Southern Italy

Dreaming of the picturesque towns of Cinque Terre? See them in an off-beat way: on foot!

Full of lots of trails, you can escape the throngs of tourists and find your own real Italian experience  in the region while enjoying the incredible nature and views that many of the trails have to offer.

Too tired to walk? Not a problem. You’ll be able to hop on and off the train that connects the gorgeous, perched towns. Do some people-watching, soak up the local language, and enjoy the views.

Looking to beat the crowds without compromising on the beauty? Then set your sights on nearby Portovenere.

Home to a wonderful old castle, charming churches, hillside homes, and packed with cool caves to explore, you’ll be getting all the beauty while doing something much more original.

Heading to the south? If you find yourself in beautiful Bari (located in Puglia), do yourself a favor and visit the incredible trullo houses in Alberobello.

Constructed in a very unique way, these old, stone buildings have been a UNESCO Heritage Site since 1996. Don’t miss out!

Grab your masks, it’s Carnevale! If you’ll be in Italy during festive Carnevale season, then there’s no better place to go than where it all started: Venice.

Famous for its incredible Carnevale events and long mask-making history, Venice is truly the place to be during Carnevale. So grab your mask, and join the party!

Speaking of Venice, film aficionados will want to be around for the city’s cool film festival. Considering Italy’s long and important history in cinema, this is as authentic an Italian activity as any!

Curving roads. The wind in your hair. Sun on your face. Yes, the Amalfi Coast conjures delightful images of la vita bella— and it most certainly is the good life on the Amalfi Coast. From ancient ruins to crystalline shores, there’s something for everyone on the southern Italian coast— what’s waiting for you?

Ancient streets. Marvellous mosaics. Perfectly preserved homes. A city frozen in time: Pompeii.

The 2000-year-old city will transport you back to Roman times. With Vesuvius in the background, you’ll be able to see what life was like for the average Pompeiian before the volcanic disaster. And, looking upon the stone forms of those left behind, you’ll surely find a connection to the city that transcends curiosity.

Most notable in Pompeii: the well-preserved amphitheater, which, dated to 70AC, is the oldest in the entire world. Wow.

While you’re in Pompeii, be sure to take some time to admire Vesuvius in the background.

Snap some photos. Contemplate the ancient life of Pompeii. And try not to think about any eruptions…

Like lemons? Amalfi is the spot for you.

And, in a region full of delicious lemons, 1 tipsy treat stands out: limoncello.

If you’re a fan of a lovely liquor after a delicious dinner, limoncello will hit the spot. This sweet, lemony liquor is just the thing you’ll need after a long day exploring picturesque towns and ancient ruins. Salute!

Pastel buildings on green, sloping hillsides. Sleepy seaside towns tucked away along the coast. Yes, Amalfi is as picturesque as it gets— stop in Positano for some awe-inspiring backdrops. You won’t be sorry.

All aboard. Capri is calling.

A favorite destination for visitors to the Amalfi Coast, Capri is all about the sea.

While it’s not exactly the perfect spot for beachgoers, you can enjoy the crystal clear seaside by taking a luxurious boat tour around the island.

After all, taking a dip in the gorgeous waters from your own super-exclusive boat is much better than hanging around on a beach. Jump in!

Dreaming of your own amazing Amalfi adventure? Check out these authentic, local experiences, and discover the treasures waiting for you in Amalfi.

Whether it’s unbelievable geography or draw-dropping cultural heritage, there are tons of amazing facts about the island that most visitors don’t know. If you’re planning a trip to Sicily, take a look at these fun facts to see how much you really know about Sicilia.

Sure, Sicily is an island. But it’s seriously big. At 25,832.39 square kilometers, Sicily is by far the biggest island in the Mediterranean. With such a huge size, that makes the island the most extensive region in all of Italy.

And space isn’t all Sicily has— with such an enormous size, it has over 1,600 kilometers of beach to sun yourself on. Whether sandy or craggy, Sicily has tons of beach space to enjoy.

When you think of cultural sites in Italy, most people (rightly) think of Rome. But with 26% of Italy’s total cultural sites, Sicily is the place to go if you’re looking for some amazing Italian history. In fact, of Italy’s 53 major UNESCO heritage sites, Sicily has 7— that puts it on par with Egypt and Denmark. Whoa.

But it’s not all history and ruins— there are some pretty incredible nature reserves to check out too. You can climb up to the Park of Etna and see what an active volcano looks like from the top, do some riverside trekking in the lush greenery of the gorgeous Alcantara Park, or head out to the picturesque Aegadian Islands to enjoy the crystal-clear water. Fun.

Enjoy a nice puppet show? You’re in the right place. Sicily is famous for it’s traditional pupi, or puppets. In fact, L’Opera dei Pupi (puppet shows) are a common sight across the island. They typically tell the tales of grand medieval heroes who fought for Christianity, and many times recount the tales of Charlemagne’s crusades for Christian Europe.

But Sicily isn’t all playing will marionettes— art is in the island’s blood. Among famous artists who loved Sicily is Pablo Picasso, who reportedly got inspiration for his famous Guernica during his stay in Sicily.

After all that delicious street food, you’re gonna want some dessert. And you’ll be in luck— Sicily has a wide variety of tasty treats to satisfy your sweet tooth.

You can dig into a creamy cassata—a succulent round sponge cake topped with sweet ricotta cheese (similar to the equally delicious cannoli) and candied fruit, coated on the sides with a sweet layer of green-colored marzipan.

More of a chocolate fan? Head over to Modica, which is famous throughout Italy for its incredible chocolates. The chocolatiers in Modica still follow ancient Aztec recipes that were first imported to the region by Spaniards during Sicily’s Spanish Age. Some fascinating flavors to try include cinnamon, or even hot pepper— spicy!

But, if you’re looking for something to cool off with on a hot Sicilian afternoon, try a gelato— it was a Sicilian chef who, in 1686, first mixed up a batch of what we now know as ice cream.

From food to amazing natural sites, Sicily has it all. Use these fascinating facts to help plan your grand tour of Sicily, and you can be sure you’re getting the most authentic local experience possible.