Un viaggio italiano
This summer I fulfilled a dream and went on a trip through Italy. Eleven cities and places in three weeks - each of them unique in its own way, and yet all connected by the magic that makes this country so irresistible. I have met people whose friendship can hardly be surpassed in terms of openness and warmth. I was able to see places whose history we humans began so long ago or whose natural beauty is simply breathtaking. This trip showed me that Italy is not just a country, but a feeling - a feeling of beauty, history and joy of life that will stay with me for a long time.
SIRMIONE - THE PEARL OF LAKE GARDA
The trip began in Sirmione, a small peninsula that juts out into Lake Garda. The blue of the lake, the gentle breeze and the medieval atmosphere captivated me from the first moment. The Roman ruins of Catullus and the winding streets of the old town bear witness to a bygone era, but the warmth of the sun on my skin made me stay in the moment. It is a place where you forget time, only to be aware of it again when the bells of the Scaliger Castle ring in the sunset.
• Sirmione tip: Breakfast right by the lake, on the jetty of the Hotel Pace
GENOA - THE PRIDE OF THE SEA
We continued to Genoa, the proud port city that looks like a backdrop for maritime adventures. Between the narrow streets of the old town, which open up like labyrinths, and the endless blue of the sea, Genoa's unmistakable character unfolded. The smell of fresh fish, the sounds of the busy docks and the majestic palazzi tell stories of sailors and merchants - and you feel that this city has not forgotten its past, but lives with it.
• Genoa tip 1: Dinner in the Restaurant Soho in Via al Ponte Calvi
• Genoa tip 2: Visit the lighthouse. It is the oldest in the world still in operation.
CINQUE TERRE - A SYMPHONY OF COLORS
The Cinque Terre - five colorful villages clinging to the rugged cliffs of the Ligurian coast as if painted. It is as if nature itself had decided to create its best work here. As I wandered the narrow streets and looked at the terraces of vines, I felt a deep connection with life in its simplest, purest form. It is a place where time passes more slowly, accompanied by the constant sound of the waves.
• Cinque Terre tip 1: From Monterosso or Manarola, take the train from the 5 towns directly along the coast.
• Cinque Terre tip 2: Lunch in the Restaurant La Regina in the village of Manarola.
NAPLES - LIVING TRADITION AT THE FOOT OF VESUVIUS
Naples is wild, chaotic, and yet full of life. The streets are like a pulsating heart that never stops. But behind the hustle and bustle lies a city full of soul and history, from the narrow streets of Spaccanapoli to the quiet menace of Mount Vesuvius. The pizza, hot from the oven, tasted like real craftsmanship - a tradition that not only survives here, but thrives. It is a place that not only invites you, but draws you into its living chaos.
• Naples tip 1: Check out Toledo subway station. It is probably the most beautiful subway station in Europe.
• Naples tip 2: Trip to Vesuvius. The effort is worth it because the view you are rewarded with is breathtaking!
• Naples tip 3: Dinner in the rooftop restaurant UNAHotel Napoli.
ISCHIA - ISLAND OF RECREATION
After lively Naples, Ischia welcomed me with an almost paradisiacal calm. The volcanic island with its thermal springs and green hills is like a refuge for body and soul. The hot springs, which have been used since ancient times, allow any tension to melt away. This is where I realized: Italy is not just about art and culture, but also about well-being - and Ischia offers both in abundance.
The island was the perfect place to relax for a few days on my three-week trip. You can spend a wonderful day here on the approximately 10 kilometer long Maronti Beach in the south with its countless restaurants and bars. Boiling hot volcanic springs also arise here. The famous Poseidon Gardens, a spacious thermal park with healing thermal baths and its own private beach, are also soothing. The Castello Aragonese, connected to the island of Ischia by a stone bridge, is also worth a visit, as are the enchanting towns of Sant' Angelo in the south and Lacco Ameno in the north.
• Ischia tip 1: Take the taxi boat from Sant' Angelo to Maronti beach.
• Ischia tip 2: Lunch in the beach restaurant Olmitello at Maronti beach.
• Ischia tip 3: The Hotel Botania Relais & Spa for perfect all-round relaxation.
AMALFI COAST - POSTCARD IDYL IN PERFECTION
The Amalfi Coast – a dream of steep cliffs, vibrant lemon groves and turquoise water. On my way further into the south of Italy by car, the famous Amalfi coastal road was a real driving challenge! It is narrow and curvy, and every turn brought a new picture from a storybook. A pearl on the Amalfi Coast is the small town of Praiano. In contrast to hotspots like Positano, Amalfi or Ravello, Praiano seems somehow untouched. Authentic, peaceful, with delicious food and views of Positano, it is actually quiet here unlike the other places.
• Amalfi Coast Tip 1: Avoid hotspots like Positano or Ravello in high season
• Amalfi Coast Tip 2: Lunch at the Trattoria San Gennaro in Praiano.
• Amalfi Coast Tip 3: Sundowner on the beach Minori.
TROPEA - A PIECE OF PARADISE IN CALABRIA
We went further south in Tropea, a charming coastal town perched on a cliff. Azure blue sea, beautiful white sandy beaches and the picturesque, well-preserved old town with its bars, restaurants and shops make Tropea one of the most beautiful holiday resorts in Calabria. However, the famous Cathedral of Santa Maria dell'Isola is also worth a visit. Located on a sandstone cliff directly on the coast, in addition to the impressive architecture, it offers a beautiful view of Tropea and the surrounding landscape. The lovingly maintained garden around the cathedral with its cacti and Mediterranean plants invites you to take a stroll. The famous red onion from Tropea finds its way into almost every dish and I have tried a lot of them! The onion gives the region its unique taste - fresh, honest and unmistakable.
• Tropea tip 1: Visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria dell'Isola.
• Tropea tip 2: Dinner in the restaurant That's Amore.
• Tropea tip 3: Have a day at the beach.
MATERA - THE STONE CITY OF WONDERS
Matera is like no other city. Its famous Sassi, the cave dwellings carved into the rock, tell stories of centuries when people lived here in harmony with nature. The history of Matera goes back an unimaginable 9,000 years! It is the oldest city in Italy and the third oldest city in the world. It is a place that humbles you as you walk through the narrow, stone streets and take in the rugged beauty. You can literally feel the millennia that have passed here, and yet Matera feels strangely timeless.
• Matera tip 1: Be sure to see the Sassi (cave dwellings).
• Matera tip 2: Dinner at Ristorante Baccus.
• Matera tip 3: Living in La Casa di Ele
MARINA SERRA - A HIDDEN GEM OF PUGLIA
Marina Serra, a small, often overlooked coastal town in Puglia, surprised me with its quiet, untouched nature. The natural coves, clear waters and silence made it a perfect place to retreat and enjoy the simple pleasures in life. There is no hustle and bustle here, just the sea, the sky and a place that grounds you in its simplicity.
• Marina Serra tip: Swim in one of the natural swimming pools washed out by the sea
VIESTE - THE WILD BEAUTY OF GARGANO
Vieste sits on a white cliff and offers breathtaking views of the Adriatic. The beaches, lined with imposing rocks, seem endless, and the light of the setting sun transformed the sea into a golden mosaic. It was a place where I could just sit and take in the beauty of nature. Vieste is wild and rough, and that's exactly what gives it its irrepressible charm. The city offers everything you need for a perfect holiday: beach, sun, wind, cliffs, culture and lots of sea. I was particularly impressed by the trabuccos on the cliffs in the surrounding area. Trabuccos are stilt houses, some with small huts, which are used to fish on the Abruzzo coast. Some of them are also restaurants where you can enjoy freshly caught fish originally prepared.
• Vieste tip 1: Be sure to take a boat tour along the rocky coast. There are countless breathtaking grottos waiting for you.
• Vieste tip 2: Stay in the most beautiful B&B of our trip, the Le Cinque Lune, in the middle of the old town of Vieste.
• Vieste tip 3: Lunch at Trabucco da Mimi
FLORENCE - THE MAGICAL CITY
At the end of my trip I went to Florence, the city of arts, the Renaissance, and immortal masterpieces. No place in the world is so filled with the power of human creativity and strength. From the imposing cathedral to the Ponte Vecchio, you can feel the presence of the geniuses who once populated this city in every corner. The diverse masterpieces of this unique city prove that people can create anything they dream of. And this feeling inspires and calms me at the same time.
It was a fitting end - and as I walked through the Gardino di Boboli, I felt connected to the art, history and deep heritage of Italy in a way that is difficult to put into words.
• Florence tip 1: The Palazzo Vecchio and the Gardibo Boboli.
• Florence tip 2: A stroll over the Ponte Vecchio.
• Florence tip 3: Dinner at Trattoria Dall Oste in der Borgo San Lorenzo. Wunderschönes Ambiente, toller Service und das beste Bistecca alla Fiorentina der Stadt!
