The astounding array of churches offer wonderful opportunities for cultural tourism travel to Italy! Walk up the paths of one of the Sacri Monti in Northern Italy that exist in the middle of nature and contain scenes from the life of Christ, the Virgin Mary and the Saints. These nine mountains that are spread around Piedmont and Lombardy are a joy to explore! Also, be stunned by the gothic wonder of the Santuario di Castelpetroso in the mountains of Molise or the baroque gem of Chiesa di San Tommaso in Dolcedo Liguria, considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
Stroll into churches and civic buildings in lesser-known towns across Italy only to find treasures by some of Italy’s most famous artists, without any lines or crowds. The Renaissance masterpieces of Perugino found in the National Gallery inside Perugia’s Palazzo dei Priori and the inspired fresco sequence by Piero della Francesca in Arezzo’s Basilica are just the tip of the iceberg. In Bergamo, at the Accademia Carrara, you’ll find works by numerous masters, including Botticelli’s Storie di Virginia. And, if you’re further south, you must see the exceptional duomo at Orvieto, where you will find incredible works by Fra Angelico inside the Cappella di San Brizio.
Bike to an array of out of the way beauties such as Villa di Maser in Veneto’s countryside, designed by Palladio, and housing frescos and sculptures by the like of Veronese and Vittoria. Or discover the incomparable Villa Manin, the last residence of the Doge of Venice, found in the province of Udine. A must see is the magnificent Bourbon royal palace at Caserta in Campania.
Be amazed at ancient history at your fingertips while exploring sights such as the Nuragic structures of Sardinia built as early as 1900 BCE, the Greek Amphitheatre at Siracusa, the Etruscan Necropoli at Tarquinia or one of Calabria’s many Aragonese castles. Speaking of castles, they are one of the highlights in Aosta Valley. For travelers passionate about Greek ruins, the temples at Paestum in Campania are a marvel!
One of the most unique aspects of travel to Italy is getting a chance to explore a rich culture that is so distinct from region to region. A quick glance at the history of the country reveals that, while it has some of the oldest historical structures still standing, it has been a united country for only around 150 years. Independent travel planned by Roads Less Traveled Italy offer you the opportunity to experience cultural tourism travel to Italy with the arts, architecture, and religious heritage that make each region come alive.
Nuraghe Santu Antine by Giovi77
Castello di Le Castella by Revol Web
Savoy Castle: The Imposing Entrance by lovevda.com
Cappella XX Orta San Giulio by Diego Bonacina
VillaBarbaro 2007 07 08 01 retouched by Hans A. Rosbach
Dolcedo-chiesa san tommaso6 by Davide Paplini
Panoramica Cattedrale di Palermo by Kiban
Firenze synagoga by Andrzej Otrębski
MANIN-VILLA1 by Serenissima-venedig
Sulmona La madonna che scappa in piazza 2018 by ManfredK
SanBiagioMarateaFiori2016 by Luke18389
Bolsena Corpus Domini by Gobbler
Dozza piazza Zotti Arco e orologio by Wwikiwalter
Murales in Orgosolo by Heather Cowper
Teatro Verdi Busseto by Lorenzo Gaudenzi
MUSABA-Il sogno di Jacob by Fernando Tassone
NottedellaTaranta2013 by Paride81
Arena di Verona AIDA von Giuseppe Verdi by Christian Abend
Cultural Tourism Travel to Italy
Anyone interested in cultural tourism travel to Italy must experience one of the local religious processions. Wander into a village for lunch, only to find that one is taking place right before your eyes. It might be a Saint’s Day, such as the Festa San Biagio in Maratea, a celebration of Easter like the Festa di Settimana Santa in Sulmona, or one of the many Infiorate, such as the one in Bolsena, celebrated annually on the feast day of Corpus Christi.
Whether visiting Italy’s small towns or grand cities, thrill to the sights and sounds of lyrical opera and live music. Verona’s outdoor opera series in the summer is breathtaking. Why not experience a more intimate opera in Giuseppe Verdi’s hometown of Busseto in Emilia Romagna? On any given evening, in any number of towns like Orta San Giulio, you may find yourself being serenaded by live music as you dine al fresco. Or if you like to move to your music, festivals like The Night of the Taranta in Puglia will have you up and dancing to local folk, rock and jazz bands.
Sensational Musical Performances
Stirring Religious Processions
Astounding Masterpieces Without the Crowds
Out of the Way Villas & Palaces
Wondrous Churches in the Midst of Nature
Incredible Historic Structures
Fascinating Murals and Street Art
A unique aspect of cultural tourism travel to Italy can be found in idiosyncratic street displays in places you would have never thought to look. The tiny town of Dozza in Emilia Romagna hosts a regular exhibition of street art. In Sardinia, you’ll be fascinated by the political murals in Orgosolo that explore injustice around the world. For a full-blown museum of groundbreaking art, head to the hills of Calabria, to the innovative gem of the Parco Museo di Santa Barbara in Mammola. Here, enormous mosaics and modern art installations line the pathways of the park’s grounds, with the crowning glory being the three-dimensional, 45-foot mural called Jacob’s Dream.
Outstanding Architecture of Italy’s Religious Structures
Discover the endless number of religious structures from tiny villages to the illustrious city in Italy. Why not try sampling some from around the country? The Basilica di Santa Casa, in Loreto Le Marche, a famed pilgrim sight, houses what is said to be Jesus’ original home in Nazareth. The UNESCO world heritage Cathedral at Palermo is known for its variety of architectural styles. It would be amazing to see, and to understand the various traditions that shaped it! For something different, visit the byzantine Great Synagogue in Florence, considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. While the lovely Duomo di Bressanone in Trentino-Alto Adige stands as a reminder that this area was once a part of Germany.
