An unforgettable holiday in Italy, where to go
From North to South, here is what you can't miss in the Bel Paese
Several weeks ago Business Insider published a very interesting article listing the "31 things everyone should do in Italy" in a lifetime. Food, wine, art, monuments, beautiful cities, stunning mountains and lakes, this is what Italy is famous for, but it's always interesting to look at Italy from the perspective of a foreigner. That's why we have decided to comment Business Insider's tips to confirm whether what they are suggesting is something that an Italian would also enjoy doing or not.
1) Drive along the gorgeous cliffs of the Amalfi Coast. Stay a night or two in the charming village of Positano -- it's straight out of a postcard.
2) Admire the colourful homes in Isola di Burano.
3) Float through the Blue Grotto, a sea cave in Capri with stunning blue light that reflects off the water.
4) Walk the cobblestone streets of scenic Cinque Terre and explore the quaint cliffside villages.
5) Explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii, a city that was destroyed when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D.
6) Eat tagliatelle al ragù, AKA bolognese sauce, in Bologna.
7) Take a boat around Lago di Como, one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy.
8 ) Meander through the ruins of the Roman Forum, which stand in the center of city. The ruins are remnants from important government buildings.
9) Ski the Dolomites, a mountain range in the northern Italian Alps, and explore the charming ski village of Cortina d'Ampezzo.
10) Chow down on the best pizza in the world in Naples.
11) Sail on Lago di Garda, Italy's largest lake.
12) Take a silly photo at The Leaning Tower of Pisa.
13) Browse the extensive artwork collection at Florence's Uffizi Gallery. Be sure to find Botticelli's masterpiece, 'Primavera.'
14) Check out the reflection of St. Mark's Basilica when its namesake square is flooded, which happens fairly frequently in Venice.
15) Shop along Milan's luxurious Galeria Vittorio Emanuele II. It's often nicknamed il salotto di Milan (Milan's drawing room), since it's a common meeting and dining place for locals.
16) Step back in time and explore the ancient Greek ruins of the Temple of Concord and Theatre of Taormina in Sicily.
17) Stroll through the peaceful Renaissance gardens of the Villa d'Este in Tivoli.
18) Watch a performance at La Scala, Milan's world-renowned opera house.
19) Stroll the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, a Medieval stone arch bridge across the Arno River that still has authentic stores along it. It's beautiful any time of day, but there's nothing like seeing the lights reflect off the river at night.
20) Sip a Super Tuscan wine straight from the sprawling vineyards of Tuscany.
21) Marvel at the enormous Colosseum in Rome, where brutal gladiator fights took place centuries ago.
22) Take a dip in the natural spas of Saturnia in Tuscany, where gorgeous hot springs flow freely.
23) Gaze up at Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling. Although it's technically in Vatican City, any trip to Rome wouldn't be complete without seeing this esteemed artwork.
24) Tour the gorgeous Palladian villas of the Veneto (a region in northeastern Italy), which were designed by Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio.
25) Throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, and legend has it you'll be sure to return to Rome again.
26) Explore the medieval city of San Gimignano, a walled city within Siena.
27) Bask in the sun at the beaches of Rimini.
28) Re-enact the famous Shakespearean scene on Juliet's balcony in Verona.
29) Take a gondola ride through the magnificant canals of Venice.
30) Explore Cascata delle Marmore, a massive, man-made waterfall from the time of the ancient Romans.
31) Climb to the top of Florence's iconic Duomo for spectacular views of the city.
Believe it or not, these are all things that an Italian would do or would love to do in a lifetime, tips on food and entertainment included. So well done to Business Insiders, and enjoy the country!
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