Exploring Italy: Travel Advice

Plan an Italian vacation with these articles on Italy’s best attractions, from Venice to Palermo, opera festivals and new museums to bargain shopping and culinary travel

Northern Italy's Best Experiences -- Verona's arena by candlelight, St Mark's at night, standing under Brunelleschi's dome in Florence, hiking the Cinque Terre, dancing in Bellagio's Villa Serbelloni on Lake Como, and celebrating chocolate at Turin’s CioccolaTò.

Venice: Italy's City on Water -- Visit St. Mark's, but be sure to watch gondolas on the Grand Canal from Rialto Bridge, take the Secret Itineraries Tour of the Doges Palace, tour Europe’s first ghetto and a take cheap gondola ride.

Markets on Italy’s Lake Maggiore -- Glimpse into local life, through everything from farm-made cheeses to antiques and crafts.

Discount Shopping in Italy -- Bargains on Italian style, craftsmanship and design fill factory outlets between Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta. Brands include Alessi, Lagostina and Rosignol, all at huge savings

Lake Orta, Northern Italy’s Secret – The star of the Italian lakes may be tiny Lake Orta, with its medieval island, luxurious lodging, fine food and pilgrimage sites.

Italy’s Best Ports of Call -- Choose a Mediterranean cruise for the best ports: Genoa, Portofino, romantic Sorrento and Capri, La Spezia (for the Cinque Terre), Palermo, Venice and Livorno (for Pisa and Lucca). When to take a shore excursion.

Italy’s Best Opera Experiences -- Visit opera houses and festivals: Verona's Roman arena, world-famous La Scala, Genoa’s Teatro Carlo Felice, Venice’s La Fenice and Terme di Caracalla in Rome.

Alba: Italy’s Truffle Capital – Southern Piedmont lures foodies with a white truffle fair, while the Langhe Hills are alive with cheeses, Madernassa pears, Barolo and Barbaresco wines, hazelnuts and dark chocolate

Four Rome Museums Reopen – Forget stodgy portrait galleries; these museums are state-of-the art for art, although exhibits range from the Phoenicians to Andy Warhol.

Tomb of St. Paul Now Visible -- Uncovered in excavations under St. Paul's Outside the Walls in Rome, at least a part of the tomb of St. Paul is now visible.

Speaking Italian - or Not -- Tips on how to get by if you don't speak the language, plus a few phrases to get you started.

Speaking Italian at a Hotel -- A few simple words and phrases you’ll need to find a room and check in.