If you want to discover a museum country and have time to devote to it, then go on vacation to Italy. From south to north, you will discover marvelous cities, landscapes of sea, lakes or grandiose mountains, but also a Latin culture with a colorful accent and the best cuisine in the world. Many cities are to be visited. Here are ten that are particularly worth the detour, the time of one or more trips.
Florence is a city that was the cradle of the Renaissance in the Tuscany region of Italy. Its historic center is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as the city is full of exceptional places in terms of palaces, churches and museums. In Florence, everything is to be seen. You can go admire its Duomo and then go to the main museum which is the Uffizi Gallery. At the entrance, do not miss to admire the statue of David in Carrara marble sculpted by Michelangelo. In the gallery, you can also see major works by Raphael, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and other great masters. Also worth seeing is the Ponte Vecchio, which is a medieval bridge crossing the Arno and dating from 1345. It houses luxury boutiques and jewelry stores all along its length. Also take the time to browse the Vasari Corridor above two rows of shops. In the past, it allowed the Medici family to reach the Palazzo Vecchio, the Pitti Palace and the Uffizi without going through the city and thus avoiding taking risks.
We cannot talk about the most beautiful Italian cities without mentioning Rome. This capital with 2,000 fountains has been the cradle of Latin civilization since Antiquity. You will be able to discover many vestiges of this time in an exceptional state like the Colosseum, the Roman Forum. Go see the famous Trevi Fountain, make a wish by tossing a coin into it. Visit the Borghese Gallery to see paintings by the greatest masters as well as marvelous sculptures. Rome is not only the capital of Italy, it is also home to the smallest country in the world, the Vatican. Do not miss to go there. Enter the Sistine Chapel and discover Michelangelo's sky so extraordinary in beauty.
Catania is a beautiful Italian city in Sicily located on the coast of the Ionian Sea between the cities of Syracuse, Messina and at the foot of Etna. Catania is on the Gulf of Ognina. Formerly, according to the legend of the Odyssey, it would have been the mythical port of Ulysses quoted by Pliny the Elder. This city was founded in the 8th century BC. After Palermo, it is the second largest city in Sicily. The fish market is a living work of art. You can go for a walk and take remarkable photos of these very colorful fishermen's stalls where Mediterranean fish of all species, colors and sizes are arranged for consumption. Do not miss the theatro Massimo Bellini with a main opera hall. This theater, dating from 1890, has a facade inspired by the Jacopo Sansovino library in Venice. The room is richly decorated and the ceiling was painted by Ernesto Bellandi. La Callas and Pavarotti performed there.
Venice is an Italian city on the edge of the Adriatic stretching over 118 small islands. The buildings are separated by 177 canals connected by 455 bridges. This magnificent city, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has 123 churches and many historical monuments, museums and palaces. The heart of this city is Saint Mark's Square, where the cathedral is located. From St. Mark's Square, you can go by gondola or vaporetto to visit the city through the canals. Set sail to discover marvelous palaces with luxurious facades and centuries-old bridges such as the famous Bridge of Sighs. In the evening, do not miss the extraordinary sunset over the Grand Canal.
Verona is an Italian city located in northern Veneto not far from Lake Garda. It is crossed by the Adige, a river flowing into the Adriatic Sea. Founded in the 1st century BC, Verona is also the city of lovers, as Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet is at its center. At the bottom of a building dating from the 14th century, you can see the famous balcony. The historic center is very rich with its 2000 years of history and its many Roman remains such as its ancient bullring dating from 30 AD, its cathedral, and several remarkable sites such as the tombs of the Scaligeri. Visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Matricolare in Verona. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, this superb Romanesque-style building dates back to 1187. Admire its 16th-century campanile and the griffin of the west portal as well as the capital of the side portal.
Among the most beautiful cities of Italy, hidden treasures are hidden. Thus, Naples, a coastal city of character, is known for Vesuvius, Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast a stone's throw away, but it is also a treasure of Baroque art. You have to visit the Royal Palace, the Castel Nuovo and the City Theater to appreciate this art in all its splendor. Also take the time of a day to embark on one of the many ferries leaving from the port to visit the wonderful islands of Capri and Ischia. Don't forget to taste the best pizzas in the country.
Ischia is the Italian pearl of the Phlegrean Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is also located opposite Naples. The largest city on the island is also called Ischia and has nearly 20,000 inhabitants. From this place, the view is superb over the Gulf of Naples, Vesuvius or the islands of Capri and Procida. The thermal baths of Ischia are a goal of travels. They include 103 thermal springs, 69 groups of fumaroles and 300 establishments. They make Ischia the spa capital of Europe.
Genoa is an Italian city located in the Liguria region of which it is the capital. The rich historical past of the metropolis is present in its historic center thanks to exceptional monuments such as the Lanterna lighthouse, the Loggia dei Mercanti or the Palazzo Reale among many others. You can admire remarkable religious buildings such as the city's cathedral, the Duomo di San Lorenzo.
Riva del Garda is a pretty Italian town less known than the others, but worth a visit. It is located in the province of Trento on the shores of Lake Garda. The city center directly overlooks the lake. The houses there are very colorful. They surround a beautiful and large square where it is good to walk while admiring the lake and mountains falling steeply into the water. You can make many excursions offering to go around Lake Garda by car, for example. You will also have the opportunity to rent a boat at the port to go for a walk on the water. Go also to taste a rich local gastronomy in a restaurant with a view of the lake. On site, you can taste freshwater sardines or even excellent pasta. There are excursion buses to get around and tourist shuttles on the lake leaving from the port.
Tropea is a very beautiful city whose heart is located on a rocky promontory at the edge of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The city dates from Roman antiquity although we find earlier traces of its existence. At that time, the Romans had built a large trading port. According to mythology, the story says that Hercules would be the founder of the city when he returned from the Columns in Spain. The center is very lively and it is good to linger on the terrace of a café or restaurant. You can walk along its narrow streets and go to an island just opposite, a few hundred meters away and accessible on foot. This island has a beautiful tropical garden and on the top, stands the Benedictine sanctuary of Santa Maria dell' Isola. The view of the sea and of Stromboli is magnificent. From the tourist port, it is possible to embark on a boat to visit the Aeolian Islands or to admire Stromboli in activity at night. The fine white sand beaches are also very pleasant for swimming or lazing around the pearl of Calabria. The climate is mild in winter and very hot in summer. It is thus possible to spend holidays in Tropéa throughout the year. Strolling along the cobbled streets of the historic center, you can stop in piazza Ercole, take the opportunity to get information from the tourist office and visit the Romanesque cathedral just a little further. This city is magnificent as well as its seaside and it is very pleasant to stay there for several days.
There is no shortage of magnificent cities in Italy. There are still dozens that we could mention. This country has an exceptional charm whether in Tuscany, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, discover it and the more you go, the more you will return.
