The island of Sicily has everything you need to spend an amazing summer in Italy. From sunny weather, to Italian cuisine, historical sites, breathtaking landscapes, and a mix of lively cultures, Sicily is an ideal summer destination for any traveler. Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea but still the perfect size to rent a car and explore on a road trip through Sicily. With good main roads and four motorways, driving in Sicily is fairly easy, although smaller roads up in the mountains can be a bit tricky. However, the panoramic views make it worth the challenging drive. Getaways in Sicily are best in the summer months. From May to August, the sun is out and it hardly rains, so there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities on this beautiful island. During the summer, visitors can take a break from swimming and hiking to enjoy the fresh figs, strawberries, watermelon, and citrus from the summer harvest. Sicily has so much to offer. This summer, don’t miss out on Sicily’s top warm weather attractions.

---

MOUNT ETNA, PROVINCE OF CATANIA

Mount Etna is the tallest mountain south of the Alps and the largest active volcano in Europe. Rent a car in Catania to see this 10,921-foot giant is located in Eastern Sicily within Parco dell’ Etna, a 227 square mile national park that spans across 21 picturesque Sicilian towns.Mount Etna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The volcano is in a constant state of activity with frequent eruptions from the dangerous fissure and old crater spots, as well as less frequent but more spectacular four-summit crater eruptions. Therefore, the volcano is an exciting place to visit at any time of the year. Some people enjoy skiing from the snow-capped peak of Mount Etna during the winter; however, the best time to visit is during the summer months when the weather is hot. Here, visitors can take a guided climbing tour, rent a 4×4 and explore the area, or tour the vineyards where the region’s famous DOC wine is produced. Don’t forget to bring a jacket! Despite the warm summer temperatures, the summit regions of Mount Etna are still chilly.

---

TRAPANI SALT FLATS, PROVINCE OF TRAPANI

Spend part of your summer in Italy learning about the salt flats of Trapani. This coastal wetland and nature reserve is home to 3,000 years of sea salt harvests. Along the coastline, the tides naturally sweep salt to the shore; then, when the tide recedes, the salt is collected and ground in ancient windmills. At Museo Del Sale, tourists can learn about this historical process and the important economical role that salt has played in this region. Tourists who drive through Trapani in August, when the sea salt harvest begins, will also get to see the harvest in action. Lastly, for an additional excursion, visitors can take a boat tour of the area’s stunning coastline and crystal clear waters.

---

ERICE, PROVINCE OF TRAPANI

One of the best summer getaways in Sicily is Mount Erice, located 800 meters above the port town of Trapani. The best way to reach Mount Erice is via the cable car that starts in Trapani and ascends to Erice. On the cable car, tourists can see medieval sites, the coast of Tunisia, the Tyrrhenian Sea, and the Egadi Islands. A trip to Mount Erice in the summer is a must because from mid-January to mid-March this spectacular cable car ride is closed, so you can’t catch the views at just any time of the year. On Erice, there are several must-see attractions, such as Pepoli Castle, which was built by the Arabs, and Venus Castle, which was a Norman construction. Additionally, there are sixty churches to explore and plenty of cobblestone streets lined with old timber houses and authentic ice cream shops.

---

SAN VITO LO CAPO, PROVINCE OF TRAPANI

Spend a summer in Italy at an undiscovered, sandy beach in a beautiful seaside town. San Vito Lo Capo is one of the best getaways in Sicily. It is an enchanting Sicilian village with a North African feel. The streets are lined with Moorish, colorful houses with flat roofs and the sandy, white beach is situated between limestone cliffs and light blue waters. Swim, snorkel, and dive all summer long. With dozens of eateries located alongside the beach, you’ll have everything you need within walking distance of the sea. San Vito Lo Capo is a laid-back town with plenty to do. In May, participate in the International Kite Festival. In July, hear the funky sounds from the Jazz Festival. If you can stay until September, enjoy the flavors of the annual Couscous Festival.

---

VALLEY OF THE TEMPLES, PROVINCE OF AGRIGENTO

The Valley of the Temples is located outside the town of Agrigento. With 1300 hectares, it is the largest archaeological site in the world. This ancient attraction boasts eight Doric-style temples built between 510 BC and 430 BC. The temples are some of the best examples of Greater Greece art and architecture, especially the Temple of Concord, one of only two completely standing Greek temples in Sicily. Despite its location near a modern city, the surrounding olive groves and almond orchards help visitors experience the ambiance of ancient history.

‘La dolce vita’ is a celebrated Italian term, which means ‘the sweet life.’ It’s so easy to fall in love with Italy, as this beautiful country offers the finest of everything that we truly love in life, from a rich traditional food culture to more gorgeous scenery than you could fit into one trip. Anyone interested in cultivating their capacity to enjoy life should definitely visit Italy, a pleasant and abundant nation, where locals have taken pleasure and culturally advanced it into a refined science.

---

ART IN ITALY

During my extensive and passionate study of photography in college, I started to take on a deep appreciation for Renaissance era-art and architecture. They may seem unrelated at first but the great leaps of human understanding in the areas of light, physics and aesthetic proportion that occurred in the 15th century, echoed in the lens captures of the 19th. Renaissance cathedrals and chapels of Italy are some of the best places to experience full-sensory synergy, and take in the classic paintings by history’s greatest masters of the medium. One great example is the ornate St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Rome. Furthermore, this ancient countryside is literally teeming with exquisite examples of classical art and archeology. If you are looking for something a bit more modern, check out the ultra-modern Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, and enjoy the juxtaposition of groundbreaking new work against the watery city’s eloquent 18th century palaces and graceful canals.

---

WINE IN ITALY

At the springtime of European civilization, people in Italy were already setting to work, growing and fermenting grapes. Today, roughly a third of the world’s wine is grown in Italy, with a breadth of varieties to rival in number the diverse regions, themselves. Taking a cruise through the pastoral wine regions with a cute little convertible is a great way to spend a vacation. You can drive straight to the picturesque source and sample many types of wine in Italy, from the crisp white Arneis to the dark, robust Primitivo. I recommend starting with a rental car in Florence and heading into the Tuscan countryside for a classic wine tour with stops in Pisa and Siena, complete with a classic villa and long, decadent meals.

---

ITALIAN FOOD

Writer Elizabeth Gilbert set the ‘Eat’ section of ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ in Italy for a very good reason: Italian food is amazing! In Italy, a meal is not merely a pleasant way to absorb nutrients: it’s a philosophical stance that the bounty of the world is to be enjoyed without restraint, without guilt and without hurry. From your morning espresso to your nighttime sorbetto and limoncello, every meal in Italy is an opportunity to reset everything you’ve ever learned in America about pace and quality. Even better, the cuisine varies greatly by region. You can expect to enjoy a very different meal in Sicily than you will in Tuscany, and the Sicily road trip guide recommend the best local restaurants in the area. In Northern Italy, there is a greater emphasis on polenta and risotto and seafood than pasta dishes, so Veneto makes a unique culinary stop. Of course, pizza fanatics will want to include Naples, while Rome is famous for its spaghetti.

---

ITALIAN FASHION

It’s hard to ignore the irony that the cartographic shape of Italy is quite similar to that of a boot, when some of the best shoes in the world bear Italian names. Milan fashion draws affluent shoppers and fashion journalists from around the world due to the creative and commercial success of graceful Gucci and posh Prada. While I am generally more likely to be seen strutting in Fila than Mui Mui (there happens to be a lot of cobblestone and dirt trails where I live), I can’t help but admire the graceful artistry of a pair of whimsically designed, luxurious shoes.

---

ITALY’S BEACHES

With an extensive 4,600 miles of coastline positioned in a primo climate, Italy doesn’t just boast the most beaches it Europe, it boasts the nicest, as well. You’ll have plenty to choose from, with nearly 250 sand beaches receiving Blue Flag status for unspoiled natural beauty and clean waters. However, it’s been said that the most beautiful natural beaches of Italy are found on Sardinia, so a committed beach bum can start their dream vacation with a car rental in Cagliari for gentle soft sand beaches and then proceed to Alghero to take a scuba expedition of pristine underwater caves and grottos.

---

LANGUAGE

Italian is a beautiful language that is, for a language learner, a quick jump away from French or Spanish. Even better, there is a rich array of Italian songs, films, operas, novels, and poems that are best enjoyed in their original language. This language is often colorful and very descriptive, especially when you start to delve into regional slang or profanities. The most vivid expressions are often in euphemisms or metaphors, so even the most practiced student of the Italian language may need to consider context, as well as the famed accompanying gestures to get a real sense of spoken meaning.

---

ITALIAN CARS

Italian auto makers are notable for producing innovative and stylish vehicles. Every make from Fiat to Maserati is thoughtfully designed to achieve automotive bliss on Italy’s intimate city streets, the swift Autostrada, and the rolling coastal villages.

Known for its romance, architecture, and famous works of art, Florence is one of Italy’s most beautiful cities. Located in the heart of the the sprawling Tuscan countryside, surrounded by palatial vineyards and verdant landscapes, embarking on day trips from Florence Italy to explore neighboring cities and villages is an excellent way to experience the breadth and complexity of Italian culture, see a wide-variety of historically significant sites, and enjoy the many authentic home-style bistros and eateries scattered throughout the region.Here are our top day trip itineraries for Tuscany Tours from Florence:

---

SIENA

Florence to Siena Day Trip: 75.5km – 1 hour 12 min

Siena may be a small city, but it has a lot to offer travelers exploring Tuscany. This 13th-century town is steeped in history, and is considered one of the most well-preserved cities in the region. Keep an eye out for well-known 14th century frescoes in the historic town center, which includes the 800-year-old town hall Palazzo Pubblico. You can also enjoy the city’s many wine bars, boutiques, and restaurants, which add their own element of Italian charm to this already beguiling city.

---

CHIANTI WINE REGION

Florence to Chianti Day Trip: 28.5km – 35 min

Step away from the city and into the most beautiful part of Tuscany – the Chianti Wine Region. Drive past flourishing vineyards and wineries, and soak in the breathtaking Tuscan countryside in this world famous wine region. The Chianti region’s blossoming landscapes and quaint historic villages provide travelers with unique insights into rural Italian life, and an excellent venue to sample some of the region’s most well known wines and culinary fare. Some of the best-known Italian wines, such as Chianti Rufina and Chianti Colli Fiorentini, can be sampled here. And if wine isn’t your thing, the region is also photographer’s dream, with hidden parishes, rustic cottages, and, of course, the iconic rolling green hills.

---

PISA

Florence to Pisa Day Trip: 83.5km – 1 hour 6 min

You have probably already heard of Pisa’s famous leaning tower, and just an hour from Florence, you can go see it for yourself with ease. Construction of the Leaning Tower of Pisa – designed to be a 185ft white marble bell tower – began in 1173 during a brief period of local prosperity, but due to significant foundation design flaws, construction was halted 5 years later as the tower began to sink into the subsoil groundwork, preempting the eventual 3-stage, 199 year-long build process to complete the tower. Although, the accidental lean has, in fact, made the city of Pisa a very popular tourist attraction. The city also has some other magical monuments and great historical buildings, including the city’s cathedral, the Duomo di Pisa, which features a number of impressive ancient artifacts.

---

SAN GIMIGNANO DELLE BELLE TORRI

Florence to San Gimignano Day Trip: 53.1km – 57 min

The small town of San Gimignano delle Belle Torri dates back to the 8th century, and is one of Italy’s most storied, and intriguing small towns. Today, 14 of the 72 medieval towers that once guarded San Gimignano delle Belle Torri’s town walls, serving both as defensive structures and symbols of wealth, remain well-preserved, and help to cultivate the towns historic and feudal atmosphere. Just outside San Gimignano delle Belle Torri, travelers can enjoy the lush countryside speckled with ancient olive groves and ambrosial vineyards as far as the eye can see. Taking a day trip to this quaint Italian town is a great way to escape the frenetic pace of larger cities, and get a glimpse into the rich history of medieval Tuscany.

---

CINQUE TERRE

Florence to the Cinque Terre Day Trip: 157km – 1 hour 57 min

For slightly longer day trips from Florence Italy that promise a contrast of scenery from Tuscany, drive your Italy car rental towards the 11 miles of postcard-worthy coastline that makes up Cinque Terre. Around 2.5 hours from from Florence by car, the Cinque Terre is home to some of Italy’s most iconic and picturesque coastal villages, with gorgeous views of the ocean, and secluded hidden beaches to enjoy. Try some of the local seafood, walk the cliff-top trails, or just spend your day sunbathing at the beach – no matter what you decide, the Cinque Terre is the place to enjoy a relaxing getaway from the city.

---

CORTONA

Florence to Cortona Day Trip: 116km – 1 hour 26 min

Escape to the natural world for a day, and drive into the Tuscan countryside, navigating at your own leisure through the region’s rolling viridian hills, punctuated by ancestral villas and tranquil vineyards, as you make your way to the quiet, culturally charming town of Cortona. Perched upon a hilly summit overlooking the sylvan landscapes below, Cortona offers spectacular views of the region, that help to cultivate an authentically Italian, relaxed setting to enjoy a vacation. Cortona, surrounded entirely by heavenly Tuscan landscapes, affords travelers the most authentic view of Tuscany, which might be why the movie ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’ was filmed in Cortona.

---

BOLOGNA

Florence to Bologna Day Trip: 89.1km – 1 hour 22 min

Drive a little over an hour from Florence, and discover the medieval city of Bologna, an ancient metropolis famous for its unique regional culture and modern edge. Bologna is home to one of the world’s oldest universities, as well as some of the most beautifully preserved piazzas and architectural wonders, yet it also has a contemporary side to it, with portions of the city dedicated to the advancement of modern technologies and industries. Many tourists come to Bologna from Florence to try the famous ‘bolognese sauce’, which is said to have originated in the city, and to see the city’s famous terracotta buildings, known as ‘la Rossa.’

---

LUCCA

Florence to Lucca Day Trip: 78.5km – 1 hour 5 min

To this day, the city of Lucca is still surrounded by Renaissance-era walls designed by Leonardi da Vinci, and its list of attraction credentials doesn’t stop there. Lucca has a wealth of ancient and medieval architecture throughout the city, with many monuments and structures dating back to the Gothic and Roman eras. The city also has some great parks, cathedrals, and a historic old town to be explored. The whole city is best navigated by foot, as driving on the inside of the walls is reserved for residents only.

Eating in Italy will change your life, and nowhere is this tasty truth more obvious than in Florence – a city where food mirrors the beauty of the surrounding countryside. Florentine food is simple, beautiful and crafted with an uncommon level of care and emotion.While Europe is home to a number of cities worth visiting, if you’re like us – craving an authentic taste of Italy – read on: we’ve got a list of 5 delicious reasons to visit Florence before the year is out.

TRADITIONAL TASTE OF ITALY

Many people think of French food as the gold standard when it comes to gourmet cooking, but it was actually Catherine de’Medici who introduced haute cuisine to France when she married Henry, the second son of King Francis I, in 1533.Once married, Catherine brought her cooks to Paris along with popular recipes and spices from the Medici court in Florence. The tastes of Queen Catherine’s court were immediately embraced and adopted by French chefs, and modern French cuisine is heavily influenced by Florentine culinary tradition.If you’re looking for reasons to visit Florence today you need only look at a bountiful plate from one of the city’s small, neighborhood trattorias. In Florence cooking is a means of preserving tradition; connecting with the past while embracing the present. Florentine chefs use delicious local ingredients without allowing any one flavor to overwhelm the others.

NOTHING WASTED

Today’s visitors to Florence will find that many of the enduring culinary traditions in the region stem from frugal choices. While members of the Medici court ate well, the majority of citizens in Florence were not members of the royal family and as a result a tradition of cooking on a budget emerged.Florentines used whatever was available. Wild herbs and greens from the surrounding countryside were mainstays, and today these ingredients still form the base of many delicious soups and stews. Salt was prohibitively expensive and as a result Tuscan bread (sourdough, baked in a brick oven) was traditionally baked without it. The absence of salt meant that most bread quickly became stale, and the leftovers inspired Florentine cooks to create ribollita – a vegetable soup thickened with bread – and panzanella, a delicious summer salad made with stale cubes of sourdough bread, fresh tomatoes and basil tossed in Tuscany’s world-famous olive oil.It turns out that frugal cooking makes for a rich dining experience and traditional Tuscan cuisine is just one of the many reasons to visit Florence.

LOCAL BOUNTY

Foraging for food in the Tuscan hills yields more than just delicious wild herbs and greens. Flavorful local game is frequently integrated into Florentine cooking, offering diners hearty, one-of-a-kind local dishes.Wild boar populate the area and to this day their meat is used to make flavorful air-dried ham and local salamis. Ducks and hare are also hunted locally and Florentine diners are often treated to these delicate wild meats: grilled or prepared in a rich pasta sauce made from scratch. Freshwater fish from nearby lakes and seafood from the Italian coast round out the menu in many Tuscan eateries.Because cooking in Florence is influenced by what’s readily available, the time of year you visit Florence dictates the sort of foods that you’ll enjoy during your stay. Visitors in autumn and early winter are treated to delicious flavors drawn from wild Porcini mushrooms, harvested locally. Foragers venture into the Tuscan woods in droves each fall, rewarding travelers with tasty reasons to visit Florence.

SIMPLE PLEASURES

Gone are the days of complex, over-blown dishes. The modern diner craves simple, natural foods prepared and presented beautifully, and one of the primary reasons to visit Florence is the gorgeous simplicity of the cuisine. Each spring local chefs offer visitors to Florence fresh, shelled fava beans garnished with pecorino cheese. Avalo nero, a type of Kale with dark leaves, is integrated into traditional soups and stews. Tuscan bread is lightly toasted, rubbed lovingly with garlic, and sprinkled with locally made extra-virgin olive oil in a dish called Fettunta. Another traditional Florentine dish involves slow-cooking cannellini beans and fresh sage in a recently-emptied chianti flask. Each dish features delicious local ingredients prepared simply – Florentine chefs allow the flavors of each component to work in unison and the results are a symphony for the taste buds.

TASTE OF ITALY: FLORENTINE FAVORITES

While there are plenty of reasons for vegans and vegetarians to rejoice in Florence, meat lovers visiting Italy needn’t fear – there’s more to Tuscan cooking than beans and bread. Bistecca all fiorentina, a popular local dish, offers diners a generous T-bone steak from local Chianina cattle. Grilled over a wood fire, each steak is imbued with local herbs and spices; served under a drizzle of olive oil. Another popular meat dish is porchetta, a garlic and herb-stuffed suckling pig brushed and basted as it roasts with a rosemary branch.If you’re an adventurous eater looking to try something different you can find numerous delicious reasons to visit Florence in the city’s busy central market. Here an abundance of freshly prepared dishes are available at surprisingly low prices. Try trippa all fiorentina (often referred to as lampredotto) – a dish which features tripe cooked with herbs, wine and tomatoes. This dish is often served with freshly grated parmigiano cheese and can be enjoyed at one of Florence’s open-air cafes.If this article has inspired you and you’re ready to enjoy a taste of Italy … let us know! We’d love to hear about your favorite reasons to visit Florence.

Vacationing along the Amalfi Coast is a travelers-dream come true. The famous Southern Italian coastline is dotted with quaint fishing villages, craggy cliff-side trails and roads, ancient history, and breathtaking beaches. There are a number of ways to see the Amalfi Coast, though the best way is to rent a car in Sorrento, and take to the road. By booking a rental car, you can head out on your very own tailored Excursions from Sorrento and enjoy the serene coastal destinations at your own pace, and on your own time.

---

Embark on Amalfi Coast tours from Sorrento to really make the most of your trip to Southern Italy and its stunning surroundings:

---

SALERNO

A trip to the Amalfi Coast would not be complete without a day trip to the beautiful city of Salerno. Experience one of the most thrilling drives along the winding coastal road before you reach the wonderfully electric city of Salerno. Head to the center of the city and discover its beating heart, exemplified with a wide variety of tasty restaurants, bustling bars, boutique shops, and historically significant attractions.

---

POSITANO

For a worthwhile day trip from Sorrento, head out too the tranquil pebble beach and seaside atmosphere of Positano. The drive here is out of this world, and runs along the beautiful coastline, snaking past gorgeous cliff-side vistas, and seemingly endless Mediterranean views. You won’t be short of photo opportunities in Positano, with its famous pastel-painted buildings, colorful steps, and seaside views providing endless subject matter.

---

RAVELLO

For a truly authentic Amalfi Coast tour from Sorrento, take a short road trip to the often-overlooked town of Ravello. Though still technically a part of the Amalfi Coast, Ravello is located slightly inland, offering some of the most spectacular views of both the Mediterranean, and mountainous terrain that makes up this southern region of Italy. With just 2,500 inhabitants, walking through the cobbled streets of Ravello makes you feels like you have uncovered a local secret, filled with history and culture at every turn. Be sure to visit the 13th century Moorish Villa Rufolo, and the medieval-style Villa Cimbrone with its tranquil gardens – famed for being an artistic escape for famous authors such as Virginia Woolf.

---

AMALFI

The tiny village of Amalfi is a must-see destination that can easily be explored in a single day. Today, the town reverberates a laidback and relaxed atmosphere, with the usual array of stunning pastel-colored buildings speckling the cliffs along its beautiful beachfront. During the Dark Ages, Amalfi was a much larger city, with a population of more than 70,000, but tragically succumbed to the sea after a devastating earthquake in 1343. Subsequently morphing into a modest town with around 5,000 people, a small beach, and a few small piazzas. From Amalfi, it’s also possible to reach Atrani in just one day, a lovely whitewashed town with a fun piazza culture and a pretty beach.

---

NAPLES

Did you know that Naples was once the largest city in all of Italy? It built up a substantial empire that in fact funded and financed the development of other cities in the north of Italy. As a result of its national development efforts, the city lost much of the financial power it once wielded, and slowly faded from prominence. Today, however, Naples is once again one of the largest cities in Southern Italy. On day trip excursions from Sorrento, the city’s ancient past can be seen and explored through the vast collection of museums, ancient cathedrals, and architecture found throughout, while the modern evolution of Naples can be felt through the exciting hustle and bustle of city life. Be sure to spend some time in the Archaeological Museum of Naples, where you can learn more about the famous volcano-ruined city of Pompeii.

---

POMPEII

Pompeii is an ancient Roman town that was completely wiped out by a deadly volcanic eruption, leaving it completely destroyed – its inhabitants and structures preserved in a time-capsule of pyroclastic ash. Today you can discover parts of the old town that were uncovered after archaeologists dug up 30 feet of mud and volcanic ash. What’s left of this well-preserved ancient medieval town is one of the most fascinating pieces of archaeological history in the world.

---

AMALFI COAST TOURS FROM SORRENTO

You can easily explore the Amalfi Coast, and surrounding destinations on short road trips with a car rental in Italy. Enjoy discount and luxury hotel accommodations, as well as international airfare, and even exotic car rentals if you want to race along the Amalfi Coast from behind the wheel of the Ferrari or Lamborghini.