The Year Abroad is one of the best gifts granted to language students. With its captvating
scenery, history, weather, food and architecture, Italy is the perfect destination for day
trips or weekend retreats between work or studying. Milan, Rome & Venice often
grace the top of Italian bucket lists but, despite the charm of the aforementioned
cities, there is so much more to discover! So, for the benefit of prospective Year
Abroad travellers, I gathered some final year Italian students to find out which
interesting trips stood out most for them on their Year Abroad. The following
three recommendations offer you a small insight into an Italy that is not often
found in standard tourist guides.
Trento
Kicking off our list is the Northern Italian tesoro Trento. I was
lucky enough to spend 6 weeks as an au-pair in this beautiful
city a few years ago, but don’t let my bias sway you from
visiting. Everyone who visits falls in love with the city
clouded in the towering Dolomite mountains and
surrounded by cascading vineyards.
“Rooted in its Alpine culture,
Trento gives you a glimpse into
how diverse Italy really is”.
Despite its proximity to Verona, you won’t find many tourists
here, forcing you to practice your Italian with i trentini whilst
wandering around the charming squares and winding shopping
streets lined with medieval frescoes. Trento also boasts the
Buonconsiglio Castle Museum completed in the 13th Century, a
beautiful cathedral featuring a baroque chapel and multiple museums.
You can even visit the secluded hill-top town of Sardagna in funivia [cable car]
which offers a breath-taking panorama over the city.
San Marino
Moving a bit further south, we find ourselves in the country of San Marino. Mainly comprised
of the hill-top fortress Mount Titano, it’s a must see for those seeking to take in the history
and scenery. Although not technically in Italy, the microstate is amongst the world’s
oldest republics and possesses a large collection of museums, interesting architecture
and traditional art. In the snow it has even been described as “an Italian Hogwarts”
and in the summer as a “green oasis”! San Marino is easily reachable as a day
trip from most northern cities and don’t worry, they still speak Italian and
there’s no border control, but you can ask for a passport stamp as a
souvenir of your trip!
Ravello - Amalfi Coast
We end our short list of hidden gems with Ravello. The
Amalfi Coast is a true holiday destination but Sorrento
and Positano often steal the spotlight, leaving towns
like Ravello mostly undiscovered by tourists. The
stunning resort town is bursting with traditional Italian
culture juxtaposed with iconic Arab-style clifftop gardens
and villas, whilst at the same time offering the luxury of
the sea, making it the perfect tranquil escape to soak up
some Campanian sun. If you visit at Easter or during summer
don’t miss the Via Crucis celebration and Ravello Festival!
Trento, San Marino and Ravello only
touch the tip of the iceberg when it
comes to interesting travel spots in
Italy, but I hope they inspire you to
venture out of your comfort
zone, make the most of your
Year Abroad and explore as
much of the beauty of il
Belpaese as you possibly can.
Saffron Bowtell
Pictures from Pixabay
viaggi
https://pixabay.com/photos/amalfi-
ravello-italy-port-1031879/
https://pixabay.com/photos/castle-of-san-marino-3880525/