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While most Aussie travellers are familiar with Tuscany and Sicily, Italy is actually divided into 20 distinctive regions, each with its own capital city, identity, dishes, attractions and hidden treasures. To celebrate Festa della Repubblica (Italian National Day) on June 2, and the launch of direct flights from Perth to Rome to, here’s a go-to guide to each region to help identify the destinations to add to your next Italian adventure.
ABRUZZO. Capital: L’Aquila. Local dish: Arrosticini (lamb skewers)
Three reasons to go…
· Stunning greenery and scenery – from Gran Sasso National Park to the Adriatic Coast
· Indulgent lunches in the ‘truffle town’ of Campli
· Stroll the ancient villages of the Aterno Valley
One reason you may not know…
· Wolves, eagles and Marsican brown bears inhabit the national parks.
BASILICATA. Capital: Potenza. Local dish: Cicorie e fave (chicory with broadbeans)
Three reasons to go…
· Sassi di Matera – enchanting ancient cave dwellings in one of the world’s oldest cities
· Soak in Latronico’s relaxing thermal springs
· Festa della Bruna in Matera (July) for music, parades and stalls from sunrise to midnight
One reason you may not know…
· Scenes from the film The Passion of the Christ as well as the latest James Bond film were filmed in Basilicata.
CALABRIA. Capital: Catanzaro. Local dish: ‘Nduja (local peppery salami)
Three reasons to go…
· Tropea’s white sandy beaches, turquoise Tyrrhenian Sea and vibrant parasols
· Sweet red onions on every menu, hanging in doorways – even in gelato!
· Pollino National Park – the country’s largest
One reason you may not know…
· Calabria is old school and cash is king – so come prepared!
CAMPANIA. Capital: Napoli (Naples). Local dish: Pizza Napoletana, limoncello
Three reasons to go…
· Step back in time in Pompeii, a world-famous UNESCO-listed archaeological site
· Stroll the postcard-perfect cliffside towns along the Amalfi Coast
· Experience lively local life in bustling Naples
One reason you may not know…
· The island of Procida is Italy’s ‘Capital of Culture’ for 2022.
EMILIA ROMAGNA. Capital: Bologna. Local dish: Tortellini in brodo
Three reasons to go…
· Foodies will love exploring historical Bologna and Parma – the birthplace of Parma ham
· Take a truffle hunting tour, or go cheese tasting at world-famous Parmigiano Reggiano
· Visit the homes of iconic Italian car companies, including Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini
One reason you may not know…
· During August seaside Rimini hosts a ‘pink’ festival, La Notte Rosa.
FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA. Capital: Trieste. Local dish: Polenta, and Prosciutto San Daniele
Three reasons to go…
· Friuli’s alpine foothills are home to some of Italy’s best white wine-producing estates
· Glorious hiking trails through 13 nature reserves
· The unspoiled beach resort of Ligniano Sabbiadoro is a hidden gem beloved by locals
One reason you may not know…
· Driving a dog sled at Tarvisio’s International Mushing School.
LAZIO. Capital: Roma (Rome). Local dish: Pasta carbonara or Cacio e pepe
Three reasons to go…
· Visit Vatican City, the world’s tiniest city – go on Wednesday for a Papal Audience
· Explore Rome’s rich history, including the Colosseum, the Forum and the Trevi Fountain
· Go beyond Rome to discover ancient history in Ostia Antica or Civita di Bagnoregio
One reason you may not know…
· Dive into food history at The National Museum of Pasta.
LIGURIA. Capital: Genoa. Local dish: Focaccia di Recco, Trofie al pesto or Canestrelli (biscuits)
Three reasons to go…
· Indulge your passion for cycling on scenic Italian Riviera routes – not for beginners!
· Explore the five charming villages which make up the UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre
· Access hidden beaches only accessible by boat – and go celebrity yacht-spotting
One reason you may not know…
· Disney film Luca and Foxtel hit Hotel Portofino were set in Cinque Terre.
LOMBARDY. Capital: Milano (Milan). Local dish: Risotto alla Milanese or Cotoletta alla Milanese
Three reasons to go…
· Shop the stylish boutiques of Milan and visit the incredible gothic Duomo
· Ski the magnificent mountains of Livigno
· Take a boat trip on Lake Como, home to celebrity summer villas and charming villages
One reason you may not know…
· The region has almost 500 museums for art and history fans to explore.
MARCHE. Capital: Ancona. Local dish: Olive Ascolane (meat-filled fried olive)
Three reasons to go…
· Roam cobbled streets and visit the impressive castle in medieval Urbino
· Taste wines and olive oils at regional vineyards and groves
· Beautiful swimming beaches and marinas with yachts for hire to explore the coastline
One reason you may not know…
· The finest Italian shoes are crafted here, including Prada and Fabi.
MOLISE. Capital: Campobasso. Local dish: Caprino di Monfalcone (goat’s cheese) and Cavatelli (pasta)
Three reasons to go…
· One of the least discovered regions in Italy…go before everyone else does!
· Slow down and experience local life in the charming coastal town of Termoli
· Made for road-tripping with a maze of mountainous roads and storybook village to explore
One reason you may not know…
· Molise hosts quirky festivals including the ‘Ndocciata torchlight parade.
PIEDMONT. Capital: Torino (Turin). Local dish: Bagna Cauda, or Cotechino e lenticchie (pork & lentils)
Three reasons to go…
· Gourmands love Langhe’s vineyards and Alba’s restaurants, providores and truffles
· The annual spring ‘Battle of the Oranges’ in Ivrea is a must
· The staggering art collection at Castello di Rivoli – envied by curators nationwide
One reason you may not know…
· The home of Vermouth, Turin’s ‘aperitivo’ tradition is still strong.
PUGLIA. Capital: Bari. Local dish: Orecchiette alle cime di rapa, or Stracciatella Pugliese
Three reasons to go…
· Endless stunning coastline, captivating towns and stunning beaches – try Trani and Ostuni
· UNESCO World Heritage-listed Alberobello, home of the iconic trulli stone huts
· Instagram sensation Polignano al Mare, famed for its rocky promontory
One reason you may not know…
· Scuba divers flock to the shipwreck and caves of the Tremiti Islands.
SARDINIA. Capital: Cagliari. Local dish: Fregola con frutti di mare e zafferano (seafood pasta)
Three reasons to go…
· Settle in on a sun lounge on some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean
· Soak up the luxe ambience of Costa Smeralda, playground of the rich and famous
· Eat your way around the island to enjoy its distinctive, rustic cuisine
One reason you might not know…
· Wild boar and deer inhabit the rugged inland Barbagia Mountains.
SICILY. Capital: Palermo. Local dish: Cannoli, Cassata or Sfincione (Sicilian pizza)
Three reasons to go…
· Take a road trip to historic towns, archaeological sites (Valley of the Temples) and beaches
· Immerse yourself in lively night life and sublime street food in Palermo
· Festivals such as Palermo’s Feast of Santa Rosalia or Agrigento’s Almond Blossom Festival
One reason you might not know…
· You can enjoy a mud bath at the volcanic island of Pantelleria.
TRENTINO ALTO ADIGE. Capital: Trento. Local dish: Canederli (bread dumplings), goulash or strudel
Three reasons to go…
· Incredible hiking in summer and outstanding skiing in the winter in the Dolomites
· Two of Italy’s most photogenic locations – Lago di Braies and the town of San Candido
· Fairytale Christmas markets in Bolzano, Vipiteno, Trento, Merano, Brunico and Bressanone
One reason you may not know…
· This bilingual region is home to 300+ castles and almost 300 lakes.
TUSCANY. Capital: Firenze (Florence). Local dish: Pappa col pomodoro (bread soup), Ragù Toscano
Three reasons to go…
· Rolling hills, vineyards in Chianti, medieval villages – landscapes made for painting
· Florence – home of renaissance art and captivating galleries, including the iconic Uffizi
· Major summer festivals including Siena’s historic Palio horse race and Lucca’s concert series
One reason you may not know…
· There is a desert in the heart of Tuscany – the Accona.
UMBRIA. Capital: Perugia. Local dish: Torta al testo (bread), or Strangozzi alla spoletina
Three reasons to go…
· Classic countryside scenery – Umbria is ‘the green heart of Italy’
· The wildflowers surrounding Castellucio in Spring are world famous
· The pretty towns of Spello, Todi and Gubbio, among the most Instagram-able in Italy
One reason you may not know…
· The region is renowned for handcrafted ceramics, and chocolate.
AOSTA VALLEY. Capital Aosta. Local dish: Fonduta (cheese fondue) or Polenta concia
Three reasons to go…
· Spectacular castles, fortresses and cathedrals from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages
· Snow-capped peaks and a skiing playground – Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, Mont Blanc
· Sensational summer hiking in Gran Paradiso National Park
One reason you may not know…
· Aosta Valley is Italy’s smallest region – petite yet picturesque!
VENETO. Capital: Venezia. Local dish: Baccalà alla Vicentina (stockfish), Risi e bisi (rice & peas)
Three reasons to go…
· A bucket-list gondola ride on the canals of Venice
· Take in a summer opera in Verona’s historic outdoor amphitheatre
· Marvel at the World-Heritage-listed Palladian Villas, home to wealthy families in the 1500s
One reason you may not know…
· The first female gondolier took to the canals in 2009 – after 900 years.