Why Travel to Italy?
Italy is one of the most sought-after vacation destinations in Europe, and for good reason. More than just the landmarks and incredible landscape is the warmth of the people and, oh the amazing food! We have been twice (with a third trip derailed by the pandemic). Even though it is a fairly small country, you can go back over and over and find something completely new. The north, central and southern regions are very different. One thing stays the same, and that is the hospitality of Italians! They were hit hard by the pandemic and now is the time to support them and visit again! We hope you take a look at the pages on Altered by Adventure for inspiration.
Like many countries that draw more tourists, the best time to visit Italy is in the spring (April to June) or fall (September and October). There is nice weather, moderate temperatures, fewer tourists, and lower prices. The summer months can be hot, crowded, and expensive. Do keep in mind that when traveling in summer, some accommodation does not offer air conditioning. If you do travel in summer, try to go outside of the larger cities (it is ALWAYS our recommendation to get off the beaten path anyway). The other suggestion is to go to attractions or special places before or after the crowds, and definitely get your tickets online ahead of time.
Amalfi Coast
Culture and Language~
The official language of Italy is Italian and is spoken by approximately 93% of the population. there are many dialects spoken, in different regions. The family is an important part of their life. Many generations live together and help each other. They treat you like family when you arrive in Italy (we do think that is why so many people return). Wine is usually drunk with a meal. We were surprised that many Italians drink beer with pizza. Also, the digestivo (an after-dinner drink), like Lemoncello is often served. Because of the Catholic tradition, you may find many festivals, especially in small towns. People dress up in medieval garb for a parade or a performance. We were lucky enough to see this in Venice. Italy is rich in history and culture. Try to immerse yourself into it as much as possible.
Carnival Festival Venice
Getting There and Getting Around~
The most cost-effective airports to fly into are Venice and Rome. It is very difficult to find a direct flight or an inexpensive flight into Florence. You can also fly to London from the US, for example, and then into Italy to save money but you do have to consider that it will take extra time. Luckily the train system is one of the most efficient in Europe. With a high-speed train, you can get from Venice to Florence in about 2 hours and on to Rome for another 1 1/2 hours. It is always easy to catch a cab, especially in larger cities. Uber and Lyft are not always available so check the coverage ahead of time. You can also consider renting a Vespa for short journeys or a car for driving between cities. Driving is very easy to do with the extensive highways throughout the country. But be aware that there are cameras for speed and do not take a car into the city as there are ZTL Zones that can fine you. Our suggestion is to find a car park outside the city and take a tram, train or bus. We did this with ease in Florence. The trip was less than 4 Euro. In Amalfi, we recommend a driver, not only because of the windy roads but because of the traffic. Hiring a driver was the best decision we made.
Vaporetto in Venice
Cost Saving Tips~
The best news is that Italy is NOT an expensive country. Of course, you can fly to Amalfi and get a villa on the sea, but for those of us practical travelers, you can see much of Italy with little expense. First of all, the train system is one of the most affordable in Europe. Check Trainline.com for rates and we suggest getting high-speed train travel ahead of time. There are many kiosks in the terminal and they do take credit cards. You will also save money on food and drink. You can easily get a glass of wine for under 5 Euro. And the pizza! those are inexpensive too. Another way to save money is to book some excursions online, like the Colosseum, Vatican, and Duomo. You will skip the line and save money. And finally, the Gelato! you can have it every day and not break the bank!
Gelato in Florence
Food and Drink~
In Italy, you will find some of the most amazing food you have ever tasted. The first thing to say is that everything is FRESH. They do not use GMO and there are very few large supermarkets. Everything revolves around a farm-to-table approach. You will never taste a better tomato, for example. The pizza is wood-fired. Of course, Naples is the birthplace of pizza. The mozzarella is the best in the world as well. It is made fresh. There is nothing like it! We have to mention the wine. It is some of the best in the world. It is grown throughout Italy. We found a beautiful vineyard at the base of Vesuvius. Grapes for wine are grown throughout Italy. The most well-known area is Tuscany. The wines have special certifications called DOC, and DOCG. These are top in class. Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are primarily made with Sangiovese grape whereas the Vernaccia grape is the basis of the white Vernaccia di San Gimignano. It was in Italy, where we truly began to appreciate white wine!
There are many pasta specialties. Of course, the pasta is always fresh. Some of our favorites are Spaghetti Carbonara (from Rome), Cacio e Pepe (fresh pasta with pepper), and Spaghetti a la Nerano (with zucchini). The seafood is so fresh, as you can imagine. We dined on crab in Capri, Shrimp in Nerano, and calamari in Cinque Terre and it was the best we have ever tasted in our life! in Florence, the Florentine Steak dish is highly touted. And of course, Italy is known for truffles (an exquisite mushroom) The desserts are also amazing! Panna Cotta and Tiramisu can be found in every restaurant. You can eat Gelato every day as there a stand on every corner! The creaminess will make you go back for more!
Capri Coastline
Our Favorite Places~
There are so many amazing landmarks in Italy. You are well aware of many, including the Colosseum, Forum, Vatican, St Mark’s Square in Venice, and the Academia museum (where David resides) in Florence. The list goes on and on. But there are more things to discover as well. The small towns on top of the hills, like Siena, in Tuscany, and Umbria, the many vineyards, the cliffs and small villages of Cinque Terre, and the amazing rock formations and crystal waters of Puglia. The breathtaking Mountains and Coastline of Marche and Abruzzo, the awe-inspiring Dolomites in Northern Italy, and the incredible lakes of the north in places like Lake Como. Capri is one of the most magical places on earth. Taking a boat tour for the day around the island will create a lifelong memory. There are no words that describe the specular coastline and sparkling water. We think you should add this experience to your bucket list! Be sure to look into places all over this country, make your list, then start your itinerary. You really cannot go wrong with any town you choose to visit. The experiences and memories will last a lifetime. Keep an eye out for our upcoming post, Your Ultimate Italy Itinerary!