Italian Grand Turismo

Many travelers seek Italy for food, prosecco, great architecture and cultural heritage in cities, seaside and ski resorts. However, if you don't like crowds, want to enjoy the views of mountain peaks and alpine meadows, lemon groves and vineyards of Tuscany, as well as visit ancient cities and medieval castles, we recommend that you rent a car and take a trip along one of the routes we offer.

Route 1: Lake Como, Alps, parks and luxury villas

Lake Como, located just 40 km from Milan in northwestern Italy, is one of the most picturesque lakes in Europe. For many centuries this place was a favorite resort for the European aristocracy, and now their luxurious villas with spacious gardens and parks, as well as magnificent interiors, are famous attractions in the area. Lake Como is surrounded by the Alps and is decorated with majestic villas of the 18th-20th centuries, parks, medieval churches, museums, ancient castles and fortress walls. The lake has a unique elongated shape, which some compare to an inverted Y, while others see it as the outline of a running man. Traveling along the road which passes through the shores of the lake and its environs takes 140 kilometers and will not be tiring.

The route can be started from any town located on the lake. If you don’t want to go around the entire perimeter of the lake, you can use the ferry crossing that connects 4 cities (Varenna, Bellagio, Menaggio, Cadenabbia) located in different parts of the lake. Recommended places to visit include the Castello di Vezio, which offers panoramic views of the lake, and the viewpoint at Bellagio, considered by the locals to be the best on Lake Como. Villa Balbianello in Lenno was the setting for one of the Star Wars episodes, Villa d'Este in Cernobbio was the residence of English monarchs, and Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo is known for its park and art collection. The most picturesque towns on the route are Como and Lecco, with their medieval cathedrals, town halls, historic buildings and attractive waterfronts.

Route 2: Chianti road, Tuscany

Chianti is the most famous wine in Italy and is made from the Sangiovese grape variety in Tuscany. The area is renowned for its outstanding wines and gastronomy, breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Traveling along the Chianti road (Via Chiantigiana) S222, which runs between Siena and Florence, will allow you to visit nature reserves, medieval cities, taste the best wines and explore ancient castles and monasteries.

Recommendations from Italian guides suggest starting the journey from Florence, slowly moving through wheat fields, vineyards and olive plantations, from one medieval town to another. In Impruneta you will find historic wineries and oil mills, a Renaissance cathedral and a Medici villa decorated with frescoes by Giovanni Manozzi. Greve in Chianti is known for its wine cellars, where the most prestigious Chianti variety, Chianti Classico, is stored, as well as for ancient frescoes, castles and taverns with terracotta finishes. Panzano is surrounded by groves of cypresses and olive trees, and in the heart of the city is a medieval castle.

Route 3: Dolomites, mountain lakes and pink rocks

The Dolomites, included in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List, are one of the most impressive mountain ranges in Europe. Their color changes throughout the day, from almost white to many shades of pink and red at sunset. The famous architect of the XX century Le Corbusier described them as the most magnificent architectural work on Earth. Travel along the 110 km road known as the Grande Strada delle Dolomiti, which leads from Bolzano to Cortina d'Ampezzo, offering views of the highest peaks, lakes and waterfalls, and passing through alpine meadows and historic towns.

The journey begins in the city of Bolzano, located in South Tyrol, where you can see medieval castles and a Romanesque-Gothic cathedral. The local archaeological museum exhibits the mummy of Ötzi, known as the Tyrolean Iceman, who lived in these mountains about 5,300 years ago. The route then leads to Lake Carezza, whose waters reflect many shades, to the Catenaccio mountain range, which is considered the "entrance to the Dolomites". Further, the path runs along winding mountain trails, passing through ski resorts and pine forests past the ancient Andraz castle. After the castle, the road descends into the Ampezzo Valley, to the site of the 1956 Winter Olympics - the resort town of Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Route 4: Amalfi Coast

Located in southwestern Italy, near Naples, the Amalfi Coast adorns the Sorrentino Peninsula. This 40 km stretch of coastline was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Often referred to as Italy's most scenic road, the S163 winds its way through the mountains, passing through lemon groves and ancient cities, along beaches, coves and vineyards. The towns and fishing villages along the coast are unique - they hang over the sea like bird's nests set against steep cliffs.

The route includes six (Pirano, Amalfi, Minori, Majori, Cetara and Vietri sul Mare) of the sixteen coastal towns. The remaining ten are located a few kilometers from the highway. If you have the opportunity, we recommend visiting each of them, because each city is unique and inimitable: in Amalfi you will find a rare Norman-Byzantine cathedral and an ancient arsenal, in Minori - upscale restaurants and pastry shops, as well as sandy beaches. Ravello is located above the rest, and from its observation decks you can see the entire coast. In Conca dei Marini you can visit a huge grotto with stalactites, medieval towers, a monastery and churches.

Route 5: majestic Sicily, volcano and ancient ruins

Surrounded by three seas, Sicily is renowned for its immaculate beaches, high-quality cuisine and impressive architecture. Here you will find a neighborhood of ancient Greek and early Christian relics with baroque temples, ominous catacombs and modern buildings. In addition, the only active volcano in Europe is located on this island. Three routes - S114, S115, S113 - lead through the most picturesque corners and key attractions of the island.

Route S114 runs along the east coast of Sicily, linking Messina and Syracuse. This path follows the coastal regions and plains, passing near the active volcano Etna, through the medieval hilltop city of Taormina, and reaches the port city of Catania, where you can see baroque cathedrals, marble fountains and buildings built from black volcanic stone.

Route S115 runs from the city of Syracuse to Trapani, located on the western side of the island, passing through peaceful villages and forests, along the coastline and through valleys dotted with the remains of ancient settlements. The path through the Val di Noto leads through the baroque cities of Ragusa and Noto, located on the coast, then turns towards the medieval city of Agrigento and continues to the Valley of the Temples, the most famous site of ancient Greek ruins on the island.

Route S113 connects two seaports - Trapani, located in the northwest of Sicily, and Messina, located in the northeast of the island. This path leads through the mountains and along the northern coast, passing through Palermo, the capital of Sicily, and Tindari, a quiet town where you can see the ruins of ancient Roman buildings and medieval monasteries, surrounded by beaches and caves.

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