Duration: 8 hours

Type of Service: Full Day Tour to Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius from Sorrento - small group tour

An exciting day trip, leaving from Sorrento to visit two of the most beautiful and interesting tourist places in Campania: the world-famous archaeological site of Pompeii and the incredible Mount Vesuvius, the volcano that in 79 B.C. destroyed several towns with its enormous eruption.

Our pick-up service from your centrally located hotel in Sorrento will allow you to begin your trip in total relax! Once you will board on our comfortable bus and your one-day adventure will officially begin.

Visit the ancient ruins of Pompeii and discover the excavations with your guide.  First you will reach the incredible Pompeii from Sorrento. Here you will meet your professional guide who will take you to explore the remains of the ancient Roman town, beautifully preserved over the centuries thanks to the volcanic materials that submerged it up 10 meters.

Visiting private homes, markets, baths and the main buildings, you will have the opportunity to make a real journey through time, in a place where everything stopped at that catastrophic morning in 79 AD.

Visit the park of Vesuvius up to its top and admire the view of the Gulf of Naples - After free time for lunch, you will reach the park of Vesuvius. Once in the National Park of Vesuvius, your bus will take you up to 1000 meters and then you will begin your walking tour until the top of the mountain, walkin 30 minutes approximately. Once you will reach a designated point, you will meet an alpine guide who will accompany you along a breathtaking nature trail. Going up the Vesuvius, surrounded by greenery and unspoiled air, you will reach the top of the imposing volcano, where you can admire the enormous crater and terrific views of the Gulf of Naples.

At the end of the excursion, you will come back to Sorrento by bus.

Things to Know:

• Small group tour of 16 people
• Depart from your hotel in the center of Sorrento for an exciting day-trip onboard our comfortable bus and visit two Italian gems
• Discover the ruins of Pompeii, with entrance tickets included, with your expert tour guide
• Visit the incredible excavations of Pompeii as well as the volcano that destroyed the city in the 79 AD
• Explore the nature trails that go up along the top of Vesuvius with your alpine guide
• Reach the crater and admire the breathtaking views of the Gulf of Naples from the top of the mountain
• Learn more about the history of Pompeii and the great eruption of Mount Vesuvius of 79 A.D.
• You will spend 2 – 2.5 hours in Pompeii
• Free time for lunch at client's expense
• Tour is offered late March - late October
• Tour operates 7 days a week
• Tour begins at 8:00am
• Entrance tickets to the ruins of Pompeii
• Entrance tickets to the National Park of Mount Vesuvius
• Guided visit to Pompeii ruins - approx. 2 hours
• Guided visit to Mount Vesuvius (alpine guide)
• This tour is not wheelchair accessible and not recommended for participants with back problems - moderate amount of walking is involved
• We suggest you to wear comfortable clothes and tennis shoes, plus bring a bottle of water and sunglasses
• Please note that the temperature atop the Mount Vesuvius is generally lower than at its base and the wind can be quite strong. We therefore recommend to bring with you proper clothes.
• Tour does not operate on May 25th - holiday

Duration: 8 hours

Type of Service:  Day Tour from Sorrento to Capri/Anacapri – private tour

Witness for yourself the beauty of the unspoiled island of Capri in just one day. Let us take you on an unforgettable day trip to the island aboard a jetfoil boat accompanied by your expert guide. The picturesque Island of Capri is located in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the Sorrentine Peninsula. It’s on the south side of the Gulf of Naples, in southern Italy’s spectacular Campania region.

Blue skies and turquoise water, breathtaking views, couture shops and cafés characterize this bit of paradise. Tours of Capri will take you to this oasis for artists, writers and celebrities. In their day, Roman Emperors walked along Capri’s pristine shores.

Meet your English-speaking guide at the Sorrento Marina and by jetfoil you will reach Capri main port, Marina Grande. Bustling with arriving ships, this is the main point of entry to the island. The view is lovely, as are the many sailing vessels moored at the pier.

Weather permitting, we will catch a convertible car for an open-air ride to our first destination, Anacapri. You will take a scenic travel route, including the thrilling Mamma Mia Road. 

Then it’s just a short chairlift to Monte Solaro. The highest and most panoramic view point on the island, Mount Solaro rises 589 meters above sea level.
You will marvel at views of the famed Penninsula of Sorrento, Mt. Vesuvius, the Gulf of Naples and the islands of Ischia and Procida. The coastal headlands, vineyards, villas and the Capri town center complete the stunning vista.

Also interesting in Anacapri is the Villa San Michele, built by Swedish writer and doctor Axel Munthe, full of gardens, relics and art. Next is some shopping time and lunch.

After lunch, you will visit the main town of Capri, and La Piazzetta. Known locally as the Chiazza, this is where the beautiful people are followed by the paparazzi. Shop windows glitter with the latest fashions and cafés spill out onto the pavement in a festive crowd of wining and dining. The Augustus Gardens are next on the tour. In the 1900s this botanical estate was the vacation home of steel magnate Friedrich Alfred Krupp. Explore the unique flora of Capri in this island garden. It is from here that we will look down upon the renowned Faraglioni limestone sea stacks.
These imposing rock formations rise from the blue Mediterranean and are one of Capri’s best-known landmarks.

Afterwards, you will have free time to explore, shop,and grab a beverage at a local cafe.

Then meet your guide at a designated location in the main square where you will catch the famous Funicolare (Cable Car) to reach the main pier of Capri Marina Grande.  Then back onto the boat to Sorrento.  Estimated arrival back to Sorrento is between 4:30pm and 5:00pm.

Things to Know:

• Uncover the Mediterranean’s most beautiful island in one day aboard this tour from Sorrento
• Meet your guide at the Sorrento Marina at 8:10am in the main port of Sorrento, Marina Piccola, by the ticket office
• The following admission prices are included in your tour price: tickets of the fast boat Sorrento-Capri-Sorrento, transportation by private convertible car on the island, tickets for the chairlift, tickets for the cable car and tickets for Villa San Michele
• English-speaking guide at your disposal
• Tour is offered Monday – Saturday (April – October)
• Tour begins at 8:10am at the Sorrento Marina
• Tour must be booked two weeks in advance
• Wear comfortable walking or tennis shoes - no heels, boots or flip flops
• Guide will make several lunch recommendations for you to choose from
• Client is responsible for lunch expenses
• Visit the famous sandal and perfume factory in Capri

Duration: 2 hours

Type of Service: Heart of Naples Stroll with Local Street Food Tastings

Explore Naples’ UNESCO Recognized Historic Center

Meet your local expert guide and intimate group of just 10 people or fewer in the heart of Naples before embarking on this mind and palate-opening experience. You’ll then be off to sample some of the most delectable flavors and sought after culinary delights that Italy has to offer at authentic, hand-picked food vendors that will allow you to mingle with the Neapolitans themselves.

A Stroll to Make Your Stomach Roar - All along your evening stroll, your guide will fill you with the urban legends and history that make Naples come to life, as you dine on delectable examples of the city’s famed street food. If you thought you knew pizza, think again. Naples is home to so many original varieties that you’ll have a hard time choosing. Then pass to the savory ‘pagnutiello, ‘cuoppo’, or ‘cup’, due to the paper cone it is served in, or the ‘cuppetiello’, another succulent version that will make your mouth water.

 If you have a sweet tooth, then you’re definitely in the right place, too! Naples is home to some of the best and most famous pastries in the world with such delicious creations as scrumptious ‘sfogliatelle’, rich ‘Baba’ soaked in rum or the epicurean ‘zeppole’, filled with custard, jelly or cream. Your journey will take you through narrow, picturesque alleys as they open onto elegant piazzas.

Naples from the Inside Out - Pass from Piazza del Gesù, with the splendid Spanish-style Baroque Church of Gesù Nuovo and an incredibly sculpted monument dedicated to the Holy Virgin. Visit the ancient heart of the city along Spaccanapoli, one of its oldest streets, dividing it in half. See San Gregorio Armeno, famous for its Christmas market and where the most beautiful Nativity scene figures you have ever seen are sold year-round by sculptors that rival Michelangelo and Bernini.

 You’ll also pass the Naples Cathedral, where every year on September 19th the blood of its patron saint, San Gennaro, miraculously reliquifies in a procession that animates the entire city. Then it’s on to other scenic streets, like Via dei Tribunali and finally into Piazza Dante, the city’s former market square, where your tour will end and it will be easy to catch a taxi or the metro back to your hotel.

 No other tour offers such an authentic view of the real city of Naples, with its unique atmosphere, amazing architecture and intense flavors. Your perception of this exotic city will never be the same after you have cut through the myths and discovered why this city is so loved. This is truly Naples at its best.

Things to Know:

• 2 hours walking tour of UNESCO recognized Naples historic center
• 8 food tastings from authentic local vendors
• Expert local English-speaking guide
• Small group of no more than 10 people
• Tour is offered April - October
• Tour is offered on Wednesday and Saturday
• Tour time is: 6:30pm (1830)
• Meeting Location Point:  Piazza del Gesu’ Nuovo – more details are given upon booking
• Wear comfortable walking or tennis shoes

Duration: 8.75 hours

Type of Service: From Naples - Pompeii and Vesuvius Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting

The Complete Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius Experience - Meet up with your expert local guide in the center of the fascinating city of Naples and hop aboard a comfortable private coach to head straight for the archaeological area of Pompeii. Your guide will prepare you for everything that’s in store on our Pompeii tours from Naples, sharing the captivating stories and history behind the fateful day in 79 AD when Mt. Vesuvius exploded in one of the most catastrophic eruptions ever, covering the area in a thick layer of ash and rubble.

Absorbing Explanations and Descriptions - Once we get to Pompeii you’ll benefit from skip-the-line, pre-booked entry and the expertise of an official local guide, as you walk this former port town’s main streets just as the ancient Romans did on stones that are still worn with tracks from the carts that tread them nearly 2,000 years ago. We’ll visit the forum, the center of Pompeii’s political and social life, the startling plaster death casts of the victims of the violent eruption that destroyed the city, as well as take a look inside intact dwelling complete with their porticoes, mosaics, and frescoes. The city’s baths and gymnasiums will also impress as you look across the millennia at a moment frozen in time forever.

An Epicurean Lunch with Local Food and Wine - After Pompeii, head up the lush slopes of Mt. Vesuvius itself to meet its most famous wine producer for a tasting of 6 fantastic native varieties produced from the volcanic soil right under your feet. Enjoy an inviting 3-course lunch of some of the region’s most delectable culinary delights, including cheeses, cured meats, pasta with local ‘piennolo’ heirloom tomatoes and a mouthwatering ‘pastiera napoletana’ pastry dessert with ricotta cheese and fruit. Admire sweeping views from the terrace over the surrounding countryside, and visit the vineyards and cellar with a careful explanation of the grape varietals and each step in the winemaking process from the family that owns them.

 From here we’ll finish our ascent to the edge of Mt. Vesuvius’s crater. Take the chance to look an active volcano in the face on the 20-minute hike where you’ll get to look inside the caldera and take in the most breathtaking panoramas of the day. You’ll see Naples, the bay and the island of Capri from a height of over 4,200 feet, as well as bask in the pristine nature that surrounds you.

Things to Know:

• Expert, local English -speaking tour guide
• Groups no larger than 25 people during guided tour of Pompeii
• All transfers in private air-conditioned coach
• Skip the line admission tickets and reservations included in tour cost
• 3 course-lunch with 6 wines produced at the vineyard
• Tour is offered April - October
• Toured is offered on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
• Tour Time:  Tour departs at 8:45am and check-in by 8:30am
• Meeting Point Location: Naples Train Station – more details are given upon booking
• Wear comfortable walking or tennis shoes

Duration: 4 hours

Type of Service: Tasting Naples - Half Walking / Half Driving Tour

Book your private Food Tasting Tour and discover Naples with a walking tour through some of its well-known delicacies! Naples is one of the most ancient cities in Europe. It was founded by the Greeks and ruled by many different countries – Romans, Byzantines, Germans, Normans, French, Spanish and Austrians – that left an indelible mark not only on the cultural heritage of the city but also on its food tradition! The best way to explore a foreign city is to smell and taste it!

During the walking tour you will experience the thrill of traveling through time, history, architecture and culture and you will be able to enjoy some of the most important monuments of one of the oldest cities in Europe. Your local English Speaking Escort will bring you to some of the most beautiful areas and key locations: from the Royal Naples, the city’s modern heart, to the Historic Centre listed by Unesco as a World Cultural Heritage Site. This private excursion will take you to the boulevards, the churches, the squares, the narrow streets and the most prestigious buildings of the town (Royal Palace, the Maschio Angioino Castle, the Opera House, the Church of Santa Chiara and so on) to fully appreciate Naples’s historic charm. The town offers indeed a wide range of places that can be visited according to your interests and feelings.

Food is an important part of Naples cultural heritage, spirit and identity. Your tour escort will accompany you off the beaten path, through the lively narrow streets and hidden corners of the town to let you immerse inside the food scene of one of the greatest culinary centers of Italy: with your ultimate food experience you will have the chance to taste traditional local specialties such as the rich coffee tradition of the well-known Neapolitan Espresso, some of the local amazing pastries and the most popular delicacies of Naples bakery tradition. The Tarallo, local salty biscuit enriched with almonds and black pepper, the Pizza Margherita, the queen of Neapolitan and Italian food culture in the world and the famous Limoncello liqueur.

Meet your local expert guide and intimate group of just 10 people or fewer in the heart of Naples before embarking on this mind and palate-opening experience. 

Things to Know:

• Part walking tour/ part driving tour - private tour
• During the walking tour you will experience the thrill of traveling through time, history, architecture and culture and you will be able to enjoy some of the most important monuments of one of the oldest cities in Europe
• Food tastings from authentic local vendors
• You will experience the full flavor of Naples lifestyle, cuisine and heritage in a single excursion
• Expert local English-speaking guide
• Tour is offered March - November
• Tour is offered Monday - Saturday
• Tour time is: 9:00am and 1:00pm, based on availability
• Meeting Location Point: Hotel in Center City or Naples Train Station - more details given upon booking
• Wear comfortable walking or tennis shoes

 Duration: 12 hours

Type of Service: Full Day Pompeii Tour from Rome with Mt. Vesuvius Volcano - small group tour

Discover Pompeii and the still-active volcano that brought the bustling Roman city to its terrible end on this exclusive day trip from Rome to Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius. Explore the city of Pompeii with an expert, English-speaking guide who will help you make the most of your time here. In 1.5 hours, you’ll see the most fascinating sites of the city, from plaster death casts to Pompeii’s fast food joints and streets cut out by carriage wheels 2,000 years ago. Visiting on a day trip, it’s impossible to walk all of Pompeii, but our carefully-planned route means you’ll see the best of it, with the most representative and well-preserved buildings it has to offer.

During our time in Pompeii group sizes will be limited to 25 people or less with headsets for every visitor, so your guide will be easy to hear and interact with. Like all tour operators, we use official, licensed Pompeii guides for this section of our tour. However, as is the case with our own staff, these guides are carefully chosen by us. We constantly evaluate Pompeii guides and ask for feedback from every customer to ensure that we only use the most talented and knowledgeable in their pool.

Another high point of our tour comes when we climb to the ridge of the crater of Mt. Vesuvius. This destructive force, which buried Pompeii in 79 AD, is to this day considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world because of the 3,000,000 people who live around its base. Lava flows have scarred the sides of the volcano and are visible on the winding road up to the top – where you will take in incredible views over the Bay of Naples and its islands below.

During the winter season (November 20th - March 31st) and on days when Mt. Vesuvius is closed due to weather conditions, your tour of the past will take you to the National Archaeological Museum of Naples instead. Here you’ll see a fantastic array of artifacts, mosaics, statues and artwork excavated from Pompeii and Herculaneum – the perfect way to complement a visit to the ruins.

With transport to and from Rome included on a comfortable, air-conditioned coach, an expert, English-speaking tour leader to accompany you for the day and traditional Neapolitan pizza lunch, you won’t have to worry about anything but what you came to see. Take the extra time to reflect on one of Italy’s most fascinating sights – a city buried that was buried for thousands of years before being rediscovered 'frozen' in time.

Things to Know:

• Tour offered daily based on availability
• Tour Check-In at 7:15am / Tour departs at 7:30am
• English-speaking tour leader for the day
• Official, licensed, English-speaking guide in Pompeii
• Groups no larger than 25 people during the guided tour of Pompeii
• Round-trip transport from Rome in private, air-conditioned coach
• Ticket and reservation fees for Pompeii
• Traditional Neapolitan pizza lunch
• Entry ticket to Mt. Vesuvius (April 1st - November 19th) or National Archeological Museum of Naples (November 20th - March 31st).
• Headsets in Pompeii so you can always hear your guide
• Meeting point location: Piazza del Popolo (more details and map provided upon booking)
• Wear comfortable walking or tennis shoes (no heels, boots or flip-flops)

Duration: 12 hours

Type of Service: Full Day VIP Pompeii and Sorrento Tour from Rome - small group tour

 One-of-a-Kind Tour to Pompeii and Sorrento - This is the only tour offered from Rome with both the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pompeii and the beautiful seaside town of Sorrento by air-conditioned high-speed train. With your expert English-speaking guide, the sites are brought to life through vibrant and entertaining commentary about the rich histories and interesting facts and stories that only a local would know.

2-Hour Tour of Pompeii Ruins Including Newly Opened Domus - Enjoy a fully-guided 2-hour tour of the ruins where time has stood still. Pompeii, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the world’s most awe-inspiring archeological marvels. The tragic fossilization of Roman aristocrats and common villagers, their dreadful demise was preserved in ash and pumice when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. See how they lived, and ultimately died, while simultaneously marveling at the multicolored mosaics and frescos still lining the newly-opened Domus (homes of the ancient city’s most influential people).

See the Sea at the Bay of Naples - After your Pompeii experience we’ll take s short break for coffee and perusing the wares of local vendors and artisans. Next, we head towards Sorrento overlooking the intensely indigo waters of the Bay of Naples. A quick stop at the most picturesque precipice for a postcard-worthy photo op and on to the seaside city.

Sorrento, Land of Limoncello - As the preferred vacation spot of Roman Emperors and Italy’s most elite, Sorrento is as rich in beauty as it is in history. Enjoy the tart taste of Limoncello, the lemony liqueur which was first created here, and learn how the south’s most succulent spirit is produced from local ingredients in one of Sorrento’s oldest shops. Have time to continue to explore the town on your own with recommendations on the best sights to see, shops to visit and cafés to check out before we head back to Rome in the late afternoon.

Things to Know:

• The only tour combining Pompeii and Sorrento, the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, from Rome by high-speed train
• Skip-the-line access bypasses long lines and crowded public transportation
• 2-hour tour of Pompeii ruins including newly opened Domus (ancient homes of influential people)
• High-speed train tickets included
• Small group tour of 15 people or less
• Tour is offered on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
• Tour begins at 7:15am / Tour check-in at 7:00am
• Meeting point location: Central Rome - more details provided upon booking
• Wear comfortable walking or tennis shoes

Duration: 13.5 hours

Type of Service: VIP Amalfi Coast Tour from Rome by High-Speed Train with Mozzarella Tasting

Take in the marvels of the Amalfi Coast on the only guided day tour from Rome via high-speed train. This is your chance to experience the UNESCO recognized landscape, as well as see its top ‘jewels’, the towns of Amalfi and Positano, all with captivating insight from a local expert guide throughout the day. In addition to the stunning vistas and awe-inspiring towns, you’ll also get off the beaten path for a taste of one of the region’s world-famous specialties - Mozzarella and other local cheeses - from a working cheesemaker that produces this delicacy fresh every day.

Our Amalfi Coast tours from Rome meet at the city’s central railway station from where you’ll be whisked off to Naples. After meeting your local guide in this city by the sea, you’ll take a comfortable private coach into the winding roads and lemon orchards that characterize this part of Italy as you hear the local history and get insider recommendations from your guide. Enjoy the incredible views of the lush mountains, crystalline sea and colorful villages that characterize this paradise.

The first stop is the most picturesque town on the entire coast, Positano, whose houses seem to tumble down to the sea amid narrow alleyways, chic boutiques, restaurants, and ‘Dolce Vita’ cafés. Despite its glamor, Positano was once a nearly abandoned fishing village until it was ‘rediscovered’ by the elite. Come here and it’s easy to see why. Its charm will seep into your pores as you shop for local ‘limoncello’, visit the church of Santa Maria Assunta or soak it all in from a restaurant terrace.

Your next stop is the former capital of the maritime republic that gave the area its name, Amalfi. Once one of the most important trading powers in the Mediterranean, this port city in miniature is home to a dazzling piazza, pristine medieval cathedral, and streets that will captivate you with their fairytale-like flavor. Have free time for lunch, climb the staircase to the Cathedral (‘Duomo’) and its arabesque cloister, as well as shop for Amalfi’s handmade ‘bambagina’ paper. If you prefer the beach, the tiny bay is also an inviting place for a dip.

After taking in the crown jewels of the Amalfi coast, travel up the mountains that cradle it to take in more incredible views. Here you’ll have the rare privilege to see how one of Italy’s most famous foods is made from a real local cheesemaker. We’re of course speaking of real Mozzarella cheese. Also known as ‘the queen of Mediterranean cuisine’, this delicacy is made with pure cow's milk, and it will be hard to go back to the stuff back home once you’ve tried it.

See the Amalfi Coast as never before and let your senses by captivated by the sights, sounds, and flavors that have made it so cherished on this comprehensive guided day tour from Rome that is sure to be the highlight of your trip to Italy.

Things to Know:

• Guided tour of the Amalfi Coast by private coach
• Visit the towns of Positano and Amalfi with free time to explore
• Round trip transportation, including the high-speed train between Rome and Naples
• Local cheese tasting, including authentic mozzarella, from a family-owned cheesemaker
• Local expert English-speaking guide
• Small group tour of 18 people or less
• Tour is offered on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
• Tour check-in no later than 7:00am /Tour departs at 7:15am
• Meeting point location: Rome Termini Train Station - more details upon booking

So you’ve decided you are GOING TO ITALY! How Exciting! Many people dream of visiting Italy and experiencing la bella vita, and while you certainly can’t avoid it anywhere in the country, there are some things to think about before you take off that will make your time that much more enjoyable.

First, Italy is a large, and very diverse country. Traveling across regions is almost like traveling across countries themselves. The Italian people are very attached to their City, Region, and Country, in that order, so be sure to talk to locals wherever you go to get to know the intricacies of the very different regions of Italy.

Planning your trip’s itinerary won’t be easy since there is SO much to see and do, but a little background on the country’s layout is helpful when decided what it is you want to get out of your time: are you looking for sports? history? art? food? beaches? mountains? fashion? design? Italy has it all, but some places have it better than others!

Italy can best be divided into three geographical areas: north, middle and south, although again across those areas culture, food and tradition varies greatly.

Northern Italy: Alta Italia

Northern Italy is made up of the Aosta Valley, Piedmont, Liguria, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and Trentino Alto-Adige. It boasts such famous cities as Milan, Venice, Turin, Genoa and Bologna. The weather is cooler than the rest of the country due to the northern location and proximity to the Apennines and Alps. This area is traditionally the more wealthy part of Italy, and houses most of the country’s industry. Cities like Milan and Venice can be slightly more expensive than some cities in the central or southern parts of Italy. However, public transportation and tourism services are much more developed and functional than in other parts of the country!

The major airport for the northern region is Milan’s Linate International Airport. There are many other airports in the region however, including Bologna, Venice and Genoa, so do some price comparisons before booking your ticket. The climate in this region varies considerably, both depending on time of year and location. Venice gets extremely hot in the summer, while Turin and the Lake District (Cuomo) stay much cooler and tend to be flocked by Italians trying to beat the heat during the summer months. The Italian Alps begin their ski season as early as November in some places.

Northern Italy has many attractions and offers activities for everyone. Those who enjoy sport and the outdoors may want to visit the lakes for water sports, or go hiking in the Italian Dolomites. Everyone should see Venice at least for a day while they still can! Milan is great for anyone interested in design or fashion, and also has a wide selection of galleries and museums for those interested in both Renaissance and contemporary art. One can also visit the Italian Riviera for some great beaches.

The cuisine of this region is also quite variable, but generally tends to be no the heavier side of some of the traditional Italian specialties we normally think of. This is where Italians eat risotto with saffron, polenta, LOTS of parmigiano reggiano (from the Emilia Romagna province – an area that all foodies must visit), heavy meat dishes and stews, etc. Closer north near the Austrian border we see a lot of Austrian or Slovenian influence in the cuisine, as well as the wines. Prosecco is from the Veneto, and Gewürztraminer is from Trentino Alto-Adige. Think lots of nice white wines, and a LOT of grappa!

Central Italy: Tuscany and Rome

Central Italy is made up of the regions Lazio, Marche, Tuscany and Umbria. Geographically it also contains Abruzzo and Molise, but they are traditional grouped with Southern Italy due to cultural similiarities. This is where the rolling hills of Unbria and Tuscany call to mind Napa Valley. This is wine country. Central Italy is home to cities like Florence, Siena, Perugia, and of course Roma. Still quite wealthy, but more varied wealth across regions, central Italy is also extremely easy to explore via bus or train, so you can visit some little hill towns in the Val D’Orcia, or take a train and ride up and down the coast. This section of Italy is full of tiny medieval towns, and if you do your research ahead of time, you could get to participate in one of their on-going traditional medieval festivals!

Rome and Florence both have international airports, as does Pisa. Flying into Bologna is also an easy way to get to Florence as they are connected via both fast and regional trains. The weather in the region is quite temperate, with clearly distinct seasons similar to the weather on the mid-Atlantic coast of the U.S. The winters are cold, and although snow is uncommon it is not unheard of. The summers get quite hot, going up to one hundred degrees, and the air tends to be humid, especially inland.

Florence and Rome are the dominating destinations in Central Italy, and rightfully so. Rome as the capital and Florence as the birthplace of the Renaissance are not to be missed if possible. I would argue each city really deserves its own trip to truly get the most out of what they have to offer. Rome is a massive metropolitan center, filled with tourists all year round. The Vatican is a major destination, its museums housing some of the most beautiful and famous Renaissance artwork, as well as the Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. The City of Rome of course has many ancient Roman ruins that would excite anyone remotely interested in human history: the Coliseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and the Catacombs, just to name a few. Florence on the other hand is the must-visit for anyone interested in Renaissance art or history, and is also a good base to explore some of the smaller towns in the region that will have you thinking of Under the Tuscan Sun. The Chianti region is full of tiny gems to visit and have an amazing meal at, as is the area between Siena and Rome. You’ll have to get to know the regional bus lines though!

Again, each region has its own traditional cuisine, but Central Italy has some of the healthiest, heartiest, what traditionally would have been peasant food but has now been elevated to an incredible level of International renown. Bistecca alla Fiorentina can only be truly enjoyed in Tuscany, just as Rome is the place to eat Saltimbocca or Osso Buco. Siena is famous for its sweets, traditionally eaten at Christmastime, and the Umbrian town of Norcia, in the Appennine foothills is where the best black truffles can be found, as well as some of the best pork products like prosciutto and salame. The hills are home to wild boar, which is cooked into many traditional stews or sauces. This is also wine country, so look out for Chianti, Montalcino, Montepulciano, and Vernaccia di San Gimignano. I could write a whole article about Tuscan cuisine, and I probably will, so check our blog frequently!

Southern Italy: Untouched

Southern Italy is where many Italian Americans origins are. It is the poorest part of the country, and encompasses the “foot” part of the boot of Italy, as well as the island of Sicily and some other Islands off the coast of Naples. It is made up of the regions of Abruzzo, Apulia, Basilicata, Campania, Calabria, Molise and Sicily. Due to traditional poverty and well-known corruption, transportation to many less-frequented yet extremely beautiful areas is difficult without a car of your own. The trains are regional and buses connecting cities are infrequent. We’ll talk more about renting cars in Italy later, but this may be the area to do so if you are up for the challenge!

The nearest major international airport is Rome, but there are two smaller airports on the east coast: Bari and Brindisi, both in Apulia. Naples has an international airport, and the island of Sicily may be reached via Palermo in the north or Catania in the south. The climate in the South is Mediterranean, so again variable across seasons but markedly warmer than the north or center of the country. The area is frequently overlooked as a tourist destination, so it is a nice respite from the throngs of Florence or Venice if you have the chance to visit. The beaches are spectacular, overlooking truly crystalline water. On clear days you can even see Africa from certain points along the coast.

While Sorrento, the Amalfi coast and the island of Capri are all beautiful places to visit, they are also the most famous tourist destinations in this area. If you are looking for beautiful vistas and country club style and treatment, these resort towns are a perfect place to pamper yourself or take a boat out. If you are more on the adventurous side, continue south and explore the towns of Calabria, famous for its spicy peppers and warm inhabitants. From Naples you can climb Mount Vesuvius and eat a traditional Neapolitan pizza. Matera, in the Basilicata region, is slated to be the European Capitol of Culture in 2019, and boasts what are thought to be among the first ever human settlements in Italy carved out of the rocks that make up its ancient city center. Those interested in architecture will enjoy the cities along the southern coast of Sicily, where due to volcanic and seismic damage, many buildings were rebuilt in a new Sicilian Baroque style.

Southern Italian cuisine is what most Americans think of as Italian cuisine: eggplant parmigiana, pizza, calzone, spaghetti, maccheroni, and the list goes on. The region is big on short, dry pasta, as opposed to the soft egg pastas of the northern, wealthier regions. Mozzarella is from this area, as is ricotta, made light and fresh. San Marzano tomatoes are grown in the volcanic soil under mount Vesuvius, and are used ubiquitously. Many of the dishes served in the south have Italian-American counterparts due to generations of Italians emigrating to the US from these regions due to extreme poverty. This part of Italy also of course produces much of its own wine, but the wine tends to be drunk young and domestically, rather than bring preserved and shipped. So come here if you are okay with some chilled red table wine or a beer with your pizza!

This has just been an EXTREMELY brief overview of what you might expect as you plan your trip to Italy. Every part of the country has its own secrets, cuisines, and traditions, but if you can’t move there, these generalized descriptions should help you tailor where you want to start and end your visit to the big boot. Once you determine your itinerary, be sure to check seasonal weather charts so you can pack accordingly to where you will be visiting. Read on for more about the items that you will need to bring with you to get the most out of your Italian vacation!