Het is gemakkelijk te begrijpen waarom Italië een van 's werelds meest gevierde toeristische bestemmingen is. Dit is een land dat werkelijk alles heeft: prachtige landschappen, een overvloed aan kunst- en architectonische schatten, wereldberoemde musea en een nationale obsessie met decadent eten en goede wijn. Om nog maar te zwijgen van de zonovergoten olijfgaarden, gletsjermeren, vurige vulkanen en met sneeuw bedekte toppen. Duik in het heldergroene water van de Middellandse Zee, struin langs de marktkraampjes in Napels of ervaar de gevarieerde flora en fauna die de nationale parken van het land bevolken. En als u het enorme aanbod aan keuzes overweldigend vindt, neem dan wat advies van de lokale bevolking: leun achterover, ontspan en neem een moment om te genieten van de "bella vita" (het goede leven). Zoals ze zeggen: wanneer in Rome!
Voorgezeten door de machtige Vesuvius, met de opmerkelijke archeologische vindplaats Pompeii voor de deur, heeft de historische mediterrane stad Napels een lange en fascinerende geschiedenis. Napels was eeuwen ouder dan de Italiaanse staat en de Romeinse Republiek, wat resulteerde in een vrijwel ongeëvenaarde overvloed aan Griekse en Romeinse kunstvoorwerpen. Napels is anders dan elke andere Italiaanse stad - het is enorm, gespannen en wanordelijk, en toch gaat deze hedendaagse chaos door tegen de achtergrond van enkele van de grootste en meest indrukwekkende historische pleinen van Italië, musea van wereldklasse en adembenemende barokke meesterwerken. Als de geboorteplaats van pizza en de thuisbasis van misschien wel de meest luxueuze culinaire scene in een land dat bekend staat om zijn uitstekende eten, heeft Napels tal van gastronomische etablissementen om fijnproevers te verrassen met allerlei smakelijke lekkernijen.
Set just north of Sicily in the Tyrrhenian Sea, the 12.6 kilometre island of Stromboli presents a unique natural wonder: one of the world’s only constantly erupting volcanoes. Spewing lava into the sky and sending trails into the sea every 20 minutes for the last millennia, this magnificent attraction draws adventurous travellers to the island’s shore for the chance to take a guided, strict-protocol hike up to the crater, or watch the glowing streams light up the Slope of Fire at night. The island offers plenty more to experience, too: black pebbled and sandy beaches; wonderful opportunities for scuba-diving, canoeing and stand-up-paddleboarding; and the relatively untouched fishing village of Ginostra, reached by boat and filled with Eolian architecture and gardens. Classic film lovers may enjoy a visit to The Red House, where Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini conducted their affair.
At the northwestern end of the island of Salina, in Sicily's Aeolian archipelago, is Pollara, the remote village where the critically acclaimed movie Il Postino was filmed. A natural amphitheatre emerged when a crater partially collapsed, forming the picturesque Pollara Beach, a picture-perfect hideaway dwarfed by a looming cliff, with quaint fishermen's homes carved into the rock beneath sheer volcanic cliffs. A crystal-clear beach and a stunning sunset can be enjoyed by sunbathers, as well as, a view of Faraglione Rock and Filicudi.
Lively Lipari Island is the largest, busiest and most accessible of the Aeolian Islands, located off the northeast coast of Sicily. In the heart of town, cobbled streets are lined with pastel-shaded townhouses and simple dwellings adorned with bougainvillaea draped over their balconies. Stroll along the merry thoroughfare of Corso Vittorio Emanuele, or indulge at the restaurants, cafes or bars at the Marina Corta while overlooking the blue-green waters of the shimmering coastline. While a visit to the town's gorgeous beaches and hidden bays is ideal for easygoing leisure-seekers, a visit to local historical landmarks is essential for a more in-depth exploration of the town's history. Must-sees include the Castle of Lipari, the Lipari Archaeological Museum of the Aeolian Islands, and the 16th-century Saint Bartholomew Cathedral. When it comes to charm, scenery, history, convenience, and a laid-back holiday atmosphere, Lipari is tough to beat.
Taormina enjoys an idyllic location, favourably perched on a steep mountainside with panoramic views of Mount Etna, two grand sweeping bays and a picturesque Graeco-Roman amphitheatre. Drenched in sunshine year-round, this chic resort town attracts a steady stream of celebrities and holidaying high-rollers. Despite its unashamedly touristy atmosphere, its natural beauty is undeniable. The town’s chaotic network of winding streets is strewn with luxury designer boutiques, ancient churches and flower-filled balconies adorning beautifully restored medieval buildings and intimate piazzas. Taormina is especially magnificent on clear days when you can view the exquisite flora and flora against a backdrop of snow-capped volcanoes spewing puffs of white smoke into a mesmerizingly blue sky. Make sure to spend an afternoon picnicking in the gorgeous Giovanni Colonna Park.
Syracuse lies in the autonomous island region of Sicily. This popular tourist destination boasts an eclectic mix of lush natural terrain, stretches of white sandy beaches, culturally rich cities, and historically significant towns. The province’s main drawcard, the seaside, capital city of Syracuse is notable for its rich Roman and Greek culture (and architecture), as well as being the birthplace of the world-renowned mathematician and engineer, Archimedes. Highlights include the remarkable Regional Archaeological Museum Paolo Orsi; the bustling Piazza del Duomo; the second-century Roman amphitheatre of Anfiteatro Romano; and the striking Santuario Della Madonna Delle Lacrime - dominating the skyline. Don’t miss the magical Castello Maniace, at the far point of the Ortigia island promontory.
