The Famous Italy Pizza and 17 Best Things to do, saving tips
The Famous Italy Pizza and 17 Best Things to do, saving tips
Everyone knows Italy pizza and pasta! Italian food is very popular all over the world, besides being famous for its its food, it is also famous for its historic buildings, the Colosseum, the Pantheon or the leaning tower of Pisa.
But besides all this, Italy offers us much more. Here you can find all kinds of holiday offers, because there are wonderful beaches for families, but also special and romantic places that couples can visit.
We think that most romantics dream of a gondola ride in Venice, to visit the wonderful Verona where they will find the wonderful places from the story of Romeo and Juliet or to explore the wonderful Positano.
Whichever of these options you choose, we will present all these options to you, and at the end of this article we hope that you will know your next destination for your next vacation in Italy.
Table of Contents
Italy Map
Informations
Italy is a country made up of a continental part bounded by the Alps, a peninsula and several surrounding islands. Italy is located in southern Europe and is also considered part of western Europe. With around 60 million inhabitants, Italy is the third largest member state of the European Union.
Temperature: Spring is the ideal weather to explore Italy. The crowd pull is highest during summer.
Language: The official language is Italian.
Currency: Euro
Food Prices: Meal in a cheap restaurant=15 EUR, Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant=55 EUR
You can find more information about the visa here.
Things to do
Colosseum
The Colosseum is the largest of the amphitheaters built in ancient Rome, the largest enclosed structure in ancient Rome and still the largest amphitheater ever built in the world. Erected between AD 72 and 80, the Colosseum was the scene of mostly extremely gruesome and brutal events organized by members of the imperial family to entertain and entertain the free residents of Rome and the Roman Empire with free entry. Today the ruin of the building is one of the landmarks of the city and at the same time a testimony to the high quality architecture of the Romans in antiquity.
Florence Cathedral
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence is the episcopal church of the Archdiocese of Florence and thus the metropolitan church of the ecclesiastical province of Florence. It was consecrated on March 24, 1436 by Pope Eugene IV and bears the title of a “small basilica”. The nave offers space for around 30,000 people. The huge dome, Brunelleschi’s main work, is considered a technical masterpiece of the early Renaissance.
Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre is a coastal area within Liguria, in the northwest of Italy. It lies in the west of La Spezia Province, and comprises five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. The coastline, the five villages, and the surrounding hillsides are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Cinque Terre area is a popular tourist destination. Over the centuries, people have built terraces on the rugged, steep landscape right up to the cliffs that overlook the Ligurian Sea. Paths, trains, and boats connect the villages as cars can only reach them with great difficulty from the outside via narrow and precarious mountain roads.
Pantheon
The Pantheon is an old building in Rome that was consecrated as a church. As a Roman Catholic Church, the official Italian name is Santa Maria ad Martyres. The Pantheon consists of two main elements: a pronaos with a rectangular floor plan and temple facade in the north and a circular, vaulted central building in the south.The Pantheon was built on the Field of Mars and was likely a sanctuary dedicated to all of Rome’s gods.
Trevi fountain
The Trevi Fountain in the Italian Fontana di Trevi is the most popular and, at around 26 meters high and 50 meters wide, the largest fountain in Rome and one of the most famous fountains in the world. It was built from 1732 to 1762 according to a design by Nicola Salvi in the late Baroque style in transition to the classical style after the Palazzo Poli. It is one of the main tourist attractions in Rome.
Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery is a complex of buildings originally built from 1560 to around 1580 for ministries and offices in Florence.The building has housed the Galleria degli Uffizi art collection with paintings and sculptures from antiquity to the late baroque since the beginning of around 1580. They are considered one of the most famous art museums in the world and have been open to the public from the start. With around 2 million visitors, the museum is one of the city’s main attractions.
Roman Forum
The Roman Forum in Rome is the oldest Roman Forum and was the center of political, economic, cultural and religious life. It lies in a depression between the three city hills Capitol, Palatine Hill and Esquiline and has been the site of many public buildings and monuments. It was at the height of its great expansion in the Roman Empire. Today it is one of the most important archaeological sites of ancient Rome.
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Probably the most famous inclined building in the world, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is the symbol of the city of Pisa in Italy. The tower was planned as a free-standing bell tower for the cathedral in Pisa. The reason for its inclination lies in the subsoil of loamy mud and sand, which deforms under the weight. According to the latest excavations, the tower stands on the edge of a former island right next to an old harbor basin that was already silted up at the time of construction.
St. Mark's Square
St. Mark’s Square is the most important and famous square in Venice. St. Mark’s Square is 175 m long and up to 82 m wide and is the only square in the city that bears the name Piazza. The other places in Venice are called Campi because they weren’t originally paved. Since the place is only slightly above sea level, it is flooded again and again at high tide. Like almost the entire city center, the square is one large pedestrian zone. The “most beautiful ballroom in Europe”, as Napoleon called it, is populated by tourists, photographers and pigeons.
Doge's Palace
The Doge’s Palace in Venice had been the seat of the Doge as well as the government and judicial organs of the Republic of Venice since the 9th century. The palace was the government and administrative center of the republic and at the same time a symbol of the greatness and power of the Venetian Maritime Republic. In the early days of the Republic, the popular assembly, the Arrengo, met here to elect the Doge by acclamation.
Milan Cathedral
The Milan Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church in Milan under the patronage of the Nativity of Mary. It is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Milan. In terms of area, it is one of the largest churches in the world. Begun in Gothic form in 1386, the cathedral was not yet completed by the final consecration in 1572 and only got its present facade from the Napoleonic era.
The Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps in Rome are one of the most famous open staircases in the world.
Ponte Vecchio
The Ponte Vecchio is a medieval stone closed-spandrel segmental arch bridge over the Arno River, in Florence, Italy. The only bridge in Florence spared from destruction during the Second World War, it is noted for the shops built along it; building shops on such bridges was once a common practice. Butchers, tanners, and farmers initially occupied the shops; the present tenants are jewelers, art dealers, and souvenir sellers. The Ponte Vecchio’s two neighboring bridges are the Ponte Santa Trinita and the Ponte alle Grazie.
Rialto Bridge
The Rialto Bridge is the oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. Connecting the districts of San Marco and San Polo, it has been rebuilt several times since its first construction as a pontoon bridge in 1173, and is now a significant tourist attraction in the city.
Blue Cave
The Blue Grotto is a cave in the northwest of the island of Capri, the entrance of which is a rock hole in the sea that is only 1.5 meters high. As the daylight reaches the grotto, which is mainly reflected in the sea water below sea level, the water in the cave shimmers in a peculiar blue color. If it is brought with larger boats, the tourists have to change to small boats with 4 to 10 people in order to get into the cave through the narrow entrance. Sometimes the crowd is so large that there are long waiting times in front of the entrance.
Verona Arena
The Verona Arena is a well-preserved Roman amphitheater in the historic center of the Italian city of Verona. She is a symbol of the Venetian city along with the figures of Romeo and Juliet. It is one of the great buildings characteristic of Roman architecture and one of the ancient amphitheaters best preserved thanks to systematic restorations carried out since the 16th century. Precisely for this reason, despite the numerous changes, it allows the visitor to easily imagine the structure of this type of building, strictly subjected to the function for which it was intended, and yet of fundamental beauty.
Positano
Positano in Italy is a village and comune on the Amalfi Coast (Province of Salerno), in Campania, Italy, mainly in an enclave in the hills leading down to the coast. Today tourism is by far the major industry. Positano is also very popular for Limoncello and “L’Albertissimo”, an alcoholic tipple that can only be found at a small stall at the main harbor.
Where to stay
A good night’s sleep is particularly important when you are travelling. Italy offers its guests a host of luxurious, charming and also out-of-the-ordinary accommodation.
Whether in the heart of the city, near the lake or surrounded by nature – Italy’s hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses guarantee a relaxing and invigorating stay.
We managed to find the best three companies that offer hotels, holiday homes and transportation. These are: Booking.com, Trip.com and Vrbo. We have already tested these companies and we warmly recommend them. As a result this will just bring you good deals for your next vacation in Italy.
Top hotels we recommend in Rome : Sina Bernini Bristol, Roma Luxus Hotel, NH Collection Palazzo Cinquecento.
Top hotels we recommend in Florence : Palazzo Montebello, Hotel Bernini Palace, Ville Sull’Arno.
Top hotels we recommend in Venice : Sina Centurion Palace, NH Collection Grand Hotel Palazzo Dei Dogi, Venice Times Hotel.
Traditional food
Ragu Alla Bolognese, or Bolognese sauce, is considered to be the national dish of Italy since it is used widely in Italian cuisine with many traditional Italian dishes and some of the best Italian dishes (spaghetti, tagliatelle, pappardelle, fettuccine…) across Italy.
Pizza, Focaccia- italian flatbread, Spaghetti.
Risotto, Polenta, Seafood, Lasagne, Ribollita, Minestrone.
Italian desserts: Panetonne, Tiramisu, Gelato, Tartufo, Panna Cotta, Cannoli
Restaurants
The best restaurants in Italy: L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele in Naples, Ristorante Don Alfonso 1890 in Sant’Agata Sui Due Golfi, Reale Restaurant in Castel di Sangro, Roma Sparita in Rome, Sibilla Ristorante in Tivoli, Ristorante Paris in Rome, Ratanà in Milan, Piazza Duomo in Alba, La Pergola in Rome, Il Desco in Verona, Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence, Da Vittorio in Brusaporto.
Also, if you will have the opportunity to visit Positano we recommend the restaurant La Sponda- supports romance with incredible views, wonderful atmosphere and spectacular cuisine. We advise you to make a reservation after sunset, when you will be enveloped by the warm light of the over 40 candles that support the dream atmosphere.
Osteria Francescana*three Michelin-starred restaurant in Modena*– The most famous restaurant in Italy is located near the church of San Francesco . It is a restaurant with traditional and contemporary cuisine at the same time, serving Emilian dishes revisited by chef Massimo Bottura, in an exclusive, intimate setting with minimal chic furnishings.
For a unique experience we recommend The Palazzese Restaurant in Bari,located in a cave by the sea, is one of the most sought after spots in the area. Of course, Italian cuisine is in its element in the restaurant created in limestone.
Saving Tips
- It’s no surprise that summer is the busiest tourist season in Italy. If you want to book one of our favorite cheapo hotels, make sure to book as early as possible. For even better rates (and fewer crowds!), visit in the spring or fall.
- The earlier you book your train or bus tickets, the cheaper the seats! By booking directly with the railroad, you can also take advantage of special promotions.
- Most of the larger tourist attractions and museums in Italy offer free entrance days throughout the week or at least once a month. Do some research ahead of time and maybe you can synch up your trip to a few of the free days.
- If you want to save money in Italy, don’t sit outside a Bar to have your coffee. If you are budget conscious, go to the counter and pay for the coffee you want. Once paid, show the receipt to the Barista and have your coffee standing there itself. If you sit outside, you will be charged an extra sum for the table.
- Despite all the crowds and high prices, many tourist attractions are worth a visit. In large cities, a city or city pass is therefore offered. This allows you to admire tourist attractions for less money and you can escape long queues.
- Avoid the Tourist Menu- Instead, go to a place where you would probably spot locals or simply a Pizzeria where pizza ranges from EUR 5-10! You can also go for Pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice) and combine it with a bottle of beer from the supermarket.
- In bigger cities such as Rome, water is in abundance and free because of the many fountains in the city. This helps you save the money for that extra bottle(s) of water. Just remember to keep an empty bottled water and make use of the free fountain water. The tap water in Italy is safe to drink too but don’t rely on it.
-
You can also try Hop-on, Hop-off tours or Big Bus tours and spare some money. As we are presenting a lot of good options you just have to pick the perfect one for you!
If you do not go by car and need to know more informations about the tours, things to see and do, we recommend this two companies that are offering tours for any kind of activity you want to do and where you can buy trips much cheaper than if you buy them when you arrive at your destination. It is always good to be able to save some money!
Viator and Get Your Guide : the best activities in town!
When you think about your dream vacation, you also need to plan your budget! This is why we found the perfect partner – Check24 ! We traveled with a lot of companies and they are the best if you need comfort, luxury but also fair prices! And this is very important! You can now travel and really enjoy your vacation, when you know that you can live your travel dream by paying a fair price.
When you think travel, think Orbitz ! They are one of the leading U.S. online travel websites, offering a full range of travel products and services. They got everything from flights, hotels, and car rentals to cruises, travel insurance, and destination services from suppliers worldwide.
Whe have even more good news! We have the best partners from around the world and you can find your dream vacation right here! We are sure that you will find everything you need – Just check our partners websites and find your dream vacation!
There’s no feeling in the world like connecting with new places, people and experiences through travel. From the iconic to the unexpected, get those “pinch me” moments through a series of Trafalgar highlights others may never know about, or have access to.
Shopping
- Via Rizzoli Bologna- This street is popular for stores offering clothing items and jewelry. Streets near the
- Harbor Portofino- local craftspeople and artisans to high end designer boutiques like Gucci, Ferragamo, Dior, Armani
- Via Polo Turin- This is an excellent shopping street for books and antiquities. The street also has vanguard shops and old workshops.
- Via Garibaldi Genoa- you can find great deals on clothes here.
- Via Mazzini is a top shopping street in the beautiful city of Verona. It is also the largest pedestrian zone here and it is home to numerous stores offering clothes, fashion accessories and shoes
- The top shopping street in Naples is Via Toledo which has one of the longest shopping streets in the city. There are numerous big chain stores, department stores and boutiques here to shop from.
- Mercerie Venice- fashion items, jewelry and costumes on sale.
- Via Giovan Battista Zannoni Florence- quality accessories, bags, jackets
- Via Monte Napoleone Milan- designer clothing items and shoes.
- Via Del Corso Rome- These mile-long streets are home to umpteen shoe stores and popular fashion brands such as Benetton, Diesel
Getting Around
It is very easy to travel in or from Italy. Italy has a well-developed public transport system that consists of railways, metros, buses, ferries, airplanes and other means of transport. You can use the train to travel in the country and outside. Italian railway system is extensive and well connected with the European railway system. The regional network is more extensive in the north, than in the South. An important high-speed train line connects the South with the North of the country going from Naples to Milan and Turin.
In the majority of larger Italian cities, public transportation is available, in the cities like Naples or Milan you have an extensive network of buses connecting all suburbs to the center of the town.
Buying tickets for public transportation varies from city to city, sometimes they are bought at dedicated sales points and other times they are bought on the bus for example, so be sure to check which options are available for the city you are travelling in:
Tourist Tickets (24 hour and 72 hour) – Lots of cities’ bus companies will offer a friendly price for tourists. These tickets usually have a validity from 24 to 72 hours, so tourists can have unlimited rides within that time period. Again, the length of the routes usually affect the price of these tickets. The further you go, the higher the price.
A “carnet” is a collection of tickets you buy at one time. For example, if you have to take the bus back and forth for 5 days, you would want to buy a “carnet 10 corse” and then you’d specify how many zones your route covers so the seller knows what ticket to give you. Every time you get on the bus, you validate that ticket and the machine will punch out one of the numbers to show you have used that ride. This can be a ticket option for tourists, especially those staying a bit longer in certain areas.
One-way tickets are most commonly sold for city buses. They have a period of time that they are valid for use, usually 90 minutes, so within the 90 minutes from validating your ticket on the bus, you can use that ticket for as many rides as you want. However, if it’s after 90 minutes (or whatever time period your ticket says) from the ticket’s validation, you’ll need a new ticket to take the bus. Read on to find out why validating your ticket is so important! Roundtrip ticket Regional buses usually sell roundtrip tickets and it’s pretty straightforward – keep your ticket for the return trip!
Auto Europe Car Rental, provides the clients with the best rates & service in the industry! They offer travelers the best rates at 20,000 pickup locations in over 180 countries worldwide. The Auto Europe Advantage: Free Cancellation Up to 48 Hours Before Pickup, Best Rate Guarantee,24/7 Service Hotline from Pickup to Drop off. Enjoy now a 30% discount!
Getting here
Italy is the most often visited country by tourists in the world so thus it’s no surprise that there are big international airports in Italy in almost every large city. The beautiful country houses a total of 77 airports.
Depending on where you are departing from in the United States or Canada, you are looking at about a 12-hour flight. If you are flying out from the East Coast, it will be in the range of about a 9-hour flight.
Qatar Airways is one of the biggest company in the world with unprecedented expansion, flying to over 160 destinations. Enjoy now a 30% discount by booking your flight with us!
If you have not found your desired flight, or you simply want more flight options to find the best and cheapest, we will help you with the best flight plans, where you will definitely find what you are looking for. With just one click you will find the flight to a wonderful destination!
Getting here by train
One of the best things about traveling Italy by train is a chance to appreciate the allure of the breathtaking landscapes while enjoying a fast and convenient ride to the final destination.
The extensive Italian train system interconnects all major hubs of the country, making train rides in Italy a comfortable way of getting from one city to another. Moreover, the Italy train schedule offers numerous daily departures, so you can easily plan your upcoming adventure.
Train travel is often cheaper than flying, in part because you can generally take more with you before paying extra baggage fees. It can also be more convenient and relaxing than driving, especially if you’d be driving in an unfamiliar place or driving for many hours nonstop to get to your destination.
The main rail connections to its neighbour countries- Switzerland, France and Germany.
Getting here by bus
If your Italy itinerary consists mainly of big cities, or is limited to the northern half of the country, chances are good you’ll be taking trains most of the time. There are plenty of towns in the countryside between the big metropolitan centers, though, that either don’t have train service at all or are simply better served by buses. The main thing to understand when you’re learning about getting around Italy by bus is that there’s no national bus network.
From/to Italy are international bus routes to neighboring countries such as Croatia, Switzerland, France and Slovenia, as well as to other countries such as Serbia, Germany, and Poland. The majority of these international bus lines are daily departures, that are operated by various Italian bus companies.
International buses departures drive from Trieste, Venice, and Bologna. Of course, there are also some international bus departures from other cities throughout the country. Well, there are bus companies that act sort of like European trains in that regard, offering hop-on/hop-off tours. Companies like Eurolines and Omio offer organized tours or simply long-haul coach (bus) transit from one major European city to another. These options may include multiple stops in Italy, so if you’re on a trip through several countries in Europe this is one option that could get you from one Italian region to another by bus.
LEVEL8 is an NYC-born brand for luggage and bag. We exist to bring a leisure and exquisite way of traveling, with suitcases that honored the art of personal presentation and style. For more information on LEVEL8 Luggage collection, visit :
Map
