Three Italian regions you just can’t miss
Italy is comprised of 20 regions, each one majestic in its own right. Here are three of our favourites and what they have in store for escorted touring guests
Tuscany:
For a traveller Tuscany is about as good as it gets. For starters, rolling hills, vineyards and farmland make up most of the terrain. Then there’s some glorious mountains of which the Apennines are the best known. Plus there’s a collection of world renowned cities which are bywords for cultural and architectural excellence; Florence, Siena, Pisa and San Gimignano all lie in Tuscan territory.
Florence is perhaps Italy’s cultural epicentre. It was within this city’s walls that the Renaissance took shape and then flourished. Siena has its biannual Palio, an historical bareback horserace that must be seen to be believed. Pisa, of course, is defined by its slanted tower, while San Gimignano’s historic centre is World Heritage listed – one of an astounding seven such sites in this region alone.
And the history? Great artist Michelangelo and polymath Leonardo da Vinci lived and worked in Florence, while composing great Giacomo Puccini and literature legend Dante also plied their trades in Tuscany. And all this, as they say, is just scratching the surface.
Campania:
A splendid Mediterranean portion of the Italian peninsula located on the south west coast of the country, Campania has many strings to its bow.
It’s home to thriving Naples, plus the archaeologically fascinating towns of Herculaneum and Pompeii. Buried for the best part of two millennia after Mt Vesuvius spectacularly erupted in 79AD, these two astonishingly well preserved towns today are an historical looking glass into 1st century life.
Possibly the jewel of the entire province is not even attached to the bulk of its landmass however. Some 5km offshore in the Tyrrhenian Sea lies the sun-drenched Isle of Capri, a resort since Roman times and a place of singular beauty. Although only around 10 square kilometres in size, the island’s highest point is nearly 600 metres above sea level, meaning cliffside villas and soaring views are the order of the day here.
The town of Capri proper has a glimmering harbour filled with pleasure boats, while Ana Capri occupies the higher ground; here bright flowers bloom and views over the island and Mediterranean Sea are in store for visitors. The island is also home to the famed Blue Grotto, a sea cave known for its otherworldly colours.
Sicily:
The triangular mass the boot of continental Italy is about to punt, Sicily in reality deserves a lot more respect. After all, it’s one of the country’s most enchanting regions, combining beautiful coastal scenery, historic cities, inviting small towns and rustic countryside. The largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, it has seen numerous civilisations – Greeks, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines and Normans – all vying for mastery over the centuries. Indeed the island is one great archaeological digging pit, with ruins from all these historical inhabitants on show.
Today, the autonomous region welcomes many visitors to its sunny shores, with capital Palermo a popular spot to commence a tour. Regional Catania, Syracuse and Taormina all have admirers and the island also is home to a whopping six World Heritage sites, with the colossus of Mt Etna the largest natural feature and Europe’s largest active volcano.
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