If you’re familiar with this travel blog, you should already know that I’m Italian.
Italy is the country where I was born and raised, and where I’ve lived for over thirty years.
One of the facts that characterize every Italian, is to be used to be surrounded by art and monuments thousands of years old. Sometimes we don’t realize the richness of our country until we emigrate abroad and then return.
But Italy is also a country of immense landscape variety, with countless natural landmarks worth seeing.
The first time you visit Italy, you should definitely spend a few days in Rome. Although you’ll be tempted to visit the most famous historic landmarks and the art cities one after another -Florence, Venice, Milan- I suggest you rethink your plans and leave yourself some time to explore Italy off the beaten path. This will make your travel experience way better: better prices, more genuine food, the locals might treat you with more consideration and you’ll have more beautiful surprises.

You can do this both by visiting Italy by train (and this will require more time to reach the off-track towns and villages) or renting a car (and this will require you to be prepared to drive in Italy!).

Before you travel, consider reading some Italian novels and these Quotes about Italians to get in the mood.

Alternative experiences in Italy to visiting the more touristy destinations include:

Road-tripping Southern Tuscany

Spending a weekend in the hilly Umbria region

Traveling to the Trabocchi Coast on the Adriatic Sea during the summer

Exploring the mysterious history and castled towns of the region called Tuscia

Discovering the enchanting city of Padua to relieve yourself from the over-touristy Venice.

Visiting Naples, Napoli, the capital of pizza and philosophy, especially on New Year’s Eve.

Walking in the fairy-tale like cities of tuff: Sovana, Sorano, and Pitigliano.

Relax in one of the dozens of thermal baths in central Italy, like the Saturnia natural pools.

Immerse yourself in the historic centers of small towns like Bracciano, Calcata, Trevignano Romano, Sutri, Amelia, Nepi, Anguillara Sabazia.

And that’s just for starters!

My Latest Posts About Italy

2 days in Naples Italy itinerary

Epic Itinerary for Naples, Italy in 2 Days

A famous local saying goes: “A foreigner in Naples cries twice: when he arrives and when he leaves.” Naples is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. It rises at the foot of Vesuvius-the historic volcano that destroyed the …

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The sea of Stintino, north Sardinia, Italy

Perfect Road Trip Itinerary to See the Authentic Sardinia in 7 Days

Do you want to plan a road trip to Sardinia? Not sure what the best itinerary might be? Then you are in the right place. In this article, you will find an itinerary for northern and western Sardinia perfect for …

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The White Whale hot spring in Bagni San Filippo, Tuscany.

Local Tips for Visiting the Bagni San Filippo Hot Springs in Tuscany

When I first heard about the Bagni San Filippo hot springs in Tuscany, it was a surprise; and even more so, when I visited them!  I thought that after bathing at the hot springs in Saturnia and those in Viterbo, …

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Ninfa Gardens near Rome Italy

7 Famous Gardens Near Rome That Are Worth a Day Trip

Even though you are a lover of day trips and off-the-beaten-path destinations you would be surprised to discover how many incredible places the countryside near Rome hides. The famous gardens near Rome that I cover in this post are microcosms …

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Hot springs near Viterbo thermal pools

A Guide to Visiting Viterbo’s Hot Springs and Thermal Baths

The northern part of Lazio is famous throughout Italy for Viterbo’s many thermal baths. Proving that Italy is a land rich in natural wonders, the hot springs in Viterbo have been supplying the famous thermal baths to visit from Rome …

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Civita di Bagnoregio, Viterbo, Italy

Civita di Bagnoregio: the Hanging Village near Viterbo, Italy

The village of Civita di Bagnoregio is located in the northern part of Tuscia, a region of the Italian countryside still off the tourists’ radar. About 10 km from Viterbo and 50 from Rome, the charm of “Civita“, as the …

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Amelia Italy

Discovering Amelia, Italy’s Underrated Hill Town in the Umbria Region

Amelia, a charming town in central Italy located in southern Umbria 8 km from the border with Lazio, has ancient origins and has all those features that make it the perfect place to relax for a weekend or for a …

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quotes about Italians

30 Honest Quotes About Italians That Will Make You Better Understand Italian Culture

For all those who want to further their study of Italian culture, I thought it would be interesting to read these quotes about Italians. Most of them come from the Italians themselves: politicians, writers, actors, and entrepreneurs who are very …

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