Arabia Weather - From lakes to mountains and cities to the sea, Italy offers a huge diversity of landscapes and experiences for travelers to enjoy. Whether you're looking for an adrenaline-packed vacation or a quiet resort, a lively city experience or a cultural immersion, this is your guide to some of the distinctive and lesser-known experiences in Belle Bay.
Italy is well known for its artisanal cuisine and food traditions, and visitors can get an inside look at how some of the best food products are sourced or produced. Put on your hiking boots to hunt for truffles in the Piedmont forests. By following dogs specially trained to hunt for truffles, you will follow in the footsteps of those who have been doing this for centuries.
Every corner of Italy has a rich and complex history, and depending on your interests you can explore sites from the Romans to the Renaissance. For a special experience at one of the most famous museums in the world, consider taking a private after-hours tour of the Vatican Museums, or even signing up for a Vatican Museum Key Tour as they open the halls in the morning.
If you love Roman history, the ancient Roman city of Herculaneum, near Naples, is a must-see. The eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD (the same eruption that destroyed Pompeii) covered the city with meters of mud, preserving the city as it was. For a unique experience, take a tour with an archaeologist as they bring the city to life as you walk through ancient streets and tour Roman villas and baths, while admiring the frescoes and mosaics.
If you're looking for activities to get your adrenaline pumping, Italy offers many upscale options. The central Italian region of Emilia-Romagna is home to sports car manufacturers such as Lamborghini, Maserati and Ferrari, and visitors in search of speed can test drive these cars on the track or on the streets of Maranello.
Perhaps heights are what you are looking for, and a helicopter tour over Mount Etna in Sicily will suit you. See the modern lava flows and historic volcanoes of Europe's largest active volcano from the air.
If you are looking for a wild mountain adventure, take a guided hiking trip on the Via Ferrata in the Italian Dolomites. These climbing routes vary from beginner to advanced, and hikers use a harness to attach to steel cables, runways and ladders as they climb to the tops of the mountains to enjoy the stunning views.
Opera originated in Italy more than 400 years ago and is a thriving art form to this day. One of the coolest places to watch shows is at the first-century AD Roman Arena in Verona. The summer opera season allows viewers to sit under the stars in this open-air arena, one of the largest in the Roman Empire.
For a more interactive experience, head to the Venetian island of Murano. For more than 700 years, the island has been home to the city's historic glass craftsmen, and visitors can sign up for their own glassblowing experience, where they can create a small piece of glass to take home.
For the ultimate relaxation, head to the oceans, lakes or mountains. Looking for a coastal escape? Head to the islands of Ischia and Procida in the Gulf of Naples. Ischia is a lovely alternative to nearby Capri, boasting luxury hotels, thermal springs, coastal restaurants and sandy beaches. Neighboring Brucida, Italy's Capital of Culture in 2022, boasts the pretty pastel-colored port of Coricella and black sand beaches. The two islands are connected by ferry and can be visited together.
If you want a freshwater trip, there's nothing like Italy's Northern Lakes region, which stretches from Milan to Verona. For an authentic Italian experience, rent a classic wooden boat on Lake Como and cruise around the lake while admiring historic palaces, sunbathing and swimming in the afternoon.
To escape to the mountains, go to Alpe di Ciuzi, the largest high mountain meadow in Europe, hidden among the towering Dolomites. Stay in a luxury mountain chalet and enjoy beautiful walks through the fields, or travel by horse-drawn carriage or electric bike. For a unique experience, be pampered with a straw bath, a spa experience based on historical traditions, using dried straw and traditional herbs from the mountains.
From small boutiques to world-famous fashion houses, Milan is known as the Italian fashion capital. To spend a day learning about the latest trends, visiting designer showrooms, and visiting favorite local brands, hire a personal shopping guide to lead you around the city.
Are you looking for leather products? Florence is famous for its centuries-long tradition of producing high-quality leather products. Visit a leather workshop to order custom-made clothing or accessories or join a leather-making workshop where you can see behind the scenes of the craft and even make your own leather piece.
Sometimes the stay itself is a uniquely Italian experience. The city of Matera, in southern Italy in the Basilicata region, is the third oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. For centuries local people lived in cave dwellings known as "sasi". Today, many of these original residences have been converted into restaurants, apartments and hotels, and upgraded with modern amenities. To get a flavor of the past and feel the uniqueness of this city, book a stay in a restored cave hotel and stay in the heart of this site, which is considered part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
Alternatively, go to the surrounding area of Puglia and book a stay at the Trullo in Valle d'Itria, an area in the hills near Bari. The trulli are beautiful circular stone buildings that dot this area, with a high concentration of them in the historic town of Alberobello. You can find accommodation in Trullo within Alberobello itself, or in the picturesque hills of the countryside.
Italy is a beautiful land of immense nature and amazing food, with a rich history, distinct culture and pride in local traditions. Regardless of your travel preferences and interests, Italy has an extensive list of unique and outstanding experiences, and should be at the top of any discerning traveler's list.
When you're ready to say yes to the world, Lufthansa offers service to 19 destinations in Italy. All of these experiences - and more - are readily available from Bologna, Florence, Naples, Venice, Milan, Rome, Genoa, Turin, Verona, Trieste, Pisa, Bari, Catania, Cagliari, Palermo and Olbia.
Source: lonelyplanet
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