Italian Rhapsody

Italy has it all! Here’s where to go and when for your Italian rhapsody.

We are all pilgrims who seek Italy-Goethe

Beautiful and interesting places are found around the world. After visiting them, we come back enriched and grateful.

A case can be made that Italy is unique.

Its wonders cover the entire human experience; regardless of one’s preferences, it has something beautiful to offer. It is a collection of places, people, artifacts, and cuisine that work together and weave themselves into our psyches. It is a harmony of riches.

Whether it is a first visit or one that follows others, every Italian holiday can be a rhapsody.

But before we can rhapsodize, we need to discuss where and when to go. Then we can make the riches harmonize.

The Classic Tour

Italy conjures many images. Often, these revolve around the spectacular cities of Rome, Florence, and Venice and the incredible art and architecture found in them. The images are reinforced by narratives of ancient and Renaissance cultures.

The classic tourist visit is a wonderful, but exhausting introduction to Italy — everyone else is trying to do the same thing! Still wow, though.

If you want to do the classic tour, then the best thing to know is when to do it.

Or you can modify it by taking in other sights and activities.

But we can take the classic tour as Italian Rhapsody 101.

And so many other riches

With such incredible places like those of the classic tour, by themselves, they sell the country “short”. There is so much more:

There are other lovely large and medium-sized cities,

There are also dozens of towns that surprise with their art, medieval walls, and excellent restaurants,

There is gorgeous countryside with rolling hills, hilltop towns, lovely vistas, and, of course, vineyards,

There is the breathtaking seaside of renown, like -the Amalfi Coast and the island of Capri. But also, many places by the sea,

There are lovely lakes,

There are the mountains — the entire rib of Italy but most of all, the Alps and the Dolomites

And, of course, there’s the food and wine. Every region has its specialties.

In sum, Italy has something for everyone.

Let’s consider the above categories, then build the perfect itinerary!

The Other Cities

Personal favorites, are Verona, Turin (Torino), and Siena. But also, Naples and Milan.

Verona has incredible city walls — if you like the medieval feel, this is your place. But wait! It also has a Roman-era coliseum, the Arena, and it’s still in use! Incredibly, all through the summer, Verona has concerts and operas inside the Arena. Events are mostly at night, and it’s magical to be there.

Turin — the former capital of the Kingdom of Savoy. It has impressive squares, a royal palace, and beautiful architecture. Some call it, “Little Paris”.

Siena — City walls, a magnificent Duomo, impressive squares, and narrow streets. It rivals Florence. And you can buy great leather goods: wallets, purses, belts, and coats.

Naples — People often pass through if they are going to Capri, the Amalfi Coast, or Pompeii. It has great Renaissance and Baroque squares and buildings.

The small towns

Every small town has a surprise. Lovely views of the countryside, superb restaurants, and dazzling churches and artwork — almost all have a masterpiece.

Tuscany is full of small towns. High on the list are the towers and countryside views of San Gimignano, Montepulciano perched on high and surrounded by vineyards, Volterra with impressive city walls and great places to shop, and Cortona — where the movie “Under the Tuscan Sun” was filmed.

Most Tuscan towns, no matter the size, have something to offer, including fantastic restaurants.

Other areas — Umbria, with Assisi, Orvieto, Perugia. The area outside Rome, with Imperial Villas, the Pope’s summer residence, and lakes inside volcano calderas.

The countryside

The Chianti area or any countryside in Tuscany. The “Chianti Strada” — the road between Florence and Siena has spectacular vistas of mountains, vineyards, and classic winding roads lined by cypress trees. The area around Montalcino has great wineries, restaurants, and stunning views. Stay someplace in the countryside and absorb the beauty and peace.

The Piedmonte near Alba and Asti -this area near Milan and Turin has world-famous wines, so vineyards are everywhere. Also, green rolling hills and out-of-this-world restaurants.

Umbria — Where the saints and mystics lived or went for inspiration. Lovely hills and so peaceful.

The Seaside

The Amalfi Coast, of course, but it’s crowded. Capri is spectacular; a boat tour is a must, but beaches are hard to reach.

Consider — Liguria, an area starting north of Tuscan and going all the way to the south of France; loaded with lovely villages hugging mountains and the sea. The Cinque Terre is famous.

Puglia — Italians go there for the unrivaled sea and seafood.

Sicily — an island with beaches everywhere. The island is also soaked in history.

Sardinia — another island. The Costa Smeralda area can be pricey, but the water and sand are truly amazing. There are hundreds of other beaches, so one can stay in one place, then visit others.

The Lakes

Lake Como is justly famous for the gorgeous mountains that plunge down to the lakeside. A boat ride can be memorable.

And Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. A raging Italian debate concerns the most beautiful lake. All of them have great scenery. Garda and Maggiore are less expensive to visit.

The Mountains

Italy has a rib of mountains, the Apennines, that runs the length of the peninsula. Most anywhere you go in Italy, you’ll see mountains.

And then there are the truly spectacular mountains.

The Alps to the west of Milan and Turin and continue north into Switzerland and east into France, and

The Dolomites near Verona and Venice are jaw-dropping. Incredible jagged peaks, multi-hued rocks, and green valleys. The town of Cortina d-Ampezzo is spectacular. Bolzano, too. Italian and German are spoken — some areas used to be part of Austria.

Food and Wine

Every region has its own cuisine. Tuscany has great pasta and world-famous steaks. Bologna and Modena are thought by Italians to be food ground-zero. Others claim Naples and Sicily- the pizza is indescribable. Etc., etc.

Every area makes its own wines — find out the local specialty, then stick with it. Red for Tuscany, though some parts have good whites. Anywhere near the sea, go with the whites.

How To Have Every Trip Rhapsodize

The Classic Tour Rhapsody — Try to avoid the summer when it is hot and crowded. These are cities with many sights indoors. It is far cheaper and less crowded to go in other seasons. Winter is wonderful!

Classic Tour Rhapsody, Modified Versions — Take a city, then combine it with other places nearby from one of the other categories.

For example, combine Florence and the Tuscan small towns and countryside. The best time to go is April — early June, or September-October. Can be done during the summer, though the suggestion would be to focus on the very small towns since they are not as crowded.

Other nice pairings:

Florence and Siena

Venice and Verona, or Milan and Verona

Rome and Naples

Throw in some small towns or countryside, with these pairings.

Seaside Rhapsody

The key is to book early, January, or February for the coming year. Note that August is when Italians head to the beaches. Booking early gets you a spot and is usually cheaper than booking later.

The Amalfi Coast is spectacular, but limits are being added because of severe traffic. The best time to go is before mid-June or September. These months are also less expensive.

Sicily can be quite hot, so the suggested timing is the same as the Amalfi Coast. Ditto Puglia and Sardinia.

Mountain or Lake Rhapsodies

They are in the north of Italy, so they will not be quite as hot. May through September are good times to go.

If going to Lake Como, book early for availability and a better price. It is most expensive in the July-August high season.

Small Town and Countryside Rhapsodies

One can do an entire vacation and not go to any of the major cities. Driving and eating one’s way through Tuscany is quite memorable. The same for driving through the Langhe region outside Milan.

These areas mostly shut down from November to the beginning of April. The roads can be treacherous during the winter. One can go any of the other months. The weather is wonderful in September, but sometimes the grape harvest slightly complicates matters.

Food or Wine Rhapsody

The best advice for eating and drinking is go-local. There are many Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy, but one can spend a lot of money on them. Local, casual places usually have outstanding food and one can eat well inexpensively.

Find out the local food specialties and stick with them. Meat in places away from the sea and fish near it. Pasta is everywhere, but each area has its own specialty, for example, pesto pasta in Liguria.

Stick with local wines unless you are an aficionado. With the local wines, find out whether the area specializes in white or red and go with it. The house wines are inexpensive but pay a few more euros for a bottle of a great local wine.

If you want to do wine tastings, it is best to book in advance; drop-ins are not as typical in Italy.

If you enjoy cooking, check with your hotel about local cooking classes.

Rhapsodize Exponentially

Exponential growth often outdoes sums.

When one mixes and matches the categories of cities, towns, etc., the result is often better than just picking, say, two or three big cities.

Travel Wisely

Besides the different types of experiences, the other consideration is how much time you have and how much you’ll burn by traveling between places. For that reason, pick areas of concentration that are located relatively close to each other. One should be able to get from one place to another in 1–2 hours maximum. If it takes 3 or more hours, you’re wasting precious time.

Find Your Own Italian Rhapsody

A great goal for visiting Italy is to have a terrific time, not to be exhausted by crowds, heat, or travel, and to let it work its wonders for you.

And be open to surprises — it’s ok to wander and find something breathtaking.

Italy has great riches of interest and beauty. You can find whatever you like if you choose your itinerary wisely — you’ll come home feeling enriched and grateful.