Piemonte and Lombardy
The northwest regions of
Piemonte and
Lombardy make up the country’s most cosmopolitan region, and the two main centres,
Turin and
Milan, are its wealthiest cities. In the north, the presence of the Alps makes skiing and hiking prime activities, while Lombardy’s lakes and mountains are time-honoured tourist territory.
Liguria
Liguria, the small coastal province to the south, has long been known as the “Italian Riviera” and is accordingly crowded with sun-seekers for much of the summer. Its capital,
Genoa, is a vibrant port town with a long seafaring tradition.
The Veneto and Friuli Giulia
The Dolomites stretch into the northeastern regions of the
Veneto and
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, but the main focus here is
Venice. This unique city is every bit as beautiful as its reputation suggests.
Emilia-Romagna
Emilia-Romagna’s coast is popular among Italians, and
Rimini is Italy’s brashest (and trendiest) seaside resort. Then there’s the ancient centres of
Ravenna,
Ferrara,
Parma and regional capital,
Bologna, one of Italy’s liveliest cities, and traditionally its gastronomic and academic capital.
Tuscany
Central Italy represents perhaps the most commonly perceived image of the country.
Tuscany, with its classic rolling countryside and the art-packed towns of
Florence,
Pisa and
Siena, is one of Italy’s most visited regions.
Umbria
Neighbouring
Umbria is similar in all but its tourist numbers, though it gets busier every year, as visitors flock to towns like
Perugia and
Assisi.
Campania
Campania’s capital,
Naples, is a unique, unforgettable city, the spiritual heart of the Italian south, and close to some of Italy’s finest ancient sites in
Pompeii and Herculaneum, not to mention the country’s most spectacular stretch of coast around Amalfi.
Puglia
Puglia, the “heel” of Italy, has underrated pleasures, notably the landscape of its Gargano peninsula, the souk-like qualities of its capital,
Bari, and the Baroque glories of
Lecce in the far south.
Sicily
The island of
Sicily is a place apart, with a wide mixture of attractions ranging from some of the finest preserved Hellenistic treasures in Europe, to a couple of Italy’s most appealing beach resorts in
Taormina and Cefalu, not to mention some gorgeous upland scenery.
