There are lots of ways to entertain yourself when sitting at home. We always have a huge range of different films and shows to watch and there are also lots of games you can divulge in. From bingo to Secrets of the Phoenix, there’s something for everyone.
And the same goes for holidays too. Italy is one of the most popular holiday destinations due to its good food, weather and activities. But if you can’t choose what part to visit first, this list could help you out.
• Pompeii
You’ll definitely have heard of Pompeii due to the disaster that ensued after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. But one place you might not have heard of is the Herculaneum.
Herculaneum was the second city that suffered due to the eruption. It was actually hit before Pompeii was, meaning that it is a lot better preserved than some of Pompeii. The reason we might not have heard of it is because it’s a lot smaller but still close enough to visit if you’re staying in Pompeii.
• Venice
One of the most popular historical places is Venice. With its twisting walkways and countless bridges, the architecture in itself is a marvel. But there are so many more historical landmarks to visit as well.
In St Mark’s Square (arguably, one of the most famous squares in the world) you’ll find the astonishing St Mark’s Basilica. This landmark was founded by St Mark himself in the 9th century as it was created to hold his remains after his death.
Sadly, there was a great fire in 932 which destroyed most of the building. However, this was rebuilt to look exactly the same as the original so that none of the Byzantine aesthetic was lost.
Another historical landmark to visit in Venice is the Rialto Bridge. If you’ve ever seen a film that is set in Venice or have any prior knowledge of the place at all, chances are you’ll have seen this bridge before.
But nothing compares to seeing it in person. This bridge was first built in 1178 and has seen many renovations over the years in order to keep it as true to its original form as possible.
• Rome
How could you possibly visit Italy for its historical past and not visit Rome? As expected, the capital has an abundance of historical landmarks to visit. One you’ve probably already heard of is the Colosseum.
This grand piece of architecture is an amphitheatre and is still the largest of its kind in the world. It has stood for nearly 2,000 years and is still one of the most popular landmarks to visit.
The name Colosseum is actually a nickname – its real name is the Flavian Amphitheatre. Not many people call it that anymore but it could be a good fact to impress your tour guide with!
• Amalfi coast
Whenever anyone thinks about the beaches in Italy, the Amalfi coast inevitably springs to mind. This picturesque area of coastline overlooks the sea in a flurry of colourful houses. This fifty kilometre stretch of coastline offers a plethora of small beaches and tiny towns.
You’ll struggle to find anything more beautiful than this coastline in Italy. Situated between Sorrento and the port city of Salerno, you could do a road trip to cover the whole of the area.
Alternatively, you could just stay in one of the beautiful villas there are on offer and bask in the scenery. There are lots of vineyards to wander round as well as the beaches to explore.
You have the small town feel of being totally cut off from city life, whilst still finding plenty to do. You can take boat trips across the crystal blue waters and go snorkelling to see what lies beneath the waves.
One thing is for sure, you’ll never get sick of that view!
• Sardinia
If you fancy being even more remote than the Amalfi coast, why not take it one step further and visit an island. Sardinia is one of the most beautiful islands off the west coast of Italy.
There are 2,000 kilometres of coastline to enjoy so you’re sure to find a beach that isn’t overcrowded. One of the most famous beaches is Cala Brandinchi which means ‘Little Tahiti’. This is because the crystal clear waters look like those found in a far flung French Polynesian island.
If you’re a fan of snorkelling then Spaggia Capriccioli is a must visit for you. There’s a whole world of marine life to be discovered just off this beach and the shallow waters make it perfect for kids as well.
There’s a whole world of places to be discovered but Italy is a great place to start. Where is first on your bucket list?
