky political history, dominated by rule from the Medici family (among others).
Riomaggiore - Cinque Terre
(See Blog Post - A Journey through the towns of Cinque Terre: Riomaggiore)
The Southernmost town that comprises the villages of Cinque Terre is Riomaggiore. The village dates back to the early 13th century however according to an old legend, it was founded in the 8th century by some Greek refugees fleeing persecution in Byzantium. It is defined by its cascading levels of vineyards and colorful wharf houses that sit on the cliffside.
Manarola - Cinque Terre
(See Blog Post - A Journey through the towns of Cinque Terre: Manarola)
The 2nd Southernmost town of Cinque Terre is Manarola and arguably one of the best villages of the 5. It is the 2nd smallest town of Cinque Terre with a population of 353. The name Manarola is thought to be derived from the latin phrase “magna rota". However, the local dialect has modified this to "magna roea" meaning ‘large wheel’. This is due to the presence of a mill wheel in town.
Corniglia - Cinque Terre
(See Blog Post - A Journey through the towns of Cinque Terre: Corniglia)
The town of Corniglia is situated right in the middle of Cinque Terre, with Riomaggiore and Manarola to the South, and Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare to the North. It is the only town out of the five without direct sea access. Corniglia possesses a rich agricultural culture, evident by the sheer amount of vineyards and terraces around it and is the oldest of the five villages. The secrets of the origins of Corniglia actually go back to artifacts that were found at Pompeii of all places.
Vernazza - Cinque Terre
(See Blog Post - A Journey through the towns of Cinque Terre: Vernazza)
The 2nd Northernmost town of Cinque Terre is Vernazza. The town was built around 1080 by the Obertenghi family from Genoa. The town served as a crucial naval base on the Ligurian coast, fortified for protection and used as a launching off point to repel frequent Saracen pirate attacks. Today, Vernazza is one of the more popular towns in Cinque Terre and perhaps one of the most authentic as the centuries-old traditions of fishing, wine, and olive oil production still continue.
Monterosso al Mare - Cinque Terre
(See Blog Post - A Journey through the towns of Cinque Terre: Monterosso al Mare)
The Northernmost town of Cinque Terre is Monterosso al Mare (otherwise known as Monterosso). Monterosso is known for its white wines, grapes, and olives and is the largest town of Cinque Terre. It is divided into two parts, the old and new towns, separated by a tunnel. The town is a bit more commercialized than the other ones with a larger volume of hotels, presumably due to the access and size of the beach, being the biggest in Cinque Terre. This difference cut both ways as we found it had more conveniences during our time there, but felt less authentic. Despite this, we spent the entire day in the town and found that to be plenty of time to explore all of its offerings.
Cinque Terre Guide
(See Blog Post - A Guide to the Villages of Cinque Terre)
The origins of Cinque Terre date back to the 11th century as Monterosso and Vernazza the first villages to be settled in the then Republic of Genoa. Fortification of the towns commenced to protect against invasions and attack from the Turks starting in the 16th century. The economic decline of the region started thereafter until transportation links La Spezia and Genoa were established. Now, the area has prospered in the face of increasing tourism. Since 1999, the Cinque Terre National Park was created to maintain and preserve the nature and historical entities that make up these villages.
Trieste
(See Blog Post - Why Trieste, Italy is worth a visit)
Trieste is located next to the Slovenia border, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Its unique position has made it a melting pot of several cultures of Germanic, Latin, and Slavic origin. Furthermore, since it is host to a myriad of international institutions, it also has the highest concentration of researchers in Europe. Even better, its subtropical climate makes it a pleasantly warm city compared to others around it due to the warm sea breezes it receives.
Rome
(See Blog Post - A Guide to the Italian Capital City of Rome)
It is difficult to describe just how monumental the city of Rome is. The history of Rome spans 28 centuries which makes it one of the oldest continuously occupied cities in the world. Founded in 753 BC, its name is thought to have come from its founder Romulus, however some realms of thought think that the name Romulus came from Rome, though the truth remains unclear.
It is commonly referred to as the ‘City of Seven Hills’ as well as the ‘Eternal City’, it is the center of the Catholic Church and described as the ‘Cradle of Western Civilization’. The Roman Empire, whose capital was Rome, is one of the most consequential Empires known to date. The split of the empire and eventually Fall of Rome marked the beginning of the Middle Ages. Further in history, it was the center of the Renaissance movement and birthplace of Baroque styles and Neoclassicism.
Procida Island
(See Blog Post - A Day Trip to Procida Island, Italy)
Procida island is one of my favorite places in Italy. It is not as popular as Capri or Ischia islands that you can also access from Naples, which makes it even more enjoyable. It is thought that Greeks first came to the island in the 8th century BC and some Mycenaean objects have also been unearthed on Procida dating back to the 15/16th centuries BC.
Pompeii
(See Blog Post - A Journey to the Ruins of Pompeii)
Pompeii has quite the history. From a bustling town located at the foot of Mt. Vesuvius, to one of the most popular archaeological sites in the world, unearthed from meters of buried by its volcanic neighbor. Prior to 79 AD, the town’s population was around 11,000. The sophistication of the town cannot be overstated with luxury residences containing lavish decorations and numerous exquisite public buildings.
The earliest settlement of Pompeii is thought to be in the 8th century BC. As for the eruption, it was thought to have lasted for 2 days whereby most of the inhabitants were able to escape while to date, around 1500 remains have been found of those left in the city, some clutching jewelry and coins.
Currently, any further excavations are banned or heavily limited to prevent further damage to the site. As one would expect, the entire site of Pompeii is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It sits a short train/bus ride away from the city of Naples.
Ravello - Amalfi Coast
(See Blog Post - A Journey Through the Amalfi Coast: Ravello)
The town of Ravello is located on the Amalfi Coast on the Sorrentine Peninsula in Southern Italy. It was founded in the 5th Century as a shelter against barbarian incursions at the end of the Roman Empire. The town is nestled in the Amalfi Coast cliffside and has been a popular destination for artists. Its most popular attraction is certainly the historic Villa Cimbroni.
Minori - Amalfi Coast
(See Blog Post - A Journey Through the Amalfi Coast: Minori)
The town of Minori is located on the Amalfi Coast on the Sorrentine Peninsula in Southern Italy. It is known as the 'City of Taste' for its culinary tradition. Minori means 'small' in latin, referring to the La Rheginna river running through it. It is the oldest inhabited site on the Amalfi Coast, dating back to the 1st century.
Maiori - Amalfi Coast
(See Blog Post - A Journey Through the Amalfi Coast: Maiori)
The town of Maiori is located on the Amalfi Coast on the Sorrentine Peninsula in Southern Italy. Founded by the Etruscans, it was conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC. It was originally called Rheginna Maior by the Romans in relation to the river that runs through the town. It is located close to the neighboring town of Minori on the Amalfi Coast.
Amalfi - Amalfi Coast
(See Blog Post - A Journey Through the Amalfi Coast: Amalfi)
The town of Amalfi is located on the Amalfi Coast on the Sorrentine Peninsula in Southern Italy. As a famous former trading post, it is known today for its Limoncello liquor and central location along the coastline, providing port access to other coastal towns. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is famous for its Cathedral, the Duomo di Amalfi.
Atrani - Amalfi Coast
(See Blog Post - A Journey Through the Amalfi Coast: Atrani)
The town of Atrani is located on the Amalfi Coast on the Sorrentine Peninsula in Southern Italy. It is the smallest municipality in Italy, located just East of Amalfi. It bears the designation of 'I Borghi più belli d'Italia', given to beautiful towns in Italy. Its traditional characteristics are well preserved and its most notable attraction is the Collegiate Church of St Mary Magdalena.
Fiordo di Furore - Amalfi Coast
(See Blog Post - A Journey Through the Amalfi Coast: Fiordo di Furore)
The beach of Fiordo di Furore is located on the Amalfi Coast on the Sorrentine Peninsula in Southern Italy. The village of Furore is located higher up on the cliffside, but the beach is the most notable attraction of the town. The beach is a ria, or coastal inlet, created by the Schiato torrent. It is a popular destination for swimmers with its aqua water and arched bridge facade.
Positano - Amalfi Coast
(See Blog Post - A Journey Through the Amalfi Coast: Positano)
The town of Positano is located on the Amalfi Coast on the Sorrentine Peninsula in Southern Italy. Archaeological evidence of the town dates back to the 1st Century BC. Known for its market port in the 15th to 17th centuries, it was a poor fishing village in the mid 1900s, then roared in popularity thereafter. Notable sites to see are the Church of Santa Maria Assunta and the Marina Grande beach.
Amalfi Coast Guide
(See Blog Post - A Guide to the Towns of the Amalfi Coast in Italy)
The Amalfi Coast is located on the Sorrentine Peninsula in Southern Italy. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is known for its gorgeous vistas and natural landscapes. Some of the notable towns on the Amalfi coast include Positano, Sorrento, Ravello, Minori, Maiori, Atrani, Praiano, Furore, Capri, as well as the town of Amalfi itself.
Capri
(See Blog Post - A Trip to the Italian island of Capri)
The island of Capri is located just off the Amalfi Coast on the Sorrentine Peninsula in Southern Italy. It is a part of the Naples municipality and has been known to be a resort town since its founding. Popular spots include the town of Anacapri, the Blue Grotto, the Belvedere of Tragara, and the Marina Piccola.
Vatican City (BONUS)
(See Blog Post - A Country within a Country: A Glimpse into Vatican City)
Vatican City has the superlative of being the smallest country in the world at 0.44 square kilometers. It is also the only country in the world that is contained within the limits of a city capital (Rome). They say big things come in small packages and the same can be said with Vatican City. Any trip to Rome requires a visit to this Catholic enclave.
Vatican City was created/gained independence from Italy in 1929 and is ruled by the Holy See, otherwise known as the Pope. Some of the most prominent sites of Rome are actually located in Vatican City as well as famous paintings and other forms of art. The country is primarily supported financially by donations from patrons of the Catholic church as well as through the sales of various souvenirs, publications, and museum tour fees.
