Explore the five cliffside towns that make up the Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The towns boast colourful buildings and scenic hiking trails, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers.
Visit the stunning natural rock formations of Arco Naturale and Faraglioni. These geological formations offer great opportunities for rock climbing, hiking and photography. Be sure to bring your camera!
Explore Mount Etna, an active volcano, on a guided hike. The hike will take you through scenic forests, past lava streams and to the summit for panoramic views. It's a challenging but rewarding experience.
Take a nature walk in the Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro, a coastal nature reserve. The reserve boasts crystal clear waters and scenic trails, where you can spot various wildlife and plants. Bring your swimsuit for a refreshing swim!
Explore the stunning Val di Funes, home to the iconic church of Santa Maddalena. The valley is surrounded by the Dolomite Mountains and offers scenic hiking trails and opportunities for wildlife spotting.
Visit Marmore Falls, the largest man-made waterfall in Europe. Take a guided tour to learn about its fascinating history and enjoy the scenic views. There are also botanical gardens and hiking trails for nature enthusiasts.
Visit Trulli of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its unique conical-shaped houses. Explore the winding streets and learn about the history and architecture of the trulli.
Explore the Mount Vesuvius National Park, home to the famous volcano that destroyed Pompeii. Take a guided hike to the summit for exceptional views of the Bay of Naples.
Visit the Gardens of Ninfa, internationally recognized for their beauty and conservation. The gardens have a variety of plants, flowers, streams and sculptures. The site is perfect for picnicking and taking in nature.
Explore the Gargano National Park, home to stunning cliffs, forests and beaches. The park offers various outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking and swimming. Be sure to visit the Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Visit Gran Paradiso National Park for its diverse wildlife and beautiful scenery. Hike through the valleys and mountains and spot creatures such as chamois, ibex, marmots and eagles. There are also scenic towns and historic buildings to explore.
Explore Stelvio National Park, home to the beautiful Ortler Alps, the largest park in Italy. The park offers scenic hiking and cycling trails, skiing and snowboarding opportunities, and beautiful valleys and glaciers. Don’t forget to stop by the historic town of Bormio.
Visit the Oasis of Vendicari, a nature reserve and birdwatcher's paradise. The reserve has beautiful beaches, sand dunes, salt pans and ancient ruins to explore. You can also spot various birds like flamingos, storks and herons.
Visit the picturesque Lake Como, known for its clear blue waters, beautiful villas and scenic towns. Take a boat ride, hike or bike around the lake, or relax and soak in the views with a drink in one of the many lakeside cafes.
Explore Mincio Regional Park, situated along the Mincio River. The park is home to various flora and fauna, biking, hiking and walking trails, and scenic views of the river and nearby towns. There are also historic buildings within the park, like the Visconti Bridge, which is worth a visit.
To travel between destinations, trains are the most efficient mode of transportation. While car rentals are available, they can be costly and difficult to navigate through busy city centres. For example, trains to Cinque Terre can be as cheap as €10 and take 1-2 hours. Plane travel is also a good option, and budget airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet can offer cheap airfares to many of the airports in our itinerary
If you have more time, consider visiting the Italian Dolomites, Sardinia, Orvieto or Lago di Garda for more nature experiences. These destinations weren’t on our list since they require more than 15 days to fully experience. If you have fewer days, you may want to prioritize certain destinations and activities or remove some altogether.
The main airports in Italy are Rome Fiumicino Airport FCO and Milan Malpensa International Airport MXP. Other international airports include Venice Marco Polo Airport VCE, Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport BLQ and Naples International Airport NAP. In terms of proximity to the destinations in our itinerary, the best options are Pisa International Airport PSA, Milan Linate Airport LIN, Bari Palese Airport BRI, and Catania Fontanarossa Airport CTA.