Spello

Spello is an ancient town of Italy in the Umbria Region, in the province of Perugia. The old walled town, built of stone, looks medieval and it’s built on Roman foundations and features the remains of an amphitheatre and some ancient gates. The many churches (most of them medieval): visit Santa Maria Maggiore, Sant’Andrea, San Lorenzo, San Claudio. The Old Town Hall is beautiful, as Palazzo Baglioni and Palazzo Cruciali.

Mantova

Declared a Word Heritage by UNESCO, Mantova under the Gonzaga Reign was one of the most important centres of the Italian and European Renaissance. The Cathedral of San Pietro, The St. Andrea Church, the Basilica of Santa Barbara, Rotonda di San Lorenzo, the Temple of San Sebastiano... Palazzo Ducale is a must-see, as well as Palazzo Te, Palazzo del Capitano, Casa del Mantegna and Piazza delle Erbe.

Ferrara

The City of Ferrara lies on the Po, in the Emilia Romagna Region. During the Renaissance, under the court of Este, personalities like Ludovico Ariosto e Torquato Tasso, Niccolò Copernico, Andrea Mantegna, Tiziano and Pico della Mirandola lived here. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the ancient Medieval walls run for 9 Km. Visit the Cathedral of San Giorgio, the Duomo of Ferrara, the Castello Estense, Palazzo dei Diamanti (that always features beautiful exhibitions) and Palazzo Bevilacqua. 

The Lakes of Lazio

Lakes Como and Garda might be more famous, but the lakes of the Lazio region, home to Italy’s capital city of Rome, are as beautiful. With clear water and beautiful surrounding countryside, the lakes of Lazio are an idyllic vacation spot and popular among locals. Visit Lake Bolsena, situated in the Viterbo province, with its medieval town, or Lake Bracciano: it is so clean that it is the major source of drinking water for the capital city of Rome.

Cefalù

Located in the province of Palermo, in Sicily, the name of Cefalù is of Greek origin. The Cathedral of Cefalù is one of the most beautiful cathedrals of Italy, construction began on the site in 1131. The Saracenic Castle on the promontory is worth it a visit and the Church of Santo Stefano is beautiful, as well as the Ancient Roman Baths, Palazzo Maria, the remains of the Abbey of Thelema, and megalithic walls.

Written by Elisa della Barba