Italy Vacation: 15 Natural Wonders Worth Exploring

Italy consistently ranks among the most popular travel destinations in the world. More than 50 million tourists every year can't be wrong, can they? Here are 15 great reasons why we love vacationing in Italy - from north to south.

Gentle hills and fine wines are the main attractions of the Langhe landscape in the Piedmont region. Northwest of the Belbo River, grapes for famous wines like Barolo are grown. In the north, the mountains become steeper and higher; here, chestnuts and hazelnuts are grown. Between them, traditional villages perch on the hilltops.

The thermal springs of Saturnia are Italy's little secret and look straight out of a picture book: An old mill, steaming water basins in natural rock cascades, with views over the hills of the Maremma... The 'Cascate del Mulino' are located in southern Tuscany and have turquoise water at a temperature of 99.5°F all year round.

Tuscany as if from a storybook: The Orcia Valley in the Province of Siena is also a World Heritage Site. Cone-shaped hills rise from the flat landscape, and various agricultural crops turn the soil into a patchwork in earthy tones, with cypress trees standing tall. The aesthetics of the Val d'Orcia didn't happen by chance: When the valley was remodeled in the 14th and 15th centuries, an attractive landscape was the goal. We think: Mission accomplished!

Set amidst the Abruzzo mountains, the thousand-year-old fortress enjoys a prime position: At 1460 meters, it overlooks the surrounding Apennine peaks. The mighty walls may be partly collapsed, yet the castle still conveys an unparalleled sense of permanence.

Garden romance? It's not just in England! The Giardini di Ninfa, the Garden of Ninfa, south of Rome, proves it. The enchanting garden was built on the ruins of the medieval city of the same name and is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Blooming cherry trees, roses, magnolias, and irises line the rivers and streams, making a walk feel like stepping through a dream landscape.

The islands off the island: In front of Sardinia, 62 islands form La Maddalena, an archipelago with stunningly beautiful beaches. Visitors rave about the clear, blue water rising from the granite rocks, where you can discover starfish and anemones while diving. In one of the nearly 300 bays, you're sure to find a quiet spot where you can enjoy the sun and the magic of nature all to yourself. The archipelago is accessible by boat from Palau on Sardinia.

In the south of the island near Realmonte stands a monument made of marl, crafted by the whims of nature. The distinctive rock rises brightly white in gentle waves and steps against the light blue of the sea, almost resembling an iceberg.

It's no (blue) wonder that nymphs were once worshipped here. The blue grotto on the northwest coast of the island of Capri is a magical place. You enter the cave through a one-and-a-half-meter high rock opening in a small boat. Daylight mostly enters the grotto through the seawater, giving it a mystical blue shimmer.

Similar to the picturesque Amalfi Coast, but (still) less known, is the 'Coast of the Gods', the Costa degli Dei. This coastal strip in southwest Italy - if you compare it to a boot, just above the toes - offers numerous bathing beaches. The most famous town is Tropea, which towers 131 feet high above the Tyrrhenian Sea. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Aeolian Islands from here.

Which brings us to the next natural wonder. The volcanic islands are also part of the UNESCO World Heritage and are known as the Aeolian Islands. Seven of them are inhabited, including Lipari, Salina, and Stromboli. The latter, along with Mount Etna, is Europe's only other continuously active volcano.

The nature reserve in the northwest of Sicily is the island's first. It includes seven kilometers of coastline, alternating between sandy coves and limestone cliffs. You can hike through the park along the coast through olive trees and dwarf palms in about two hours.

Snowboard and ski enthusiasts love it: The Dolomites shine in winter with more than 1200 kilometers of ski slopes. Known for massifs like the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Marmolada, the highest mountain in the Dolomites at over 10800 feet. In summer, you can explore the Dolomites, which are part of the southern limestone Alps, on ten different high-altitude trails.

The Amalfi Coast fuels yearnings and daydreams, not least thanks to sappy film classics like 'Under the Tuscan Sun' and 'Only You' featuring a very young Robert Downey Jr. Positano is considered the most beautiful place in the coastal region on the Gulf of Salerno. Lemons are grown here, and wine is produced. The coast is best explored along the Amalfitana coastal road. Be warned: With hairpin turns and dizzying heights, it can really get your heart racing while driving.

Resting like an overturned Y, Lake Como nestles in the foothills of the Alps. Small towns, their orange and ochre-colored houses clinging to the lower mountain slopes, opulent villas, and lush parks: a vacation here offers a full blast of Italian beauty. Even George Clooney couldn't resist the charm; the actor owns a villa in Laglio on the lake's southwestern arm.

A UNESCO World Heritage site and protected as a national park, the Italians are committed to preserving the picturesque charm of the Cinque Terre coast. Spanning about 12 kilometers along the Italian Riviera, northwest of La Spezia, five towns form this popular tourist region (hence the name). Beachgoers might be disappointed; there's only a small beach in Monterosso al Mare, but day-trippers and hikers love the picturesque coastal villages.

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