Vacation in Italy attracts many tourists from all over the world. This country is magnificent both in terms of the excursion program and independent travel. Italy is considered a warm and hospitable country that carefully preserves cultural monuments and its history. There are more than fifty cities on the territory of the state that can at least attract the attention of tourists. It is worth noting the fact that Italy ranks fourth in the list of those countries for which tourism brings the most income.
In order to get acquainted with all the iconic places of this state and spend the least amount of money, you should go on a trip yourself. Thus, you will be able to build your individual route, and not adapt to a large group of people, as well as book rooms to your liking, both in terms of design and price category. It's no secret that all travel agencies tend to charge a decent price for their tours.
In our article we will try toto acquaint readers with the best tourist routes in Italy, talk about independent travel and briefly go through the best attractions in this country.
Visa
First of all, before you go on a trip to Italy, you must obtain the appropriate permission to enter the country, called a visa. To cross the international border, it is enough to show a Schengen visa, since Italy is included in the list of Schengen countries. The package of documents for applying is quite standard, a detailed list of everything you need can be found on the official website of the consulate.
All visas are divided into two categories: short-term and long-term. If you indicate in the questionnaire that your main purpose of the trip is tourism, then you are issued the first type of visa. In this case, you are allowed to stay in the country for 30 days. Let's move on!
Flights
If you are going on an independent trip to Italy, then you need to find the best flight. Today, there are many airlines offering individual special offers for various destinations, the traveler can only spend part of his time searching. As for domestic flights in Italy, in Europe you can travel quite cheaply using various low-cost airlines, an example is the world-famous Irish company Ryanair.
Let's take a closer look at the most popular destinations in Italy for independent travel.
Rome
Every year the Eternal City attracts millions of tourists from all over the world. Such an abundance of architectural monuments, museums and fountains is nowhere else. It is here that harmony is observed between the modern frantic pace of life and the remnants of a once great civilization. What is worth seeing is the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Vatican or the Trevi Fountain… Many other historical monuments look quite aesthetically pleasing against the backdrop of busy streets and modern buildings in the Art Nouveau style. Definitely, Rome is able to surprise with its architectural heritage and fall in love with it from the first minutes.
Venice
Venice rightfully takes pride of place among the most visited cities on the planet. This romantic corner of Europe, located on the northern coast of the Adriatic Sea in Italy, acts as an open-air museum. It is worth noting the fact that the entire historic center of Venice is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Majestic architecture, a unique atmosphere of freedom and lightness, lively labyrinths of streets - all this creates a unique ensemble that must be seen, heard, felt.
Florence
This wonderful city must be included in the itinerary of travel in Italy. Florence is the heart of Tuscany. Only here you will be able to enjoy a real Florentine steak and walk along the streets of the Renaissance.
Probably no city on the planet has such an abundance of masterpiecesarchitecture, painting and sculpture of the 13th century. Here Dante, Boccaccio and Machiavelli wrote their immortal works, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci and Botticelli honed their skills, Michelangelo, Cellini and Donatello breathed life into marble.
During an independent trip to Italy, do not ignore this city. Moreover, it must be on the top lines of your route sheet. Once you see Florence in all its glory, you will be fascinated and subdued by it, it will forever remain in your heart.
Pisa
No trip to Italy is complete without the visiting card of this country - the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This city has already become a symbol of Italy and the epitome of tourism in the country. It might have won the most original photo competition, as tourists here manage to outdo themselves during a photo op against the backdrop of a falling tower. Pisa has an excellent geographical position and is a few kilometers from Florence, which can be an excellent option when planning an itinerary for many travelers.
Naples
The world-famous city, located at the foot of Vesuvius, beckons travelers with its mess and history. While here, be sure to visit the world-famous ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The locality is famous for its football club, numerous historical monuments and character. It's no secret that Naples is a city with a temper, capable of both surprising andand upset.
Milan
If you want to talk about fashion and enjoy the Gothic architectural style, then Milan is definitely for you. It is the second largest city after Rome and an important commercial and economic point of the country. Milan is a city that is great for independent travel in Italy. In this case, you will have a unique opportunity to walk along the streets of the fashionable capital, get acquainted with the windows of branded stores in the Milan quadrangle, cross the Vittorio Emanuele II gallery and walk along the main square, admiring the grandeur of the Duomo Cathedral. The next day can be spent exploring art galleries and major museums in the city, such as the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology.
Lake Como
Lago di Como, as it is known in Italy, is located a short drive from the fashion capital, in the Lombardy region. This is a picturesque corner where you can stay alone with nature, admire luxurious villas or take the cable car to the top point, which offers a beautiful view of the lake and its surroundings. Noisy settlements simply do not exist in this area; people come here to enjoy the silence and picturesque nature. Most of the advice and reviews about traveling to Italy relate specifically to Lombardy and the province of Como.
Lombardy
The surroundings of Milan, and indeed the entire region of Lombardy, are very popular not only among tourists, but also among local residents. Lombardy -it is a prosperous and rich region with beautiful nature. Going on a trip to the north of Italy, you should definitely visit cities such as Genoa, Milan, Bergamo and Venice. Not far from Milan is the beautiful Lake Como, which offers breathtaking views.
Traveling around Italy by car. Routes
Many advanced travelers who have the appropriate European standard document confirming driving skills can rent a car and travel around Italy. You can rent a car in the country almost anywhere and you don’t have to go back all over Italy in order to return the car to its place. Just park your car at a company branch in another city.
So, the best travel route in Italy will start from the Apulia region, or rather from the city of Bari. It will not be difficult to get to Bari by plane from Russia, since this is an important point for all Orthodox Christians. It is here that the Basilica of St. Nicholas is located, the walls of which carefully keep the relics of the saint. The city is located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea and has beautiful beaches, which will be a salvation for many tourists in the languishing heat. Why Bari? The fact is that the best way to see the country is to cross Italy from south to north.
To travel around Italy by car and not visit Naples for at least a few days would be a crime. Believe me, there is definitely something to see in this city. Your next stops will be Rome, Florence and Pisa. After reviewing allsights you can go higher to the north. Without changing direction, we move along the Ligurian coast to Genoa and enjoy the beautiful seascapes along the way. From here, it is within easy reach of Turin and Milan, the main cities in northern Italy. It will take several days to explore the main attractions, then you can take a day trip on the shores of Lake Como, located in the vicinity of Milan.
Next we go to the open-air and water museum in Venice. On the way, you can stop in Bergamo (it is believed that this is where the most beautiful square in Italy is located). The Marco Polo International Airport is located in the Veneto region and has regular flights to Russia.
Vacation in Italy
The route described above can be easily repeated without renting a car, this option will probably be even cheaper, since gasoline is quite expensive throughout Europe. As you know, car rental companies mean refueling a full tank at the time the vehicle returns.
For hikers in Italy, this route can be shifted to buses. For example, the bus carrier FlixBus is very popular throughout the European Union, and their prices are reasonable.
Sea
Many travelers often come to Italy for a beach holiday, because this country has a great geographical position. To avoid the mistakes of many tourists and choose the best places for sea holidays, let's get acquainted with some of them.
On the Adriatic coast, the mostpopular resorts are Rimini, which is affordable for absolutely any stratum of society, Riccione and Catholic. If you move in the direction discussed above, you can relax in the Gulf of Naples. Here are located such exquisite resorts as the island of Ischia or Capri.
On the Ligurian coast, San Remo, where the world-famous music festival takes place, Portofino and Genoa are considered to be rather pretentious places to relax. The best beaches in Sardinia and Sicily await you on the Mediterranean Sea.
Reviews
The main financial niche in Italy is tourism. Therefore, in this country, everything contributes to a favorable holiday. Judging by the numerous reviews of independent travel in Italy, almost all tourists are completely delighted with the local landscapes, cuisine and sunny weather.
Conclusion
The uniqueness of a holiday in this wonderful country lies in the fact that it will be interesting for tourists of all ages: children, youth or the elderly. And it doesn't matter what kind of vacation you prefer! Love to jump like a mountain goat - climb to the crater of Vesuvius or take the funicular up to the best observation platforms in Lombardy. More like "seal" rest - lie on the snow-white beaches of the Mediterranean Sea. Well, if you can't imagine a day without shopping, Milan will meet you with open arms! As experienced tourists assure, here everyone will find something to their liking.
Italy is a great option for a holiday at any time of the year. In summer, sunny weather and warm sea water await you here, and in winter, the best ski resorts in the world. We hope that our travel tips for Italy will be useful to most potential tourists. Discover Italy! Enjoy your holiday and great achievements!
