10 Best Places to Visit in Italy - Travel Video

Located in southern Europe, this boot-shaped country is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world for several reasons including artistic treasures, trendy fashion, stunning landscapes, passionate people and world-class cuisine. Italy offers so much to see and do that it would take a lifetime to explore. Here's a look at the

best

places

to

visit

in Italy: Number 10. Naples. One of the country's busiest metropolitan cities, Naples is the capital of the Campania region in southern Italy. The city of Naples offers a treasure trove of artworks and historical sites, as well as a vibrant atmosphere of shopping, restaurants and nightlife venues.

Many favorite Italian foods originated here, including pizza, spaghetti, and parmigiana. These dishes are taken seriously in Naples and typically include fresh, locally grown ingredients. As it is close to famous sites such as the Bay of Naples and Pompeii, Naples presents an ideal base to stay while exploring the area. Number 9. Italian Lake District. The Italian Lakes Region extends across northern Italy. The southern ends of most of the lakes are relatively flat, but the northern ends are mountainous as the lakes extend deep into the Alps. Popular with tourists for more than 100 years, Italian lakes combine good weather with attractive landscapes.

Garda is the largest lake and offers stunning landscapes, especially in its mountainous northern stretches. As is equally stunning, with forested slopes rising directly from the water's edge. Further west, Maggiore is less popular but just as beautiful, and has several popular family resorts. Number 8. Sicily. Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, is an autonomous region of Italy that also includes several smaller islands. It is separated from the mainland region of Calabria by the 2-mile Strait of Messina. Home to all the great Mediterranean civilizations, Sicily is rich in art and history; from the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento to the baroque churches of Palermo.

The most striking geological feature of the island is Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. Number 7. Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre, meaning "Five Lands", comprises the five towns of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, Monterosso and Corniglia. Located in the coastal region of Liguria in northwestern Italy, the villages of Cinque Terre feature some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country, including steep cliffs and wine terraces that date back hundreds of years. Among its many gems, Cinque Terre boasts a century-old complex of hiking trails that offer some of the most stunning coastal views in Italy. The Blue Trail is a paved trail that connects the five towns and is suitable for all ages.

Number 6. Milan. Nearly destroyed by heavy bombing during World War II, Milan has since been rebuilt and now shines as one of the richest cities in Europe. Widely regarded as a mega fashion center packed with designer stores, Milan also attracts many for its world-famous surviving treasures, such as Leonardo da Vinci's painting The Last Supper, La Scala Opera House, Castello Sforzesco and one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world. However, Milan sometimes seems less Italian compared to the country's predominantly historic cities and more of a glamorous city with modern architecture. Number 5. Amalfi Coast. Located in the Campania region of southwestern Italy, the Amalfi Coast is known for its extraordinary beauty that makes it one of the top tourist destinations in Italy.

Stretching for 30 miles along the southern side of the Sorrento Peninsula, the Amalfi Coast is prized for its picturesque coastline that features sparkling bays, rugged cliffs, lemon gardens, multicolored villas and resorts. deluxe. One of the most romantic and elegant towns on the Amalfi Coast is Positano, with its beautiful pebble beaches, pastel-colored houses and picturesque mountains. One of the largest cities, Amalfi, has beautiful squares lined with restaurants, while the town of Ravello is a favorite for its beautiful villas with gardens and works of art. Number 4. Pompeii. Pompeii, one of Italy's most

visit

ed tourist destinations, is a famous Roman city that was buried under several feet of volcanic ash for almost 1,700 years after the cataclysmic eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

Excavations of Pompeii began in 1748 and the site has not yet been completely unearthed. The site is located near the modern city of Naples. A tour of Pompeii offers a fascinating insight into daily life in the ancient Roman world. Visitors can walk through the old streets to see the remains of bakeries, brothels and baths. Number 3. Venice. One of the most beautiful destinations in Europe, Venice is a unique city built on a lagoon surrounded by the Adriatic Sea. Located in northeastern Italy, Venice is an archipelago of 118 islands, all connected by hundreds of beautiful bridges and scenic canals. Of the canals, the Grand Canal is the most famous and divides the city into two sections.

The picturesque canals and historic architecture make Venice one of the most romantic cities in the world. Venice is often crowded, but it is worth visiting to see its magnificent sites such as St. Mark's Square and Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge. One of the most popular activities is taking a gondola ride through one of its many canals. Number 2. Tuscany. Italy's most famous region, Tuscany, conjures up images of beautiful hills, olive groves, vineyards and cypresses. The many pleasures of Tuscany include tasting wine in Chianti, simply relaxing in mountain towns like San Gimignano, or exploring Renaissance art in Florence.

The medieval city of Siena is also home to excellent works of art, while its historic center is one of the most popular

places

to visit in Italy. Elba, the largest of several Tuscan islands, offers excellent beaches, while Pisa is world famous for its Leaning Tower. Number 1. Rome. Rome, former capital of the Roman Empire, is today the seat of government and the capital of Italy. Located in the central region of the country, Lazio, Rome is a vast and complex city that is both historic and modern at the same time. Best known for being home to ancient Roman structures and Vatican City, Rome has endured for more than 2,500 years as a major center of culture, power, and religion.

From romantic ancient squares to stunning cathedrals and Renaissance architecture, there is so much to see and do in Rome that it could take months or even years to see it all.