Europe

Italy

At a glance

A country of strong regional identities

Italy is divided into twenty regions, each with its own traditions, architecture and cuisine. Some of these regions have their own dialects such as Neapolitan in Campania.

Thousands of years of history

Ancient Greek temples, Roman ruins, medieval towns, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches can all be found across Italy, showing the many civilisations that shaped the country.

Home to a remarkable cultural heritage

Italy has some of the greatest concentrations of preserved historic monuments, archaeological sites and works of art in the world, with important cultural landmarks found in almost every region.

Food changes from region to region

Italian cuisine is very regional. Pasta shapes, sauces, cheeses, breads and desserts vary considerably, with many dishes closely connected to the ingredients and traditions of a particular town or province.

A visual journey through Italy

Sicily

Cefalù

Mosaic-covered interior of Cefalù Cathedral in Sicily — **The interior of Cefalù Cathedral is dominated by its magnificent Byzantine mosaics.** The golden image of Christ Pantocrator immediately draws your attention above the altar. I was particularly impressed by the scale of the mosaics and the detail covering the arches and sanctuary.

Crucifix on the Rock overlooking the coastline of Cefalù in Sicily — **The Crucifix on the Rock overlooks Cefalù’s coastline from a dramatic viewpoint.** Climbing above the town rewarded me with one of the finest views of my time in Cefalù, looking across the beach, surrounding hills and turquoise Mediterranean Sea.

Aerial view of Cefalù and its coastline in Sicily — **Cefalù occupies one of the most beautiful coastal settings in Sicily.** Looking down from La Rocca showed me the full scale of the town, with its terracotta rooftops stretching towards the beach and the Mediterranean curving around the coastline.

Trapani and the Aegadian Islands

Levanzo harbour and coastal village in Sicily — **Levanzo harbour is surrounded by clear water and whitewashed houses.** Arriving in Levanzo introduced me to a much quieter side of Sicily. The small village sits between rugged hills and remarkably clear water, creating a peaceful first impression of the island.

Castello della Colombaia surrounded by the sea near Trapani, Sicily — **Castello della Colombaia guards the entrance to Trapani’s harbour.** Seeing the fortress surrounded by water and small fishing boats made it easy to understand its strategic importance along Sicily’s western coast.

Mura di Tramontana and the rocky coastline of Trapani, Sicily — **The Mura di Tramontana follow the historic edge of Trapani beside the sea.** Walking beside the old defensive walls gave me beautiful views across the rocky shoreline, with the historic buildings of Trapani rising directly behind them.

Fishing boats in the port of Favignana, Sicily — **The port of Favignana remains closely connected to the island’s fishing traditions.** The working boats and sheltered harbour gave the waterfront a very local atmosphere and offered a glimpse of the maritime traditions that continue to shape life on the island.

Case Florio and the green landscape of Levanzo in Sicily — **Case Florio stands within Levanzo’s remarkably green interior.** I had not expected the island to be so green. The historic estate sits among open fields and rocky slopes, with the sea appearing beyond the surrounding countryside.

Agrigento

Stone Telamon figure at the Temple of Olympian Zeus in Agrigento, Sicily — **The fallen Telamon reveals the monumental scale of the Temple of Olympian Zeus.** The enormous stone figure lying among the ruins helped me understand just how ambitious this ancient structure must once have been.

Piano Stairs on Via delle Arti in the historic centre of Agrigento — **The Piano Stairs bring colour and creativity to Agrigento’s historic centre.** The painted steps immediately reminded me of the Selarón Steps in Rio de Janeiro. Finding something similar hidden among Agrigento’s steep historic streets was completely unexpected.

Narrow street along Via delle Arti in Agrigento, Sicily — **Via delle Arti winds through the steep streets of historic Agrigento.** I enjoyed following its narrow passages, painted walls and stairways through the hillside neighbourhoods of the old town.

Agrigento Cathedral in Sicily — **Agrigento Cathedral rises above the city from the highest part of the historic centre.** Reaching the cathedral required climbing through the old town, but the broad staircase and solid stone façade made the final approach especially impressive.

Erice

Castle of Venus overlooking the Sicilian coast from Erice — **The Castle of Venus stands above one of Sicily’s most spectacular landscapes.** The panoramic view from Erice was unforgettable. From this elevated position, I could see the western coastline and surrounding countryside stretching below, with the medieval fortress standing dramatically above the mountain.

Segesta

Palermo

Golden mosaics inside the Cappella Palatina in Palermo, Sicily — **The Cappella Palatina is one of Palermo’s greatest artistic treasures.** Walking inside the chapel was one of the highlights of my visit to Palermo. The golden mosaics, intricate biblical scenes and extraordinary craftsmanship make it one of the most beautiful interiors I saw anywhere in Sicily.

Sailing boats in La Cala harbour in Palermo, Sicily — **La Cala is Palermo’s historic harbour in the heart of the city.** After the busy streets of Palermo, I enjoyed the quieter atmosphere of La Cala. Watching the sailing boats against the backdrop of the mountains was a relaxing way to experience another side of the city.

Monreale

Italian Food

Sicilian brioche con gelato in Sicily, Italy — **Brioche con Gelato is one of Sicily's most iconic sweet treats.** I wasn't sure what to expect the first time I saw ice cream served inside a brioche bun, but it quickly became one of my favourite desserts in Sicily. It is simple, refreshing and perfect after a day of exploring in the summer heat.

Spaghetti al Nero di Seppia in Sicily, Italy — **Spaghetti al Nero di Seppia is one of Sicily's most distinctive seafood dishes.** Made with cuttlefish ink, this striking black pasta was unlike anything I had eaten before. Its rich seafood flavour reflects Sicily's deep connection to the Mediterranean and is well worth trying.

Trofie al Pesto in Italy — **Trofie al Pesto is one of Italy's classic pasta dishes.** Fresh basil pesto, quality olive oil and perfectly cooked pasta show how Italian cuisine often relies on simple ingredients prepared exceptionally well. It reminded me that less really can be more.

Traditional Sicilian arancini — **Arancini are among Sicily's most famous street foods.** I found these crispy fried rice balls almost everywhere I went in Sicily. They are filling, affordable and make an excellent snack while wandering through the island's historic streets.

Cannolo and Cassatina Siciliana — **Cannoli and Cassatine celebrate Sicily's love of sweet pastries.** Filled with sweet ricotta and beautifully decorated, these classic Sicilian desserts were impossible to ignore. If you have a sweet tooth, they are among the first things you should try.

Pani câ Meusa in Palermo, Sicily — **Pani câ Meusa is one of Palermo's most traditional street foods.** This famous sandwich is made with chopped veal spleen and lung before being topped with grated cheese. It's certainly not for everyone, but trying local specialities like this is one of the best ways to experience Palermo's food culture.

Rome

St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City — **St Peter's Basilica is one of the most recognisable religious landmarks in the world.** Visiting during Easter made the experience even more memorable. Seeing St Peter's Square prepared for the Easter Sunday celebration, with the seating, flowers and ceremonial areas already in place, made me appreciate just how significant this place is to millions of people.

Official entry ticket for the Easter Sunday Eucharistic Celebration at St Peter's Square — **My official ticket for the Easter Sunday Eucharistic Celebration.** Holding this ticket made the experience feel very real. It granted entry to the Easter Sunday Mass in St Peter's Square and reminded me just how fortunate I was to witness such a special occasion.

Crowds queuing to enter St Peter's Square for Easter Sunday Mass — **The queue for Easter Sunday Mass showed the enormous scale of the occasion.** Thousands of people had arrived long before sunrise, patiently waiting to enter St Peter's Square. Despite the crowds, there was a real sense of anticipation shared by everyone around me.

Interior of the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio e Carlo al Corso in Rome — **The Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio e Carlo al Corso has one of Rome's most richly decorated interiors.** Walking inside was a reminder that some of Rome's most beautiful churches are not always the most famous. The marble, gilded details and painted ceiling created an unforgettable first impression.

Interior of the Church of St Ignatius of Loyola in Rome — **The Church of St Ignatius of Loyola is filled with dramatic Baroque decoration.** Looking up at the painted ceiling and towards the richly decorated altar, I found myself standing still for several minutes simply taking in the incredible craftsmanship.

Organ player inside the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio e Carlo al Corso in Rome — **Hearing the organ inside Sant'Ambrogio e Carlo al Corso brought the basilica to life.** I hadn't expected live music during my visit, but hearing the organ echo through the vast church transformed an already beautiful interior into one of my favourite moments in Rome.

Borgo Pio street near Vatican City in Rome — **Borgo Pio offers a lively pedestrian route beside Vatican City.** After visiting St Peter's Basilica, this became one of my favourite streets to wander through. The cafés, restaurants and colourful buildings gave it a relaxed atmosphere despite being so close to one of the busiest places in Rome.

Interior of All Saints' Church in Rome — **All Saints' Church offers a very different architectural experience in Rome.** Its Gothic arches, exposed brickwork and stained-glass windows felt completely different from the city's grand Baroque churches, showing just how diverse Rome's religious architecture can be.

The Pantheon in Rome, Italy — **The Pantheon remains one of the most impressive monuments in Rome.** Standing in front of the Pantheon, it is easy to understand why it has fascinated visitors for nearly two thousand years. Even with the crowds filling the square, the scale and preservation of this ancient Roman masterpiece are truly remarkable.

Travel notes

Book major attractions in advance

Tickets for highly popular sites such as the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Uffizi Gallery and Doge's Palace should be booked before your visit. During busy periods, same-day entry may be unavailable.

Travel outside the busiest periods

Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast can become extremely crowded. Visiting during the shoulder season or exploring early in the morning can make the experience more enjoyable while reducing pressure on local communities.

Understand how Italian beaches work

Many coastal towns divide their beaches between private beach clubs and free public areas. A private lido normally includes a sunbed, umbrella and facilities, while a spiaggia libera usually requires you to bring your own equipment.

Learn basic Italian travel phrases

English is commonly spoken in the tourism industry, but simple Italian greetings and words for directions, entrances, exits and public transport are still helpful. Remain aware of your surroundings in crowded stations and tourist areas.