Central Italy

Rome, Florence and the Tuscan hills.

Photo: Diliff · CC BY 3.0

The Short List

Must-See

Must-See
Cities · UNESCO

Rome

Lazio

The Colosseum, the Pantheon and 3,000 years of history, with some of Europe's best street life.

Guide Coming Soon
Must-See
Cities · UNESCO

Florence

Tuscany

The cradle of the Renaissance, with the Uffizi, Michelangelo's David and Brunelleschi's dome.

Guide Coming Soon
Must-See
Cities · UNESCO

Tuscany and Siena

Rolling hills and hill towns, with Siena's shell-shaped square, San Gimignano's towers and Chianti.

Guide Coming Soon

Worth a Detour

Worth a Detour
Cities · Food

Bologna and Emilia-Romagna

Italy's food capital: tagliatelle, Parma ham, balsamic vinegar and porticoes, with Ravenna's mosaics nearby.

Guide Coming Soon
Worth a Detour
Heritage · UNESCO

Ravenna

Emilia-Romagna

The finest Byzantine mosaics in the West, and Dante's tomb.

Guide Coming Soon

If You're Nearby

If You're Nearby
Spiritual · UNESCO

Assisi and Umbria

The hill town of St. Francis, and its great frescoed basilica, with Orvieto and Perugia nearby.

Guide Coming Soon
If You're Nearby
Heritage · UNESCO

Pisa

Tuscany

The Leaning Tower and its marble square, an easy stop from Florence.

Guide Coming Soon
If You're Nearby
Festivals & Seasons · Horse races

Palio di Siena

Tuscany

A wild bareback horse race around Siena's main square, every July and August.

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If You're Nearby
Mountains · Hiking

Gran Sasso and Abruzzo

The Apennines' highest peak, above the vast Campo Imperatore plateau.

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If You're Nearby
Cities · Walled towns

Lucca

Tuscany

A Tuscan town inside Renaissance walls wide enough to cycle on.

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If You're Nearby
Cities · Hill towns

Orvieto

Umbria

A hill town on volcanic rock, with a dazzling striped cathedral.

Guide Coming Soon

On the Map

Grey pins: guides still being written.