An idyllic Italian summer
Italy is full of iconic sights and there are so many things to see and do in this beautiful country. Some you can definitely guess, but some you’ve probably never even thought of. So here are some of my favourite ideas for how to spend an idyllic Italian summer
Gondola in Venice
Riding in a gondola on the Grand Canal, particularly for couples, is a romantic, timeless experience and has been for centuries due to the UNESCO World Heritage status of the city and the lagoon. There’s plenty to see on dry land too. The Piazza San Marco and Saint Mark’s Basilica are obvious stop-offs but don’t ignore the sprawling art museum, the Gallerie dell’ Accademia.
Cooking class
From pizza to lasagne to countless variations on spaghetti, Italian food is super hearty and delicious. So when visiting four your Italian summer, take a cookery class so your pasta is always cooked perfectly. From making the perfect dough in Naples (the home of pizza), to sweet treats in Pescara, to learning about the bold flavours of Umbria. There are classes that will ensure your taste buds still tingle even when you’re back home.
Hike Mount Vesuvius
Mount Vesuvius looms over the Gulf of Naples and its most famous eruption was in 79AD, destroying the city of Pompeii! It has erupted since, most recently in 1944, and it will again one day, so hike up this sleeping giant while you can! It’s a 4km, two-hour walk that offers views over the Bay of Naples and the caldera. Although moderately challenging, wear proper walking boots, not trainers. Avoid high Italian summer when temperatures make the exposed walk hard work.
Cable car to Alpe Di Siusi
In Italy, tours around the Dolomites guarantee a breathtaking experience. This mountain range in the north is a fantastic hiking country. One of the most scenic spots is Alpe Di Siusi, the largest high-alpine pasture in Europe, covering 56km². Visit in summer to see meadows carpeted with wildflowers at an altitude of over 1,500 metres. The road to the Alpe is closed during the day to prevent congestion so take the cable cars. They travel 4km and rise by 800ft in 15 minutes.
Capri’s blue waters
Jump on a ferry from either Sorrento or Naples to reach the stunning island of Capri. The funicular takes you up the steep ascent from the port to Capri Town and Anacapri. Or take a boat trip to see the famous Blue Grotto and the Faraglioni, Capri’s famed rock formations. Lake Como is another watery, Italian wonder. Ferries shuttle visitors and locals around the lakeside towns, villages, and islands. Villas that house the rich and famous can be spied from the lake. For a spectacular, natural vista, hillside hiking trails take you through towns with funiculars that take you back down again.
Go truffle hunting
Truffles are a delicacy, their nutty essence adding flavour to any dish. As well as being delicious, they are hard to come by, so are expensive. Black truffles can cost over £1,000/kg. They are found buried in forests throughout northern Piedmont and parts of Tuscany and Umbria and you can discover them on a truffle hunt. Truffle hunters take you out with dogs trained to sniff out the subterranean treasures. Once unearthed, enjoy a glass of wine and some delicious, truffle-enhanced local cooking.
Glass blowing
Murano is a series of islands to the north of Venice. At the end of the 13th century, Venetian glassmakers moved there so their furnaces didn’t endanger the city’s wooden homes. Today, you catch a 20-minute ferry from Venice to Murano to purchase glass ware, go to the Glass Museum to learn about glassmaking, and even attend a glass-blowing workshop. Or, you can observe factory glass blowers at work. But when buying glass, even in Murano, make sure it is authentic. Look for stores with the Vetro Artistico Murano sticker/certificate.
LL x
*This is a contributed post. As ever, all opinions are my own.
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