Places to Visit in Italy

Italy is divided into 20 regions each with unique characteristics. In the far north there is a region of Italy called Trentino-South Tyrol which is bordered by Austria. The area is known for it's mountains and therefore is a popular destination for people who love the outdoors. One of it's most famous ski areas is Gröden-Val Gardena. The capital of the region is Trento.

To the west of Trentino-South Tyrol is a region in Italy nown as Lombardy with Milan as its' capital.Milan is often considered the fashion capital of Italy. To the north is Switzerland and the southern portion of the Alps. Most of the region is very industrial and has always been the region of Italy that manufactures most of it's goods. A popular destination is Lake Como near the Swiss border.

If you're looking for great places to visit in Italy one of the most popular regions in the north is Piedmont, which is surrounded on three sides by the Alps. The capital is Turin, which was home to the 2006 Winter Olympics. The outdoors is the key to tourism in this region. Piedmont means "foothill" and has become Italy's gateway to the Alps. Along with some great destinations the region is known for having top quality wine and great cuisine.

A very special region in the north is the Aosta Valley which borders France and Switzerland. Here the Alps are magnificant and you get tremendous views of the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc. The region is connected with France by the Mont Blanc tunnel. Lately it has become a very popular alpine destination. As with many things in Italy your dollar goes a long way here.

In the northeast part of the country you'll find the region of Veneto and it's capital Venice. Venice is one of the must see places to visit in Italy. It's beauty and history make it one of those special places that you have to see at least once in your life. If you want to be away from the tourists the region has some other great places to visit in Italy such as Verona, Padua and Vicenza.

Probably the most desireable region in Italy is Tuscany. Florence is the capital of this beautiful region known for wine and fantastic cuisine. Tuscany is the home of some great little villages for the tourist to visit. Villa rentals are becoming quite popular throughout this region. Tuscany borders the Tyrrhenian Sea and stretches into the heart of the Italian mainland. It's the home of pesto and chianti and many wonderful memories for the traveler.

If you head further south you hit the region of Latium. This is definately one of the places to visit in Italy. Rome is the capital of this area which is rich in ancient history. Who hasn't dreamt of a trip to Rome to see things like the Coleseum and the Roman Forum. Although it may not be as elegant as Florence or as romantic as Venice it still requires a visit at least once in a lifetime. There is so much to see in this city and this region. Take the time to discover it.

Naples is the capital of Campania. The real attraction in this region are not the cities but rather the coast (the Amalfi coast). Sorrento is one of those rare treasures. It is a spectacular coastal town and gateway to the Isle of Capri. The views are outstanding all along the coast. It is a favorite destination for Italians as well as foreigners. From here you can take a day trip to Naples or Vesuvius (Pompei). There's plenty to do in this region.

If you head even furthur south you'll find yourself at the end of the boot and on your way to Sicily. Palermo is the capital and can be reached by taking numerous ferries along the western coast or you can travel by land to the end of the boot. Sicily has alot to offer the tourist and has some great ancient ruins. It can be a culture shock for some since it is quite different from the rest of Italy. This is great place for a farmhouse vacation in Italy.

Check out all of the links to find details on the places to visit in Italy on your European vacation.

I'm constantly adding to my list of places to visit in Italy so stop by every so often to see the changes.