Where better place to start than Italy\u2019s capital city? Once the capital of the world, Rome has been home to the Roman Catholic church for centuries. Home to the Pantheon, Colosseum and Vatican (in turn home to Michelangelo\u2019s Sistene Chapel ceiling), walk around Rome and you\u2019ll find a living history lesson waiting for you around every corner.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Spend 48 hours in Rome<\/a> with Italy holiday<\/a> experts, Bookings For You.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Florence<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n A key city during the Renaissance period, Florence is a delight for art lovers. The Uffizzi Gallery is home to some of the most important artworks in the world including paintings and sculptures by Michelangelo and Boticelli. Other iconic buildings include the Duomo, Galleria dell\u2019 Accademia and the Ponte Vecchio bridge. However, Florence is also renowned for its beautiful gardens, among them the Boboli Gardens, Giardino Bardini and Giardino delle Rose. This is a city with plenty of green spaces which provide respite from Florence\u2019s charming cobbled streets.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Spend 48 hours in Florence<\/a> with Italian holiday <\/a>experts, Bookings For You.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Venice<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Surely the most famous city in the world, Venice is built on a lagoon and is characterised by charming narrow streets and waterways. Marble palazzos, sparkling mosaics, striking domes, Gothic arches and a network of canals have made Venice famous the world over but there is still a hidden Venice<\/a> beyond the tourist trail waiting to be discovered.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Cinque Terre<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Made up of five picturesque villages \u2013 Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, the Cinque Terre has to be explored on foot. Don those sensible shoes and hike along the clifftop paths from village to village.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Italian Lakes<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In the North of Italy, easily accessible from Milan lies Italy\u2019s lake region. Lake Garda, Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, Lake Iseo, Lake Lugano and Lake Orta make up its principal lakes. All are equally stunning but all have their own unique character – think of Lake Como as home to spectacular art nouveau villas and lakeside gardens with celebrities flocking to buy their second homes there. In contrast, think of Lake Orta as sleepy and laid back and as Lake Maggiore as seductive today as when it was when Ernest Hemingway stayed there to write ‘A Farewell to Arms.’ Whilst here, make sure you visit Italy\u2019s financial and fashion capital \u2013 Milan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Choose the Italian Lake district for your next Italian holiday<\/a> destination and find the perfect Italian Lakes villa rentals<\/a> with Bookings For You.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Tuscany<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Italy\u2019s oldest tourist destination, Tuscany was a prominent destination as early as the 18th<\/sup> century as part of the Grand Tour. Home to some of Italy’s most famous cities – Florence, Siena and Pisa – Tuscany is also where you’ll also find Italy’s most famous wine-making region – Chianti. Rolling hillsides dotted with vineyards and olive groves and broken up by tall cypress trees lead to idyllic smaller towns and villages including Lucca, San Gimignano, Cortona and Montepulciano. Tuscany is a region that needs no introduction but, if you’re visiting Tuscany for the first time, expect to have a number of ‘goosebump moments’. This is an awe-inspiring place to visit!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Check out our Tuscany villa rentals<\/a> here.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Sicily<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Our favourite of Italy\u2019s islands, Sicily is a real melting pot of cultures, with influences from both East and West and from both Europe and Africa. With a history that stretches back into ancient times, its ancient Greek and Roman ruins are second to none whilst its beaches are sensational and its towns and cities simply fascinating. It\u2019s also home to some of Italy\u2019s best cuisine. For those with a sweet tooth, make sure to try cannoli and cassata before you leave.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Check out our Sicily villa rentals<\/a> here.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Sardinia<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Home to some of Italy\u2019s best beaches, Sardinia is an extremely diverse island. Whilst the North East of the island around Costa Smeralda may attract the ultra rich and famous, the South of the island is much more rugged and rural. Sardinia must surely be the most diverse of all Italy’s regions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Amalfi Coast<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Home to some of italy\u2019s most dramatic scenery (I challenge anyone to drive the cliffside road between Sorrento and Ravello and not have to close their eyes in sheer terror at least once!!), the Amalfi Coast is characterised by vertical cliff tops that drop into the turquoise sea below, dotted with pastel coloured villages, small coves and beaches. Fly into Naples (the birthplace of pizza) and visit one of Italy\u2019s most fascinating archaeological sites \u2013 Pompeii \u2013 whilst you\u2019re here.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Stay at one of the Sorrento villa rentals<\/a> available from Bookings For You.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Puglia<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Puglia was hardly known amongst tourists as little as 20 years ago but now it\u2019s one of Italy\u2019s most popular tourist spots. Not surprising when you take a look at the incredible coastline and stunning beaches that it boasts along with the plethora of charming towns and villages that are dotted throughout its idyllic countryside. Being a relatively new destination for tourists, you’ll also find a lot of the accommodation options here much more contemporary even if they’re enclosed within ancient trullo walls.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Check out our Puglia villa rentals<\/a> here and enjoy reading our Puglia travel guide<\/a> so that you’re familiar with all the things to see and do in Puglia when you visit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Italy is a country that needs no introduction. Home to some of the world\u2019s most famous and iconic cities and with scenery familiar the world over thanks to being the backdrop of countless films over the years, Italy is, year after year, the 5th most popular country in the world when it comes to tourist visitor numbers. But, what if you\u2019re visiting for the first time? What are Italy\u2019s top 10 places to visit if you\u2019re looking to make some inroads into your Italian bucket list? Rome Where better place to start than Italy\u2019s capital city? Once the capital of the world, Rome has been home to the Roman Catholic church for centuries. Home to the Pantheon, Colosseum and Vatican (in turn home to Michelangelo\u2019s Sistene Chapel ceiling), walk around Rome and you\u2019ll find a living history lesson waiting for you around every corner. Spend 48 hours in Rome with Italy holiday experts, Bookings For You. Florence A key city during the Renaissance period, Florence is a delight for art lovers. The Uffizzi Gallery is home to some of the most important artworks in the world including paintings and sculptures by Michelangelo and Boticelli. Other iconic buildings include the Duomo, Galleria dell\u2019 Accademia and the Ponte Vecchio bridge. However, Florence is also renowned for its beautiful gardens, among them the Boboli Gardens, Giardino Bardini and Giardino delle Rose. This is a city with plenty of green spaces which provide respite from Florence\u2019s charming cobbled streets. Spend 48 hours in Florence with Italian holiday experts, Bookings For You. Venice Surely the most famous city in the world, Venice is built on a lagoon and is characterised by charming narrow streets and waterways. Marble palazzos, sparkling mosaics, striking domes, Gothic arches and a network of canals have made Venice famous the world over but there is still a hidden Venice beyond the tourist trail waiting to be discovered. Cinque Terre Made up of five picturesque villages \u2013 Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, the Cinque Terre has to be explored on foot. Don those sensible shoes and hike along the clifftop paths from village to village. Italian Lakes In the North of Italy, easily accessible from Milan lies Italy\u2019s lake region. Lake Garda, Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, Lake Iseo, Lake Lugano and Lake Orta make up its principal lakes. All are equally stunning but all have their own unique character – think of Lake Como as home to spectacular art nouveau villas and lakeside gardens with celebrities flocking to buy their second homes there. In contrast, think of Lake Orta as sleepy and laid back and as Lake Maggiore as seductive today as when it was when Ernest Hemingway stayed there to write ‘A Farewell to Arms.’ Whilst here, make sure you visit Italy\u2019s financial and fashion capital \u2013 Milan. Choose the Italian Lake district for your next Italian holiday destination and find the perfect Italian Lakes villa rentals with Bookings For You. Tuscany Italy\u2019s oldest tourist destination, Tuscany was a prominent destination as early as the 18th century as part of the Grand Tour. Home to some of Italy’s most famous cities – Florence, Siena and Pisa – Tuscany is also where you’ll also find Italy’s most famous wine-making region – Chianti. Rolling hillsides dotted with vineyards and olive groves and broken up by tall cypress trees lead to idyllic smaller towns and villages including Lucca, San Gimignano, Cortona and Montepulciano. Tuscany is a region that needs no introduction but, if you’re visiting Tuscany for the first time, expect to have a number of ‘goosebump moments’. This is an awe-inspiring place to visit! Check out our Tuscany villa rentals here. Sicily Our favourite of Italy\u2019s islands, Sicily is a real melting pot of cultures, with influences from both East and West and from both Europe and Africa. With a history that stretches back into ancient times, its ancient Greek and Roman ruins are second to none whilst its beaches are sensational and its towns and cities simply fascinating. It\u2019s also home to some of Italy\u2019s best cuisine. For those with a sweet tooth, make sure to try cannoli and cassata before you leave. Check out our Sicily villa rentals here. Sardinia Home to some of Italy\u2019s best beaches, Sardinia is an extremely diverse island. Whilst the North East of the island around Costa Smeralda may attract the ultra rich and famous, the South of the island is much more rugged and rural. Sardinia must surely be the most diverse of all Italy’s regions. Amalfi Coast Home to some of italy\u2019s most dramatic scenery (I challenge anyone to drive the cliffside road between Sorrento and Ravello and not have to close their eyes in sheer terror at least once!!), the Amalfi Coast is characterised by vertical cliff tops that drop into the turquoise sea below, dotted with pastel coloured villages, small coves and beaches. Fly into Naples (the birthplace of pizza) and visit one of Italy\u2019s most fascinating archaeological sites \u2013 Pompeii \u2013 whilst you\u2019re here. Stay at one of the Sorrento villa rentals available from Bookings For You. Puglia Puglia was hardly known amongst tourists as little as 20 years ago but now it\u2019s one of Italy\u2019s most popular tourist spots. Not surprising when you take a look at the incredible coastline and stunning beaches that it boasts along with the plethora of charming towns and villages that are dotted throughout its idyllic countryside. Being a relatively new destination for tourists, you’ll also find a lot of the accommodation options here much more contemporary even if they’re enclosed within ancient trullo walls. Check out our Puglia villa rentals here and enjoy reading our Puglia travel guide so that you’re familiar with all the things to see and do in Puglia when you visit. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":10745,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-right-sidebar.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[416,411,173],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10732","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bookings-for-you","category-inspiration","category-italy"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/bookingsforyou.com\/blog\/images\/2021\/09\/Rome-colosseum-1024x682.jpg\")
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