Forget The Coliseum: Epic Adventures To Take In Italy

While most people planning to visit Italy tend to head to Rome, Florence, and Venice, there is so much to explore in this incredibly varied and beautiful country. There are endless sceneries to take in whether you’re in the rolling hills of Tuscany, the Apennine and Dolomite mountains, or the vast terrains of southern Italy. Here’s your chance to get off the beaten path and see something totally new.

Via Francigena Path

This trail starts in Canterbury, England, and it spans over 1056 miles across France, Switzerland, and finally Italy, ending in Rome. Four hundred of those miles are found from north to south Italy through Tuscany, taking you right through the heartland of the country.

82 miles span over the city of Lucca to medieval Siena, which is usually done over a week. There are historic hotels you can stay at or you can choose to take part in agriturismi, which are farm stays. That means salami, mushrooms, and porcini mushrooms. Need we say more?

Hike In High Altitude Trentino

The Dolomite Mountains are a sight to behold: craggy mountains, rustic homes, and breathtaking sights provide an unforgettable hiking experience. You’ll need to be ready for the high altitude, which takes you 8200 feet above sea level.

You can get accommodations that provide you with cozy private rooms, or you can try something more rustic by staying in dorms. The sights you will take in are jaw dropping and majestic, so you won’t miss the Wifi that most likely will not be provided there.

Mount Etna On Horseback

Romans, Greeks, Byzantines, and Normans all had something in common: they rode horseback through the town of Cefalù, Sicily, which is en route to Mount Etna.

You can recreate this experience and pass through vineyards, orchards, and olive groves to reach the top of the mountain. Stay at local farmhouses that offer local, fresh products like wine from the grapes that are cultivated in the mineral-rich volcanic soil found in the area.