Where to begin?! Italy holds a special place in our hearts and is one of our favorite stops in Europe! It really has something to offer for every type of traveler! And you can go over and over again with still more to see! Here are some of our top reasons Italy should be your first stop (or your 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th stops)!
THE FOOD!!
Where comfort food meets fine dining!
In each of the 20 regions of Italy, the people there will say they have the best food! Italians have an incredible way of not over-complicating food. The Italian nonnas (grandmas) have always told us that any good dish should be able be made with three ingredients or less! Now that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but most rustic dishes coming from Italian kitchens are simple and let the fabulous ingredients shine.
Going to Italy allows you to experience the “real” rustic Italian cooking! Italian food in so many other countries gets overpowered by tons of complex sauces with tons of ingredients! Italian restaurants in America, they might have a pesto pasta, alfredo pasta, and pasta with porcini mushrooms all on the same menu! In Italy, you have to travel hundreds of miles to see those dishes on different menus. Each region has their own specialties and they don’t mess with the others! And trust us…don’t eat at the restaurant with alfredo on the menu! It’s not a dish in Italy and if it’s there, they’re catering to you! Alfredo is a man’s name ;) Join one of our trips in Italy and you will experience all the regional specialties that Italy can offer!
The People
Italians are so fun and welcoming! Generally, Italians love the people that visit their country and are very proud to share their customs and values. The overwhelming majority of Italians that we encounter are friendly and welcoming! Interested in practicing your Italian? Go for it! Most Italians are very gracious and excited for you to try your Italian on them! So, join us in Italy so you can practice your “Grazies” on the streets.
History
Italy has an incredibly rich history everywhere you step! There are layers upon layers of history in every city. So, for all you history buffs out there, there’s something for everyone. Rome itself has thousands of years of history piled one after the other. Then there are the Etruscans that settled in Tuscany even before the Romans! Looking for the perfect example of the Renaissance? Then Florence is the place for you. Dazzling Venice is completely different than any other Italian city - with its founding dating back to the Byzantine Empire, it can feel like it belongs in Turkey more than Italy. No matter your interest, we’ve got a trip for you!
Outdoor Adventures
Most people don’t first think of Italy as an outdoor adventure paradise...but it is! The two major fault lines that run through Italy have created mountains all over the country. Combine that with 4,700 miles of shoreline (California has 840 miles!) and you’ve got some pretty incredible places to spend time in the outdoors. Whether you’re a fan of trekking, cycling, beach-going, or a myriad of other activities, Italy probably has it. Join one of our trips to swim in the Mediterranean, trek an active volcano, or sit on a pristine beach!
There you have it...Italy simply has it all!