Best Italy Expereinces

Italy is so much more than a bucket list country. Not only does it consistently top just about every list of most desirable travel destinations, but people return again and again. We loved our cruise around Italy *the boys enjoyed too!).  And it's really not surprising. Italy offers visitors such an extensive variety of experiences that you probably don't even know half of them exist.

In Venice, rather than sit back and let a gondolier show you around, you can take the pole and do it yourself? You also can also immerse yourself in local culture by taking a hands-on art class in Florence or wielding a gladiator's sword in Rome. There truly is more to do in Italy then can possibly be done in just one visit.

Rent a Villa in Tuscany

What's more memorable than cooking pasta and making sauce from scratch with your extended family, while surrounded by the same olive groves your cooking oil originated from? It's easy to make your own "Under the Tuscan Sun" memories when you rent a villa in Tuscany. Not only will you make lasting memories, but by traveling with others and eating in, you'll also have more money to spend on sightseeing, souvenir buying and wine tasting.




Learn to Pole a Gondola in Venice

No visit to Venice is truly complete without seeing the city from the water. Venetians have been navigating the canals by gondola since the 12th century, and for many tourists it's still a must-do activity. But for those worried about the "tourist trap" stigma of gondola rides, there's another way. Instead of simply sitting back and letting someone else do the steering, why not take the helm yourself?




Immerse Yourself in Art in Florence

Think Florence and it's impossible not to think art. This birthplace of the Renaissance is home to the Uffizi Gallery, with its plethora of Renaissance masterpieces, and the Galleria dell' Accademia, which houses Michelangelo's David. Art lovers can spend every waking hour in Florence marveling at works by Da Vinci, Botticelli, Donatello and Michelangelo. If the classics aren't enough, visitors can also visit living artisan communities and even try their hand at painting and photography.

Numerous tour operators offer skip-the-line tickets to the Uffizi so you can avoid languishing in long queues. But simply getting to the art faster isn't what art immersion in Florence is about. To kick off your experience, choose a guided tour of the main galleries. Next, visit to Florence's Oltrarno neighborhood with its living, but centuries-old, craft traditions.

Trek Cinque Terre

Dramatically perched atop cliff edges or nestled between them, with starburst-colored homes stacked one on top of the other, the five villages that make up Cinque Terre just beg to be explored on foot (driving actually isn't permitted inside the villages). Each of the villages -- Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore -- is crisscrossed by well-trodden hiking trails that wind through flowering fields, past medieval churches and alongside fragrant vineyards. Passes to walk the trails between the villages must be purchased for a small fee. When your feet get tired, hop on a local train or ferry to get to the next village.

Whether you want to hike the entire 11-mile distance between Cinque Terre's villages or just do a segment here and there, your choices are endless.


Live Like George Clooney on Lake Como

One of the most beautiful lakes in Italy, Lake Como is best known for its stunning lake-side villas and celebrity visitors, most notably George Clooney. But you don't have to be rich or famous to live the fabulous lifestyle -- at least for a few nights. Villa rentals on the lake can start at $200 a night when couples share the cost with others. And when you're not "star" gazing at a cafe, there's also plenty of art and culture to keep you busy. Leave time for simply wandering the narrow streets and lush gardens of lake-side towns like Bellagio and Varenna.


Drive a Ferrari Along the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most scenic spots in a country renowned for its magnificent scenery. Add to the stunning sea views the lavish vineyards and olive groves, and this UNESCO World Heritage area just begs for an opulent approach. Give in Italian-style; rent a flaming red Ferrari and spend the day zipping up and down the curvy Amalfi Drive. When you're ready for lunch, stop at a local trattoria and try the limoncello, a lemon liqueur produced throughout the Amalfi region.



Train Like a Gladiator in Rome

Among the many iconic sites of Italy that really shouldn't be missed is the Colosseum in Rome. But considering the adrenaline-filled life the gladiators led, a standard stand-around-and-listen tour just doesn't seem like the right way to experience this ancient arena. What if you could get a small taste of gladiator life instead? Wouldn't the Colosseum look different after sweating for two hours while practicing your sword swing?

While there's only one Gladiators' School in Rome (about a mile and a half from the Colosseum), several tour operators offer programs there that include a two-hour class with a short museum visit, a drink and Roman attire to wear during your lesson.