It’s 2023 and your new year’s resolution is take your travel game up a notch. You’ve done enough sitting at home and dreaming of international destinations that you’d love to visit. Now it’s time to make them a reality! If you’re looking to travel to Europe this year, there’s no place that we’d recommend more than Italy. If you haven’t been soaking up the scenery of the latest season of The White Lotus, we’ll break it down for you: stunning coastal views, streets rich with history, and the best pasta you’ve ever had, hands down. What’s not to love about Italy? If that description hasn’t sold you on planning a trip to Italy yet, then this list will! Read on for a guide to some of Italy’s best cities and why you should visit them this year.
- Milan
Located in the center of Northern Italy, Milan is a cultural hub for all things fashion and architecture-related. An incredibly popular Italian destination, Milan is flocked to by approximately four million tourists each year.
When in Milan, you’ll definitely want to visit the world-famous Milan Cathedral, a stunning example of French Gothic design, and home to Leonardo Da Vinci’s mural, “The Last Supper.” You’ll also want to take a trip to Milan’s historic shopping district, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Built in the 1800’s, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is home to boutiques featuring a number of luxury brands like Gucci, Versace, and Armani. Even if you’re just stopping by to window shop, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II isn’t a spot to miss.
When traveling in and out of Milan, you’re more than likely to pass through the Milano Centrale railway station, which also happens to be the largest railway station in Europe. The Milano Centrale has trains that can connect you to many of the other major cities in Italy, as well as trains that cross Italy’s borders into France, and further abroad.
When traveling to Milan by train, you’ll likely want to store your bags so you can explore the city. Luckily, there are plenty of Milano Centrale luggage storage options located in and around the station. Simply make a reservation for the number of bags you have and how long you need to store them, and you’ll be set to sightsee in this amazing Italian city unencumbered. Until of course, you end up collecting some shopping bags at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II!
- Rome
If you’re looking to take in some incredible history, you’re going to want to make a stop in Rome during your trip to Italy. For a visit to a historical landmark that you won’t soon forget, take a guided tour of the Colosseum, the largest and oldest standing open-air amphitheater in the world, where the gladiators duked it out all the way back in 80 AD. After your tour of the Colosseum, you’ll want to make a stop to toss a coin and make a wish at the famous Trevi Fountain. We hope all your Roman travel dreams come true!
- Palermo
For those looking for great coastal views and hoping to suck up some sun rays, we’d recommend making a visit to Palermo, the capital of the Italian island of Sicily. In addition to its beaches, Palermo is known for its stunning architecture and delicious local cuisine. For a great day of sightseeing in Palermo, rent a cabana or daybed at one of Palermo’s beachside resorts, then stroll into town to grab a local bite to eat. Be sure to get a cannoli for dessert!
- Florence
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy, Florence welcomes approximately 15 million visitors per year. Florence is known for its gorgeous architecture and incredible art galleries. When visiting Florence, you’ll want to set aside a day to take a guided tour of the Florence Cathedral, home to the world-renowned Duomo. In addition to this, it’s a great idea to make time for a stop at the Uffizi Gallery, an art museum that houses a vast collection of Renaissance artwork made by famous artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, and Raphael. If you’re looking for more art that you won’t want to miss, head to the Accademia Gallery to snap a photo of the one and only statue of David by Michelangelo.
In Conclusion
While it might be hard to fit everything that we’ve mentioned above into a single trip, you surely won’t regret visiting any of these amazing Italian cities in 2023. Whether you flock to the fashion-filled streets of Milan, the historical landmarks of Rome, the sandy beaches of Palermo, or the art museums of Florence, you’re sure to have a vacation that you won’t soon forget. Which Italian city are you most excited to visit and what would you most like to do and see there in 2023?