Being based in Italy begs numerous long-weekend trips, but narrowing down your travel schedule may be a challenge. Each town or city in Italy has its own character, so we’ve created a short list of six of them to help you decide, based on the type of traveler you are. Here are six travel ideas for a long weekend in Italy.
Rome
The capital of Italy and home to the Catholic Church has thousands of years of rich history: the pull of the Eternal City is inevitable. From the Roman Forum, with the landmark Colosseum, to the Vatican City with St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, the list of what to see could be endless. But sometimes, you just want to wander around and take in all that history, appreciating the way that it creates visible layers – an ancient column worked into a modern façade, a Medieval church next to a 19th-century house.
The many fountains of Rome are another thing to look out for as they signify the strength of the various rulers and benefactors who built them. The one immortalized by films is the recently restored Trevi Fountain, where legend has it that tossing in a coin will ensure a trip back to Rome!
The food lover will find solace in Rome’s down-home trattorie, where pasta with cacio e pepe should be on most menus – creamy and simple, with the kick of freshly cracked black pepper. Vegetarians also have a blast with the many simply prepared and delicious seasonal vegetables like artichokes (in the fall), made every which way, or the bitter puntarelle served with anchovy sauce, or other bitter vegetables prepared simply on the grill.
Naples
The ruins of Pompeii, south of Naples, are on the bucket list of every art and history lover, while Naples may be given the backseat due to its gritty, chaotic reputation. But give it a moment and you’ll realize that this city has more of a bustling aura than a chaotic one. Not only is it Italy’s third largest, but also one of its oldest, artistic cities, but its city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with impressive archeological riches in the midst of an urban stretch of tumult and confusion. It may seem shabby and unkempt, but dig a little deeper, and its elegance will catch you off guard.
What art has come off the street has made it into the Naples Archeological Museum that also holds almost all of the artifacts, sculptures and frescoes found among the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Other parts of the collection come from the Farnese family. Naples is the city to use as a base when planning trips to Capri, Pompeii, Sorrento and anywhere else around the Bay of Naples.
If Italy is famous for pizza, Naples is the place you must have it, since pizza was invented here in the 19th century. It’s safe to say the Neapolitans know how it’s done. It’s a simple but tasty dough that should contain nothing more than flour, salt and water, topped with fresh tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella and – for purists – not much else.
Palermo
The big Sicilian city of Palermo is heartbreakingly beautiful with its vast number of churches in the distinctive style of this city. The main architectural influence is Byzantine, but the style you’ll see most is Sicilian Baroque. There are so many small churches, it’s worth just walking around and deeking in to everything you find! (Here’s good list of things to do and art to see in Palermo.) Give Palermo the time it deserves, and stay right in the center to make the most of it.
Another fascination that attracts tourists is the open air markets. Bustling with energy and life, the crowds can be heard from quite a distance, haggling for the best price on fresh fish or seasonal fruits. Set aside a morning to go to one of the main markets like Vucciria or Capo to get a good idea of what the lifestyle in Palermo. Palermo is a foodie paradise, with everything from street food to gourmet available 24/7.
You’re on an island, so don’t skip the beach! The closest to the city, reachable by bus, is Mondello, a perfect kind of paradise with turquoise water and soft sand. Find a seafood restaurant by the water and dig in – this is as fresh as it gets!
Verona
Verona, fondly known as the city of Romeo and Juliet, captivates you with its very name. This city attracts people seeking romantic getaways because of its connection to one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies. Every year, thousands of people flock to see Juliet’s Balcony, in the house that was built in the 13th century and belonged to the ‘Dal Capello’ or ‘Cappelleti,’ to touch Juliet’s bronze statue, which is known to bring good luck in the search for love… and of course to stand on the balcony and be Juliet for a thrilling 2 second photo shoot.
The Arena di Verona should definitely be on your list of places to visit in Verona, and if you can manage it, catch a show while you’re there. Open air opera is definitely an experience of a lifetime. This arena hosted games like the ones in Rome’s Colosseum and is one of the most well preserved ancient structures of its kind. The medieval fortress of Castelvecchio and its bridge are another must-see if you like imaging what life was like in the past. For food, shopping and taking in the culture of Verona at its finest, the energy of the centro rotates around the famous piazza delle Erbe, which was once the city’s market square.
Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi coast, a 43-mile stretch of winding roads overlooking breathtaking views of the Tyrrhenian Sea with tiny little villas and towns jutting out on the edges, is every traveler’s dream destination. While the summer sees tourists swarming on the beaches and in the towns, crowds dissipate in the fall, so in late September or October you can still enjoy the sun and sea, without the close neighbours.
There are a number of ways to get around the Amalfi Coast, be it buses, hydrofoils or boats. Some of the most popular towns to visit are Amalfi (obviously), Sorrento, which is a train-ride away from Naples and the starting point of the long and winding road that takes your through the coast, and Positano, for its dizzying views of the sea. If you love gardens and music, head to Ravello for its two famous villas, Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, where you can wander through fragrant grounds smelling of lemon blossoms and the salty ocean below. Another highlight, and something worth lining up for at least once in your life, is the blue grotto of Capri.
Milan
And finally Milan, the Italian fashion capital, up there with New York, Paris and London. Head out to the ‘golden triangle,’ the name given to Milan’s famous streets, Via Monte Napoleone, Via della Spiga and those that run between them, Via San’t Andrea, Via Gesù, Via Borgospesso. Even if buying is not on the agenda, some of these shops boast some marvelous décor and interiors, and the window shopping is free!
The Duomo is the main tourist destination in Milan. The church is magnificent with its Medieval spires and beautiful stained glass windows. From the Duomo the main artistic highlights are well within walking distance. La Scala, Milan’s Opera house is a two minute walk away, and Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper (the damaged fresco masterpiece that in the monastery attached to the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie), is a 10 minute walk. The Sforza Castle is an extensive museum that is also worth a visit. But to really get to know Milan means to get out of this area and find the niches of design, like via Tortona, with quirky bookshops and cafés and art galleries, or the big design museum, the Triennale, with its excellent temporary exhibitions.
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