11 days in Italy Itinerary

Italy is a land of high fashion, fine art, exquisite architecture, luxury sports cars, outstanding cuisine--and an insatiable taste for "la dolce vita." It's also home to the greatest number of World Heritage Sites in the world, making it an ideal place for your next holiday. The country boasts a varied landscape of mountain ranges, alpine lakes, and coastal towns, so it's no wonder travelers often refer to it as the bel paese (beautiful country). With so many places to visit, visitors often have a difficult time planning their itinerary. The smaller villages each feature a distinct character and a blend of architecture, art, and cuisine. In the country, you'll find countless archeological sites dating back to Roman times and beyond. The country's cities and seaside resorts are cosmopolitan powerhouses with museums, galleries, restaurants, shops, open-air markets, and pedestrian-friendly historic areas.

An independent republic until Napoleon's invasion in 1797, Veneto is among the wealthiest and most developed regions in the country. The region has a bustling tourism industry, drawing nearly 70 million visitors annually to its historical, natural, artistic, cultural, musical, and culinary treasures. Though most tourists begin and end their Veneto holiday in Venice, the area has plenty more to offer. A range of attractions await beyond the capital city, including World Heritage-listed Palladian villas, seaside resorts, vineyards, lakes, beaches, thermal baths, lush parks, and imposing mountain ranges. Veneto's clubs, bars, and restaurants make for a lively nightlife in the region's thriving cities.

A favorite vacation spot for more than a century, Lake Como was once an exclusive retreat for local aristocrats and wealthy people. It is not only one of Europe's most beautiful lakes, but also one of the deepest at more than 400 m (1,300 ft). Surrounded by elegant villas, the lake has become a popular holiday destination for tourists because of its range of attractions, from landscapes, wildlife, and spas, to activities like sailing, windsurfing, and kite-surfing. The area has been an inspiration for artists since Roman times. English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote, "This lake exceeds anything I ever beheld in beauty…It is long and narrow and has the appearance of a mighty river winding among the mountains and the forests."

Italy's second largest lake, Lake Maggiore, is an oasis of Mediterranean plant and animal life anchoring the south side of the Alps and Swiss border. Featured in Ernest Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms," the lake is known for its mild climate, rare and exotic vegetation, and surrounding mountainous landscape. Tour the many islands with a boat ride across the lake, or explore the villages and gardens that make up its diverse perimeter.