As a travel writer who specializes in Italy, I often get asked the question, “what is your favorite place in Italy?” Honestly, that is a very hard question to answer. Italy has 20 regions of unique and wonderful beauty. Each is so different from the other. It is impossible for me to say that just one place is my dream destination.
So what I decided to do is include some of my favorite photos of the places that I love in Italy. However, there are many more places that I have not included. When I kick back and let myself dream about in Italy, it always includes these places along with a myriad of others.
If this is your first time in Italy, I would highly recommend that you visit the main cities which include Rome, Florence, and Venice. There is something so incredibly wonderful about seeing the ancient sites that you have only seen in a textbook. You have to be there in person to fully grasp the essence and magnificence of the art and architecture.
I hope that you enjoy some of my go-to places in Italy that never fail to leave a smile on my face and a deep longing in my soul….to return once more.
Where do you dream to go? If you have been to Italy, do you have a favorite place? Please share in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!
Timeless Italy Travels 
We just moved to Sardinia and it is by far my favorite place in Italy! (Aside from Venice haha)
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How fortunate for you!!
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I lived on sardinia for a while too
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One of the Blue Zones…the local people know the secrets to a long and healthy life.
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That I really reckon is essentially genetics – they have been different from the rest of europe since the beginning of teh bronze age
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Wow! It must have been difficult to concise your list, no? I love all the places that I have visited so far in Italy. Here’s the link to one of my blog posts: https://salsreveriesandsejours.wordpress.com/2017/11/11/discover_bologna/
Would love to hear from you 🙂 Do visit other posts too regarding Italy! Thanks.
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Grazie, Saloni! Nice to meet you and thank you for stopping by. I will definitely look up your article.
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Thanks a lot 🙂
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Yes how does one choose a favourite place in such a beautiful country. Although I am much happier now days in the regional towns and areas enjoying the local lifestyle. Your photos are all fabulous
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Thank you, Lyn. Where are you living now?
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Still in Brisbane
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I always say I feel like I left a little bit of my heart in Positano after going there on honeymoon 3 years ago. I absolutely fell in love with it. I adore Rome as well. Next on my list is Venice – although my list is so much longer, there are so many places I want to visit! Beautiful Italy. ❤️
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Isn’t that the truth? As often as I have been to Italy, that list just has no end. But the joy and pleasure to experience all that we can. Positano is beyond lovely and I can completely understand why you felt like you left a piece of your heart there. It truly is magical and those ocean views, sunsets, weather and steep hills scattered with buildings that appear to plunge right into the sea. Much to love!!
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Thanks for your fab blog, Susan 🙂 More places to add to my list! I adore Italy, but my favourite place has to be Umbria, and in particular Isola Maggiore on Lake Trasimeno. Have you been? For me, its tranquillity is second to none. Once a thriving fishing community with over 600 islanders, it now has only 15 residents, and there’s just one long main street left, lined with medieval buildings. There are no shops, no cars, but a small hotel, apartments for rent, three restaurants, a great gelateria, a little outdoor bar on the jetty … and a lot of well-fed wild pheasants! St Francis of Assisi spent Lent here in the 13th century and the old Franciscan monastery still dominates the island’s hillside. The island, just 800m from end to end, is covered in little paths winding up through the olive groves to the church on the summit, where there are some amazing frescoes. For me, Isola Maggiore is nature at its very simplest and best … and Lago Trasimeno’s sunsets are mesmerisingly beautiful. Ummm … as you can probably tell, I’m a bit of a fan! Have you come across anywhere else on your travels that has this completely timeless quality? They seem to be getting harder to find.
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Hi! Yes, in fact I have found several timeless places in Italy. I’ve been to Trasimeno and a few of the little villages that surround it on the water. Very cozy and picturesque! In fact, the last time I was there, we were planning how we could come back and spend a summer here. So lovely. I have not had the opportunity to visit Isola Maggiore, but if I do you can be sure I will check it out. St. Francis is one of my heros from childhood so another great reason to seek it out. Thank you for sharing this with me!! It is the small off-the-beaten-path villages that romance us with their beauty and charm. One place was Scarlino, a little hilltop hamlet in Tuscany. I’ll never forget it.
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Scarlino sounds so charming – what’s the neatest town please?
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Here is a map that should help you to find Scarlino…https://bit.ly/2EhiKmA
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Oops sorry – nearest town! Though neat is also good 🙂
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You’ve reminded me that I still have so much to see. I’ve loved everywhere I’ve visited. As you say, those regions are all so gorgeous. Turin and Rimini felt very welcoming, and August was a quiet time to visit Milan. Rome I keep going back to, I would love to see more of Tuscany and Venice, Bologna and Modena are currently topping my list of to sees.
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All great destinations. Rome is eternally hard to get out of, don’t you think? It draws me back time and again with each trip. Will you be going back soon?
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Nothing planned yet Susan. But so much more I want to see 😁
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My parents were born in Compagnia and I just love the Amalfi coast! I wrote about it on my blog and also how to experience the true Italian Experience. So many great places to see and food to eat!
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Ahhh…Amalfi coast! One of, if not the most, beautiful coasts in the world. I love dramatic scenery, so the Amalfi coast dazzles me. I agree with you about the food. Especially the freshly caught seafood. So delicious! I will have to look up your blog:)
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Puglia is on top of my wish list!
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What a wonderful region! I’ve loved my time in Puglia. The towns along the ocean are stunning as well as the white inland villages and trulli houses. So much to see in Puglia. Make it happen!!
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You might want to take a look at Palazzo Bacile di Castiglione, in the village of Spongano near Lecce. I discovered it just last year: wonderful ! http://www.palazzobacile.it
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I’ll hope on my Vespa and go straight there!
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Just to clarify, it’s actually a place to stay (in its own baronial walls) – I’d hate you to be disappointed/frustrated.
But very envious of your Vespa!
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The accommodation look lovely there! (and I realized my “I’ll hop on my Vespa” became “I’ll hope on my Vespa”!! What a wishful play on words!
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This year I discovered Vigevano in Lombardia, and I must share that with you Susan. Una citta` ideale, it is small and beautiful, with stunning architecture and a Visconti/ Sforza Castle. The other favourite, speaking of Renaissance Ideal cities, is Urbino in Marche.
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ahhhhh…such a soothing balm to see…
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Thank you, Julie! I hope you are enjoying Springtime:)
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I’ve vacationed in Finale Ligure and Camogli and love them both having stayed in wonderful properties overlooking the sea. I’m considering Rapallo, Lerici or Lido di Camaiore (the Versilia Coast) for part of this year’s trip. I would love to know what you find special about Rapallo?
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First of all, your itinerary sounds fabulous, Kathy. Rapallo is more of a non-touristy town with a nice waterfront to walk, marina, and gorgeous turn-of-the-century homes to admire. The town itself is quite walkable and you will see more of the real Italy here. I especially loved the chiming church bells that let off lovely melodies at certain times of the day. I know you will have a wonderful time no matter where you go!
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Kathy Rapallo is very beautiful. The old town has many little shops with interesting products, amazing deli’s selling a wonderful variety of local and northern products, restaurants all along the longomare with a beautiful view and the breezes coming from the Mediterranean. If you are a walker you can walk to Santa Margherita and Portifono (9 k). If you have a car you can go over the hill to Camogli (there is a wonderful bar built into the rocks, built during the war) where you can watch the sunset or take a train to Camogli to enjoy the sunset over the water. The trains are great and just a short ride to the Cinque Terra. The locals are very friendly and there are great bars and restaurants throughout the old town. The history of the town is interesting and a visit to the Castello will explain the attacks from the Vikings. Museums and so much to keep you busy in Rapallo or include day trips through Liguria.
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Thank you for a very complete assessment of Rapallo! It is not only a great place to explore but it is so convenient to so many attractions:)
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Thank you Gwynn and Susan. I so enjoyed my time on Ligurian Riviera a couple years and have been trying to talk myself into seeing a new area, the Versilia Coast. Your response had helped me decide to go back to Liguria and try Rapallo this visit.
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Oh my goodness, where’s my passport … ?! Thank you 🙂
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I would have to say Ragusa, Sicily, my family’s hometown, although I’ve only visited once. It’s at the top of a very high mountain, beautifully restored with a magnificent church and piazza. But best of all are the people, who were very friendly and kind and who were all sure we were cousins when I visited!
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I’ve never been to Ragusa, but I’ve heard nice things about it. I’ve found that it is the people and how I was received and treated that make the biggest impact on me. Italy is full of beautiful places, but a warm smile, a greeting, and a helpful countenance sure do go a long way. Do you have any relatives living in Ragusa?
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My cousin has a genealogy company called Sicilian Family Tree and she is helping me. My great-grandfather died there in a relative’s house but believe it or not there are so many Occhipintis there so far we have not been able to sort out which ones I’m related to!
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Rome, Florence, Venice–dreaming of visiting these cities someday.
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I think those three cities are the very best choices especially for a first time visit. I hope you make that dream a reality soon, Fritzie. It can happen!
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this place looks like a dream! thanks for sharing
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Glad you liked it…are you dreaming yet?
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