10 Reasons to Fall in Love with Italy
It’s no secret that Italy stole my heart. I pretty sure I don’t need to twist your arm to convince you to go, but I promise this will have you ready to hop on the next flight to Italy! There are clearly so many reasons to fall in love with Italy, but I decided to keep this post to a manageable level instead of rambling on forever on how amazing the country is.
For me, Italy has everything a girls can want – mouthwatering pasta, plentiful wine, scenic cities, and adorable coastal towns. Read on for my 10 reasons to fall in love with Italy (though there are many, many others)!
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Food
Pizza, pasta, and calzones the size of your head…need I say more? If so, I’ll add fresh olive oil, bruschetta, and charcuterie boards. Honestly, the food there is insanely amazing; the smell of the garlic and tomato sauce permeates the air. I’m not sure how I didn’t gain 100 pounds while I was there!
Wine & Other Drinks
Continuing on the theme of Italian deliciousness, let’s talk about beverages. Tuscany’s Chianti had me head over heels in love. Plus, there is this amazing little drink called the Aperol Spritz offered seemingly everywhere in Italy. It was incredibly popular in Venice, and I now know why…it’s a citrusy delight! Aside from guzzling down plenty of Italian wine, definitely mark this cocktail on your list.
Gelato
I promise this list is not entirely food and beverages, but I’m not ready to move on to those other things just yet! The reason is gelato (aka why all of my shorts were a bit snug by the end). Everything from decadent chocolate to fruity lemon flavors…this makes the perfect after dinner snack!
Venetian Canals
I know that not everyone loves Venice, but I do! In fact, it was actually my favorite city in Italy. Venture away from St. Mark’s Square and get lost in the winding alleys. I promise, you will actually be lost because they’re incredibly twisty (but beautiful)! Photo ops await you at each turn. Plus, make sure you enjoy a romantic gondola ride down the canals; if you’re riding the single train, take one anyway—it’s still a boatload of fun.
Art History
Italy is renowned throughout for housing some of the world’s greatest artistic masterpieces. Explore Florence for a visit to the Uffizi Gallery, the statue of David, and the Duomo. This is by no means an extensive list…for more on art in Florence, check out my article here.
Colorful Houses
I have a confession for you; I’m addicted to colorful houses. As soon as I see them, the camera comes out and I proceed to take several hundred photos. Fortunately, Italy had plenty to satisfy my desire. I spent a day hiking through Cinque Terre, five villages nestled in the cliffs on the Italian coast…now convinced this place might be heaven. The other area that got me was Burano, an island located a ferry ride from Venice. If you have the time, both are worth the trip!
Vespa Life
I had never ridden a Vespa until Italy, but I had seen it in movies, so it couldn’t be that hard, right? Wrong! Riding a Vespa is definitely a challenge, but on the plus side, you get all sorts of cute helmet shots!
The Italian Culture
Family, food, arts, culture—these are the centerpieces of Italian culture. I’m a big fan of all of these, so combine this with Italian afternoon “siestas,” and I quickly decided I would be a wonderful Italian.
Architecture
Every Italian city I visited was beautiful in its own way. Venice had the picturesque canals; Florence possessed incredible structures dating back centuries; Cinque Terre was home to a collection of the most colorful houses I’ve ever seen. Everywhere I went, I was continually awed by the beauty of Italy.
Bridges
In keeping with the architecture theme, the beautiful bridges really sold me on Italy. Whether it was a sunset at the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, or quaint bridges spanning Venetian canals, each was breathtaking in its own way.
Logistics
This is probably the most important—where to stay while traipsing around Italy. If you’re going with a group of friends or on a romantic getaway, splurging on a private villa in Italy is the way to go! Location is key, so make sure you do your research ahead of time.
As far as flight deals, I’d recommend searching through eDreams.net. They scan tons of different travel discount sites and feature special flight deals. Italy is well connected by train, so jump on any deal that gets you in the country. You’ll thank me, I promise.
So Italy lovers, let me hear it. What made you fall in love with Italy? I only need a little convincing to go back again one day.
I love italy. The canals and the beautiful vibrant colourful houses and the lovely landscapes and of course the food is something that I have fallen hard in Love with!
I know exactly what you mean! It’s a beautiful country!
I can say first hand that the food and drinks are everything you could want and more! I think I had pizza for breakfast like 4 times while I was there. Its crazy because it doesn’t make you have that really full feeling like here in America when you eat pasta. I would love to do a full food and wine tour through the entire country! The people are beautiful too.
Oh yeah, a food and wine tour through the whole country would be a dream come true!!!
Oh girl. Even I am in love with Italy. I haven’t been there, but after hearing and going through so many posts, I really wanna go this years. Your post is awesome and so are your pictures. Food (pizzas, cal zones), drinks and gelatos are mouth watering. And those canals are colorful houses are great.
Thank you! and hope you make it there soon 🙂
I just returned from Italy a few days ago and I am missing it to much (even more after reading this post!). I also visited here many years ago and fell in love with it so much that I seriously looked at move to Florence. You’ve captured all the great things about this amazing country in your post!
Oh wow, you were serious about it! I’d love to visit again soon. Even reading my own post I miss it haha
These all sound like excellent reasons to me!
That calzone is giant!
Yeah I was very surprised when I first saw it!!!
I can’t handle how gorgeous those buildings are. I’m a pastel addict 🙂
Me too! Always nice to find someone who loves colorful houses
I love Italy!! The food is absolutely amazing and so is the history 😀
Agreed! That food had me hooked 🙂
Could not agree more with everything you said!! Italy is one of my favorite places on earth. There’s nothing else like it!
I know what you mean! The combo of food, history, and culture is just irresistable
Love all your pictures. So colorful. Italy has been one of my favorite countries. Still have to explore a lot more in Italy.
Thanks Vrithi! It’s one of my favorite countries, as well.
A very interesting article. Kept me spellbound. And all the more excited since I am headed to Italy soon. I do plan to visit Venice and go to Burano if time permits. Also, knowing about the pizza pasta and calzone experience from you is encouraging
Thanks Neha, and so excited to hear you’re heading to Italy soon! Enjoy your trip and all of the delicious food 🙂
Perfect reasons to fall in love! We had our first taste of Venice last year and definitely want more of Italy absolutely loved it! #feetdotravel
Venice is definitely an awesome place to start!
Awesome post about Italy. The architecture is so beautiful and unique. We had already fallen in love with Italy, but your post has us wanting to go back! We had missed Venice, and now I regret that!
Just means you’ll have to go back again someday to see it 🙂 Venice was probably my favorite part of Italy!
Italy is such a gorgeous country and if somebody who hasn’t visited is reading this, I bet they are already booking their flights! Such a great post and there isn’t much I wouldn’t agree with. Burano is such a stunning place – and very jealous you have visited Cinque Terre! Definitely somewhere I want to visit soon.
Yay, I hope you get to visit there soon! There are so many other places in Italy I’d love to see too
who needs reasons to love Italy! but hey, when reasons come our way, who am I to say no to them! 😀 What a lovely country, lovely people and lovely food! couldn’t argue with any of the points you have listed though colourful life, great architecture and vespa life top in my list of reasons for loving Italy!
There are so many reasons, it was hard to just pick 10!
Italy is our favorite too and the food is, of course, one of the main reasons, pizza, pasta, bread and the list goes on. And Italy has the best gelato in the world no doubt we remember having dozens of them when in Italy for we knew we would not get to taste the same anywhere else. Venice canals and the art and history of Florence have left an indelible mark on our souls would love to visit sometime soon again.
Now I’m thinking about that gelato again…it’s just not the same anywhere else!
I hardly needed any more reason to visit Italy but you have seven of them! The food surely is a primary reason for me. I also think that the light in the Mediterranean region is different from the rest of the world and they make everything look better.
Agreed! There’s something just so special about that part of the world
So right reasons! I loved eating gelato during the long walking tours there.
The canals are fascinating! You make me yearn to get back.
I mean, who doesn’t like gelato? Haha 🙂
I would probably add the mountains and nature in the northern part of the country. Well, it might just be my need to combine the wine with some scenic views. No matter what, Italy really has a lot to offer. 🙂
I haven’t gotten to see much of that yet, but I’ve heard it’s beautiful! And definitely on my list to see eventually…you can’t beat wine and beautiful views 🙂
I’m with you with all of these, Melissa. Eating, drinking & exploring Italy is up there as one of our favourite vacations. The relaxed culture and friendly locals are also a bonus. 🙂
Definitely agree with you Shona! I’m not sure anyone really has a bad time in Italy 🙂
Italy is my favorite. It’s so easy to love! I still have to try driving a Vespa though!
Definitely fun, but harder than it looks!