A rural region with beautiful countryside, mountains, and beaches. This is a great place to “get away from it all” enjoy an active, outdoor vacation in the Italian outdoors.

Located in the northwest corner of Italy in between France, Switzerland, and Piedmont, the Aosta Valley is mountainous and picturesque. The Alps cut through this autonomous region, adding to its allure. This is a great destination for history buffs who love castles and ruins, anyone who wants to get out of the heat (even the summers can be chilly here thanks to the mountains), and anyone interested in sampling the multicultural side of Italy.

The “instep” of Italy’s boot, Basilicata is large and rural. The area’s most-visited city is Matera, where the Neolithic cave dwellings pull fascinated visitors. Basilicata is also filled with forests, lakes, and small villages. It is a good destination for and active holiday if you are traveling on a budget.

Calabria sits near the tip of Italy’s boot and offers plenty of idyllic beaches. Like Basilicata, it is also mountainous and has a low population density, so it is a good option for travelers on a budget who are not looking for a crowded city experience.

Italy’s second most populous region, Campania is the place to go for a sun-soaked holiday on the bustling coast. From Naples to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast, Campania covers it all.

A wealthy region that spans the north of the country, Emilia-Romagna covers cities including Bologna, Ferrara, and Modena. This is the region to visit for some of Italy’s most famous cuisine, most beautiful coastlines, and Renaissance cities.

This very small autonomous region is tucked away near Austria and Slovenia. It offers both seaside and Alps and is a great destination for a unique experience from the rest of Italy!

Italy’s central region and home to the capital city of Rome, Lazio offers sandy beaches, small mountains, medieval towns, lakes, and archeological sites. This destination is a must-see for history buffs and art lovers.

A hilly region with a long shoreline along the Adriatic, Le Marche’s tourism crowd is attracted for its beaches and mountains. This destination is ideal for hiking and other outdoor summer activities.

Famous for its seaside, Liguria has a storied history. Tourists are drawn to the area for the resort towns of Cinque Terre and Portofino but a huge draw is also the capital city of Genoa, which was the hometown of Christopher Columbus.

In the north of Italy, bordering Switzerland, Lombardy is the country’s wealthiest, most populous region. The capital, Milan, is the second largest city in Italy. Lombardy also offers the Lake District, which has destinations such as Lake Como, Maggiore, and Garda.

Molise is the country’s newest region. It is mainly agricultural and produces wine, olive oil, dairy, fruit, and vegetables. Tourism isn’t well-developed here yet, so it’s a great choice for off-grid vacationing in authentic small towns.

Though it is surrounded by the Alps on three sides, most of this region is actually on a flat plain. It produces rice and wine, making the region a must-visit for food aficionados. The area is also ideal for anyone who loves winter sports.

Located on the heel of Italy’s boot, Puglia is known for its beautiful beaches and countryside as well as its excellent food and unique architecture. A favorite summer destination for Italians, this is an ideal destination for anyone who wants a true taste of the Mediterranean lifestyle.

An island located west and south of Corsica features stunning beaches, gripping nightlife, and buzzy resort towns. Head inland for a tranquil agricultural area with a small-town feel.

The largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily is its own world. Go for the sunny climate, natural beauty, ancient history, beaches, and unique culture.

This area is also known as Trentino-South Tyrol and is a gorgeous, autonomous region in northern Italy that used to be part of Austria-Hungary. It has its own special culture and is a great destination for active travelers who want to visit the mountains and see the sights!

Renowned for its food, wine, towns, and countryside, Tuscany is famous for the bounty of the region. If you are looking for a quintessential Italian getaway, look no further, Tuscany has it all.

Located next to Tuscany, Umbria also offers gorgeous countryside, hilltop towns, olive and wine vineyards, and a history that reaches back to the Etruscans. Umbria is a little less touristy than Tuscany and a great choice if you’re looking to get farther away from the crowds.

One of Italy’s most developed regions, this region produces some of Italy’s most famous wines including Prosecco, Valpolicella, and Soave. The region’s most popular towns to visit include Venice, Verona, Vicenza, Belluno, and Padua.

The fascinating medieval city of Lucca is surrounded by 16th-century Renaissance walls. Choose to see it by bike or on foot, but either way will bring you to see the Cathedral of San Martino, the Piazza Napoleone and the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, all sites you simply should not miss.

Tuscan people are absolutely obsessed with their bread and olive oil. When in Tuscany, make sure you begin your meal with a beautifully toasted slice of bread that’s been rubbed with garlic, generously brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with just a hint of salt. You will melt with delight.

On a beautiful day, take a boat trip from the stunning Amalfi Coast to the lovely Mediterranean island of Capri. There, a local expert will bring you on a tour of a dreamy place that can only be described as paradise on earth.

Just about anywhere you go in Italy, you’re going to encounter fantastic wine. Whether you’re in Tuscany, Stresa, Piedmont, Umbria or any other region of this beautiful country, taste the wine. Buy a few bottles and bring it home to enjoy with friends and family.

All aboard! Hopping from city to city? Take the train! Italy's rail system is modern, clean, and timely. Simply purchase a train ticket from an electronic machine or a ticket teller, then be sure to validate it before boarding. This means: look for the small rectangular and/or green boxes around the train station and stamp your ticket before you step on.

The best way to see Italy is to walk around. From street art to beautiful statues to hidden restaurants, you never know what you might find around every corner! If your legs get way too tired, there are always cabs in larger cities - however, cabs aren't treated the same way as yellow NYC taxis. You don't really "hail" a cab on command, you either need to go to a taxi stand or call a cab company to come pick you up.

While Italy's trains go most places, they don't go everywhere. Hop on a regional bus (autobus) and see all of those out-of-the-way towns and national parks you've dreamed about! Many bus terminals or "autostazione" are conveniently located right next to train stations, so don't worry about transferring from train to bus, or vice-versa. Purchase tickets at the bus terminal immediately before you travel for most local trips. If you're taking a long bus trip, check online - you may be able to purchase tickets in advance.

Using the bus just to putz around the city? City buses are usually a cheap way to sightsee, usually costing only about 1 euro! Tickets for city buses are usually available at newsstands and tobacco shops, so look for the "biglietti" sign, meaning "tickets."

Whether you're navigating the countless canals of Venice or hopping the towns of the Cinque Terre, see spectacular views from a completely unique perspective - a boat! Glide across the waters in Venice, Lake Como, Capri, Cinque Terre, and more. While most boat tickets are fairly inexpensive, the views are absolutely priceless.

What better way to see Italy than gliding around on a bike?! It's quick, it's scenic, and you sure get your exercise in - which allows for more pizza and pasta, right? Biking through villages or cities is beautiful, but be on the lookout and be careful of crowds. Make sure your bike has a bell!

Another open-air option: immerse yourself in the magic of Italy and splurge on renting a Vespa! In this country, everybody rides these iconic scooters - from kids to "nonnas." Keep in mind that you will need some training before riding and Vespas aren't built for long hours of travel. But, they're perfect for zipping around the city for an afternoon! Buckle your helmet and feel the warm breeze in your hair!

There's almost nothing better than cruising down the Amalfi coast with the windows down. Be mindful, however, that Italy's beautiful landscapes come with mountainous terrain and winding roads. As long as you use a little extra caution, having a car in Italy grants you an amazing amount of freedom to roam far and wide.

However, if you are thinking of driving in Italy you’ll need to be aware of some important differences to the conditions you experience at home:

• Automatic transmission cars are rare and you may need to drive a manual or stick shift model
• Italian cities are very congested and it is often difficult to find parking, and when you do it is expensive
• Towns and cities restrict entry to their historic zones – known as ZTL (more info on that here)
• Tolls apply on most highways known as autostrada – they are the fastest way to get around by car
• Gas or petrol is expensive
• Italian drivers are known for their fast and fearless skills!

If you’re planning on driving while in Italy, you’ll need to get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Drivers are required by law to carry an International Driving Permit with their driver’s license.

If you’re not keen on driving, you might consider a private driver.