We all know that Italy is well known for its cuisine and the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa. Italian ice cream is unrivaled; the same can be said about Italian wine. Considering all these, it’s simple to understand why Italy is a well-liked tourist destination. You don’t have to be a gourmet expert to enjoy its culinary delights. The tower may be one of Italy’s most recognizable symbols, and its cuisine is undeniably delicious. Still, the country’s many breathtaking natural attractions make it a must-see destination.
Italy offers 116,040 square miles of magnificent things to marvel at, from its steep alpine border with neighboring Switzerland to the tip of its boot-shaped coastline. Beautiful rock formations that seem like they were sculpted by the ancient Roman gods coexist with crystal-clear lakes in the mountains and active volcanoes. Natural beauty abounds in Italy; don’t miss out on seeing it yourself. What are you still waiting for if you haven’t yet bought a ticket?
Before you can say “ciao,” you’ll have booked your trip and be waiting in the airport’s check-in line to see Italy’s top five natural attractions for yourself.
1. Scala dei Turchi, Sicily
Even though Italy has more than its fair share of gorgeous coasts, nothing can compare to the splendor of Sicily’s Scala dei Turchi. These cliffs are like the frosting on the cake; they come out of the water in neat, white layers. The marl rock formation is also known as the Staircase of the Turks because of how it was shaped by wind and water erosion.
It’s almost like an amphitheater, so it’s perfect for a picnic as you wait for the sun to drop over the Mediterranean. You’ll want to watch it every night for a week; it’s that intriguing. If you stay at the Hotel Belvedere Scala dei Turchi, you won’t have far to take your picnic basket. The apartments have the same soothing blue and white color scheme as the surrounding cliffs and ocean.
2. Graian Mountains, Gran Paradiso Park
The Gran Paradiso National Park is the ideal site to experience the wild splendor of Italy’s landscape. The park’s untamed terrain, spanning under 300 square miles, includes stunning mountains, lakes, and spectacular indigenous animals and plants. You’ve probably seen photographs of them online; they’re adorable four-legged animals that can mount walls of rock. You may travel to the park and view the long-horned Alpine ibex. This extremely nimble mountain goat was almost extinct but is now prospering in person rather than on a computer or smartphone screen.
Around 300 miles of paths weave through the park’s valleys, making Gran Paradiso National Park a hiker’s paradise; winter, skiing, and snowshoeing replace hiking as the preferred outdoor activities.
3. Cascate del Mulino, Saturnia
Visiting the Cascate del Mulino in Saturnia, Italy, is an amazing way to relax and rejuvenate on your vacation. Water heated by geothermal activity seeps to the surface, creating a natural spa where pools of steaming, sulfur-infused water stream down gradually into depressions in the rocks. The waters are soothing and excellent for respiratory illnesses; they stay at a constant 37oC in the upper pools before cooling as they run their course over the falls.
Why Go? The Cascate del Mulino is a free alternative to the high prices of other spas. You’re welcome to partake to your heart’s delight, but prolonged immersion (more than twenty minutes) is not advised. You should bring a towel and water shoes since the rocks might be slippery from algae, and there are no changing rooms or bathrooms on the premises. You may spend on Roman baths, saunas, and a thermal spa at the Hotel Terme di Saturnia if all that rustic charm is too much for you.
4. Val d'Orcia, Tuscany
Located in Tuscany, the Val d’Orcia is essentially Italy’s rural epicenter. From La Foce to Monticchiello, the Strada di Valoresi is like a trip through an agricultural time capsule, with regimental cypress lining the road on each side. The valley is lush and sloping, and the road goes through it. This picturesque landscape, complete with vineyards and olive trees, has not altered in centuries and will not change in the foreseeable future, thanks to its declaration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Why Go? The Val d’Orcia in the fall is like a living kaleidoscope, making for a breathtaking road trip. The leaves transform into a rainbow of hues as fall approaches, from bronze to russet to mauve. It’s such a remarkable scene that photographers and painters come from around the globe to capture. Or is it simply a pretext to sample some of the region’s renowned vino and olio? Both merit a go there on their own merits.
5. Dolomites Mountains
Everything, including people, eventually exhibits signs of aging. The Dolomites are one of the most amazing places in Italy to appreciate the country’s antiquity. This area of Italy, made of Triassic-era rock, has been there for a few hundred million years; nonetheless, it is holding up quite well.
Many beautiful national parks, notably Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park and Dolomiti d’Ampezzo Natural Park, are included in the whole region’s UNESCO World Heritage site designation. At about 11,000 feet, the Marmolada is the tallest of the jagged peaks. Still, the Tre Cime de Lavaredo is the most recognizable because of its distinctive three summits.
