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Think our Winter Olympians work hard? Try being asked to boil down Italy’s incredible array of destinations and attractions into a simple set of three winners per category. It’s a fool’s errand. An impossible task.
And yet here we are, calling these Italian favourites up to the dais to collect their medals, preparing to hear Il Canto degli Italiani for the umpteenth time. Gold, silver and bronze ready to be awarded.
The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina opens on Friday, February 6 [Nine Entertainment, the owner of this publication, holds the exclusive Australian broadcast rights], with events being held in Milan and across multiple locations in Italy’s soaring Dolomite mountains, the likes of Predazzo, Livigno, Cortina d’Ampezzo and Tesero.
And while Australian stars such as Scotty James, Jakara Anthony and Danielle Scott have been honing their athletic skills, we’ve been casting our expert eye over the host nation, deciding which of its many attractions would win medals in a fantasy competition.
As mentioned, this is almost impossible. How do you name just three premier attractions in a country that hosts the world’s highest number of UNESCO heritage-listed sites (60)? How do you come up with the three best places to eat in a nation that is home to one of the world’s finest cuisines? How do you select three islands when there are more than 450 to choose from?
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The answer is, you just do your best. Which is why the awards you see in this story could easily be replaced with an entirely different set of winners, and it would still sound like a completely fair list.
Italy is an amazing country. We love every part of it, from coastal idyll to mountain glory, from terracotta rooftops to chequered-cloth tabletops, from its citizens’ outsized emotions and immaculate dress sense to its perfect coffee and “dolce far niente”, or “sweetness of doing nothing” attitude.
There is never a bad time to celebrate Italy. Even if everyone is bound to disagree. Let us know your own favourites by writing to us at [email protected], and we’ll publish the most interesting responses.
CITIES
GOLD Rome, Lazio
This might be the easiest award of the lot because Rome is not just the best city in Italy, it’s quite possibly the best city in the world. The Eternal City, where all roads lead, is a phenomenon, the embodiment of a “living museum”, where you can wander aimlessly and stumble frequently upon historic wonder after historic wonder. The food here is outstanding, the chaotic crumbliness of the place wonderfully charming, the experience of being here truly exhilarating. Visit the historic centre, yes, but then don’t miss Trastevere, Testaccio, Pigneto and even San Giovanni to experience Rome’s full breadth. See turismoroma.it
Read more: Traveller’s comprehensive guide to Rome
SILVER Florence, Tuscany
It’s no surprise to find Rome sharing the podium with its northern neighbour, Florence, itself a tourist magnet you would like to avoid if it wasn’t so joyfully incredible. Home to the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, Piazzale Michelangelo and much more, not to mention modern Tuscan culture and cuisine, Florence is uber-popular for a reason. See feelflorence.it
BRONZE Naples, Campania
We have our first controversy. No Venice? And it’s true, Venice, like Florence, is popular for a reason. For us, however, gritty, big-hearted Naples pips it with its history and its pizza. See visitnaples.eu
TOWNS
GOLD Siena, Tuscany
Okay, so Siena, with a population of just over 52,000, calls itself a city rather than a town. But we have made the unilateral decision that it is small enough to qualify for this section, so let’s just celebrate this historic Tuscan settlement’s many charms. Siena’s entire historic centre is a UNESCO heritage site – several buildings date back to the 13th and 14th centuries; it’s also home to the world’s oldest bank, and one of our oldest universities. It hosts the twice-annual Palio, a horse race in historic Piazza del Campo, it boasts an extensive artistic history, and as many people visit for its modern Tuscan cuisine as anything else. See visitsiena.it
SILVER Montepulciano, Tuscany
We’re staying in Tuscany, but why not when it’s as dreamy-gorgeous as the medieval hilltop town of Montepulciano? Cast your eye across the surrounding hills and see vineyards and rolling forests. Walk the ancient streets in the footsteps of Etruscans, Romans, Lombards and Florentines. And in the evening, when many of the day visitors have left, enjoy Tuscan fare and a “passeggiata”. See visittuscany.com
BRONZE Taormina, Sicily
The Sicilian town made famous by The White Lotus might not be a secret, but it is beautiful, set high on a hill above the Mediterranean, with Mount Etna bubbling away nearby, a Greco-Roman theatre still in use, and historic streets ripe for exploration. See visitsicily.info
SIGHTS
GOLD The Pantheon, Rome
This was impossible. Italy has 60 UNESCO heritage-listed sites; Rome itself has three, including its entire Centro Storico, which takes in the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and more. Every one of these entries could come from Rome. Instead, however, I’ve decided to go with just one sight per city, and surely Rome’s finest, even in a city of so many fantastic historic attractions, is the Pantheon. This Roman temple turned church was built in the second century AD, and its Corinthian columns, its concrete dome, its 43-metre-high oculus and its lavish interior still fascinate the world to this day. See direzionemuseiroma.cultura.gov.it
SILVER Doge’s Palace, Venice
Most of us understand the power and the artistic legacy of the Roman Empire. But how about the Republic of Venice, a one-time sovereign state with more than 1000 years of history? Perhaps the most obvious remnant of the republic’s might is Venice’s Doge’s Palace, on the edge of Piazza San Marco, in the shadow of the Campanile. It’s built in Venetian Gothic style, and it’s stunning. See visitvenezia.eu
BRONZE Uffizi Gallery, Florence
Italy has no shortage of amazing art galleries – Rome’s Galleria Borghese, the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan – but perhaps the best is Florence’s Uffizi, filled with works by Renaissance masters such as Leonardo, Botticelli, and Michelangelo. See uffizi.it
FOOD
GOLD Bologna, Emilia-Romagna
Famously nicknamed “La Grassa”, or “the fat one”, Bologna stands out as foodie heaven even in a country that itself is one of the world’s greatest places to eat. Bolognese cuisine is so rich, and so good: this is the home of the famous, eponymous ragu, but also hand-rolled tortellini in brodo, cured meats like mortadella, plus lasagne, cotoletta alla Bolognese, not to mention treats of the region such as prosciutto and Parmigiano Reggiano. Bologna is big on aperitivo – a drink and a snack in the early evening – it has incredible markets, great pastries, good wine, and a friendly, down-to-earth nature. See bolognawelcome.com
SILVER Naples
Do you like pizza? Of course, you do. And the Neapolitans invented pizza. They also do a local ragu that’s as hearty as it is astonishingly delicious, they make Italy’s best coffee, and their contribution to the pastry world, sfogliatelle, all shatter-crisp layers and citrus-ricotta filling, deserves a standing ovation. And all of this is eminently affordable and accessible. See visitnaples.eu
BRONZE Palermo, Sicily
Wander the sultry streets of Palermo in the evening and check out what’s on offer from local vendors: arancini (rice balls), pani ca meusa (bread rolls stuffed with veal spleen), frittola (fried meat), coppo di fritture (fried seafood). This Sicilian hub rewards the adventurous eater. See visitsicily.info
Read more: Never eat pizza with pasta: The 16 rules of dining in Italy
WINE
GOLD Langhe, Piedmont
Some of the world’s most sought-after, collectable and expensive wines are produced in Italy, and almost all of them come from the Langhe region in Piedmont. This is the home of the Barolo DOCG, as well as Barbera d’Alba, Barbaresco, and Dolcetto d’Alba. If you love wine, you have to visit Langhe. Even if you just love rolling, vine-covered hills, charming little villages, buttery foods featuring white Alba truffles, and friendly people, you should visit Langhe. Winery visits here tend to be in-depth affairs that include tours and tastings, and our tip is just to take your time and enjoy. And get someone else to drive. See visitpiemonte.com
SILVER Mount Etna, Sicily
Many of the most exciting – and accessible – wines coming out of Italy right now are being produced in Sicily, making use of the volcanic soils of Mount Etna. Both the reds and whites here hum with life and are rich in minerality. A visit to a winery or two just north of Catania will give a welcome snapshot of an underappreciated region. See visitsicily.info
BRONZE Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Lovers of white wine, and landscapes of snow-capped mountains and vine-covered hills, should head north, all the way to Italy’s top-right corner, to sample some of the world’s finest. Plenty of wineries offer tastings, not to mention show-stopping views. See turismofvg.it
HISTORY
GOLD Rome
It can’t be anywhere but Rome. History here is not an ephemeral thing, not a notion you have to picture or dream about. It’s right here in front of you. You can touch it, you can live it. Consider the sites: the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Campo de Fiori, the Baths of Caracalla, the Roman Forum, Castel Sant’ Angelo, Palatine Hill, Teatro di Marcello. The list goes on. These streets have existed for millennia. Julius Caesar walked here. Cicero, Constantine, Augustus. Thousands of years later, the glory of the Roman Empire refuses to crumble. Nowhere else comes close. See turismoroma.it
SILVER Pompeii, Campania
Few sites around the world offer the sort of richly drawn snapshot of history that Pompeii boasts. Once a prosperous city in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, it was famously buried in volcanic ash in 79AD, which served to preserve Pompeii exactly as it was. Visitors to the excavation site can now see buildings and homes featuring frescos and mosaics, wander the old streets and picture life 2000 years ago. See pompeiisites.org
BRONZE Matera, Basilicata
Rocky Matera, in the southern province of Basilicata, has been continuously occupied for at least 3000 years, probably more (Neolithic pottery discovered there dates back to 7500BC), making it one of the oldest cities in the world. The rock-hewn area known as Sassi is an incredible step back into the Palaeolithic period. See materaturismo.it
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE
GOLD Milan, Lombardy
It’s not as if the host of the Winter Olympics doesn’t boast history: this is the home of Leonardo’s The Last Supper, not to mention the truly stunning Duomo di Milano. But Milan is very much a city of the modern-day, and the future. It’s one of the global capitals of fashion and design; there are several impressive works of modern architecture; Italy’s major media organisations are based in Milan (not to mention many of its largest companies in this well-known financial hub), and the northern city boasts a modern dining scene that would be the envy of any European centre. See yesmilano.it
SILVER Turin, Piedmont
Milan’s near neighbour and great rival (see any AC Milan v Juventus football match for proof) is another industrious, prosperous city with its eye on the future, and plenty to offer travellers prepared to explore further than the big names. The food scene is excellent, the shopping world-class, and the blend of classic and modern architecture a pleasure. See turismotorino.org
BRONZE Bari, Puglia
This will seem a strange entry: not so long ago, Bari was down and out, a shabby port town that served only as a gateway to Puglia. But the city has been revitalised and rejuvenated, and is moving into the future, while retaining links to its gritty past. See viaggiareinpuglia.it
ISLANDS
GOLD Ischia
Let nearby Capri take all the fame (and the crowds); Ischia is the low-key gem, the long-time favourite of domestic tourists, sitting just off the coast of Naples in sparkling Tyrrhenian seas. Ischia is gorgeous of course, all rugged cliffs pouring into crystal-clear waters, highlands dotted with hot springs, fishing villages painted in bright hues. You can find luxury here if you seek it, in the form of five-star hotels and swish restaurants. But you can also find the “real” Italy, the trattorias and the nonnas on passeggiata, the teenagers preening at seaside lidos, the Vespas zipping through narrow streets. And the food here is top-notch, its ingredients grown in rich, volcanic soils. See visitischia.info
SILVER Favignana
This is the island of your dreams, close enough to the Sicilian coast for easy access, but a world away from even that gorgeous idyll. Favignana is known for its impossibly turquoise waters, its rugged maritime history, and its seafood-rich cuisine. Dishes feature tuna, sea urchins, clams and more. See visitsicily.co
BRONZE Sardinia
The beaches in Sardinia? Incredible. Almost unbelievable. But there’s great joy to be had in the mountainous interior too, where local culture lives strong. See sardegnaturismo.it
MOUNTAINS
GOLD Dolomites
Where else but the Dolomites, which will host the Winter Olympics? If Italy wasn’t so jam-packed with other attractions – beaches, historic sites, food, you know the drill – the Dolomites would be world famous. And yet, they’re not really, despite being one of the most visually stunning locations in the world, a place of jagged, snow-capped peaks and verdant foothills, of villages that could have been yanked out of Switzerland or Austria. The food scene in the Dolomites is unique, featuring plenty of hearty, rich dishes. The opportunities for hiking, cycling and climbing in gorgeous locations are almost unrivalled. There are lakes for boating, and of course resorts for skiing and snowboarding. See dolomiti.org
SILVER Western Alps
While the Dolomites stretch across north-eastern Italy, in the north-west you have another alpine range, centred around the beautiful Aosta Valley. Here you will find the towering, border-straddling peaks of Monte Bianco (also known as Mont Blanc), and Monte Cervino (also known as the Matterhorn). As with the Dolomites, there’s a distinctive cuisine here, a fusion of languages, Roman ruins, and swoon-worthy views. See visitpiemonte.com
BRONZE Apennines
The backbone of Italy, running down the entire peninsula, might not have the sky-scraping peaks, but it does play host to rich culture across some of Italy’s most famous regions. See italia.it
JOURNEYS
GOLD Via Francigena
While Spain has its famous Camino de Santiago, Italy too has a pilgrims’ trail, the Via Francigena, which links Rome with the northern border at Aosta, continuing through France and ending in Canterbury in England (the name means “road that comes from France”). This was a route used by pilgrims from the north coming to visit Rome, and modern-day walkers also tend to move in that southerly direction, though in far fewer numbers than you will find in Spain. The accommodation here is more sporadic – plenty bring tents to camp along the way – but the experience is one of beauty and adventure, and the trail can easily be broken down into smaller chunks for those who don’t wish to commit to the entire pilgrimage. See italia.it
SILVER Cycling Friuli-Venezia Giulia
If you prefer your adventures on two wheels, the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia is for you. This scenic, mountainous area offers some spectacular cycling, with plenty of coast-hugging lowland routes for those who would prefer to take things a little easier. Regardless of your fitness level, if you love food, art and scenery (and bikes), you will love Italy’s north-east. See turismofvg.it
BRONZE Sardinia by road
Sardinia feels like it has been custom-made for gentle motorised exploration, whether you’re in a car, on a motorbike or just pootling around on a scooter. The island is riven with winding, quiet roads, where the next stunning vista is just around the corner. See sardegnaturismo.it
Disqualified: The Italian sights best skipped
The Spanish Steps, Rome
This is a staircase. Nothing more, nothing less. It doesn’t lead anywhere exciting, and it’s not that remarkable to look at. Give it a big miss.
Piazza Navona, Rome
Though the piazza and its fountains and sculptures are undeniably beautiful, this is also a tourist-heavy spot filled with tacky restaurants and rip-off bars. Rome has better.
Piazza San Marco, Venice
This, again, is an undeniably beautiful spot that would be quite charming if it weren’t for all the far-too-expensive restaurants and cafes and the maddening crowds.
Juliet’s House, Verona
Psst: you know Juliet wasn’t real, right? And that the idea that you can visit her house and stand underneath her balcony is pure fantasy invented to attract daft tourists?
Capri
Once again, a location damned by its beauty, suffering under the weight of over-tourism. Capri is lovely, though at summer’s peak it is also intolerably busy, and expensive.
Photo finish: The places that just missed out
Parma, Emilia-Romagna
This university city in the Emilia-Romagna region has a lot of going for it, not least a few well-known local products: prosciutto, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. If it wasn’t for Bologna just down the road, Parma probably would have made our list. There’s more to do here than just feed your face too, with Renaissance-era churches to wander, historic palazzi left right and centre, a 17th-century theatre, and a vibrant modern culture carried forward by resident students and creatives. See parmawelcome.it
Lake Como, Lombardy
You can probably picture the lakeside villas, the wooden-hulled motorboats, the waterfront villages, the air of celebrity and luxury. Lake Como is famous around the world thanks to residents such as George Clooney and Madonna. It’s a truly beautiful place that is surprisingly accessible even for those who don’t have an IMDB profile or a platinum record. A ferry ride from Como to Bellagio will cost you about EUR10 ($17) – a total bargain. See italia.it
Calabria
Yes, we have failed to find room for an entire swathe of Italy, the long toe of the peninsula’s elegant boot, a vastly underrated region featuring mountains, beaches, Greek ruins, Roman legacies, spicy cuisine and equally fiery locals. Calabria has much going for it, not least a lack of the crowds you will find in Amalfi or the Cinque Terre. For now, this is a quieter alternative, though equally beautiful, and with culture and charm that will leave you wanting more. See calabriastraordinaria.it
Verona, Veneto
Fair Verona! How did we not find a spot for this historic, idyllic city in Veneto? Famed as the setting for Romeo and Juliet, Verona has a city centre that is UNESCO-heritage-listed in its entirety, featuring a massive Roman amphitheatre, historic piazzas and medieval castles. The city’s bars and restaurants serve wine from nearby Prosecco and Valpolicella – try the Amarone – and the surrounding hills host agriturismi (farm stays) and rustic eateries. What’s not to love? See visitverona.it
Vatican City
There was an easy out here because the Vatican is its own country. It’s not even part of Italy. So we can fail to include it, we can struggle to find a place for it, and have a valid excuse. Of course, those who travel to Italy can and should visit the Vatican, to see the Sistine Chapel, Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Swiss Guards in their natty uniforms. See museivaticani.va
