Italy's Top Ten Places to Visit in 2009

With the new year upon us, we are excited tois a great town for calling home base while
present our first annual list of Italy's Top Tenexploring Sicily. I like this town because it's not
Places to Visit in 2009. A lot of time and feedbacksuper glamorous and it can be done on a tight
was put into compiling this list. We need tobudget. In addition, it's fills a major gap in this
preface these selections by stating our aim waslist.....SUN! This former Corinthian colony is host to
to find unique experiences within Italy outside ofmany ancient UNESCO sites, warm weather, and
the traditional tourist spots.fantastic restaurants. What is it missing? Beaches.
#10 -Marina Grande - Located on the NorthernFor those, will will have to venture even further
coast of Isle of Capri, the charming port of Marinasouth.
Grande begins our list of the best places in Italy#4 - Pescara Jazz Festival - Usually held in July,
to visit in 2009. This picturesque seaside villagethe Pescara Jazz festival has been going strong
looks a lot like the villages of the Cinque Terre,since 1969. With past performers including Duke
but without the crowds. The town affords itsEllington, Louis Armstrong, and Bob Dylan, it has
guests opportunities to relax and experience allsolidified it's standing as Europe's most important
things Mediterranean. It's a great jumping off pointJazz music festival. Once you've had your fill of
for visiting the Isle of Capri, Naples, and Amalfimusic and partying, take a load off at one of the
Coast.many Adriatic seaside resorts.
#9 - Civita di Bagnoregio - It's proximity to Rome#3 - Bolanzo - Nestled in The Dolomites, you can't
makes this city of 14 people very appealing forhelp but notice the stunning views and Austrian
an interesting day trip getaway. Perched atop afeel and charm. This town of 100,000 people is a
large hill it offers great views in every directionsperfect jumping off point for outdoor enthusiasts
of the surrounding valleys. Here it is easy tolooking for hiking and climbing opportunities with a
forget about your troubles while strolling therange of difficulty levels.
narrow cobblestone streets and admiring the#2 - The Vatican on April 12, 2009 - So what is
beauty of the Middle Aged architecture.so special about this day? It's Easter Sunday, and
#8 - Riomaggiore - Perhaps better known as thewhat better place to spend Easter than the
southern most of five villages that make up theVatican. Listen to Pope Benedict XVI deliver mass
famed Cinque Terre; Riomaggiore is a great placeto thousands packed outside of St. Peter's
to set up camp while exploring the surroundingCathedral. For tickets you should contact your
region. Riomaggiore also serves as a great placelocal Bishop. Oh, and while you are there be sure
to explore the surround sea via it's local divingto check out Rome - I hear it is worth seeing.
outfitters. If that doesn't suit you, perhaps a tour#1 - Florence - An obvious choice, but we have a
of it's many surrounding vineyards will quenchsoft spot in our hearts for the pleasures of
your travel thirst.Florence. Where else can you indulge in the finest
#7 - Viareggio Carnival - The best carnival in ItalyTuscan cuisine, explore the most important works
and renowned worldwide for it's amazing puppets,of art of the Renaissance, and forget your cares
the Viareggio Carnival is a great experience forwhile people watching over a bowl of gelato?
everyone, especially those traveling with children.Toping the list of Florence's culturally important
After the daily parades and activities, treatsights are the Duomo, the Ponto Vecchio, and
yourself to some frittelle or chiacchiere.Michelangelo's David. These sights alone are reason
#6 - Matera - What I like about Matera is it's kindenough to make this city a permanent fixture on
of out of the way. Located deep in Southern Italythis list.
40 miles from Bari, this UNESCO protected city isHopefully this list has helped broaden your
famous for it's sassi districts. Here you can findhorizons when it comes to thinking of travel
cave dwellings of some of the first humandestinations in Italy. Italy offers us Rome,
inhabitants in the Italian peninsula. It's white stoneFlorence, Venice, etc. Not to minimize these
buildings perched atop the cliffside give the towncultural powerhouses, but it is important to gain a
a Greek feel with Southern italian charm.deeper appreciation for the lesser known gems of
#5 - Siracusa - Sticking to Southern Italy, SiracusaItaly.