My three months in Ireland are almost over and I have to say I found out something about myself I would have never expected: I’ve really missed Italy.
You know, I’ve always been a traveller and I always thought how cool it would have been living abroad; I’m still of the same idea but at the same time being far from my country for 90 days or so made me realise how I love it and appreciate it even with all its weaknesses.
That’s why, my dear Irish folks, I want to leave Ireland giving you few tips on places to visit in Italy that you may not know, especially if you’d like to see as much as possible from the North to the South.
Enjoy!
“So goodbye for a while I'm off to explore
Every boundary and every door
Yeah I'm going north” - Missy Higgins
1. Sud Tirolo, Curon Venosta (Bolzano)
Curon Venosta is a municipality in South Tyrol in northern Italy, located about 70 kilometers northwest of Bolzano, on the border with Austria and Switzerland.
In the 1950s, due to the creation of the artificial Lake of Resia, a little old town called Curon was completely submerged. Recently the borough was rebuilt from the lake.
The only evidence of the old Curon’s location is now the upper part of the original bell-tower which comes out from the water.
The myth says that many of the habitants after seeing their homes submerged by the artificial lake decided to move to another county because the nostalgia of the old Curon was too much for them to deal with.
I myself have not had a chance to visit yet, but doesn't it look like the set of a medieval love story?
2. Lombardia, Lecco Lake
Many of you will surely know the great Lake Garda or the most famous Lake Como where lots of celebs such as George Clooney have bought villas nearby on the foothills.
If you have already planned a trip to the area, why not to visit Lecco? It's a beautiful city on the slopes of the south-eastern branch of Lake Como which is less known but just as gorgeous.
Eat in one of the restaurants by the water for great Italian food and a great view.
3. Veneto, Murano
If it’s your first visit in the “Bel Paese” you’ll most likely be heading to Venice, one of the most beautiful Italian cities. If you’re staying more than one day in the Serenissima, you can’t definitely miss a little trip (by boat, obviously) to Murano!
Murano is a series of islands linked by bridges in the Venetian Lagoon which is very famous for the art of making glass. You will be astonished by the glasses exposed in the shops and you could also enjoy a little tour to see the glass-makers at work.
“Here I am, stucked in the middle with you” - STEALERS WHEEL
4. Marche, Urbino e Gradara
Urbino is a city in the Marche region of Italy, a World Heritage Site notable for a remarkable historical legacy of independent Renaissance culture, especially under the patronage of Federico da Montefeltro, duke of Urbino from 1444 to 1482.
This city is full of stories that are extremely evocative of the Middle Ages. It’s full of things to see if you are in love with Italian history, you will fall for the Palazzo Ducale.
Urbino also hosts one of the oldest universities in Italy, so it’s night-life might surprise you!
The town of Gradara hosts the Gradara Castle, one of the most visited medieval fortresses of the region. There is a myth that says that two royals, Paolo and Francesca, became lovers but were murdered behind the castle’s walls by Francesca's husband Gianciotto after he caught them together. Their story was immortalized by Dante in his masterpiece, the Divine Comedy.
Nowadays the castle is the scene of artistic events such as dramatic representations, expositions at the museum of the castle and much more.
I grew up in the region of Marche and I can assure that, while it is not well known to tourists, it is definitely worth a visit. Not only to see Urbino and Gradara, but also to swim in the Adriatic Sea in Sirolo and Numana’s beaches.
If you’re looking for the real Italian movida, don’t forget to check out Rimini and Riccione!
5. Toscana, Castello Moresco di Sammezzano
I presume that all of you have heard of Tuscany, don't tell me you haven’t seen Eat, Pray, Love with Julia Roberts at least once! If you’re following Julia's steps to Tuscany then you are most likely heading towards Florence. Nothing wrong with that, Florence is amazing! However, if I were you I won’t stop there. Instead, I would add a few extra days to my trip so I could see more of the region, which is full of beautiful landscapes and history.
One of the sites that you I would recommend is the Castle of Sammezzano, an Italian palace in Tuscany notable for its Moorish revival architectural style.
If you’re travelling during the summer take off the gear and relax at Saturnia terme in the Province of Grosseto.
6. Lazio, Tarquinia e Cerveteri
As you well know, Italy is full of history. But that doesn't mean its restricted to just museums and architectures! A lot of people don’t like to hang out in museums, and I get it, so for you, I would recommend a guided tour with a little fresh air!
Tarquinia and Cerveteri are two Etruscan Necropolis set nearby the name-sake cities and not too far from Viterbo, a gorgeous municipality.
This area is at the top of the region of Lazio, so if you are there to visit Rome you won’t too far away to reach these archaeological sites or the city of Viterbo!
7. Umbria, Narni
Have you ever heard about the best seller The Chronicles of Narnia? Well, C. S. Lewis took inspiration for the name of his imaginary land right over this Italian borough.
Narni (in Latin, Narnia) is an ancient hill-town and commune of Umbria, in central Italy – not so far from Perugia where you can buy the great Perugina's chocolate.
This little city is not only full of history, but it’s a great place to take walks, relax and eat delicious food as well. If you visit in May when you will see the amazing celebration of Saint Juvenal of Narni’s and find yourself completely transported to the past.
Two weeks of historical re-enactments of medieval times and the “Ring Rush” will make you feel like you are living in the Middle Ages.
A group of people during the annual San Juvenal revocation, Narni, Umbria, Italy
“Come on take my hand,
I'm going back down south now.” – Back Down South, Kings of Leon
8. Vallone dei Mulini, Sorrento
Ah, the South. I was born in Naples so I can’t avoid saying that you must visit the South of Italy! The great thing about my country is that each of its regions is completely different from the other.
Saying that, if you’re travelling to see Naples or the Amalfi Coast – you can’t miss Ischia, Capri, Positano and Amalfi – you could spend a bit more in the city of Sorrento.
Hanging around in the city of Sorrento will be great, but why not to see something special? Vallone dei Mulini or Valley of the Mills, is a historic valley originates from the antediluvian waters in tufa plane about 37,000 years ago, following the eruption of the Campi Flegrei.
9. Sicily, The reserve of Zingaro
“La Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro” is a natural reserve which stretches along about 7 kilometers of unspoiled coastline of the Gulf of Castellammare and it's mountain chain which is the setting of little bays and steep cliffs. The area has an abundance of plants and also a rich fauna, plus has also a rich archaeological past, as in the spectacular Uzzo Grotto there was one of the first prehistoric settlements in Sicily.
It’s difficult to stop here because I’m aware of how many stunning spots Italy could offer to you! I hope that this little list will be a good start for you to learn more about my country by getting beyond the most famous cities or sites. I’m waiting for you in Italy…Buon Viaggio!
