I won’t bury the lede here: I didn’t hate visiting Pompeii without a guide. How could you? It’s one of the best-preserved, vastest archaeological sites in the world. But also, I wouldn’t do it that way again. While I have to admit that Naples is probably my least favorite city in Italy, I’ll happily give…
At the top of a hill overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, Taormina is a small but picturesque town on Sicily’s eastern coast. Home to a spectacular ancient Greek theater, gorgeous coastal views, lovely beaches, and the imposing sight of Mount Etna in the background, Taormina is certainly a town worth exploring. I visited Taormina twice on…
Perched atop a hilltop with a spectacular ocean view, you can’t miss the small but gorgeous town of Taormina, halfway between Catania and Messina. I had the fortune of visiting Taormina twice on my trips to Sicily while living in Italy, and I love it so much that it’s easily in my top three places…
Messina sits almost at the northeastern tip of Sicily, just across the strait from Reggio Calabria, the southernmost city in mainland Italy. Despite its prime location, Messina is often overlooked by travelers compared to flight hub cities like Palermo and Catania, it is still a rather popular stop for cruise ships due to its port,…
The gateway to the spectacular Valley of the Temples, the historic city of Agrigento is one of the most popular places to visit in Sicily. Whether you only have a few days or you’re planning a longer road trip around Sicily, you should absolutely spend at least a day in Agrigento and appreciate its small-town…
Picture a gorgeous hilltop city tucked between the smaller foothills, standing out against the Sicilian landscape. A Goldilocks destination of sorts: close to busier, popular tourist spots on the island like Siracusa and Catania — and yet nice and, dare I say it, even quiet… by Sicilian standards. For those reasons (and more), I visited…
Catania is a captivating Sicilian city right at the foot of Mount Etna, deserving of more attention than it gets. While it’s best known for its gorgeous Baroque architecture and charming historical town, Catania also has stunningly gorgeous views of the spectacular (and spectacularly active) volcano. When living in Italy, I made several trips to Sicily, and…
Varenna, once a humble fishing village, has done quite an about-face. Once merely a humble fishing village, it’s transformed into a captivating destination along the shores of Lake Como, a favorite spot for both the ultra-wealthy (hello, George Clooney) and visitors seeking a peaceful Italian getaway. Surrounded by the breathtaking Alps, Varenna’s villas, colorful lakeside…
Lecco is a lovely gem on Lake Como’s southeastern branch, and even though it’s the largest city in this particular part of the lake, it’s actually less busy than many cities on the lake, overshadowed by the more famous Como or smaller villages like Varenna and Bellagio. Despite this, it’s absolutely worth visiting Lecco if…
