Italy is one of those travel destinations that no matter how many times visited, you will find yourself daydreaming of your next visit and return trip, probably whilst sitting in the airport awaiting your journey home. I found all of my travels through Italy were filled with so many memories that were vastly unique to each location (including Venice, Trieste, Perugia, Rome, and Positano). Filled with history, captivating architecture and art, stunning landscapes, and impeccable cuisine, Italy is a place you will want to experience time and time again!
POSITANO
When thinking of beautiful beach villages in Europe, Positano is probably one of the first places to come to mind. With its pebbled, sandy beachfront that kisses the Tyrrhenian Sea, locals and tourists alike flood the area as a holiday destination filled with boutiques and cafes as well as the quaint and historic narrow streets that line the town. Positano has been a popular retreat since the days of the Roman Empire, due to its mild temperatures and beautiful, idyllic landscapes.
Visiting Positano in the colder months offers a different perspective of the village. There was hardly anyone on the beach, except for a few people walking along the boardwalk adjacent to the sand. It was serene to take in the views without the bustling crowds of sunbathers and tourists as one would experience in the summer months. Regardless of the month or time of year, Positano should be on your list of places to visit on the Amalfi Coast of Italy – even for just a day trip!
Traveling to the enchanting seaside villages on Italy’s Amalfi Coast is part of the journey. The cliffside roads leading to Positano offer breathtaking views and an opportunity to stop along the side of the road to capture some photos!
PERUGIA
Nestled in the center of either coast, Perugia is the capital of the Umbria region of Italy and a midway stop between Florence and Rome. Notable sites in the city are Palazzo dei Priori, the Fontana Maggiore, the National Gallery, Piazza IV Novembre, San Pietro, and many other historic churches and architectural locations. Although with quite a different atmosphere than Rome or Venice, Perugia is a lovely place to visit that offers a break from the high volume tourist cities. When walking about the city, especially for a nighttime “passeggiata” (a leisurely walk), you will be greeted with a quaint town filled with people meandering and finishing their night with a coffee or gelato. Sounds perfect to me!
Interestingly, the city of Perugia has become widely known for its chocolate. If you have a sweet tooth, you may be familiar with the Perugina brand of chocolate or more commonly their “baci” chocolates- essentially, the Italian version of a Hershey’s chocolate “kiss.” These chocolates are extremely popular in Italy (as well as widely exported), and the company’s plant in Perugia is the largest of Nestle’s sites in Italy. If visiting Italy, be sure to leave some room in your suitcase to take these home as a souvenir!
The Fontana Maggiore is a fountain located between the cathedral and the Palazzo dei Prior in Perugia. Its medieval architecture dates back to 1278 by the sculptors Nicola and Giovanni Pisano. The fountains have twenty-five facets surrounding the basin in which the sculptures represent prophets and saints, scenes from Genesis, signs of the zodiac, labor of the months, and other miscellaneous events from Roman history.
One of my favorite memories from exploring Perugia is the “local’s” tour my family gave of the city, leading the way through the ornate and intricate buildings. In typical Italian fashion, we arrived at a spot for some espresso. Since I do not drink coffee, I opted for a “hot chocolate” every time we stopped (Italians take their coffee and espresso very seriously). Now, I will say, cioccolata calda is different than in the United States. It is melted chocolate thinned with milk- much more like a dessert! I did not complain and promptly continued to order it whenever we stopped for espresso.
The view from my family’s apartment balcony in the city!
Leave a Reply