Italy is now recognized as the most popular tourist destination in the world. It is also the number one country people search for when planning a vacation. With fascinating ancient cities, delicious food and wine, and gorgeous countryside, it’s no wonder people LOVE ITALY! I’ve been traveling to Italy for many years and can’t wait to return! I’ll take you on a visual journey from the north to the south of this wonderful land.

The image above is the famous statue of “Pollux” and his horse at the Campidoglio in Rome.

The iconic Roman Forum is a site to savor and contemplate ancient Rome of the past.

Piazza de Spagna is one of Rome’s most famous squares and the Spanish Steps were packed with visitors on this September day! The adjacent Via dei Condotti is famous for high-end boutiques.

If crowds are not your thing, walk a few blocks north on the Via del Babuino and make a right to enter Via Margutta. I almost had the entire street to myself! Some say the Via Margutta is Rome’s most romantic street and I must agree.

Via Margutta was home to Frederico Fellini and was featured in the famous film, “Roman Holiday.”

This was the view from our outdoor dinner table at Osteria Margutta. Locals kept arriving for dinner on their Vespas! Remember, Romans dine quite late!

I have so many favorite Italian cities and Venice must be close to the top of the list! This is the famous “Bridge of Sighs.” Venice can be very crowded in the tourist season. I would recommend going in late fall or even in winter. We love the Hotel Danieli.

The rolling green hills of Tuscany.

Marla explores Castellina in Chianti, an enchanting town in Tuscany, on a quiet afternoon in September.

Siena never fails to amaze me! This is the famous Piazza del Campo.

The Duomo di Siena is a must visit and is breathtaking in its grandeur!

In a side room of the church is the magnificent Piccolomini Library.

Contrade flags are on display in an ancient lane in Montepulciano. There are eight districts, or Contrade, in this beautiful Tuscan town.

Pienza is another favorite Tuscan hilltown of mine. Huge temporary sculptures are on display in the main courtyard.

The beautiful Val d’Orchia near Pienza has been awarded a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Visiting nuns admire a church in Spello, an enchanting town in Umbria.

Arezzo is a beautiful Tuscan town definitely worth exploring. A musical group from one of the town’s four quartieri practices in town.

https://www.discovertuscany.com/arezzo/giostra-del-saracino.html

A steep street in Cortona.

The small hamlet of Vertine seemed almost deserted!

I stopped for lunch in Suvereto while on a coastal Tuscany cycling trip. The Medieval hilltown village is magical! Suvereto is 90 km from Florence and not far from Livorno.

The Amalfi Coast is a favorite of mine and draws me in like a siren’s call! Positano is a jewel box treat and fun to visit. You can take the jet ferry to Capri or Amalfi. It can be crowded during the day in the summer season but the evenings are very pleasant when the tour buses leave.

The fascinating town of Amalfi. Magical Ravello is up the hill and wonderful to visit for lunch. Ravello has a number of super luxury hotels with amazing views as well!

The gorgeous island of Capri is great for a day trip or to stay overnight!

Lago Maggiore is Italy’s second largest lake and is surrounded by beautiful mountains. The lake and coastline are shared with Switzerland. Isola Madre, pictured above, is the largest of the Borromean and contains a beautiful botanical garden and walkways. It is reachable by hourly ferries. I saw a fantastic white peacock on my last visit!

This was my wonderful view as I cycled up to Crissolo in Italy’s Piedmont region.

Lake Como is one of Italy’s most beautiful lakes and the town of Bellagio is a sparkling jewel. Lake ferries can transport you to various towns around the lake. The Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni is one of the oldest and most elegant on the lake. One of my most favorite dinners anywhere was at the Mistral restaurant.

Sicily is a travelers delight and the area around Taormina is especially beautiful. This is a view of Isola Bella in a bay below Taormina. The town is reachable by car, taxi or a nearby gondola.

The view of the town of Taormina is breathtaking! The hotel with the swimming pool is the famous Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo. Room prices are a bit steep but it is a great place for the cocktails on their terrace.

I will finish our Italy adventure with the location of the most romantic dinner of our lives. We dined on the terrace of the St. George Restaurant at the classic Hotel Ashbee in Taormina. The early September evening was warm and I was with my sweetheart!

Photos: All by Dick Gentry except Lago Maggiore by Stressa Tours. Not to be used without permission.