Italy

Italy

The Amalfi Coast

Italy is a must-visit country and there's a reason it's one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe. There are so many highlights in this beautiful country- from the canals of Venice to the cobblestone streets of Rome and much more. 

Streets of Rome

The Canals of Venice

Florence was my favourite city because of the amazing architecture and natural beauty- the sun setting over the Arno River is a sight I will never forget anytime soon!

The Arno River

What to Expect in Italy

The main language spoken there is Italian. It may be helpful to learn some more common phrases to help with day to day activities.

In big cities and smaller towns, you won't have any problems finding ATMs that accept foreign credit cards. Most shops and restaurants will take credit cards as a form of payment as well.

While Italy is generally a safe travel destination, the one thing you will need to watch out for is pickpockets. Always keep an eye on your belongings!

My favourite way to travel around Italy was by train. You can sit back and relax as you go by the beautiful countryside, plus it's very efficient. 

Many religious sites ask women to cover their shoulders and legs while entering some of the churches. Take this into account if you plan on visiting any of the churches.

Cathedral of St. Agatha in Catania

Food 

Like so many places around the globe, food is the heart of Italian culture. If you want to see the real Italy, you need to dig into the customs and traditions surrounding Italian cuisine. And to do that - you've got to sample all the food. 

Tiramisu

There are regional specialties depending on where you are in Italy. In Northern Italy, the specialties are fish, pasta (like vongole), tiramisu, and prosecco. 

In Southern Italy the specialties include pasta, pizza, caponata, and eggplant parmigiana. If you are in Sardinia, the specialty is suckling pig (roast) and in Sicily it's arancini caponata, and cannoli. 

Eggplant parmigiana

Sights

If you are going to visit Sicily as a part of your travels in Italy, then you need to stop and visit the Valley of the Temples which is located in Agrigento. The Valley of the Temples is a huge archeological complex that has some of the most intact Doric temples built in the 5th century. 

The Valley of the Temples

Another thing you must do if you travel to Italy is see Mount Vesuvius. Mount Vesuvius is one of the most famous mountains in the world, since it was the cause of the eruption that covered the town of Pompeii in volcanic ash. Now Vesuvius is mostly safe to climb and you can trek to the crater of the mountain. Needless to say, the view from the top is absolutely breathtaking.

Mount Vesuvius

If you go to Rome, you can't leave without visiting one of the most famous attractions in the world, the Coliseum. The ruins of the once magnificent amphitheater is one of the greatest historical relics of our time. It's most well known for the violent gladiator matches that were once shown here and you can just imagine the spectacles that used to be performed.

The Coliseum

Another one of the most famous attractions in the world that you can't leave without seeing is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This attraction is a fluke of architecture, as when the tower was constructed it began to sink into the marshy ground beneath it. This gave the tower it's crooked stance, and at various times it has been opened and closed to the public as architects debate over whether or not it is safe to enter. When it's open, you can climb to the viewing platform at the top where you can look across all of Pisa.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

There's no end to what you can do and the places to visit in Italy. If you're visiting Italy for the first time and really want to get the true experience of the different regions, then the above attractions are definitely where you should start. Once you've fallen in love, there are so many places you can head to embrace the beauty and charm of the incredible Italian cities.