Four “Have to See & Do” Activities in Italy
Published Saturday, June 4th 2022 - Updated Sunday, June 5th 2022Four “Have to See & Do” Activities in Italy
This is hardly an exhaustive list but if you are thinking about Italy and you have never been there, or you are going back for your Nth time it might spark a few thoughts.
We’ve had the pleasure to have traveled many times to Italy and have sent many travelers there. It is no surprise as to “why”. Vacationers head there for many different reasons. Couples might want to experience firsthand whether it is true that the canals of Venice are as romantic as we have been led to believe, history buffs want to walk beneath the awe-inspiring coliseum, and some want to eat pizza in Naples, the birthplace of one of America’s foods. What about you? What do you seek in Italy?
If you aren’t sure, browse these four activities and see if they don’t help to focus you to get clearer.
TOUR IN AND AROUND THE COLISEUM
A visit to the coliseum in Rome is akin to going to the Empire State Building in NYC; it is simply the most popular attraction in Rome, and perhaps all of Italy. A professional guide (either in a small or large group; or just 1:1) can tell you about the history of this massive structure. You’ll hear about how the coliseum was much like a modern basketball/hockey arena in that the floor was changed to meet the needs of the show. Yes, it was even flooded to re-create sea battles!
While it may be kitschy, get a photo with one of the “Roman Soldiers” outside the coliseum and it will be a keepsake for generations to come!
SWEET WINE TASTING IN TUSCANY
For many of us, fine wine and Italy are synonymous. In Tuscany, the region of Chianti is a leading producer of fine wines. And in the heart of Chianti is the Chianti Estate. This stunning property is in the countryside just 21km from Siena and about the same distance as Florence. Actually, it is currently For Sale. The estate comprises a beautifully restored villa of 420 sqm, with a 13th-century watch tower, once home to the guards of the Cerreto Castle, the ruins of which can be visited nearby. Here is a tour of the facility. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rvbIR-s7X4
If you love wine and want to imbibe, Montepulciano offers a truly unique experience in Tuscany. Instead of taking the car and driving from one panoramic vineyard to another, you can simply wander the medieval streets of this borgo, where you can find several of the historic cantinas where the wines are aged. These wine cellars are built underneath the city and provide a suggestive setting for tasting the “bontà” of this area in Tuscany.
If you want to experience going to a winery and doing an actual wine tasting, you cannot miss the Canalicchio Di Sopra vineyards in the hills around Montepulciano.
https://www.canalicchiodisopra.com/en/489/azienda
Let’s just say that we had quite a challenging time continuing our visit to Tuscany after this wine tasting. It was not only a highlight of our first trip to Tuscany, but it was also a top-five experience.
TOUR THE VATICAN MUSEUMS
How often does this happen? How often do you get to say you've been to one of the holiest sites in the world? Forgetting for a moment how beautiful the museums are, you also get to see and learn about the lesser-known parts and history of the Vatican. Here, the uncensored history will be revealed to you, highlighting the origins and backstories of these Renaissance creations.
A few of the many galleries you will visit are the Candelabra Gallery, the Gallery of the Maps, and the Tapestry Gallery. So, if learning about history doesn't catch your fancy these ancient yet wonderful works of art will.
We strongly recommend that you hire a private guide for your visit to Vatican City as there is so much to see there that it can be overwhelming without the assistance of someone to direct you, explain to you, and help you to understand the history and meaning of what you are seeing.
GO ON A ROAD TRIP AROUND THE AMALFI COAST
The Amalfi Coast is a very popular jet-set destination and has been an attraction to upper-class Europeans since the 18th century when it was a frequent stopover on their grand tours. The Amalfi coast was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. The coast is named after the town of Amalfi, which makes up its main historical and political center. If you’ve seen the film, “Under The Tuscan Sun”, the town of Positano was featured prominently and if you saw it, you want to go there.
The best way to experience the Amalfi coast is to rent a car and plan a journey East, West, North, and South to soak up as much of the beauty as you can in a single day.
The best time to begin your road trip is in the early hours of the morning because it is going to be a long trip- at least nine hours or so.
Your road trip will have you driving from Sorrento to Positano to the town of Amalfi. In Positano, you might want to stop for about 2 hours. Use that time to explore the town and perhaps enjoy a meal at a local restaurant. Acquaint yourself with the locals too. They are always friendly and happy to chat.
The drive continues to Ravello with an hour-long pit stop before you begin your journey back. Have in mind that throughout this trip, you will see more of a culture you probably have never seen before. Believe us when we say it is far more than your average road trip. This is not to be missed.
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We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about these four different activities in Italy. But, we know that there are hundreds and hundreds of other activities to experience on a trip to Italy. If a trip to Italy is on your bucket list but you're not sure where to start, give us a call. We've been there, done that and our expertise and travel experiences can help you choose the best ones for your taste. Italy will not disappoint.
Ciao!
Jacqui and Larry Appell
Franchise Owners and Luxury Travel Advisors
Cruise Planners
(941) 677-8840
jacqui.appell@cruiseplanners.com
larry.appell@cruiseplanners.com
www.planyourvacationswithus.com
“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Miriam Beard (1876-1958)
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