Archive for 'Must See Attractions'

There is absolutely no lack of things to see and do in Italy. The food is almost universally delicious, the shopping is great, it is home to some of the best beaches in the world and natural delights, and is rich beyond belief in historical, cultural and artistic gems. However, it is also home to many strange and incredible sights that could be called the “Wonders” of Italy. Here are just seven that we have picked out. Here are the Seven Wonders of Italy.

The Temple of Valadier doesn't look real but like something from a fantasy novel. Perched just inside the Frassassi mountain caves in Genga, Le Marche with views across an amazing landscape, it seems like a mythical temple or the home of some magical creature. It is actually a neoclassical church which was built in 1828 for Pope Leone XII, set inside the fantastical Frassassi cave system, which is made up of crags, stalagmites and stalactites, and has a theatrical and breath-taking appearance. To visit just, find a holiday rental in Le Marche and spend a day exploring this special place.

Carpino, in Puglia, is within a two hour drive of the busy international airport Bari but is probably not a name that many are very familiar with. Yet, each summer, thousands descend upon this little town for an incredible music festival: the Carpino Folk Festival.

The setting could not be more perfect or picturesque with the sun shining overhead, kissing the white-washed buildings, open piazza, cobbled lanes and buzzing crowds, excited to take in the music and festivities.

Down below, the lovely Lake Varano, olive groves, beach resorts and Gargano National Park all stretch out like a painting. The whole thing makes for an incredible atmosphere that can not be replicated elsewhere.

Cortina d'Ampezzo is a fashionable ski resort town located in the Veneto region of Italy, just a two hour drive from Venice. The area has been a winter sports mecca since the 1930s and even played host to the first Italian Winter Olympic Games in 1956. Known as the “Queen of the Dolomites”, it is one of the best-known ski resorts worldwide and hosts international sports events annually such as the Alpine Ski World Cup, the Tour de Ski, ice hockey and curling championships, and Cortina Winter Polo. It is also stunningly beautiful, with plenty of restaurants and cafes in town offering delicious food, a vibrant nightlife and good shopping. However, in addition to this, it is home to a rather unique Christmas tradition.

Città di Castello is an ancient town in the Tiber Valley that is still largely surrounded by town walls dating back to the 16th century. It has a long history of being attacked, destroyed, rebuilt and being passed from ruler to to ruler.

Yet, despite this, it is still a historic and pretty town where many stunning buildings have been preserved such as the Palace of the Podestà, with its baroque facade dating back to 1686; the Town Hall, built in the Gothic style with an elegant portal and windows with two lights; the Gothic Cathedral, built on the site of a Roman temple; and St. Mary Maggiore, dating back to the Gothic era but adorned by a Renaissance facade.

The Municipal Pinacoteque, meanwhile, is home to works of art by Raphael, Signorelli and Domenico Ghirlandaio, as well as many other works by artists of the Umbrian, Tuscan and Marche schools.

There are many ghost towns around Italy, all of which have been abandoned for one reason or another – natural disaster, a bad location, poor foundations or planning, or migration – but one of the most fascinating of all has to be failed Las Vegas of Italy, Consonno in Lombardy.

Although the town had ancient origins, its decline came after it was completely bought up and rebuilt in the 60s. This was a time of economic prosperity in Italy and in the spirit of fast cars, rock 'n' roll and glamorous lifestyles, entrepreneur Mario Bagno took it upon himself to transform the town.

He bought every piece of land in the area and forced locals to relocate before knocking everything down bar the church and a few houses.