Navigating the Boot
There's good news and bad news when it comes to planning a vacation in Italy. The bad news: it can be pretty difficult to choose where you want to
go! The good news: you really can't go wrong, whatever region or city you choose! Below are some of the most visited and beloved regions of Italy
described in a nutshell. Obviously these descriptions only scratch the surface of this multifaceted country, but if you're scratching your head over
where to go, this is a great place to start. And don't forget, Untours offers three great Samplers (2 weeks total, one week in each destination):
Umbria-Rome, Umbria-Venice, and Rome-Venice. What a great way to see more of Italy and still live like the locals! Plus, it's easy to
combine a week in a property from The RIGHT Vacation Rental
with your
Untour. How does Umbria-Rome-Amalfi Coast sound???
Tuscany South:
The
region's most picturesque countryside, with rolling hills dotted with cypress
trees, scenic hill towns, and sweeping views of the countryside. Famous for its wines including Brunello and Chianti as well as its hearty cuisine.
Close to Florence and other gorgeous, smaller towns including Siena, home of the Palio; San Gimignano famous for its medieval towers; and the scenic
vineyards
of Chianti Valley.
Tuscany North: A more urban corner of Tuscany, close to the region's major cities: Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, Pisa, best known
for
its leaning tower, and Lucca, a well preserved walled city. Less country scenery, but excellent access to the coast, the highway and the Cinque
Terre, the five famous seaside villages.
*The
Amalfi
Coast: The very steep landscape of this coast is
not for the faint-hearted; nearly every town is a maze of steps and the coastal
highways are breathtaking in more ways than one. Astounding variety of activities including sailing
to Capri ("the best shopping this side of Rome"), exploring ancient
Pompeii, hiking the spectacular seaside paths, or feasting on fresh seafood.
Umbria: The green land with rolling hills and dramatic hill towns. Famous for its saints, most notably Saint Francis, olive oil, and Deruta
pottery.
Major towns include Spoleto, Assisi, Perugia, and Orvieto. Less touristy than Tuscany while still offering dramatic landscape, rich history and
fascinating architecture, and numerous hill towns each specializing in a unique trade.
Rome: Best known for its ancient sites including the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Circus Maximus and the country within the city, Vatican City,
home
to the Pope and the Sistine Chapel. Plenty of churches to explore, fountains to admire, and museums to visit.
*Sardinia:
Situated on the shores of a bay on the northwest coast in an non-touristy area. Features a
large colorful harbor filled with fishing sailboats and sturdy
ancient city walls boasting numerous towers. Animated piazzas and the old streets are
filled with vibrancy.
Venice: A floating city with 400 bridges and over a hundred canals. The
largest car-free zone in Europe. Famous for the doges and their
palaces,
gondolas, and unique architecture. Besides Venice proper, are the
nearby lagoon islands of Murano, famous for its glass; Burano known for
the
colorfully painted houses and exquisite lace; and Torcello with its Byzantine mosaics.
Sicily: The largest Mediterranean island famous for Mt. Etna, Europe's largest active volcano. Cities of Siracusa, Taormina, Agrigento, and
Catania
offer a
unique mix of Greek and Roman architecture. Known for its fresh seafood, almonds, cannoli, and marzipan.
*Le
Marche: Rising from
the Adriatic Sea to the 6,000-foot peaks of the Apennines this
unspoiled and somewhat untamed region of central Italy is one of the few
areas of the country where tourism does not yet reign supreme. Hundreds of
enchanting towns cling to the hilltops. Restaurants still serve unspoiled artisanal cuisine and crowds are
virtually non-existent.
* Locations of The RIGHT Vacation Rental
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