The north east region of Italy is home to a variety of different destinations, from the famous Italian lakes to charming towns and cities. If you’re planning a campervan itinerary then you will want to plan your trip around some of the best places to visit in this part of Italy.
Bolzano
Bolzano is an engaging and worldly city brimming with young energy and a quality of life that is one of Italy’s highest. It is also the cultural capital of South Tyrol and is home to Europe’s first trilingual university.
The capital of the Trentino-Alto Adige region, Bolzano sits at the confluence of the Talvera and Isarco rivers surrounded by green mountains. It is an agriculturally based town, famed for its wine and fruit production, and is sheltered from the cold north winds by these mountains.
When visiting Bolzano, it is a good idea to visit the town center where you will find many of the attractions and activities that are on offer in the area. There are plenty of cafes and bars where you can have a drink and eat some delicious Italian or Austrian inspired dishes.
Another thing you should do is visit the famous Bolzano Cathedral, also known as the Assumption of Our Lady Cathedral. This is a Romanesque-Gothic building that was built in the 12th century and features a large number of medieval frescoes and murals.
If you’re a history buff, it is a great place to spend some time learning about the city and its rich past. You can learn all about the different cultures that have shaped this city, and you can even get an idea of how the town has developed over the centuries.
The old town is filled with beautiful buildings and narrow streets that are lined on both sides with arcades. These are very picturesque and a must see for anyone visiting the city.
In addition to the historic sights, Bolzano is known for its great shopping center where you will find a number of luxury shops that are well stocked and have attractive window displays. There are also many shops that sell traditional handicrafts made in wood and ceramics.
Other things to do while you are in Bolzano include visiting the Franciscan monastery which is the oldest church in the German-speaking part of Italy. It was founded by the order of the Franciscans in the 13th century and is a lovely place to visit.
Places to Visit in North East Italy
Catullo
The region of north east Italy is home to many beautiful and interesting places, from the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Dolomites to the charming villages that dot Lake Como. But there are also other destinations in the area that deserve to be discovered.
For example, Catullo is a village located on the shores of Lake Garda. This area is known for its stunning natural scenery and has a long history. One of the most interesting sites is Grotte di Catullo, a complex that includes a Roman villa with thermal baths.
It was thought that this villa was the country house of Gaius Valerius Catullus, a well-known Roman poet. Today, the ruins of this magnificent ancient villa are open to the public.
Visitors can explore the ruins of this villa, which is surrounded by large olive groves. Its walls are carved out of rock and were constructed with a blend of Greek and Roman architecture. The complex was renovated in the 20th century and is now a museum and archaeological site.
Besides the ruins, there are many other attractions in the town. For instance, you can visit the Basilica of Saint George and the Cathedral of St. Giulio, which are both worth a look. You can also see the Palazzo Te, a 16th century palace with richly decorated interiors that are worth a peek.
Another important attraction in Catullo is the SHG Hotel Catullo, a fresh and modern hotel that is situated in a shopping area. It is a short walk from Piazza delle Erbe and has 132 rooms, some of which are equipped with air conditioning, cable TV and desks.
You can enjoy a relaxing break at the hotel after your tour of the city or after your visit to Lake Garda. The rooms have a private bathroom, a safe and a television.
It is possible to get to Mantua from Verona, Milan, or Venice by train. The town is a great day trip from any of these cities and is a beautiful place to wander around on your own.
This is a great spot to experience the northern part of Italy and get away from the tourist crowds. Val Camonica is not a well-known destination, but it’s full of natural beauty and deserves to be on your itinerary. There are plenty of things to do in this alpine area, including hiking, spotting wildlife, and skiing.
Sottocosta
Sottocosta, located in northern Italy, is a gorgeous town full of old cafes, restaurants and charming shops. It is a wonderful place to spend a leisure day, or to take a break from the hustle and bustle of other cities.
This small town is surrounded by picturesque vineyards and mountains, which makes for some breathtaking views. Besides being a scenic spot, it also has a popular winter sports complex that is perfect for people who want to get outside and play a sport!
Another cool thing about this town is that it is home to a neolithic mommy named Otzi. He was found in 1991 and offers a glimpse into what Copper-Age Europeans looked like!
Getting to the museum is easy, as the area is just minutes from the city center. The museum has ancient relics and beautiful works of art so it is worth visiting. You will love the National Cinema Museum as well, it is the best place to see how film has progressed over time.
You can also visit the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Ravenna for its impressive mosaics, which depict bible stories. These mosaics are bold and beautiful. They are considered a must-see by religion, architecture and art enthusiasts in Italy.
The Cinque Terre are a series of quintessential Ligurian coastal villages, each with its own charm and atmosphere. Visitors can choose to explore all five towns in one day, or focus on just a few of them.
Taking part in an Italian sea kayak event is a truly unique way to experience the beauty of this region. You can enjoy the view of the cliffs and the clear, blue waters while experiencing a new perspective on the area.
This small island of Elba is a great place to explore the natural surroundings and wildlife. The island is home to ibex, badgers, wolves and many other wild creatures.
There are many activities to enjoy in this area, including hiking, photography and fishing. There are also a variety of public beaches where you can go to sunbathe, swim or take in the beautiful views.
Cathedral of San Lorenzo
One of the most impressive sights in Florence is the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. Located in a bustling neighbourhood near the market, it has a contrasting rough exterior and an interior that is filled with fine art and architectural wonders.
The cathedral is home to an array of masterpieces, including the Old Sacristy by Filippo Brunelleschi and a number of tondi (circular reliefs) by Donatello. The church also contains the tombs of Giovanni and Piero dei Medici by Andrea del Verrocchio, a triptych by Rosso Fiorentino depicting the Marriage of the Virgin, and frescoes by Bronzino that illustrate the Martyrdom of St. Lawrence.
There are also a number of other attractions to see in this church, such as the Medici Chapels. These are a pair of elegant crypts that were constructed to house the Medici family’s tombs and which you can enter from the back of the church.
Another of the many highlights of the Cathedral is the Sagrestia Vecchia, which was designed by Brunelleschi as a burial chapel and was the first complete building completed by him. It was a major influence on European architecture and its impact was greatly enhanced by the works of art that embellished it.
Inside the Old Sacristy, there are eight tondi by Donatello depicting Evangelists and scenes from the life of Saint John. You can also admire a number of bronze doors and the tombs of Giovanni and Piero dei Medichi.
The Medici family were extremely wealthy, and their contributions to the city of Perugia are apparent in the many projects they were involved in. They made a great deal of money from their extensive trade, and they lavished this wealth on the cathedral and the cloisters that surround it.
For many years, the cathedral was largely closed to the public, but since 2016 it has been managed by Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza through her foundation Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary. Over the course of several years, Francesca has worked with TBA21-Academy to restore the church and open it up to the public.
The cathedral has been used for numerous exhibitions and temporary installations, such as Luigi Nono’s opera “Prometeo”, the premiere of “Tradicione dell’ascolto” by Renzo Piano, and a sound installation by Ariel Guzik. It has even been used as the setting for an international contemporary music festival.
