Lonely Planet Italy (Travel Guide)

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A sailing instructor and participant at the 2022 Sunfish World Championships, Andrea Balzer sails the waters off Torvaianica on the Lazio coast. The majority of pages are undamaged with some creasing or tearing, and pencil underlining of text, but this is minimal. However many businesses, services and events referenced in this guide may experience ongoing restrictions. Lonely Planet has a team of local experts in destinations across the globe that can help you uncover hidden gems and local treasures to make your itinerary unforgettable. To escape the worst of the summer heat and crowds, avoid August and come in spring (April to June) or in September.

My favourite experience is hiking through the beech forests and mountains of the Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise.Retrace the daily steps of the ancients who lived, worked and died at Pompeii 2, the infamous town destroyed by Mt Vesuvius’ devastating eruption.

In addition to trattorias and ristoranti (restaurants), you can also chow down in pizzerias, osterie (taverns/wine bars) and agriturismi (farm-stays).For more than two weeks, the Umbrian town stages art exhibitions, opera, ballet and classical music. Pani ca meusa Palermo’s street-food aficionados swear by these sandwiches of beef spleen and lungs dipped in boiling lard. If you’re lucky, in the mountains you might catch sight of a chamois, ibex, golden eagle, peregrine falcon or even a Marsican brown bear (pictured).

Meander through Tuscany’s Chianti wine country 3, stopping off at historic vineyards to try the local vintages.Then, have a caffè leccese, an espresso shot with ice and a finger of almond syrup, with a sweet pasticciotto at Martinucci. As part of the Domenica al Museo initiative, many of Italy’s state museums are free on the first Sunday of the month. A full meal consists of an antipasto (starter), primo (pasta or rice dish), secondo (meat or fish), contorno (salad or vegetable side dish) and dolce (dessert).

Summit the Gran Sasso 2, the Apennines’ highest mountain, from the Campo Imperatore highland plain in Abruzzo. Italy is laced with thousands of kilometres of sentieri (marked trails), providing everything from multi-day treks to gentle family-friendly rambles. basta (ba-sta) means ‘that’s enough’ or ‘stop’; eg when someone is pouring a drink or a market trader is piling fruit onto the scales. Do as the Romans do and head to the Castelli Romani 4 hills to feast on porchetta (boneless herbed roast pork) and other specialities at a fraschetta. All businesses were rechecked before publication to ensure they are still open after 2020’s pandemic outbreak.

Vernazza's small harbor – the only secure landing point on the Cinque Terre coast – guards what is perhaps the quaintest, and steepest, of the five villages. Discover Rome's ancient architecture, explore the waterways of Venice, and tour blockbuster museums in Tuscany; all with your trusted travel companion. The word ‘palace’ derives from Palatium, the Latin name for Rome’s Palatine Hill (pictured) where Roman emperors lived in the main imperial palace.