Destination Spotlight - ITALY part 1.

In this series of blog posts, you will find information about places I love and, hopefully, inspiration to fuel your European travel dreams! Let’s begin with the sought-after location (and my personal favorite), Italy.

The very first picture of me in Italy (Summer 2006) - barely into the digital camera age & long before the advent of good smartphone cameras, please forgive the poor lighting !

Quite a while ago in 2006, I began my infatuation with Italy's beautiful landscape and culture. I was lucky to travel through Europe for three weeks with my husband, spending much of that time in Italy also with my brother and sister-in-law. We had the most magical time exploring northern Italy in Piedmont, parts of Liguria, Tuscany, and Venice. We traveled independently before the internet & Google started providing the many conveniences that simplify planning and traveling - we even used paper maps for navigation!

Since then, I have returned as often as possible (16 trips to Italy so far) to explore more places up and down the Italian peninsula and across the Messina Strait to the Island of Sicily. There is something about Italy that speaks to my soul and draws me back time and time again.

Let Italy entice you to include a visit on your European travels! You may discover that the Dolce Vita speaks to you. There are many good reasons why Italy is special and remember, all roads lead to Rome!

Italy is not a large country; it is only the 72nd largest in the world, with an area of about 117 square miles. About 60 million people call Italy home, many living in the country's bigger cities, including Roma, Milano, Napoli, and Torino. While these cities and others are exciting and beautiful places to visit, over 5000 other small towns and villages are also waiting to be explored. The choice is yours!

Getting around Italy is easy - whether you rent a car, hop on a train, catch a bus, take the metro or tram, use a taxi, hire a private driver, rideshare, or simply walk around in the city centers. You will have many affordable and convenient choices. You only need to decide in which direction you want to head!

PLACES in Italy I Love

ROME - Around Italy, certain places bring me peace and calm. The place that I love the most surprised me -  Rome! I initially visited Italy’s biggest and most famous city on my third trip to Italy in 2009.  This trip was also my very first solo adventure in Europe. Traveling alone, I discovered much and fell instantly in love with the Eternal City. Something about Rome felt to me like home. While this love for Rome is quite personal, I believe there is something unique to appreciate and experience for everyone. The key is to explore off the beaten path and discover the real Rome away from the frequented tourist sites. While tourists flock to the main sights to see (think the Vatican Museum, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, etc.) for good reason, the whole of Rome cannot be summarized or understood by only these places. I suggest you see all the top sights on your wish list but also explore the other places in Rome where you can have a Roman experience away from the crowds and tourist traps. I would be happy to share more with you and connect you to locals who can make your time in Rome memorable and tailored to your desired experiences.

One of my favorite places in Rome, Largo di Torre Argentina where ancient Roman ruins of temples, Pompey’s Theatre and a cat sanctuary are below street level.

The Sea - Beautiful waters surround three sides of Italy. You will find the Tyrrhenian and Mediterranean Seas on the western coast, with stunning blue waters and sandy or rocky beaches. There are miles and miles and miles of Italian coast to explore - from the northern Italian Riveria to the famous Cinque Terre to the Tuscan coast and archipelago, from the Lazio beaches near Rome to the Bay of Naples in Campania and the Amalfi coast and down to Sicily - numerous choices exist on this wonderous stretch of coast. The eastern coast, flanked by the Adriatic Sea, is equally as welcoming for some time near the water.

In recent years, I have found myself looking forward to returning to a small town on the beach - technically part of the metropolitan area of Rome - Lido di Ostia. Not a fancy or pretentious beach resort town but a lived-in, local beach escape perfect for a relaxing stay at the start of a trip (a great place to get over jet lag) or a nice place to end a trip before the long-haul flight back home (close and convenient to the Rome FCO airport). Whatever the reason to visit, the beaches and town filled with shops, cafes, and beach restaurants - not to mention the world-class archeological site of Ostia Antica, easily accessible by train or taxi -  is a welcome addition to any Italian vacation itinerary—one of my favorite places for a relaxed swim and aperitivo on the beach.

Lido di Ostia - beach establishments are plentiful as are beach bar restaurants and a public, free beach too!

Aperol Spritz - always nice & refreshing!

Small towns & villages

Some of my other favorite places in Italy are small towns or villages far off the tourist path. Even locals sometimes wonder why these places have landed on my travel itinerary. Finding these little places to visit has rich rewards - not only in the lack of crowds but in the beautiful places to wander, people to meet, local food to taste, culture to experience, and more -  much more.

Pozzuoli - This port town is an example of one such gem. Located in the Campi Flegrei, near the Bay of Napoli, I have spent a few nights here as a home base to explore this area. It lies near the Parco Sommerso di Baia, where I had my eye on a snorkeling excursion amidst the sunken ancient Roman ruins. Neither my time in the beautiful water nor the days I spent exploring Pozzuoli disappointed me. This delightful town includes a Roman amphitheater from the 1st century AD (think Colloseum) and a fantastic Cathedral on top of the Rione Terra (underground Roman ruins of the city, including an ancient Roman temple). In addition to seeing some incredible sights, the shopping, local food, and culture in Pozzuoi were a special treat.

While I have special memories of so many other little towns & villages, I will save more for the next blog post in this series. Also, I look forward to sharing my experiences with many of you as we plan your memorable vacations!

Ruins of an ancient Roman public market in the town of Pozzuoli.

Me snorkeling (or trying to) above the underwater archeological park in Baia.

I hope this blog article has piqued or renewed your interest in traveling through Italy. What questions do you have? Contact me

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Thank you for reading! Let me know your thoughts. Safe and happy travels to you!!