Five emerging Italy travel trends

An eclectic array of traditional European charm and local heritage, Italy has been on everyone’s bucket list for generations. Dubbed the food capital of Europe, the Italian dream isn’t one to be compromised. Think colossal sharing pizzas in Rome or the wonders of wine from novelty wall holes in Florence, the cities of the country are sure to hit expectations. But the joy doesn’t stop there, as the country’s history and landscape are also worth exploring.

Here are five emerging Italy travel trends.

Visiting the historical wits in Rome
Tick off masses of your Italian must-sees in the capital. With its renowned history from the time the Roman Empire ruled most of Europe, the Rome is home to architectural remains from the past of power. Here are just a few that must be ticked off as you wander:

• The Colleseum: The most visited infrastructure in Rome, built in emperor times as a venue for public spectating of gladiator games. Now one of the best preserved ruins in the world, the ampitheatre attracts millions of visitors ever year. To learn the most about it’s history, book onto a tour with a local expert.
• The Pantheon: Centrally located in Ancient Rome and free entrance makes the originally built temple another one of the city’s most visited hotspots. It’s now utilised as a Church, allowing travellers to engage in self reflection and gain an insight into the relgious significance still apparent today.
• Trevi Foutain: One of the most synonymous spots for wish making globally, the Trevi Fountain was originally built as a watersource for the city, but now the iconic sculpting and legacy surrounding it makes it a must-visit. Look up in owe at the intricacy of the architecture surrounding the water, said to be built with the same materials used to construct the Colleseum! To avoid the busy crowds that the fountain attracts, start your day here and make a wish. It’s located in and amongst the cities bustling streets, surrounded by countless historical squares.

There are a multitude more of historical sites in Rome to be seen. Get lost in the narrow streets and connect more with the city today as you discover how it all came to be.

Staying by the lakes in Italy
Whether it’s a romantic hideaway, a friends retreat or even a solo endevour, the Italian Lakes offer relaxation and sophistication ‘on tap’ – perfect for escaping the chaos of everyday life. Alongside the renowned areas of Lake Garda or Lake Como, are the lesser known Lake Orto or Lake Maggiore – each bringing its own unique charm and poise to visitors.

For the perfect stay surrounded by natural wonder and beauty, luxury villas in Lake Garda can provide comfortable and indulgent accommodations with privacy at it’s finest. The largest lake in Italy can be the ideal hub for stay, whilst you explore the distinct areas of Lombardy, Trentino Alto-Adigea and Veneto. If it’s a private pool that will make your stay, or a balcony overlooking the mountains beyond, a unique villa is the best home from home set up to make your trip its best.

Attending local festivals
No matter the time of year, there is a festival fit for all in Italy.

In the winter months, Epiphany (January the sixth) celebrates christian tradition with parades of colour and joy, hurding through the streets. For children, the day captivates the imagination with the arrival of Le Befana’s gifts in stockings – similar to that of Christmas Day. If February in Venice sounds enticing, Carnivale festival stretches across surrounding villages and beyond to denote the period before lent begins.

In the summer months, the art heritage of Italy is brought to life across cities. Taormina in Sardinia hosts both a film and art festival, whilst Verona plays tribute to it’s operatic past, with the Opera Festival spanning through three months.

By the end of the year, treasure a range of Italy’s Christian routes that still play huge influence today. Midnight mass on Christmas Eve is common, where people gather the streets to commemorate the nativity scene.

Across the calendar year, there’s a huge range of evergreen festivities in Italy. Plan your visit around the one (or multiple) that’s most appealing for you.

Hiking in Italy
If escaping the hustle and bustle of the cities sounds serene to you, Italy is, more unknowingly, homeland to many a hike.

• For coastal strolling, the Amalfi Coast in the south offers that through quintessential villages, alongside cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean.
• For the keen hikers looking for challenging terrain, the Dolmites in the northeast is a mountainous region.
• If a vineyard along the way takes your fancy, the rolling hills of Tuscany are sure to delight. You can enjoy a wine just as the sun reaches it’s peak in the summer.
• A winter walk sounding more enthralling? Near to the French border, the Gran Paradiso National Park is an alpine heaven, with glacial trails and wildlife to encounter on the way.

For the scenic strollers, or the most experienced hikers, the Italian landscape is here to be appreciated on foot! As more travellers start to see this too, a scenic walking holiday in Italy is a guaranteed way of seeing the undiscovered and best kept natural world.

Indulging in food tours in Italy
It wouldn’t be la dolce vita without experiencing the Italian cuisine scene! The world’s best pizza and pasta at your fingertips, finished off with gelato indulgence. Or maybe a tiramisu is what will be the afternoon ‘pick me up’?

If tasting your way through the cities is enough to book the flight, why not consider booking a food tour? Let a local take the decision pressure off by showing you the best eateries around and escape the tourist traps. Pairings in Milan? Rome’s sweet treats? The vineyards of Tuscany? The multitudes of culinary tours on offer are sure to whet your appetite enough to bring you back to Italy. Research and book an indulging food tour to taste the best of the best.

Summary
All your favourite foods, seaside relishing or city hopping can all be appreciated in Italy. Escape everyday and enthrawl in the Italian dream to really see why it’s so high up on everyone’s bucket lists.

The article Five emerging Italy travel trends first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.