6 EXOTIC MUST-SEE ITALIAN DESTINATIONS

Italy is arguably one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Known for several distinctive elements, including its healthy Mediterranean cuisine, appealing luxury jewelry handmade by gifted artisans, prominent cultural heritage and breathtaking landscape, Italy has no shortage of sought-after vacation destinations that everyone should add to their bucket list.

Here are six exotic, must-see Italian locales where both locals and tourists flock to recharge their batteries year after year.

1. Capri – Capri is well-known for its juxtaposition of high-end hotels and luxury shopping venues, combined with a rugged landscape. This is the place where families can admire the legendary Blue Grotto, the cavern where the sea water displays a stunning electric blue shade, have dinner in one of the best restaurants in Italy’s Bay of Naples, enjoy the refreshing taste of limoncello, and admire the curves of the dramatic coastline area that attracts yachts of both celebrities and everyday people like a magnet.

2. Portofino – Portofino attracts masses of tourists with its raw beauty and unique charm. Surrounded by water, this popular vacation destination is sitting on a tiny promontory. Its colorful, small-scale harbor is overcrowded with sailboats and yachts of all sizes, which increase its aesthetic value, and make it irresistibly photogenic.

Europe’s wealthiest people love to stroll around Portofino’s harbor, visit its castle, enjoy a nice walk to Punta del Capo, check out the offerings of the luxury boutiques, and have a nice cup of coffee on a terrace, while contemplating the amazing surroundings.

3. Venice – Venice is one of the most romantic cities in the world, where couples can express their love during an enchanting gondola ride. The capital of the Veneto region stretches on more than 100 small-scale islands, and doesn’t have any roads. Instead, it encompasses a network of navigable canals bordered by majestic Gothic and Renaissance palaces.

In this part of the country tourists can opt for a wine tour, admire iconic works of art signed by prestigious painters such as Titian, Tiepolo or Tintoretto, make the most of a clear bird’s-eye view of Venice, and buy a vaporetto ticket to join a sightseeing tour on one of the city’s ubiquitous water buses down the Grand Canal.

4. Lake Como – Lake Como is one of the most popular Italian destinations, appreciated for its glorious foods and stellar cuisine. This place exudes class, and can be described as a corner of paradise where little elegant villas kiss the shores.

The snow-capped mountainous setting is a magnet for tourists during winter and spring, whereas the chic villas with their lush green gardens and spacious outdoor terraces attract many vacationers during summer, offering temporary shelter from the rising temperatures.

Those seeking to discover the highlights of the city should become acquainted with its waterfront promenade, funicular railway, famous Gothic Como Cathedral and the Museo Didattico della Seta, which celebrates the region’s past as Italy’s capital of silk.

5. Amalfi Coast – Those seeking a vibrant, luxurious vacation destination should become familiar with what Amalfi Coast has to offer. This slice of paradise stretches on 50 kilometers of coastline where rugged shorelines and beautiful cliffs are beautified by a network of fishing villages painted in pretty pastel colors.

Amalfi, the largest city in this area, is still intimate enough to help recreate the most romantic vacation. This place showcases an impressive Duomo, a stunning 13th century construction featuring striped arches, glittering mosaics, and other intricate Gothic architectural details that rise at the top of a set of 62 stairs.

6. Sardinia – Vacationers looking for a haven in the Mediterranean Sea will most likely fall in love with Sardinia at a first glance, due to the island’s rugged coastline stretching on 2.000 kilometers of land, monotonous interior with numerous hiking trails, and sandy, pristine beaches.

Whether you’re looking forward to sinking your feet in silky sand and crystal clear blue water, admire the island’s unique wildlife, contemplate ancient roman sites that are open air museums in their own right, or rub elbows with the wealthiest people on the planet in Costa Smeralda, where you could choose from a wide range of options in terms of accommodation options and nightlife, Sardinia is the perfect place for a unforgettable vacation in Italy.