Like its counterpart in the United States, southern Italy has a less dense population, is known to be sun-kissed, and is dotted with villages and farms that embody the agricultural soul of Italy. The mountains and hills are characterized by heat, both from the sun and several volcanoes, adding to the unpredictability of this portion of Italy’s Boot. When in southern Italy, the road signs are like polite suggestions, and lanes are “interpretive” (think three-lane highways that become six). That sun-drenched spirit spills into the food, the hospitality and the regional pride — worn like a badge and served with a generous pour of Greco.
Most well-known in southern Italy is Naples, the capital of Campania, and home to the ubiquitous pizza. Naples is nestled between two volcanoes, including nearby Vesuvius and the city of Pompeii. Campania is filled with favorites, including the Amalfi Coast and Limoncello. A visit could include a boat ride to the island of Capri or a tour of the Amalfi coast. Visitors will be familiar with sun-ripened San Marzano tomatoes, spaghetti and mozzarella di bufala, and will be delighted to pair them with wines of the region, including Aglianico, Taurasi, Greco di Tufo and Fiano. Mangia!
If the North sets the table with silver cutlery, the South, especially in Puglia, hands you a warm loaf of bread and invites you to tear in. In the heel of Italy’s Boot, Puglia is the home of the olive tree. There are nearly 60 million trees planted in this region, which account for 40% of Italy's olive oil production. When traveling inland through the region, visitors have an expansive view of rustic olive orchards separated by low stone walls. The capital of Puglia, Bari, is a charming port town where the water is dotted with fishermen and trattorias in which to enjoy their bounty with a glass of jammy Primitivo, naturally.
Agriturismi, farms that offer vacation stays, can elevate a visitors’ experience. Living with and among the people who work on the land, visitors are encouraged to find an agriturismo that suits their interests. Alberobello (beautiful tree) is a charming community in Puglia, known for its stone homes, which are made in the round with self-supporting domes, all without mortar. Staying in one for a night or two is a great way for visitors to immerse themselves in Puglian culture. Another stunning sight is the village of Ostuni. Known as the “White Town” (La Cittá Bianca), the ancient buildings of the city radiate from afar.
In the arch of Italy’s Boot is the region of Basilicata. The most mountainous area of southern Italy, it is challenging to navigate, but a trip to the town of Matera and its cliff dwellings is well worth the effort. These unique homes called Sassi, are believed to be among the world’s longest continuously inhabited dwellings with records from the 10th century BC. The local food in Matera focuses on peasant traditions: horseradish is used instead of truffles, breadcrumbs serve as a substitute for cheese, and the regional star is a dried pepper called peperone crusco, best paired with a crisp Falanghina wine.
The toe of the boot, Calabria, is dominated by agriculture. Olive oil production is second only to Puglia, and citrus groves abound, with lemons, oranges, mandarins, clementines and 90% of the world’s Bergamot oranges. Local markets abound with food packed in olive oil: olives, citrus, and fish. The culinary star of the region, the Calabrian chili, is a spicy, smoky pepper that has heat without being overpowering. The flavorful cuisine pairs well with a refreshing bottle of Greco, a dry white wine that is widely available.
A tour of southern Italy isn’t complete without a visit to Sicily, an experience like no other. With its stunning coastline and groves of Sicilian lemons, Sicily is brimming with energy, a bit of chaos and the subtle undercurrent of adventure. In a small beach town, fishermen show off their buckets of octopi, and it's no surprise that the food is focused on the sea and is outstanding! If possible, head to the village that created cannoli, Piana degli Albanesi, or venture further to Mount Etna. Street food abounds and includes arancini the size of baseballs, as well as sfincione, a flatbread with a multitude of toppings. At the end of the day, wash everything down with Nero d’Avola, Sicily’s most beloved grape. With aromas and flavors of plum and black cherry with a hint of pepper and minerality, it is the perfect beverage while touring the island.
The Heart of the Boot: Where North and South Embrace
The center of Italy is filled with many of the most well-known and visited locales. Places that combine the precision and industry of the North with the arid, wildness of the South, while at the same time displaying their own uniqueness and charm.
The Adriatic Sea and the Apennine mountains border the central regions of Abruzzo and Marche. The picturesque fishing villages that dot the coast are the best places to visit to lose your sense of time. The cuisine is focused on the sea, and the wine also has a touch of salt air. Verdicchio wine displays fruity acidity and salinity from its environs. It is the perfect wine pairing for food from the Marche region. In Abruzzo, the well-renowned Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and Trebbiano wines pair perfectly with the lamb, truffles, and homemade cheeses found there.
Tuscany and Umbria are dream-worthy, characterized by rolling hills filled with grapevines, as well as the bounty of central Italy. Shades of umber, Siena, ochre, and verdant green dominate the landscape. Visit an ancient villa and learn the art of handmade pasta, or drive through the twists and turns that cut through the hills for a thrill.
A visit to Tuscany must include a visit to Florence. Wandering the medieval streets of the ancient, walled city center is a delight. Whether you are crossing the Ponte Vecchio while admiring the shopkeepers’ stalls, or stopping to listen to classical music played in one of the city’s cathedrals, Florence is a step back in time with more art per square foot than most museums, without the velvet ropes.
Crave the countryside? Venture outside the walls of Florence to Siena. The town center, Piazza del Campo, hosts a medieval horse race twice each year where municipalities compete for the coveted banner bearing the image of the Virgin of Saint Mary. Stop by the cathedral in Siena, a visual treat with its white and black horizontal facade and breathtaking interior. Rounding out a visit to Tuscany is a trek to Pisa, including the requisite “holding up the tower” photo! While there, stop by one of the many other historic churches in the city.
The true center of Italy, Rome is magical, overwhelming, romantic, and lovely. It is a city that contains a country (Vatican City) and personifies a country (Italy). Visiting historic treasures is as captivating as wandering the streets in search of an espresso. There are the must-sees: the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican and the Roman Forum. However, some notable, lesser-known options include Piazza Navona, the National Roman Museum, Campo de’Fiori, Museo Leonardo da Vinci and Alfredo alla Scrofa, the birthplace of the beloved Fettuccini Alfredo.
What It Means to Taste a Country in Pieces
While Italy oozes ancient charm, its real magic lies in the way it defies being understood all at once. Like any great meal, it’s best savored in courses — one city, one sip, one plate at a time. To taste Italy is to understand contradictions — the precise and the passionate, the Alpine and volcanic, the elegant and rustic. Each region doesn’t just have its own cuisine; it has its own heartbeat. When you put your fork down and raise your glass, you aren’t just sampling flavors — you’re sharing in a centuries-old conversation. No matter the time of year or the frequency of your visits, Italy always has something new and fun on offer.
Must-eat dishes from Southern Italy:
- Fresh polpo (octopus)
- Peperone Crusco
- Olive oil that glows
- Sicilian lemons
- Bucatini con le Sarde
- Original ‘Spaghetti o’s’, anelletti
- Orecchiette with cime di rapa
- Arancini
- Sfincione
- ‘Nduja - a spicy, spreadable pork sausage
- Scamorza cheese (a favorite!)
Wine Notes:
- Whites:
- Greco di Tufo
- Fiano
- Marsala, fortified wine made with added grape spirit
- Reds:
- Negroamaro ( meaning black and bitter)
- Primitivo
- Aglianico
- Aglianico DOC/DOCG or Taurasi DOCG.
- Nero d’Avola
Must-eat dishes from Central Italy:
- Fettuccine Alfredo
- Black truffles
- Pecorino cheese
- Bruschetta
- Spaghetti all’amatriciana
- Spaghetti alla carbonara
- Spaghetti alla chitarra (hot chili)
- Seafood directly from a local fisherman
Wine Notes:
- Whites:
- Orvieto
- Verdicchio
- Fiano
- Trebbiano
- Greco Bianco
- Reds:
- Sangiovese
- Chianti: Chianti DOCG or Chianti Classico
- Brunello di Montalcino
- Cesanese, preferred grape of the Romans
- Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
- Sagrantino
- Super Tuscan, blend of French Bordeaux grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, or Syrah)
- Sangiovese
- Travel notes:
- The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place in northern Italy. Venues will be:
- Milan,
- Cortina d’Ampezzo,
- Valtellina,
- Val di Fiemme, and
- Verona.
- While in Cortina, don’t miss the chance to drink a Bombardino, a warming cocktail made with Advocaat and Brandy.
- The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place in northern Italy. Venues will be: