Italy Filters: 1246 properties match your filters

Calabria  -  [Matches:  1 properties]

Campania  -  [Matches:  73 properties]

This southern region includes the densely populated capital of Napoli, the gorgeous stretch of the Sorrento and Amalfi Coasts, and the islands of Ischia and Capri. It also includes Mount Vesuvius and the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Caserta, home of the splendid Bourbon palace Reggia di Caserta (or Palazzo Reale), lies northwest of Napoli. The cuisine of Campania highlights all types of seafood and locally grown produce such as lemons, tomatoes, and peppers. In the summer, you'll almost always find insalata caprese, a delicious salad of sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and olive oil. Campania’s other specialty is limoncello, a delicate, lemon-infused digestivo that is served ice cold. Throughout the region you'll find an impressive number of excellent eateries, from casual, down-home trattorie to upscale restaurants.

Florence City  -  [Matches:  79 properties]

This area includes the historic districts surrounding the duomo and Santa Croce. It also encompasses Oltrarno, or the district south of the Arno. All three districts offer convenient access to historic sites and are within walking distance of shops, museums, and restaurants. The train station is also within easy reach.

Friuli  -  [Matches:  3 properties]

The most northeastern part of Italy, the Friuli region is known for dry white wines, high, forested mountains, and the city of Trieste, which borders Slovenia. Still considered one of the largest ports in Italy, Trieste is a cosmopolitan town filled with beautiful turn-of-the-century cafés. Aquilegia, another coastal gem, is worth a visit as it was once considered an important Roman center. Udine, too, is and interesting stop. Formerly the outpost of Attila the Hun, it once offered a view of the destruction of the city of Aquilegia.

Lazio  -  [Matches:  76 properties]

The heart of the Roman Empire, Lazio, or Latium, is a region of volcanic lakes, mountains, vineyards, and olive orchards. Rome is its cultural center, boasting more antiquity than arguably any other city in the world---not to mention inimitable style and verve. As an alternative to the region’s famously crowded beach resorts, the countryside lakes of Bolsena, Albano, and Bracciano offer peaceful respite from the hustle bustle of Rome. For archaeology aficionados, Lazio has plenty to offer: excavations such as Cerveteri and Tarquinia provide a window into ancient Roman civilization. While in Lazio, sample the venerable spaghetti alla carbonara, a regional dish. A stateside plate of spaghetti with meat sauce will never look, or taste, the same again.

Liguria  -  [Matches:  14 properties]

For our purposes, this region encompasses the Riviera dei Fiori (San Remo), the Riviera Levante (Portofino, Rapallo, Santa Margherita, Genoa), and the southern Ligurian coast (Cinque Terre). Considered the Las Vegas of Italy, San Remo has absorbed some of nearby Monaco’s casino flair. Nonetheless, it’s worth a visit, particularly during January’s Festival della Canzone Italiana, when professional musicians come to perform the latest in Italian music. It’s a major televised event all over Italy. Genoa, the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, is a stop over destination and not the place to spend any time. Head, instead, to Portofino or Rapallo, small coastal towns west of Genoa. They’re lovely, ritzy spots known for attracting the jet set. Santa Margherita is situated between Rapallo and Portofino; it’s a convenient base from which to explore both areas. Cinque Terre is an isolated collection of five small fishing villages linked by rail and hiking trails. Boasting incredible natural beauty and a low-key vibe, it’s a fantastic destination any time of the year.

Lombardy  -  [Matches:  10 properties]

Located at the foot of the Swiss Alps, Lake Como and Lake Maggiore are the jewels of Lombardy. Surrounded by quaint towns such as Como, Varenna, Tremezzo, and Bellagio and lined with patrician villas, the lakes offer countless opportunities for exploration. While a trip by steamboat is an ideal way to take in the views, there are many hiking trails that afford even more panoramic vistas. In the unlikely event that you tire of blue sky and blue water, the noisy commercial center of Milan is nearby, as are Mantova, Brescia, and Cremona. Lombardy is known for its incredible cheese: bel paese, gorgonzola, mascarpone, and taleggio are but a sampling of the region’s delights. Other wonderful specialties include bresaola, minestrone, polenta, and risotto.

Marche  -  [Matches:  5 properties]

Situated between the Appenine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea, Le Marche remains relatively undiscovered. Here you can still find deserted beaches and peaceful hill towns---even in summer. Ancona, the region's largest port city, is a convenient point of departure for Greece, Turkey, or the former Yugoslavia. While neither Ancona nor Pesaro are worth a touristic stop, nearby Urbino should be your first destination in the region. It is the jewel of Le Marche, and one of Italy's most beautiful walled hill towns. The Palazzo Ducale, completed in 1482, is particularly stunning. The town of Macerata is also not to be missed. It, too, is a lovely hill town that remains off the beaten tourist track. Hikers should be sure to visit the Monti Sibbilini, a particularly breathtaking range in the Appenines; Amandola is a good base for mountain exploration. Rimini, both resort and Renaissance town, is worth a mini detour if you can ignore the throngs of teenagers. It’s best to avoid this coastal hotspot in high season, particularly August.

Piemonte  -  [Matches:  4 properties]

As its name suggests, Piemonte is nestled at the foot of the Alps. Bordering France to the west and Switzerland to the north, it has long been a destination for skiers and mountaineers. Torino, home of FIAT, is the region’s industrial capital. In the countryside, there are quaint mountain villages, rolling hills, and fertile farmland. Piedmont produces some of Italy’s greatest wines. The region’s wine districts include notable names such as Barbaresco, Barolo, Canelli, Cavour, Monferrato, Roero, and Acqui Terme. The historic center of Asti, with its medieval architecture and long history of invasion, is a fascinating destination. Acqui Terme is also not to be missed. Here, you can relax in hot springs and view historic architecture. The countryside that surrounds Asti is filled with interesting sites and opportunities for outdoor adventure, including the citadels of Visone and Cremolino and the Orba and Erro River valleys.

Puglia  -  [Matches:  3 properties]

The point of departure for the Crusaders when they sailed to the Holy Land, Puglia is a truly ancient territory. Invaded and conquered through the years, the region’s bustling port towns still resonate with Ottoman and North African influences. Puglia lies in the topographical “heel of the boot”, the southwestern point on Italy’s peninsula. The region’s trulli, small, conical stone dwellings, are perhaps its most enduring image. Bari, the region’s capital, and Brindisi both offer beautiful beaches, while Otranto, with its original Byzantine church, and Lecce, a Baroque city of yellow sandstone, boast historical architecture. With its acres of protected woodland, Puglia is also a nature lover’s paradise. Hundreds of animal species, including many exotic birds, call the region home. A relatively flat region, Puglia is the perfect place to explore by bicycle. Olives and almonds are central to Pugliese cuisine and agriculture. About one-third of the olive oil produced in Italy comes from Puglia. The warm summer sun produces beautiful fruits and vegetables. Along the coast, the seafood is fresh and plentiful.

Rome City  -  [Matches:  39 properties]

The historic district packs a proverbial punch. Home to the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum, it offers an eat-your-heart-out display of antiquity. Also part of the centro storico are the districts surrounding the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Both boast a hopping café scene, nightlife, and a beautiful collection of renaissance palazzi. No surprise, the centro storico is a tourist hot spot and hotel prices are exorbitant.

Sardinia  -  [Matches:  5 properties]

Boasting some of Europe’s most spectacular coastline, Sardinia is the ultimate destination for sun seekers and those who prize the clear, blue waters of the Mediterranean. It’s also a wild, exotic land that bears little resemblance to the rest of Italy. Perhaps its most famous (and beautiful) spot is the Costa Smeralda, a stretch of coastline that is dotted with chic towns such as Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo. Looking for adventure in paradise? The island’s mountainous interior offers incredible hiking opportunities; there are prehistoric rock villages, canyons, oak forests, and mountain sheep.

Sicily  -  [Matches:  58 properties]

Mild and sunny all year long, the island of Sicily has a long and complex history of invasion and conquer. Pre-unification, it was alternately under Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Norman, Aragonese, Austrian, and Spanish rule. It’s precisely this colorful past that makes Sicily so fascinating: the Greek temples of Agrigento and Selinunte are some of the best preserved in the world. The Sicilian cuisine remains heavily influenced by Arab culinary traditions. The ideal destination for sun worshipers and archaeology buffs alike, Sicily offers clear, blue water, incredible ruins, and a taste of Italy that is perhaps warmer, friendlier, and spicier than what you find in the north. Taormina, Cefalu’, and Piazza Armerina are some of the island’s best spots. Gelato lovers take note: The ice cream in Sicily is widely regarded as the best in Italy.

Sorrento Peninsula  -  [Matches:  73 properties]

Resting on a terrace of land, Sorrento rises steeply above the sea on one of the most spectacular points of the Campanian coast. Due to its enchanting position and mild climate, Sorrento has been a favorite resort since Romans times, drawing heavyweights the likes of Agrippa, Augustus, and Antonius. It became an elite tourist resort in the eighteenth century. Most likely founded by the Greeks, Sorrento was already inhabited in prehistoric times.

Tuscany  -  [Matches:  782 properties]

A hilly region rich in agriculture, Tuscany was the home of the Etruscan civilization, and later the birthplace of the Renaissance. It’s known for charming, historic towns like Siena, Arezzo, Cortona, Lucca, San Gimignano, and Volterra. A destination for gourmands, the wine of Tuscany’s Chianti region is famous around the globe. Extra virgin Tuscan olive oil, a staple in regional cuisine, is also highly prized. Tuscany’s capital, Florence is a great art center whose centro storico remains closely linked to its medieval past, in spite of tourist crowds. The region’s Tyrrhenian coast is famous for its white sand beaches and pine forests. Come August, Florentines depart en masse for spots such as Viareggio, Forte dei Marmi, and the island of Elba.

Umbria  -  [Matches:  126 properties]

Known as the Green Heart of Italy, Umbria is best characterized by verdant rolling hills, fields of yellow sunflowers, the smoky flavor of truffles, and the tang of sheep’s milk cheese. It is both refined and wild. A land of Etruscan and medieval origins, Umbria is steeped in spirituality: the hill town of Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis, is considered the center of the Franciscan monastic movement. Perugia, Umbria’s capital, hosts a world famous jazz festival, while Gubbio puts on its very own annual pagan celebration. Spoleto, Orvieto, and Urbino are also gems of the region. Perugia’s Buitoni produces thirteen percent of Italy’s pasta. It’s no surprise, then, that the pasta in this region is delectable, especially the umbricelli, a specialty of Northern Umbria. Perugia’s other delicacies include bruschetta, farro soup, pork dishes, wild pigeon, and squab. As for truffles, dogs or pigs sniff out these precious mushrooms in the area around Norcia and Spoleto. The cuisine of Southern Umbria highlights the subtle combination of truffles, olive oil, cheese, and homemade pasta. The white wine of Orvieto is the region’s most famous.

Veneto  -  [Matches:  86 properties]

The Veneto truly caters to all travelers’ tastes. There are mountains (the Dolomites), lakes (Lake Garda), beaches (the Adriatic), and monumental cultural centers (Venice, Verona, Vicenza, and Padova.) The region offers an extraordinary range of scenery and remains one of the richest in Italy. Although the canals of Venice steal the show, the nightly summertime operas in Verona’s Roman forum are beyond compare. To the northeast lies the Friuli region---home of the some of the world’s finest white wines, and historic towns such as Udine and Trieste.

Venice City  -  [Matches:  34 properties]

Inspired by the Greek and Arab cities of the early Middle Ages, Venice is built on 118 islands. It is a bewitching maze of alleys, bridges, canals, and piazze. Long a cultural center, the Venetian school bred high renaissance masters such as Titian and Tintoretto; the city’s art collection is rivaled only by that of Florence. Piazza San Marco is perhaps one of the finest medieval squares in Europe. The dialect of Venice is without comparison and is virtually undecipherable to the uninitiated: for example, rio’ means “canal”, while rio’ terra means “filled-in canal”. Spring’s renowned Carnevale is celebrated in distinctive masquerade and commemorated with theatrical spectacles. The Biennale, the world’s most famous contemporary art show, draws an urbane, international crowd to Venice every other year.