Vespa rides, witnessing the Colosseum and the Palio in Siena, swimming in the clear Sardinian waters, all contribute to making Italy more than a country – it becomes a state of mind. But this is not to say that Italy is perfect – that would be boring, one thing Italy could never be. With so many things to do and visit in the country, here is a small bucket list of must-do things when in Italy.
Fiat 500 tour in Rome
Italian driving is intense bordering on crazy, to say the least. What better way to experience this than to take a tour in a candy-colored vintage Fiat. Once you get used to the rustic gearbox mechanisms, your guide can help show you the less known-about places the city has to offer like the Orange Garden on Aventine Hill. While you’re at it, check out the Ferrari museums in Emilia-Romagna, a haven for car enthusiasts.
Cinque Terre sans crowds
The most interesting part of their five colorful fishing villages is that they are connected by sea rather than by roads. The popular way of accessing the area is by hiking, but take a shortcut and escape the large crowds by choosing a waterway and rent out your own boat and captain from a harbor. Avoid crowds even more by dropping in during offseason rather than going along with the peak summer crowds.
Volcano Climbing in Sicily
For those travelers who crave adventure, make a bold move and do a walking tour of Sicily and the Aeolian Islands to get up close and personal with the volcanic area including Vulcano, Stromboli, and even Mount Etna, where you can observe lava flows and volcanic irruptions.
Pasta making in Bologna
Making pasta is a skill that most people wish to acquire. What better place to do this than the home of the pasta itself. You can learn how to hand roll pasta on your own at the CIBO or the Culinary Institute of Bologna. And what’s best is you can cook and enjoy your own pasta with a glass of local wine.
Amalfi Coast Drive
The Amalfi Coast that is almost suspended between mountains and the sea is a sight that one must not muss. The drive has a lot of twists and turns, but the beautiful colors of the Mediterranean, its secret peeks, lemon groves and mountain terraces make it a trip worth taking. You can choose between going down to the seaside town of Positano or moving high up into the hills of Ravello for brilliant outdoor opera performances.