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Manarola, Cinque Terre
Italy
Bell'Italia! Italy has Europe's richest, craziest culture. After all, this nation is the cradle of European civilization — established by the Roman Empire and carried on by the Roman Catholic Church. As you explore Italy, you'll stand face-to-face with some of the world's most iconic images from this 2,000-year history: Rome's ancient Colosseum and playful Trevi Fountain, Pisa's Leaning Tower, Florence's Renaissance masterpieces (Michelangelo's David and Botticelli's Venus), and the island city of elegant decay — Venice. Beyond these famous sights, though, Italy offers Europe's richest culture. Traditions still live within a country that is vibrant and fully modern. Go with an eye open to both the Italy of the past and of the present.
Places
At a Glance
▲▲▲ Venice Dreamy island city, powerful in medieval times; famous for St. Mark's Basilica, the Grand Canal, and singing gondoliers.
▲▲▲ Cinque Terre Five idyllic Riviera hamlets along a rugged coastline (and part of a national park), connected by scenic hiking trails and dotted with beaches.
▲▲▲ Florence The cradle of the Renaissance, with the world-class Uffizi Gallery, Brunelleschi's dome-topped Duomo, Michelangelo's David, and Italy's best gelato.
▲▲▲ Siena Florence's smaller and (some say) more appealing rival, with its magnificent Il Campo square, striking striped cathedral, and medieval pageantry.
▲▲▲ Rome Italy's capital, the sprawling Eternal City, studded with Roman ruins (Forum, Colosseum, Pantheon), romantic floodlit-fountain squares, and home to Vatican City and the astonishing Sistine Chapel.
▲▲ Milan Powerhouse city of commerce and fashion, with the prestigious La Scala opera house, Leonardo's The Last Supper, and three airports.
▲▲ Heart of Tuscany Picturesque, wine-soaked villages of Italy's heartland, including mellow Montepulciano, Renaissance Pienza, and Brunello-fueled Montalcino.
▲▲ Assisi St. Francis' hometown, perched on a hilltop, with a divinely Giotto-decorated basilica.
▲▲ Orvieto and Civita More hill-town adventures, featuring Orvieto's classic views, Classico wine, and ornate cathedral plus pint-sized, hilltop village of Civita di Bagnoregio.
▲▲ Naples Gritty, in-love-with-life port city featuring vibrant street life and a top archaeological museum starring the treasures from ancient Pompeii.
▲▲ Amalfi Coast and Paestum String of seafront villages — including hilly Positano and workaday Amalfi — tied together by a scenic mountainous coastal road. Farther south is Paestum, with its well-preserved ancient Greek temples.
▲▲ Pompeii and Nearby Famous ruins of the ancient towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum, with their nemesis, Mount Vesuvius, looming on the horizon.
▲ The Lakes Two relaxing lakes, each with low-key resort towns and a mountainous backdrop: Lake Como, with quaint Varenna and upscale Bellagio; and Lake Maggiore, with straightforward Stresa, manicured islands, and elegant villas.
▲ Near Venice Several interesting towns: Padua (with Giotto's gloriously frescoed Scrovegni Chapel), Vicenza (Palladian architecture), and Verona (Roman amphitheater plus Romeo and Juliet sights).
▲ The Dolomites Italy's mighty alps, featuring Bolzano (home of Ötzi the Iceman), the charming village of Castelrotto, and Alpe di Siusi (alpine meadows laced with lifts and hiking trails).
▲ Riviera Towns More Italian Riviera fun, including the coastal towns of Levanto, double-beached Sestri Levante, the larger Santa Margherita Ligure, gem-like Portofino, and to the south, resorty Porto Venere.
▲ Pisa and Lucca Two classic towns: Pisa, with its iconic Leaning Tower and surrounding Field of Miracles, and Lucca, with an inviting old center, encircled by a wide medieval wall you can stroll or bike.
▲ Volterra and San Gimignano Two hill towns in northern Tuscany: vibrant, refreshing Volterra and multi-towered, touristy San Gimignano.
▲ Sorrento and Capri The seaside resort port of Sorrento, and just a short cruise away, the jet-set island getaway of Capri, with its eerie Blue Grotto.
Plan
Photos
Watch
- Alabaster and Wine in Volterra (clip)
- Assisi and Italian Country Charm (episode)
- Austrian and Italian Alps (episode)
- Beautifully Preserved Lucca (clip)
- Bellagio and Varenna on Lake Como (clip)
- Carnival in Venice (clip)
- Easter Celebrations Across Europe (clip)
- Florence: Heart of the Renaissance (episode)
- Florence’s Uffizi Gallery (clip)
- Florentine Delights and Tuscan Side-Trips (episode)
- Great Italian Wine Experiences (clip)
- Hiking in the Cinque Terre (clip)
- Island Hopping (clip)
- Italy’s Amalfi Coast (episode)
- Italy’s Great Hill Towns (episode)
- Italy’s Riviera: Cinque Terre (episode)
- Italy’s Verona, Padova, and Ravenna (episode)
- Leaping the Language Barrier (clip)
- Little Europe: Five Micro-Countries (episode)
- Luther and the Reformation (episode)
- Manarola and Riomaggiore (clip)
- Milan and Lake Como (episode)
- Naples and Pompeii (episode)
- Renaissance Art and Architecture in Florence (clip)
- Rome: Ancient Glory (episode)
- Rome: Back-Street Riches (episode)
- Rome: Baroque Brilliance (episode)
- Rome’s Capitoline Museums (clip)
- Rome’s Vibrant Trastevere (clip)
- Sicilian Delights (episode)
- Siena and Tuscany’s Wine Country (episode)
- Siena’s Piazza del Campo (clip)
- Taormina, Sicily: Cannoli with a View (clip)
- The Best of Sicily (episode)
- The Borghese Gallery in Rome (clip)
- The Story of Fascism in Europe (episode)
- Travel Talks: Beginning Italian for Travelers
- Travel Talks: Italy
- Travel Talks: Italy (Beyond Venice, Florence & Rome)
- Travel Talks: Italy Travel Skills
- Travel Talks: Mediterranean Cruise Ports
- Travel Talks: Michelangelo’s Italy
- Travel Talks: Venice, Florence & Rome
- Tuscany’s Dolce Vita (episode)
- Venice and Its Lagoon (episode)
- Venice: City of Dreams (episode)
- Venice’s Romantic Gondolas (clip)
- Vernazza: Cinque Terre’s Jewel (clip)
- Volterra: Etruscan Haven (clip)
Read
- Communicating in Italy
- Europe in the Fast Lane
- In Early-Evening Italy, Campari Is King
- Italian Sports
- Limoncello: When Life Gives You Lemons...
- Playful Padua
- Sightseeing at Dawn
- Understanding ‘Football’ in Italy
- Urbino: Fit for a Duke
- Verona Is for Lovers
- Vicenza: Palladian Paradise
- Why I Love Eating in Italy
- Italy’s Alluring Amalfi Coast
- My Favorite Beach Hideaways
- Positano Stroll: A Peek Behind the Chic
- Europe’s Convents Offer Tranquility — and Treats
- Feel the Spirit at Europe’s Pilgrimage Sites
- Finding Peace and Faith in Assisi
- The Spirit of St. Francis Is Alive in Assisi
- Romantic Sorrento and the Isle of Capri
- Italy’s Civita di Bagnoregio: Jewel on the Hill
- Peak Experiences in Alpine Europe
- Sauerkraut — and Yodlers to Boot — in Italy’s Alpine Village of Kastelruth
- Stretching Out in the Italian Alps
- Florence Discoveries
- In Studio: Roaming the Homes of Europe’s Top Artists
- Turning European Meals into Memories
- Nature and Romance in Italy’s Lakes District
- Romantic Europe: Places in the Heart
- Cinque Terre Cuisine 101
- How to Avoid Crowds in the Cinque Terre
- In Italy’s Cinque Terre, Views to Die For
- Italy’s Riviera: Beyond the Cinque Terre
- Stepping Back in Vernazza
- The Enchanting Cinque Terre: Fiat-Free Italy
- Experiencing Italy’s Renaissance in Person
- Historic Hits in Mod Milan
- Naples: Italy in Your Face
- Orvieto: What an Italian Hill Town Should Be
- Pompeii: Italy’s Frozen-in-Time Roman City
- Ravenna: Italy’s Byzantium
- A Peek into Ancient Rome at Ostia Antica
- A Walk Through Rome’s Living Culture
- Ancient Rome: The Things That Were Caesar’s
- Easter in Rome
- Finding Peace in Europe’s Overlooked Sights
- Impressions of Italy
- Pomp and Consequence: Visiting Europe’s 20th-Century Fascist Sites
- Rome: A Romantic Breeze
- Rome After Dark
- Rome’s Inspiring Baroque Sights
- Rome’s Jewish Legacy
- Sightseeing Skills for the Ancient World
- Swept Away in Rome
- There’s No Place Like Rome for the Holidays
- Time Travel on Rome’s Ancient Appian Way
- Tivoli: Still Rome’s Great Escape, 2,000 Years Later
- When in Europe, Succumb to Soccer Fever
- Celebrating Sicily: Italy at Its Most Extreme
- Discovering Sicily’s Layers of Culture
- Open Doors to the Past: Visiting Europe’s Time-Warp Homes
- Sicilian Surprises in Palermo
- Sicily’s Spicy, Slice-of-Life Street Scenes
- Sicily’s Tastiest Treats
- Agriturismi: Italy’s Countryside Escapes
- Bella Tuscany: ‘Here Begins Prosciutto’
- Florence: The Cultural Capital of Europe
- Florence for Foodies
- Florence’s Accademia: The Temple of David
- Italy Connoisseurs Choose Leisurely Lucca
- Lean In to Pisa
- Rural Italy’s Enduring Easter Traditions
- Siena: Italy’s Medieval Heart and Soul
- Siena’s Palio: 500 Years of History in 90 Seconds
- Street Finds in Florence
- Swatting Wasps in Florence
- Tuning In to Tasty Italy
- Tuscany for Beginners
- Tuscany’s Heavenly Wines
- Tuscany’s Powerful, Towerful San Gimignano
- Volterra: Tuscany’s Top Hill Town
- Volterra and San Gimignano: Two Sides of Northern Tuscany
- Barefoot in Venice
- Bring Home a Bit of Venetian History
- Carnival: Europe’s Wild Rites of Spring
- Crawling Through Venice’s Cicchetti Pubs
- Despite Changes, Venice Still Charms
- Is Venice Sinking?
- Once the Sun Goes Down, Venice Shines
- The Gondolas of Venice
- Venetian Day Trips: Gems of the Veneto
Italy
Amalfi Coast
Assisi
Capri
Civita di Bagnoregio
Dolomites
Florence
Italian Lakes
Italian Riviera
Milan
Naples
Orvieto
Pompeii & Herculaneum
Ravenna
Rome
Sicily
Tuscany
Venice
Listen
- Amalfi Coast (18:31)
- Amalfi Coast: Insider's Guide (12:04)
- Americans Living in Europe (32:55)
- An Irreverent Curiosity (17:52)
- Antiquities and Archaeology (18:31)
- Antiquities and Archaeology II (12:19)
- Architecture for Travelers (39:03)
- Art Appreciation for Travelers (47:06)
- Art in Italy (47:09)
- Art of Rome (11:34)
- Art Outside the Museums (30:10)
- A Tavola in Italy (7:53)
- Carnival in Venice (10:12)
- Castles in Europe (29:18)
- Class of 1500 (5:57)
- Colorful, Complex Italy (11:33)
- Convent Inns of Italy (12:08)
- Cortona: Tuscan Sun (17:58)
- Culinary Adventures in Italy (18:50)
- Dreaming About Italy (29:36)
- Embracing Italy's Chaos (18:42)
- European Business Customs (45:55)
- European Food Specialties (29:11)
- European Food Treats (43:07)
- European Impressions of America (37:02)
- Europe's Great Trails (18:35)
- Expats Living in Italy (12:40)
- Ferenc Máté in Tuscany (35:10)
- Ferenc Máté's Real Life (18:16)
- Finding Love in Italy (13:29)
- Folk Music of Italy (11:26)
- Frances Mayes' Tuscany (42:19)
- Friuli-Venezia Giulia (18:32)
- Heart of Italy (17:36)
- History of Rome in 12 Buildings (17:36)
- Italian Chaos (11:20)
- Italian Cuisine Culture I (47:12)
- Italian Cuisine Culture II (47:24)
- Italian Food Culture I (11:54)
- Italian Food Culture II (11:19)
- Italian Guide to Olive Oil (18:47)
- Italian Rails (28:15)
- Italian Rails II (12:23)
- Italian Women in the 21st Century (18:11)
- Italy for Food Lovers (18:23)
- Italy: North vs. South I (48:19)
- Italy: North vs. South II (31:23)
- Italy's Agriturismos (16:27)
- Italy's Decadent Desserts (23:02)
- Italy's Deep South (28:57)
- Italy's Instep (18:26)
- Italy's Pasta (11:57)
- Italy's Piazzas (16:13)
- Malta (18:36)
- Michelangelo (17:57)
- Michelangelo in Florence (19:02)
- Michelangelo in Rome (18:01)
- Milan: Cosmopolitan City (17:23)
- Miles J. Unger's "Michelangelo: A Life in Six Masterpieces" (14:20)
- Music Appreciation for Travel: Part I (11:35)
- Naples and Nearby (33:11)
- Naples' Beautiful Chaos (11:31)
- Northern Italy (18:17)
- Northern Lakes (19:08)
- Opera 101 for Travelers (18:23)
- Padova (18:38)
- Pasta 101 (6:06)
- Pilgrim's Italy (29:28 min)
- Pleasures of Italian Cuisine (11:50)
- Pompeii (19:11)
- Postcards from Europe: Rome (36:16)
- Renaissance Florence (18:56)
- Restoring a Farmhouse in Italy (14:51)
- Resurrecting Roman Rubble (12:08)
- Retracing Homer's Travels (29:38)
- Rome After Dark (27:14)
- Rome II: Beneath the Surface (46:24)
- Rome III: Jewish Ghetto (19:07)
- Rome I: Travel Guide (47:49)
- Rome Neighborhoods (11:47)
- Rome Today (17:32)
- Rugged Abruzzo (18:45)
- Sagre Food Festivals (13:07)
- Sailing the Eastern Mediterranean (18:14)
- Saints of Italy (12:06)
- Salman Rushdie's Florence (29:50)
- Seasons of Italy: Fred Plotkin (30:51)
- See You in the Piazza (30:04)
- Sicilian Vacation (26:00)
- Sicily III: Looking up Relatives (23:17)
- Sicily II: Organized Chaos (48:09)
- Sicily: Italy's Favorite Island (19:04)
- Sicily I: Travel Tips (32:52)
- Siena's Palio (11:34)
- Siena's Palio — The Thrill of the Win (17:04)
- Sightseeing in the Ancient World (16:58)
- Sorrento (12:08)
- Taste of Sicily (12:17)
- The Best of Ancient Rome (11:43)
- The Gelato Experience (25:05)
- The Italian Coffee Bar (18:19)
- The Joy of Pasta (11:45)
- The Perfect Tuscan Picnic (33:37)
- Truffles in Umbria (8:12)
- Tuscany and Umbria (33:38)
- Tuscany Versus Umbria (35:20)
- Venice: Avoiding the Crowds (28:59)
- Villages of Tuscany (29:10)
- Visiting Sicily (18:47)
- Visiting St. Peter's Basilicia (19:00)
- Waters of Rome (10:48)
Italy Audio Tours
- Accademia & Michelangelo's David Tour
Listen or Download | Download map - Assisi Town Walk
Listen or Download | Download map - Bargello Museum Tour
Listen or Download | Download map - Basilica of St. Francis Tour
Listen or Download | Download map - Colosseum Tour
Listen or Download | Download map - Frari Church Tour
Listen or Download | Download map - Heart of Rome Walk
Listen or Download | Download map - Jewish Ghetto Walk
Listen or Download | Download map - Milan's Duomo Neighborhood
Listen or Download | Download map - Naples' Archaeological Museum
Listen or Download | Download map - Naples City Walk
Listen or Download | Download map - Ostia Antica Tour
Listen or Download | Download map - Pantheon Tour
Listen or Download | Download map - Pompeii Tour
Listen or Download | Download map - Renaissance Walk
Listen or Download | Download map - Roman Forum Tour
Listen or Download | Download map - San Marco Museum Tour
Listen or Download | Download map - Siena City Walk
Listen or Download | Download map - Sistine Chapel Tour
Listen or Download | Download map - St. Mark's Basilica Tour
Listen or Download | Download map - St. Mark's Square Tour
Listen or Download | Download map - St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Listen or Download | Download map - The Grand Canal Cruise
Listen or Download | Download map - Trastevere Walk
Listen or Download | Download map - Uffizi Gallery Tour
Listen or Download | Download map - Vatican Museums Tour
Listen or Download | Download map - Vatican Pinacoteca
Listen or Download | Download map