When you think “Italy,” you most likely picture the ancient ruins of Rome, the canals of Venice, or the Renaissance cathedrals of Florence. Most first-time visitors to Italy stick to these three cities, but there’s so much to explore in Italy beyond “the big three”! Whether you’ve been to Italy before and want to explore new regions, or you’re planning your first big trip to Italy and yearn to get a bit off the beaten path—keep reading. Here are three Italian spots more than worth a stop:
The Cinque Terre
Even if you haven’t heard of this coastal region, you’ve probably seen the pictures—colorful houses staggered into the cliffside that seem to cascade right down into the deep blue Ligurian Sea. The Cinque Terre is a collection of five villages that will bowl you over with their sheer beauty. Come here to savor slow seaside days in the sun and taste regional specialties like focaccia and fresh-caught fish. Stay in one village—I loved Manarola when I visited!—and then use the train to village-hop to your heart’s content. There are also hiking trails that connect the five villages; most sections are fairly easy to navigate and come with panoramic ocean views.
Lake Como
Lavish historic villas, intricate gardens fragrant with jasmine, posh lakeside dining, and even a celebrity sighting or two—it doesn’t get chicer than Lake Como! This is another region of Italy I’ve been lucky enough to visit myself. My husband and I stayed at Villa d’Este, one of the most iconic villa hotels that sits right on the lake itself, and every part of our stay was absolutely dreamy. There are quite a few villas that have been converted into luxury hotels here, and some even come with floating pools that jut out right into the lake, perfect for a refreshing dip. If you can tear yourself away from your splendid hotel, be sure to explore the cobblestone streets of smart towns like Bellagio and Como itself. One of my favorite activities was an intimate tour of the lake via a classic wooden boat; it was an amazing, romantic way to soak in the villa-fringed shoreline—I highly recommend it!
The Dolomites
If you are seeking to explore a more under-the-radar region of Italy, head north to the Dolomites. This mountainous area borders Austria, creating a really fascinating mixture of cultures—and cuisine! You’ll definitely taste the Austrian influence in local delicacies like sauerkraut, sausage, and bracing white wine. Of course, the dramatic peaks of the Dolomites make it a draw for active travelers—skiing is big in the winter, and hiking is popular in the summer. You can even do lodge-to-lodge hiking, and stay in a different alpine lodge each night!
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