Italy is quite famous for its award-winning pizza, pasta and gelato and every year, hundreds of people fly into the country to experience these. However, there is more to Italy than Gelato. There are lots of fun places you could visit to make your time in Italy the best period of your life. And because most of us are hooked on the popular places, we’ve come up with a list of places you didn’t even know about but are equally as fun.
From a healing spring to an aquarium, down to a leather shop, Italy hides a lot of secrets which we will be uncovering in this post.
Stick around while we find out the top 10 places to visit in Italy.
Number 10. Cinque Terre
The five UNESCO heritage towns of Vernazza, Manarola, Corniglia, Riomaggiore, and Monterosso al Mare come together to form Cinque Terre and it’s one place you should visit if you wish to enjoy Italy.
The glittering blue of the Ligurian Sea and Coast, the lush green surroundings down and the pastel-hued houses that dot every space in the settlement make Cinque Terre not a place to visit without a camera because it is one of the most photogenic places in Europe.
There is a little list of fun things to do here such as touring the iconic centre of Vernazza from ground level or just climbing up the cliffs in Corniglia to get a panoramic view of the entire place.
Whichever one it is you choose to do, you will certainly leave with an understanding of why so many authors and romantic poets such as Shelley and D.H Lawrence have all tried to capture the beauty of this place using words but words do not quite do justice to the vivid reds, pinks and oranges found here.
Number 9. Saturnia Hot Springs
This is a hidden gem in Italy and a lot of people visit Italy without enjoying the Tuscany wonder. It is a collection of silk-blue water springs heated by a nearby volcano. Interestingly, the water maintains a constant temperature of 37 degrees.
Apart from being extremely beautiful, the springs have also been said to hold health benefits. The mineral content it contains is responsible for this with every litre of water here containing 14mg of hydrogen sulphide, 462 cc kg carbon dioxide and large quantities of other minerals such as calcium and magnesium, all of which are absorbed quickly by the body due to the high heat of the water. Therefore the stream of water has therapeutic qualities and guess what? It’s all completely free at all times, all year round.
Number 8. Aquarium of Genova
Expo ‘92, the celebration of the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus brought about the construction of this Aquarium. The aim was to create an area full of tradition and history and not only did they succeed, but they also built one of the most interesting attractions for people of all ages.
This aquarium is located in the heart of Genoa’s historic centre, the Porto Antico (the old port) and it is the biggest aquarium in Europe.
It contains a wide variety of aquatic animals, including sharks, dolphins, penguins, and sea turtles. The aquarium has divisions too, all themed areas, such as the Mediterranean section, the Tropical section, and the Antarctic section. That’s not all as it also has interactive exhibits and educational programs that will keep you captivated. The aquarium is open year-round. You should see it.
Number 7. Lake Orta
One of the grossly underrated lakes in Italy, probably due to its small size, Lake Orta is a peaceful place to be. It is located on San Giulio island and would take only about 10 minutes to locate it from Market Square. The surroundings of the lake make the experience even more worthwhile – the church full of history, the ever-busy market square full of good merchandise and the Orta Market Restaurant where you can eat food meals at affordable prices.
Lake Orta is scenic, has a very rural feel and isn’t commercialised. Do some kayaking, swim and spend a night or two here. You’re bound to fall in love with the entire town.
Number 6. Zoo Safari Ravenna
This is a safari park located in the coming Emilia-Romagna area of Roma and a perfect destination if you crave a fantastic day. It plays host to more than 450 animals of different species and this includes wild animals!
Young and elderly people can all spend hours watching the ostriches, giraffes, tigers, lions, antelopes, horses and even snakes that can be found here.
The larger area in this park is for large mammals and birds to be seen only by car or train, and a smaller traditional zoo with a reptile section, Primates, Australian section and domestic animals.
The animals are well taken care of and the zookeepers always ensure people don’t get too close to the animals.
Visitors also get to enjoy a bird/parrot show that runs every hour. Lastly, there is a kids’ area outside of the zoo where kids play on karts and boats and do some water zorbing.
Number 5. Leaning Tower of Pisa
We have come to perhaps the most popular place on this list, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Originally constructed to help defend the city (a purpose which it never served), the tower now serves as the bell tower for the religious complex in Duomo Square. You only need to spend a few minutes here to realise why it occupies a spot in the list of the 7 wonders of the world.
The tower is an architectural masterpiece as it tilts extraordinarily and is located in the famous Piazza dei Miracoli. It contains seven bells – one for each musical note – the largest of which, cast in 1655, weighs a full three and a half tonnes! The tower is a fascinating sight and would leave you with a memory of a lifetime.
Number 4. Mount Etna
Next up is the awe-inspiring majesty of Catania’s legendary mountain, renowned as one of Europe’s oldest and most dynamic volcanoes. Visitors who manage to climb to its summit are treated to breathtaking views of the beautiful Sicilian countryside, especially at sunset.
Most visitors seize the opportunity of being in Italy to visit the wonder and always return, enchanted by the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Southern side is the most popular part hence it draws a lot of guests but the summit heights are not to be underrated. That is where the real beauty lies. As a precautionary measure, visitors always wear comfortable shoes and layered clothes. This is to defend against the erratic temperatures you might encounter should you decide to move up the slopes of Etna.
Number 3. Icario Winery
This is the go-to destination if you want to experience some sensory delight. It has a contemporary building that houses the tasting area but the really interesting thing about this tasting area is that the floor is made of glass. What does this mean? You can have a bird’s eye view of several oak barrels filled with exquisite wines while you taste some of this wine yourself. Sounds exciting?
It doesn’t stop there. The range of wines here is simply wonderful; the delightful Rosso Di Montepulciano, the iconic Grappa, and Nobile Di Montepulciano amongst other exotic Tuscan wines.
Lastly, their knowledgeable and friendly staff make you feel comfortable throughout your visit. Adding this place to your bucket list is non-negotiable.
Number 2. Jimmy’s Leather Collection
This cops the second spot on this list thanks to being the best leather shop in Florence in terms of variety of options, quality and after-purchase service.
If you are a lover of good leather clothing, then you have no excuse not to add this place to your itinerary. There are many other leather places in Florence but this place just stands out. All their products are sourced locally, are well-priced and are of solid quality. You’ll love their products.
Big credit goes to the designer of these jackets, Mario whom many customers have expressed admiration for. Passionate about his work, honest, patient and possessing an eye for details. You have to be careful though because when Mario attends to you, you might end up exceeding your shopping budget!
Number 1. Adventure Rooms Roma
Nothing quite beats the thrill of a premier escape room experience and Adventure Rooms, Roma is your best bet when it comes to escape rooms. It is an amazing venue that has six unique rooms. Of notable mention among these rooms are the Bunker, recognised as one of the top 50 escape rooms in the world and Alcatraz, the largest escape room in Roma and perhaps the whole of Italy.
Imagine getting immersed along with your family or friends in several fun games such as Armageddon, The Secrets of Egypt and Chocolate Factory.
The games are not the only entertaining aspect of the escape room. There are also puzzles which add an extra layer of enjoyment. The great staff is also on hand to help you with anything such as booking, guiding you through the games or helping you capture nice pictures.
This is the place to go if you wish to create lasting memories with family or friends