SUMMER IDEAS

7 Ravishing Experiences to Indulge in on Your Italian Vacation

Aditi Mathur Kumar

Last updated: Feb 5, 2020

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A trip to Italy cannot be complete without a boat ride in Venice, the renaissance art in Florence and lip-smacking Italian food. But there is a lot more to do in Italy than just the popular touristy things. Here are 7 must-have experiences in Italy that will bring you closer to the spirit of this beautiful holiday destination.

1. Time-travel at the Sunken City of Baia

This is a submerged archaeological park that flaunts the wonders of a Roman Sodom. Once a flourishing city of ancient Rome, Baia is now submerged under water, and the crumbled structures and mesmerising statues of the city make for a fascinating sight. Take your pick from glass-bottomed boats, or snorkelling and scuba diving to witness the glory of Baia’s copious ruins.

2. Get Your Fill of History at the Sassi di Matera

A legacy allegedly left by the first human residents in Italy, this is a mystical city complex comprising prehistoric houses that were carved out of white tuff rock. Many of the houses are caves on the rooftops of other houses, and you will be stunned by the underground web of tunnels here. The city is an example of a troglodyte settlement, and is a UNESCO site.

3. Relish in the Food Festivals Held in Emilia Romagna

Food is the highlight of every trip to Italy. Attend the famous ‘Festival del Proscuitto di Parma’ in the city of Parma to feast on its most famous export—Parma Ham. Or plan for the White Truffle Fair at Sant’Agata Feltria (or 'Truffle City') near Rimini in October. There’s even a festival dedicated to salt that’s held in Cervia every September. Honestly, this is the best way to experience Italy.

4. Go on a Boat Excursion from Amalfi Coast to Capri

The sight of colourful villages along the indented coastline formed by the Lattari Mountains will etch itself in your memory for a long time. This cruise lets you explore an abundantly rich side of Italy, taking you from one incredible spot to another until you reach Capri. Here, you can dive straight from the boat into the alluring water, and swim in the Mediterranean. Most boats will also serve drinks and you can enjoy music while on board.

5. Explore Tuscany on Vespa

Who doesn’t love the brightly coloured Vespas in Italy? And renting one in your favourite colour is the best way to see the lush hills, luxuriant valleys and endless fields of poppy and sunflowers. Drive across the landscape and see various towns perched on hills that are home to hearty food and some stunning architecture by the Italian masters. You can also spend some time sampling the wine and cheese in the area. Added bonus is the picturesque drive that makes for an amazing backdrop for photographs.

6. Visit the Vatican

You can’t come to Italy and not visit the Vatican! Seeing the famous Vatican Palace, the Sistine Chapel and various pontifical galleries is a once in a lifetime experience. Centred on the grand St Peter's Basilica and Piazza San Pietro, Vatican is the spiritual hub of the Catholic world, and also one of Rome's most popular areas. We say you don’t miss out on this one, even if the queues take some time—it is worth every second.

7. Throw a Coin in the Fontana di Trevi

Trevi is one of the most famous fountains in the world, and once you see it, you will fall in love with the play of light, shade and wind with the marble structure that makes it move in a mesmerizing rhythm. And the legends have it that if you throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, tossing it over your shoulder with your back to the fountain, you will return to Rome once more. So, prepare for your next trip to Italy already!

We hope these must-have experiences in Italy will inspire you to go beyond the set itinerary and explore the wonders of this unique destination at its best. Let us know about your Italy trip in the comments.

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Aditi Mathur Kumar

Aditi Mathur Kumar is a Travel writer & Blogger, a TEDx Speaker, an adventure addict and an author of 2 books. She blogs at Aditi's Monologue (aditimathurkumar.com) and dreams of traveling the world, twice.

Comments

Jocelyn McDonald | on 21 June 2018

My fiance and I are getting married soon, and we're planning our honeymoon in Italy, though we aren't sure what to do when we get there. Your article had some great advice on experiences to have in Italy, and I really liked how you mentioned to consider renting a Vespa that we can use to explore the beauty of Tuscany. Thanks for the helpful post; we'll keep this advice in mind when planning our Italian honeymoon.