My Travels in Italy
- Some History of Italy
- Travels to Cloisters - Italy
- Rome - short History
- Florence - some history and highlights
- Venice - some history
- Amalfi - historical notes
Italy is divided into 20 regions. Each region is divided into Provinces, and each province is divided into municipalities.
We have travelled to all but the Trentino-Alto Adige and Sardenga Regions and only passed through the Friuli-Venezia Giulia on our way to CroatiA, not spending enough time in the Region to say we have toured it.
Our Travel Journal includes information on various towns and cities of each of the Region collected over many years of visiting Italy.
This region has a lot of variety with mountains, plains, many rivers, cities. The Monferrato area is hilly, and the rolling terrain of the Langhe is one of our favorite areas. If you like wines such as Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera, Nebbiolo and Gattinara do not miss this area. Lake Maggiore and Orta will also be memorable locations. There area plenty of castles,abbeys and cathedrals.
Turin has impressive 18th century architecture as this and the surrounding area was the area where the Savory Family lived. The Mole Antonelliana, Egyptian Museum, and Superga are all impressive.
On one of trips from France we make a point of taking the highway through the mountains so that we would be able tour this Region. It is in the north west corner of Italy. Drive under the impressive Mont Blanc and you enter into this region. There are some interesting castles to visit as your make your way through the Region.
Milan is the centre of this region. Be ready for hours of driving through farmland. But, get off the autostrada and all along the flat plane are small rivers with interesting towns. In the northern area of this region are the Alps, and the "lake district" of Italy. Como, the lake as well as the city are ery interesting. Bellagio, Tremezzo and other locations have been pleasant visits. You need time to travel along the lakes as visiting the Villas and just covering distances on the two lane windy roads along the lakes takes time. Lake Garda is stunning and a visit to Sirmione is a must. It is easy to make time across the plain, so plan to visit Pavia, Brescia, Cremona, Bergamo and Mantua.
Think Venice and that is only part of this Region. Veneto means Venice, and this city is a must. How long will it last? Despite the hordes of tourists that crowd the city each day, it is on your "must see list". Of course if you stay in Venice or nearby, then you will be able to enjoy the city after the tourists leave. Saint Mark, the Doges, Marco Polo, gondolas, cut glass, Grand Canal, Goldoni, 400 bridges and 118 islands.
Outside of Venice, drive along the Brenta Canal and visit some of Palladio's villas. They can also be seen via a canal tour from Venice.
We have only a little experience in this Region. We travelled through it to visit Croatia. Trieste was an interesting city, and we enjoyed our stay just outside of the city along the coast. One visit was enough but we do not mean that statement in a harsh spirit. It is down the list of places you have to see.
Known for the rivieras the Region has an exceptional climate and stunning coastlines.
We have to visit Genoa as it has stunning architecture and the city has gone through quite a transformation over the past years.
"Pesto" is the Ligurian sauce par excellence so be sure to have pasta with a pesto sauce. You can walk that off when you take one of the walks along the Cinque Terre.
» See Travel Journal
Now this is a region of food. Conde Naste Magazine has been called this the hidden treasure of Italy for a couple of years.
Every town seems to have a medieval cathedral, castle and a couple of those interesting brick towers. This was the location of a number of rich families that ruled the area. This includes the Farnese family in Piacenza and Parma, the Este family in Reggio Emilia, Modena and Ferrara, the Malatesta family in Rimini, the Bentivoglios in Bologna. Rich families leave art and museums and galleries abound.
We have truly enjoyed Bologna with the Basilica of St. Petronio and the Asinelli and Garisenda towers. Reggio Emilia, Piacenza, Modena, Ferrara, Parma are all towns with character. If you are touring the area often a day in each town is enough.
Eat. This is a region known for meat dishes, sausages, Comacchio eels, tortellini and lasagna. Wines include Lambrusco, Sangiovese, Albana, Bianco di Scandiano.
» See Travel Journal
When you mention to friends you are going to Italy, you will probably be asked, "are you going to Tuscany". Sure, why not.
The landscape of Tuscany is magical and you will need a car. This is not a region you can see by train. There are plenty of fortified Romanesque churches as well as Renaissance "castelli" and palaces. If there is a hill, there is an old town and structure on top.
The main centres of Florence, Siena, Lucca, Pisa all deserve time to visit. Pisa, however, is now over-run with tourists. Gone are the days we remember of walking up to the Tower or the Duomo. It is a place of tickes, line-ups and way too many people possing in front of anything and everything for the picture they just have to take home.
The Etruscan cities of Cortona and Arezzo are very interesting and well off the high density tourist routes.
Try a T-bone steak (alla Fiorentina) and drink plenty of Chianti and Brunello da Maontalcino wine.
Visit once, visit many times.
» See Travel Journal
There is plenty to see in this Region. Orvieto, Assisi, Todi, Perugia, Gubbio, Spoleto are just some of the spots. Give yourselve plenty of time to see the Region as you will find it seems to take a considerable time to drive from one location to another.
We have used Orvieto as a base for a number of our visits. Orvieto has one of the most stunning cathedrals of Italy and the town is a nice size to walk about. Lack of cars in the centre certainly makes it more enjoyable.
Black truffles on pasta. Of yes, the classic wine Orvieto is a must!
» See Travel Journal
We sure enjoy that relatively few tourists go to this region. It has it all, hills with medieval towns. Some stunning architecture and some pretty good beaches - be selective - along the coast.
Put Urbino on your list of places not to be missed. You will enjoy the Ducal Palace and the Collegio degii Scolopi. Ascoli Piceno has Roman and medieval remains and a very impressive and pleasnt look. Fermo and Tolentino has very impressive churches.
Eating here is also very good with fish soup, roast pig (porchetta), tournedos alla Rossini, and Fabriano salami. Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, and Piceno red, are its best known wines.
» See Travel Journal
This is the area around Rome. Viterbo has a rich Etruscan history and as been linked with Rome. Don't miss it. The Montecassino Abbey, Tivoli are all worth a visit. Few write about it, but the coastal town of Sperlunga is very enjoyable and only a few hours from Rome.
Food in this Region is a bit below the ranking of some others, but try lamb, artichokes and of course spaghetti alla carbonara. The wines include "Castelli" wines, there is also Montefiascone's Est! Est! Est!
Mountains and coastline. Nicely off the most visited places, touring this area will yield a real Italian experience. The most important town includes L'Aquila. We have not been back since the eathquake of 2009.
Trebbiano wines are from this area.
» See Travel Journal
You may drive through this Region if you arrive in Italy via Bari, and most will pass through the Region on the way to someplace else. The Monforte Castle is very interesting.
You want polenta - this is the Region. Drink lots of Montepulciano wine.
This is our second home. Castera is a grand Italian palace like no other. Naples has colours you will never forget. The Amalfi Coast will be on your list of places you just much go back to.
Travel to Paestum and see three of the best preserved Greek Temples you will ever see, all without the crowds and tour buses. Pompeii is worth the better part of a day to walk and enjoy. I guess we should also note Capri although we are not sure what the draw is.
Eat lots of sea food and enjoy pizza. Wines include Falerno, Epomeo, Gragnano and Lacrima Christi. Find a good one and stick with it as this is not a region that has a range of wines that are just so so.
» See Travel Journal
Do plan a visit to this Region. You will not be the majority of tourists but you will very interesting towns and sights. Along the southernmost part of the Adriatic Sea, with the Gulf of Taranto, the Salentina peninsula and the Ionian Sea this is a Region to see.
Lecce has beautiful Baroque monuments, Otranto is a plesant town for a night's stay.
Fish soup, and fusilli pasta are to be enjoyed. Drink Aleatico, Moscato di Trani, delle Murge or del Salento wines.
» See Travel Journal
Matera is built from the rock cliffs. The "sassi" dwellings make this a must to see.
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We have travelled through Calabria, usually on the way to Sicility, but on more recent trips slowed down to enjoy the Region. Tropea is an interesting town with a great beach.
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We have travelled to Scicly twice. There is much to see. Agrigento, Gela, Tindari, Erice, Taormina, Syracuse. The temples are impressive and again, generally lack the crowds although more than you will find in Pasteum. See the Temples of Segesta and Selinunte.
Syracuse is intersting and one of those easy to take cities. Baroque architecture is at its best in Noto. Palermo has impressive sites and, after avoiding the city for years what did I expect in terms of the Mafia? The Cathedral, the Palatine Chapel and Monreale Cathedral are not to be missed.
Cefalu along the coast has all the charm one would expect. Capo San Vito is a soothing place to have some beach time. Take one of the boat trips to see the Zingaro Natural Reserve from the water.
» See Travel Journal
On out list of places to see.