Destinations
Each of the 20 regions of Italy possesses a distinct charm and character. While Exclusively Italian plans trips throughout Italy, we have particular expertise in the central and southern regions.
Piedmont and Valle D’aosta: home of Torino, the first Italian capital, Piedmont has it all from winter sports to summer delights. Discover Baroque at its best, royal residences, go wine tasting, truffle hunting, or play golf and experience the refined art of old chocolate making. Piedmont is the unique place where Slowfood was originated, come live your passions here!Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera.
Lombardy and Milan: new trends, fashion and design perfectly blend together with ancient castles, historic palaces and churches of Milan. Discover Lombard and Byzantine Kingdoms remains in Brescia or enjoy an elegant stay in the lakes area. Whether visiting farm houses producing some of the best Italian cheeses like Gorgonzola, or going on a glamorous fashion shopping spree you will find yourself at home.The Duomo and The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci cannot be missed.
Veneto and Venezia: Venezia is an all time favorite, but the rest of the Veneto region has a lot to offer as it spreads from the Alps to the sea. It can offer romantic visits to Venice and at the same time some of the best hiking trips, an elegant stay on the Lake Garda and at the same time wine tasting on the hills that give us Prosecco wine. Traditions like the Carnival and Regata Storica are a unique occasion to live Venice like a period dream.
Trentino Alto Adige and Friuli Venezia Giulia: once part of the Austro-Ungarian Empire this part of Italy is together with Piedmont the most reminiscent of royal times. Visit Gorizia, where you can walk with one foot in Italy and one in Slovenia, and its charming Christmas markets, or go to Trentino and enjoy the lakes during summer and the ski slopes during winter.
Liguria and Cinque Terre: Liguria is strategically located next to the French Riviera, Piedmont, Emilia Romagna and Tuscany! Because of its geographical conformation it goes from mountains to the sea in a very small space boasting some of the most spectacular views, hills and cliffs facing the beauty of the Mediterranean sea. The Cinque Terre region has become one of the favorite destinations in the world, but don’t miss Genoa a unique city where you can enjoy medieval buildings, renaissance art and at the same time Italy’s best marine Aquarium. Pesto alla Genovese? Yes, here it is.
Emilia Romagna: this region is synonym of good, wholesome, exceptional food. From Bologna to Parma, from Modena to Rimini, no matter where you go, maybe driving a locally manufactured Ferrari, you can enjoy the real Parmigiano Reggiano, Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale and prosciutto of Italy, as well as some of the best medieval and renaissance centers in Italy. Visit Bologna the oldest European University town with more than 23 miles of arcades, breathtakingly beautiful or reserve a night at the Opera in Parma, the place where Italian opera connoisseurs go.
Tuscany and Florence: sweeping hills, vineyards, olive groves, farms, parish churches, castles, medieval hamlets and the most amazing artistic patrimony in the world. Birthplace of Renaissance and its artists like Michelangelo and Raffaello. And not only Chianti wine, but Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino to accompany specialties like cured meats and all varieties of pecorino.
Umbria: green and rough, a landscape in perfect harmony with its historic towns from the middle ages and the Renaissance period. Well known for St. Francis of Assisi, Deruta ceramics and black truffles. And more and more visited for its major artistic appointments, Umbria Jazz in Perugia and the Festival of the two world in Spoleto. Baci Perugina, the most famous chocolate kisses with a love message!
Marche: between Emilia Romagna and the sea, this area is home of Urbino, the beautiful walled city with solid roots in Roman history evolved into Renaissance splendor. Marche boasts 120 miles of sea coast going from rugged to sweet and 15 DOC wines. Ideal place for monasteries and hermitage, where the sanctuary of Loreto with its black Madonna stand as the major destination for pilgrims from all over the world. The spectacular caves of Frasassi are large enough to contain the Duomo of Milan.
Lazio and Rome: the eternal city speaks for itself, where everyone wants to throw their coin into the Trevi Fountain in hopes of returning. From imperial forums to baroque piazze and fountains at every corner, life flows with a gelato and a stroll. From pre-Christian catacombs to Saint Peter Square the symbol of Christianity, history merges with art through masterpieces like the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo. Rome has been the natural movie set for the well acclaimed Neorealist Italian cinema.
Abruzzo and Molise: a rugged land, expanding on one of the least visited paths of Italy. If you like National Parks and protected natural areas, this is the place where Brown bears can still be seen. Or if you like the combination of hiking trips, discovery of tiny villages, biking, monasteries, agriturismi, olive oil and saffron production then look no further.
Campania and Naples: a local proverb says "Vedi Napoli e poi muori" (see Naples and then die), meaning after seeing Naples your life is complete. A land that is a potpourri of lively people and sparkling colors. Breathtaking stretch of cliffs spotted by lemon trees and bougainvilleas overlooking the blue Mediterranean Sea are the scenery of well known Amalfi Coast. Caprese salad, from Capri, only with fresh mozzarella di buffala.
Puglia: the heel of the boot dips in the most amazing blue sea. Puglia is one of the most surprising regions of Italy for its beautiful nature, castles and spiritual destinations like San Giovanni Rotondo for Padre Pio, as well as strong popular customs, food and wine. If you love fresh and simple seafood, like sea urchin, this region offers the best delicacies.Trulli are the Typical houses from Alberobello considered the symbol of Puglia.
Basilicata: truly remote and ancient. Paleolithic settlements can still be found as this region is believed to be the first human settlement in Italy. Matera is the most known location of Basilicata because of the “Sassi di Matera” (where The Passion was filmed), homes carved in the mountains in prehistoric times, which have caught the attention of the world and have become a UNESCO site.
Calabria: this land is rough and beautiful. At times harsh, at times sweet, it is where the Apennines meet the Mediterranean Sea in its entire splendor. Still uncontaminated by mass tourism, Calabria is ideal for adventurous tourists who can compromise on luxury in order to enjoy its nature.
Sicily: home of gods and mythic charming heroes narrated by Homer, desired and conquered over the centuries, floating as a nymph in the blue of 3 seas. Protected by the highest active volcano of Europe, our beloved Mt. Etna, strange to say but Sicily is really for everyone, food and wine lovers, art and architecture travelers, ski or golf passionate, sailing and sea enthusiast. Sicilian pastry is the signature of the best Italian pastry.
Sardinia: “This land doesn’t look like any other place” said D. H. Lawrence when he explored Sardinia in 1921. Besides, not much has changed since then. Incomparably beautiful coasts of crystal water and white and pink sands envelop this land like a box filled of precious stones, jealously kept inside. Remote, ancient, and natural, Sardinia is the unknown island of Italy. A place where prehistoric settlements and Paleolithic’s remainings can still be admired and seen as part of everyday life.Pecorino sardo, music paper bread and Cannonau wine, could be one of your best dinner ever.