The 6 most beautiful places in Italy to visit at least once in a lifetime

A magical place, unique to this world, able to make anyone who visits it fall in love with it. The first impact with the lagoon and its islands leaves you speechless. But, it’s walking through the streets of the historic center, between the bridges and canals of Venice, that you realize how special this city is.

Places and symbols of Venice such as the monumental Piazza San Marco dominated by the Basilica and the imposing bell tower, the Ponte dei Sospiri and the Rialto Bridge enter your heart and remain there forever. It is no coincidence that millions of couples choose Venice to declare their love, as a destination for a honeymoon or a romantic getaway. Since 1987 Venice and its lagoon have been a UNESCO heritage site.

A cosmopolitan metropolis always attentive to the latest trends in every field, from events to food. Exploring this city must start from its historic center, dominated by the Duomo di Milano cathedral with its characteristic spires and the Madonnina which has watched over the entire city since 1774. Another of the city's symbolic places starts from the square overlooked by the Duomo, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II which houses shops and bars and accompanies visitors to Piazza della Scala, where the opera house stands.

Thanks to an efficient local transport system, including underground, tram and bus, some of the iconic places of this city can be reached from the center of Milan in just a few minutes, from the Castello Sforzesco to the Pinacoteca di Brera. Milan is also the city of shopping, from the famous Quadrilatero della Moda shopping streets to the vintage shops of the Cinque Vie. And for those who love to breathe art and culture, Milan is the ideal city, hosting prestigious exhibitions and events that alternate throughout the year.

Beautiful beaches nestled among the rocks overlooking the sea, delightful colorful villages perched on the cliffs and Mediterranean scrub to be discovered among glorious trails. But what are the 5 Terre? The villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore which follow on from one another along the Spezzina coast between Punta Mesco and Punta di Montenero.

The Cinque Terre National Park can be discovered on foot, taking advantage of the many paths that wind through the entire area, from the “Sentiero Monterosso-Vernazza” trail to the “Sentiero Azzurro” trail, passing through the Via dell'Amore. Those who prefer to discover even just one of the five villages can count on the regional trains that cross Liguria and stop at the five stations of the Cinque Terre. Since 1997 they have been included in the list of UNESCO heritage territories.

The historic center of Florence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982, is a treasure chest that must be explored on foot, taking care not to miss even one of the wonders that make it so special. It is impossible to remain indifferent to masterpieces such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Piazza del Duomo, the Palazzo Vecchio in Piazza della Signoria, but also the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, the Galleria dell’Accademia and the Basilica of Santa Croce. The city emanates art from every corner. Among the places to get lost and enchanted there is of course the Uffizi Gallery in Florence with unique works of art in the world.

Those who visit Florence for the art must spend a few hours exploring Palazzo Pitti, which houses the Palatine Gallery with works by Raffaello e Tiziano, the Royal Apartments of the Medici family and the Modern Art Gallery. A walk to the city’s iconic Ponte Vecchio is also a must.

The historic center of Rome guarantees to stir emotions with every step: it includes over 25,000 points of interest and, for this reason, it has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Exploring Rome means getting lost in centuries of history and visiting examples of rare beauty such as the imposing Colosseum and the elegant Pantheon, but also via dei Fori Imperiali, Palazzo Venezia and the Circus Maximus. Among the monuments of Rome most photographed by tourists there are also the Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona dominated by the Fountain of the Four Rivers designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

Within the territory of Rome there is also another of the best known places in the world, the Vatican City with the majestic St. Peter's Basilica and all the buildings of power of the Holy See.

The Amalfi Coast is another place to not miss in Italy, a wonderful stretch of coast that starts from Vietri sul Mare and reaches Positano, one of the jewels of the area. Choosing what to see on the Amalfi Coast is not easy because every corner deserves more than one visit, from towns such as Amalfi, Ravello, Praiano and Positano to small hidden gems such as the Grotta di Pandora and the Grotta Sulfurea. The Amalfi Coast beaches, characterized by pebbles and rocks, offer charm and beauty. Some suggestions: the beach of Duoglio in Amalfi, the Bay of Erchie in Maiori and the Fiordo del Furore.

This UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997 is also ideal for those who love trekking. The “Sentiero degli Dei” trail is among the most beautiful on the Amalfi Coast. The Sentiero dei Limoni trail between Maiori and Minori and the path that connects Agerola to the Fiordo di Furore are also well worth walking.