There are not many countries in the world that are as popular with tourists as Italy. This is the country of the Renaissance, art and culture, delicious cuisine, ancient treasures and stunning natural scenery.
With so much to see and do, it can be hard knowing where to visit in Italy. Coast or countryside? City or cultural? One solution may to be to choose two or more destinations on your holiday and make it into a multi-centre trip.
Exciting cities
One of the simplest ways to see more of Italy is to arrange a holiday where you stay in two or three places, like those arranged by Italy Multi Centre Holidays. That way you can spread your time between various exciting places that all have something different to offer.
Some of the most popular cities include:
- Venice. Said to be one of the most romantic cities in the world. Ride on a gondola down the Grand Canal, sit outside a restaurant eating fresh pizza, explore St Mark’s Square, cross the Bridge of Sighs, head out to the islands on a tour, and just get lost exploring;
- Milan – the capital of fashion. Go window shopping in the designer stores, or pick something up yourself if you are lucky. Then there is La Scala Opera House, and you can also see ‘The Last Supper’, the masterpiece by Leonardo Da Vinci at the Santa Maria delle Grazie;
- Florence. This city was the centre of the Renaissance, so art enthusiasts should put this city on their list. See Michelangelo’s ‘David’ while you are here, head to the top of the cathedral, explore the Pitti Palace, visit the Uffizi Gallery and wander around the Accademia Gallery;
- Rome. Rome was the centre of the ancient world, and there are too many highlights here to mention. Some of the ones you will want to see include the Sistine Chapel, the Vatical Museums, the Roman Forum, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon.
Picture perfect beaches
As well as the fascinating cities, you may want to mix up your holiday and spend some time on the beach. If so, you have countless beaches to choose from. Some of the best include:
- the beaches on the island of Capri;
- the beaches on Elba, an island just off the coast of Tuscany;
- Spiaggia del Fornillo, a beach in Positano on the Amalfi Coast;
- the Vendicari Nature Reserve, home to a number of beautiful beaches.
Natural highlights
If you want to explore the countryside in Italy, there are many beautiful areas to choose from. Some of the best include:
- Alghero in the west of Sardinia;
- Tuscany, one of the most beautiful regions of Italy;
- Abruzzo and the Adriatic coast;
- the Apennines in Umbria;
- Lake Como.
Discover Italy for yourself
There is so much to see in Italy that it can be difficult to know where to start when planning your holiday.
Wherever you go, try to stay in more than one place when you visit, whether you stay in a few different cities or you combine cities with countryside and beaches. That way you can see more of the country and you won’t miss out on anything.
