Italy
Italy's attractions are well known and impressive in both quality and quantity. But if you're looking for more than a superficial understanding of this rich and varied country, the sites below provide detailed information about its cities, landscapes, and culture. You'll also learn how to get there, where to stay, and what your fellow travelers were inspired to share about their Italian journeys.
Most people don't need to be told why Italy is worth visiting. However, the following sites provide ... read more »
Here you'll find links to sites providing practical information on the more mundane aspects of ... read more »
If you're coming from the United States, you'll probably fly to Italy, although if you're already ... read more »
As slowly as possible is one answer. You'll have more time to enjoy the view when you travel by ... read more »
Italy's architecture and countryside are perhaps its two greatest assets. Depending on which of these piques your interest, you can choose to stay in a hostel, hotel, or vacation on a farmhouse ("agriturismo"). Use the sites below to uncover your options and settle your arrangements.
- One option you might not have considered is agriturismo, a type of farmhouse vacationing. The Italian government began sponsoring agriturismo in 1985 as a way to preserve rural traditions and economies. Agriturismo can open the door to the serene pleasures of the Italian landscape and the best of local produce, with the added bonus that your money helps to maintain the environment. See the links below for more information.
- If you're planning on backpacking, know that hotels and hostels in Italy are often fully booked. When you can, make arrangements in advance.
For hotels and hostels ...
Plus Villages
operate throughout Europe and provide hostels and campsites that tend to offer a wide range of amenities (such as a laundry, Internet café, and pool, depending on location). The rates are low, and the accommodation varies from corrugated huts, which may be shared by campers, to air-conditioned mobile homes.
TripAdvisor
compiles a list of the top hotels in Italy based on the opinions of its many thousands of users. The site provides a way to confirm or qualify the hotel reviews you find elsewhere.
Travel + Leisure
recommends and reviews dozens of hotels throughout Italy. The least expensive double room in a Milanese hotel in Travel + Leisure's low-price bracket was €165 (currently around $225) a night in October, but if you're looking for Old World grandeur or modern boutique luxury, this is the place to go.
For information about agriturismo ...
Agriturismo
carries a directory of farms, with maps, sales blurbs from the various establishments, prices, and a booking facility. There's not much more to the site than that, and prospective holidaymakers would do well to look for recommendations elsewhere, such as TripAdvisor, before making a reservation.
The Washington Post
recently ran an article by two writers who went to Sicily to get a taste of the increasingly popular phenomenon of agriturismo.
The International Herald Tribune
also reports on the rise of agriturismo. There are now 14,000 agriturismi (the plural noun for the farmhouse-inns) scattered throughout the mainland and islands of Italy.
Reading the accounts of other travelers' explorations is a great way to add an extra dimension to ... read more »
Most Recent Guides
Expand All Guide Sections
