Italy travel

Peacefully nestled in the heart of abundant nature, cradled in a bend of the Arno, Florence captivates its visitors and inspires the greatest artists, to the point of having itself sparked an exceptional cultural movement that swept across Europe in just a few years and permanently shifted its philosophy: the Renaissance. Its history is closely linked to that of the Medici family, who invited Dante, Petrarch, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and others... all for the greater glory of the city. All around, Tuscany unfolds its rolling hills and hilltop hamlets, its artistic masterpieces and exceptional vineyards, as well as its discreet corners still off the radar, in the shade of cypresses. There are a thousand ways to travel in Tuscany.

A journey to the Italian Lakes region has always inspired both nature lovers and aesthete travellers in search of refinement. The Lakes region is an ideal destination for a trip to Northern Italy. Although it stretches geographically across several regions encompassing around twenty lakes, three of them truly stand out: Lake Maggiore, Lake Como and Lake Garda. Located at the foot of the Alps, most are of glacial origin but enjoy a Mediterranean mildness that has made them popular since Antiquity. All around, Lombardy rolls out its allure, from the Italian style capital, Milan, to the provincial charm of Bergamo or Mantua, with outstanding gastronomy as the common thread.

Long overlooked as a tourist destination in Italy, the Puglia region has returned to the spotlight, focusing on hospitality that is mindful of the environment and respectful of its architecture. Those who seek out charming destinations will be delighted by a journey to Puglia, this region in southern Italy nestled between the Adriatic Sea on one side and the Ionian Sea on the other, wilder and still less touristy than the rest of the country, provided you know where to go. The back of the Italian boot, fortified by the rocky spur of the Gargano, is edged with an endless beach that frames a fertile plain, the Tavoliere delle Puglie, a limestone plateau that gently slopes down to a flat and almost deserted peninsula: The Murge.

It is impossible to visit Italy without a trip to Rome! The eternal city of painters and lovers, the marble capital of an empire with boundless frontiers, Rome has nevertheless remained a city on a human scale, dotted with parks and shaded gardens, lively little squares with cheerful fountains and bustling shops. Around the Palatine Hill, where Romulus and Remus once clashed, the famous seven hills are rich in ancient remains, and it is easy to imagine the tumultuous life during the time of the Caesars. A trip to Abruzzo is a delight for nature lovers. Picturesque medieval villages, high-altitude lakes, pastures, fine sandy beaches, ski slopes and little-known heritage make it a top destination, far from the beaten track.

There it is, in the heart of the Mediterranean, perfectly aligned on a north–south axis. From Africa, it has taken the dry heat, the straw-coloured savanna that carpets its southern mountains, the centuries-old olive trees, and cliffs worthy of the Great Rift Valley. From Europe, the softness, lights, the curve of its forms, its villages of blond stone and tiles. Surrounded by water, Sardinia also reveals itself through its unique beaches: rock formations sculpted by the wind, sand so white it feels as if you are at the ends of the earth, and water so turquoise that the blue of the sky only enhances it.

The mere mention of a trip to Sicily conjures up the charming names of Taormina, Palermo or Syracuse, Lipari, Agrigento and Selinunte. So many names that have rolled off the tongue since the dawn of time. Like that of Arethusa, the lovely nymph who, pursued by a lovesick suitor – though he was a good match, being the river god Alpheus – fled all the way to Sicily. Artemis helped her, a radical solution in the manner of the Greek gods: she turned her into a fountain. Arethusa is still there; you can see her in Syracuse, a little fresh water on this arid, rugged and harsh island, yellow like the sun that scorches it. And within Etna are gathered Enceladus, whose fiery breath causes earthquakes, Typhon the monster, and Hephaestus with his team of Cyclopes, who, calmly at the forge, recycle this energy.

In the shadow of its neighbour Tuscany, this little heart of Italy beats quietly, sheltered from prying eyes. Protected by the natural ramparts of its rugged terrain, the region still arouses little curiosity among travellers. And all the better for it! Umbria has the proud yet discreet temperament of the mountain people who live there. To uncover its secrets, you must venture into its chestnut forests, breathe in the fresh air of its rivers, linger in its stone villages, and savour the flavours of its terroir. Then, a sincere and striking journey is revealed.

The magic of Venice, La Serenissima, reveals itself to all, even in the off-season when thick mist hangs over the canals and the sun gradually emerges over the lagoon. Venice is best explored on foot or by vaporetto, and when fatigue sets in, travellers find comfort in the city’s osterie and trattorie. As evening falls, the city awakens even more beautifully as the palaces light up and the canals drift off to sleep. A journey to Venice is the magic of gondolas on the canals, St Mark’s Basilica and Square, the Doge’s Palace, Veronese, Tintoretto, the lively Cannaregio district, and not forgetting the islands of Murano and Burano.