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Top 10 things to do in Italy

Radio Times staff - 17 March 2015

Ahh, la bella vita. The Italians are renowned for their love of the beautiful life – and embrace every inch of it with a passion, if the movies are to be believed. From food so good you’ll be forced to loosen (if not lose) your belt to passion, fashion and a whole lot of art culture – Italy is just begging to be explored.

1. Gondola rides in Venice

It’s not necessarily the most authentic way to get about, as you’ll notice most romantic gondolas are modes of transport for slow-moving tourists rather than locals, but it’s worth a punt nonetheless. Couples will no doubt enjoy a ride for two, complete with champagne, while penny-pinchers can get a view of the water on a vaporetto ride down the Grand Canal.

 

2. Arty Florence

The Galleria degli Uffizi in Florence is renowned for Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, as well as its extensive collection of works by masters including Michelangelo, Titian, Giotto, Raphael and more. Outside of the gallery, the city is extremely popular with tourists, due to it housing some of the best art in the world, and there are some superb restaurants to cater for the crowds.

 

3. The Colosseum

It’s very tempting to make like Russell Crowe’s gladiator, shouting “are you not entertained” while exploring the Colosseum, but visitors are advised against it. Slap bang in the centre of Rome, the amphitheatre is crumbling but beautiful, and the structure is all the more impressive when you consider that while beasts, as well as men, fought there in front of an audience of thousands.

 

4. Experience 79 BC

When Mount Vesuvius erupted, it preserved the town of Pompeii as it was in 79 BC. A visit to the town is a fascinating insight into a long-dead civilisation, and tourists can see what houses, public baths and villas were like many years ago. For the more inquisitive, there’s a chance to see the casts left by bodies in the lava.

 

5. Egyptian history

It may seem like a strange place for an Egyptian museum, but Italy boasts one of the best Egyptian museums outside Egypt, the recently-refurbished Egyptian Museum of Turin. Here, visitors will find collections dating back hundreds of years, and depicting life in ancient Egypt. There is also an extensive library, which attracts scholars from all over the world.

 

6. Milan Cathedral

For an unrivalled view of the city, the roof of Milan’s Cathedral is superb. Tourists with a head for heights can take a lift up to the roof and wander among the spires and statues, or pose for pictures against the stunning city backdrop. Meanwhile, the interior of the cathedral is beautifully ornate and dressed with bronze statues and a 225-rank pipe-organ.

 

7. The Blue Grotto

A boat trip out to the Blue Grotto in Capri is a stunning sight. While getting into the sea cave is a little claustrophobic, as the entrance is just a metre and a half wide, the spectacle is worth it. The water in the grotto is a shocking blue, and if you dip a hand in the water, it becomes almost glittery in appearance. The cave isn’t open all the time – as it’s weather and tide-dependant – but it’s a great spot if you’re able to get there.

 

8. Alberobello

Famous for its ‘trulli’ buildings, Alberobello, in Apuglia, are conical-roofed whitewashed buildings. And here, there is a whole town of them. Enthusiastic tourists can stay in one of the cute buildings – which are only located in this region – and explore the town’s restaurants, cafes and museums.

 

9. Climb an active volcano

In Sicily, it's possible to climb active volcano Mount Etna. Various organisers offer a guided climbs during the winter, although it may be less appealing to be outside. It’s also possible to ski on the volcano too, and the views are stunning.

 

10. Hike the Dolomites

There are as many walks through the Dolomites as there are stunning spots to take in. It’s possible to disappear on your own hike through the spectacular scenery and mountain lakes, or, for hikers who want the expertise of a local guide, it’s possible to take guided trails too.

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