20 Photos to Inspire Your Italy Travels
Italy is one of the most geographically blessed countries in the world. And hugely diverse, for a relatively small country; California is larger, by comparison. From the soaring Dolomites in north-east Italy, to the canals of Venice; from George Clooney’s Lake Como, to the hiker’s paradise of Cinque Terre, or playgrounds for the rich & famous, such as Capri & Portofino, to the rolling hills of Tuscany: there’s no place like Italy. In terms of history, diversity of landscapes, & sheer beauty ~ few places come close to this country’s magic. To help plan your travels, here are “20 Photos to Inspire Your Italy Travels!”
Viva Italia!
Venice is just ONE of the amazing places in Italy….but there are sooo many more…
Map of Italian Destinations
Rome
Cinque Terre
Venice
Trieste
Lake Como
Naples
Amalfi Coast
Sardinia
Florence
The Dolomites
Sicily
20 Photos to Inspire Your Italy Travels
If you love hiking, sun-bathing, & VIEWS ~ then don’t leave Cinque Terre off your Italian itinerary. Cinque Terre is located on Italy’s north-weste coastline, & is made up of five small towns connected by gorgeous hiking trails, & trains as well. The nearest major city is La Spezia. Views here are incredible ~ but if you don’t like hiking, don’t make this your #1 choice (use of cars is very limited here, & your best views come by hiking).
If you love any particular photo, click on it & you’ll be able to search hotels in that area.
Gorgeous Cinque Terre, on the west coast of Italy.
Cinque Terre, as seen from above.
Manarola is one of five picturesque towns along the Cinque Terre coastline.
Stunning turquoise waters of Monterosso al Mare, the “final” town you’ll come to along Cinque Terre’s hiking trail (if starting in Riomaggiore).
Photos of Rome
Virtually every traveler who comes to Italy passes through Rome. When I visited years ago with my friend Lea, we spent a whirlwind twenty-four hours there. It was hectic, crazy, resplendent with speedy Italian drivers, & filled with history. But be careful when you ask for a “margarita” ~ you likely won’t get a cocktail….but a pizza instead!
Welcome to Rome…
Shades of the movie “Gladiator” ~ the famous Colosseum in Rome.
Saint Peter’s Basilica, in Vatican City.
The Trevi Fountain is a major tourist attraction in Rome.
20 Photos to Inspire Your Italy Travels
Next up: the legendary Amalfi Coast. Terraced towns that spill down to the sea, colorful villages, hotels perched on the edges of cliffs, miles of chaise lounges on the sand, & very beautiful people: this is the Amalfi Coast. From Naples in the north, down to seaside marvels like Positano, & perhaps the most famous celebrity haunt of all: Capri Island ~ this region is where mere mortals get to live out all their Italian fantasies…
These are the views you’ve dreamed of….just outside Positano.
Play beach-blanket-bingo in lesser-known, but stunning Atrani ~ next to the town of Amalfi.
The Amalfi Coast is where the rich & beautiful come to play…
Just north of Positano, on the Amalfi Coast, is the beautiful town of Sorrento.
Laundry hanging in the colorful streets. Photo of Naples, Italy.
Don’t come to Capri without your boat. Or your yacht ; )
Photos of Florence & Tuscany
Tuscany is an entire region in central Italy (above Rome), that features famous cities like Florence & Pisa ~ & lesser-known gems like Siena & San Quirico d’Orcia, where you can set out on your ultimate wine country adventure. Tuscany feels the most authentically “Italian” of all the country’s regions. The pace of life is slower here, & provided the inspiration for Frances Mayes’ Under the Tuscan Sun.
St. Trinity Bridge, in Florence, Italy.
San Quirico d’Orcia is a gorgeous small town in Tuscany, south of Florence, in the Siena Province.
You could spend a lifetime exploring Florence, Italy.
The biggest ice cream cone I’ve ever had in my LIFE was in Florence.
Speaking of ice cream….Pisa is located just west of Florence, also in the Tuscany region. Cinque Terre is an easy trip north from Pisa.
20 Photos to Inspire Your Italy Travels
Venice! Everybody goes to Venice! And you can tell, because it’s always crowded. If you’re looking for quaint & uncrowded: you won’t find it here. On the other hand: there’s nowhere else in the world like it. For fewer tourists, head to Trieste ~ another gorgeous city on the water where you’ll meet more locals vs. lost foreigners.
Venice!
Venice canals, at night.
You may never have heard of Trieste: but it should be on your radar. GORGEOUS!!
Photos of the Dolomites & Lake Como
The Dolomites & Lake Como are both located in northern Italy. The Dolomites are found directly above Venice, close to Austria; while Lake Como is directly above Milan, closer to the Swiss border. And each place brings you entirely different experiences: from mountaineering & hiking in the Dolomites, to boating & brunching in Lake Como, alongside the uber-wealthy.
The Dolomites, in Italy.
The Dolomites can be visited in winter or summer, depending on what kind of scenery & sports you want to engage in…
Snow-capped castles in Val Gardena, near the Dolomites & north of Venice, in Italy.
See if you can find George Clooney’s place, in Lake Como.
20 Photos to Inspire Your Italy Trip
Milan, Italy.
Ciao Bella!
xoxo Noelia
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Gorgeous collection of photos!! WOWWW!! I want to go to Italy now!
Right, Molly??! I want to go back too!! Haha thanks for writing : ) xxoo ~ Noelia
I’ve never heard of Trieste or the Dolomites, but they both look amazing! How safe do you think Italy is for travel – especially female travel?
Hi Kelly! Thanks for your question. As a whole, Italy & most all of Europe is VERY safe for travel. Most of the “Top 20 Safest Countries in the World” are in Europe, in fact. What you may notice though, in Italy ~ especially as a female traveler, is the men can be very aggressive! This is especially true in big cities like Rome (the countryside is much more relaxed). It really is part of their culture, so I wouldn’t be too worried about it ~ but if this kind of thing really bothers you, possibly head to nearby Austria or Switzerland instead…you 99% WON’T be bothered in either of those countries, they’re very safe! Hope that helps : ) xoxo Noelia