A view of the dome inside St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City near Rome. — Dreamstime/TNS
When planning a trip to Italy, you can almost push a pin randomly in the map and leave it at that. There’s such a wealth of delicious food, deep history and vibrant culture that no matter where you go you’ll be happy – from the top of the boot to the bottom.
In fact, there’s so much to do in Italy that it can be a little overwhelming to decide. The travel gurus at Lonely Planet offer a ranking of “The Top 15 Destinations In Italy”. These include cities, parks, beaches and even an active volcano.
The travel guide has given reasons for each place’s inclusion. The top billing goes to Rome for its incredible and age-old architecture, for instance, while the region of Tuscany gets second place for its Renaissance history and romantic landscape.
Here are the first 10 picks on the list. – The Mercury News/Tribune News Service
Lonely Planet’s top 10 destinations in Italy
1. Rome: Best for history
2. Tuscany: Best for a Renaissance fix
3. The Dolomites: Best for dramatic mountains
4. Amalfi Coast: Best for classic beauty
5. Pompeii: Best for stepping back in time
6. Emilia-Romagna: Best for foodies
7. Lago di Como: Best for a slice of luxury
8. Sardinia: Best for beaches and coastline
9. Naples: Best for sheer “Italianita”
10. Venice: Best for a fairytale city
