Readers Respond: Top Places to Go in Italy

Read what others recommend below. Share Your Favorite

Arquata Del Tronto- Ascoli Piceno

My dad's birthplace. Had the wonderful opportunity to visit the family twice, 1999 and again in 2001. I would love to return and see my cousins again. They were all so warm and so receptive. It was just so emotional just being there in the house he was born in and eating at the same table (my grandparents original dining room and hutch). I'll never ever forget what a wonderful visit I had, because I never thought I'd see the day that I'd be in Italy once, let along twice. Thank you Vinnie for a great vacation, and also for being my interpreter. You're the best!

—Guest Rosalie Uriani Troilo

Better than Pompeii

Everyone talks about visiting Pompeii. No one mentions Herculaneum--which I liked more than Pompeii. Like Pompeii, Herculaneum was buried during the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, but visiting Herculaneum gave me more of a sense of the lives of the people who lived there. It's smaller and more evocative--and not so grisly because there are no frozen-in-time bodies.

—elena43

Abbazia di San Alberto di Butrio

On a idyllic spot in the hills of the Oltrepo Pavese (wine region south of Milan in Lombardy) lies the small monastery of San Butrio with its 15th century frescoes and the little room of the blind Frate Maria. Enchanting.

—stef7sa

Lucca

I have never in all the places I have visited been so captivated as I have here. It is not only beautiful, interesting,and chilled out there is also a surprise at every corner making u want to explore. I could go and live there tomorrow, and feel perhaps I should not encourage people to visit my little piece of heaven. no words could describe what this place means to me.

—Guest alison

Tuscany Countryside

Thank you for this beautiful experience! Tuscany, Italy is amazingly beautiful!! The beauty is both man made and natural. It was the country side that represented the natural beauty.

—carolynollio

Really depends on your interests

Have been a few times & enjoyed all of it immensely. Carnevale in Venice is busy and colorful; hiking Vesuvius was interesting and view amazing; Cinque Terre is beautiful and reminiscent of Amalfi area. San Giminagno with its towers and wonderful deli with local cheeses & meats is a pleasure. The major cities, Rome, Florence, Milan and Venice all have their virtues. There are so many great places to see and be in Italy it is difficult to choose. What is so inviting is the very high quality & appreciation for culture, great food, wine, family & friends. Italy oozes not only its history but love of life!!! After 3 lengthy trips to Italy, already having seen much of it, we are now planning yet another trip in November. The previous visits have been July-August, early March and end of March. Off season is wonderful, with very few tourists and pleasant temperatures, if you want to explore the real Italy. Train & bus travel is so convenient & quick. One day we will spend our winters there.

—Guest Cathy

Abruzzo

My Vince was born in Ari, Province of Chieti. We stayed in Francavilla Amare - on the Adriatic sea. Just beautiful, drove all around the different towns, also stayed in a quaint town called Repino. Would go back in a heartbeat.

—Guest Rosalie Uriani Troilo

Stromboli--a feast for the senses

I love Stromboli, one of the Aeolian Islands off N.E. Sicily. It's a visual buffet: brilliant white square houses behind white walls with brightly coloured flowers peeking over, black sand beaches, blue sea, green & brown mountain foothills covered in broom and wild roses, and black summit. I like to hike around the volcano's foothills up & down on the path for about 3 hours. Very peaceful. Stunning views looking down to the town and far out to sea. My hike ends at the Osservatoio restaurant on their patio. There I watch the sun set over the sea. As the sky darkens, I watch the volcano hurl its fire into the sky every 15 minutes. Natural fireworks! Stromboli feels so far away from the world. Streets are too narrow for "normal" cars. No street lights so bring a flash light. Small, cozy with local population about 400. Most tourists go there to climb 900 metres to the top to see the volcano in action and stay one night. Stromboli merits a longer stay!

—margaretcowan

Ravello - Beautiful city

Ravello in the Amalfitan coast, the most of the landscape, no words to express

—Guest Amapati

a nice island

I loved Sicily the most it was beautiful !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think it's the best place to go,it's a magical place ,a place where you can relax and enjoy nature's beauty mixed with today's engineering. but obviously you can choose the place where you would like to stay best.

—Guest samah

Definitely Puglia

While Umbria and Le Marche are high on my list as well, I have to say Puglia definitely ranks the highest for me. The great weather, the amazing food, wine, warm and friendly people, spectacular art and scenery, beaches, churches, castles, all contribute to making this my top choice. Above all, it's "off the beaten track" and therefore CHEAPER as a whole than any other destination. Forget Cinqueterre, it's overflowing with people. Puglia is a much more rewarding option! You can see guided tour itineraries of Puglia and more here: Walks of Italy - Guided Walking Tours in Italy

—Guest walksofitaly

Tortoreto Is A Great Place

Tortoreto is a location privileged by nature where you will have the chance to rejuvenate yourself spending your holidays in absolute harmony.

—Guest Stefano

Come in Sardinia, believe me!

Hi, I'm Italian from Milan. the Italians used to go in Sardinia during the summer...but i don't understand why is not so famous like other italian places outside Italy... Sardinia is really a place to see...if you want wonderful sea (one of the top of the world...see the photos on google!) and nature is the best place for summer. But if you like top life, and very chic places, top shops come in Porto Cervo or Porto Rotondo...places that in august is full of nightlife too!

—Guest Francesco

Florence

One of the best places I have visited in Italy is Florence. I've been there twice and I' d like to go there again. First of all, it is a well taken care of city, with all the facilities one may need; then ,the shops are great, ideal for shopping therapy. Florence is a good starting point for many day trips in the area any time of year. I shouldn't miss mentioning the Uffizi museum, in which one visit is not enough. Food is excellent in many restaurants, too. Try going to Zaza's , a cosy restaurant with many dishes and genuine florence atmosphere.

—Guest timimit

One of our favorite places in Italy

My wife and I enjoy traveling through the Dolomites, seeing the fabulous vistas, small towns and villages. Life is laid-back, quieter. One of our favorite spots is the city of Bolzano/Bozen between Trento and the Alto Adige. Right off the main highway leading to the Brenner Pass the city is different than anywhere else in Italy. Having been a part of the Austrian Empire it still retains a distinct part of that heritage. Coupled to Bolzano's earlier, and more recent Italian connection you also get the flare of the Italian lifestyle. We visited during October, when the main square had numerous festive, harvest events laid out. Weather was cool yet very pleasant. The locals speak Italian and German equally well, many also speak excellent English. Restaurants and trattorias abound with a range of choices in foods, wines and beers. Besides scenery, there are several museums, fortezzas and "Otzi" the 5,000 year old hunter found under the ice several years ago. Well worth a couple of days.

—Guest Travails