Unique Horizons
Extraordinary places. Firsthand stories. Seven ways to explore.
Best of Italy
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Top Greek Islands
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Top Safaris · Coming soon
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Oldest Palaces & Mausoleums · Coming soon
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Medieval Towns · Coming soon
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Best of USA · Coming soon
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Best of India · Coming soon
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Best of Italy ~~ Top Greek Islands ~~ Top Safaris · Coming soon ~~ Oldest Palaces & Mausoleums · Coming soon ~~ Medieval Towns · Coming soon ~~ Best of USA · Coming soon ~~ Best of India · Coming soon ~~
Best of Italy
Best Time to Visit: May to June or September to October
After exploring 100 countries, we can confidently say that Italy remains our absolute favorite destination on earth. Its combination of deeply unique landscapes, warm hospitality, and unparalleled culinary traditions is simply unmatched. Across six dedicated journeys - including four extensive land expeditions and two classic cruise stop segments - we have explored this beautiful peninsula from its jagged northern peaks down to its historic southern islands.
If you are planning your very first Italian escape, this is exactly how we recommend structuring your time based on years of firsthand experience.
Trip 1: Rome, Florence & Tuscany
A 10-Day Blueprint
Days 1–3: The Ancient Heart of Rome
Begin your journey in Rome, a bustling capital where the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, the Trevi Fountain, and the Roman Forums stand as vivid reminders of a civilization that once ruled the western world.
The art and architecture of the Vatican
The Colosseum, Rome
The Trevi Fountain, Rome
Days 4–8: Florence & Tuscany
Catch a swift 1.5-hour high-speed train north to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. This artistic haven houses Michelangelo’s David, the Uffizi Gallery, and the towering terracotta Duomo. Beyond the city center, Florence serves as the ultimate gateway to the Tuscan countryside. We recommend booking three distinct day trips:
Northern Tuscany & Pisa: Witness the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa before driving through the rolling medieval vineyards of San Gimignano.
The Southern Tuscany Valley: Explore the dreamy, postcard landscapes of Siena and Pienza.
The Cliff Towns of Cinque Terre: Immerse yourself in five historic, colorful fishing villages clinging dramatically to sheer cliffs above a turquoise Mediterranean sea. The Insider Tip: Use a local tour application like GetYourGuide to handle the train and ferry logistics seamlessly so you can see all five towns in a single day.
Florence’s Renaissance architecture
The rolling countryside of Tuscany
Days 9–10: The Coastal Finale
Depending on your timeline, you can catch a local train over to the canals of Venice for your return flight, or continue exploring the dramatic Ligurian coastline. Nearby gems like Portofino, Camogli, and Santa Margherita Ligure offer the exact same colorful cliffside charm as Cinque Terre but with a slightly more relaxed pace. Conclude your trip with a short drive to Milan for your flight home.
The Culinary Tip: Do not leave Florence without ordering a classic Florentine steak for dinner, paired with fresh focaccia and speck ham for lunch. And remember to savor the local rhythm along the way: a hot cappuccino in the morning, a cool gelato in the afternoon, and a chilled glass of limoncello to close out the night.
Colorful cliffside villages of Cinque Terre
Trip 2: Lakes, Venice & the Dolomites
A 10-Day Blueprint
Days 1–2: Milan & Lake Como
Fly into Milan, the fast-paced style capital of the world. After exploring the city's architecture, take a day excursion out to Lake Como. Spending a full day on the water cruising past legendary lakeside estates is a must-do experience. Keep your eyes on the elegant patios - you might just spot world figures enjoying a glass of wine against the alpine backdrop.
Colorful villages on Lake Como
Days 3–4: The Canals of Venice
Take a 2.5-hour train ride to Venice, an architectural wonder completely unlike anywhere else on earth. With strictly zero cars or roads, the city relies entirely on quiet canals, stone bridges, and elegant gondolas gliding past centuries-old, ornate palazzos.
The Rialto Bridge and Grand Canal, Venice
Days 5–9: The Dramatic Dolomites
Rent a car in Venice and make the breathtaking 3.5-hour drive into the Italian Alps. We actually prefer the jagged, dramatic limestone peaks of the Dolomites over the classic Swiss Alps - it is an absolute paradise for photographers. Divide your time between two distinct mountain bases:
Cortina d'Ampezzo (2 Nights): Use this famous alpine village to photograph iconic landmarks like the towering crags of Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the glassy, reflective waters of Lago di Braies.
Ortisei & Val di Funes (2 Nights): Head to the gorgeous Val Gardena region. Drive out to the Val di Funes to capture the world-famous view of the historic timber church sitting beneath the massive, vertical mountain walls. The next day, take the local cable car excursion up to the Seceda ridge line.
The Photographer's Tip: Most travelers simply take a few pictures at the Seceda viewpoint and head back down. Instead, pack your sturdiest walking shoes and hike along the steep mountain crests as far as you can ascend. The changing perspectives of the shifting clouds against the jagged peaks will yield the finest photographs of your entire trip. Conclude the loop by driving back to Venice for your return flight.
The dramatic peaks of the Dolomites
Among the peaks of the Dolomites
Trip 3: Sicily & Southern Italy
A 7-to-14-Day Blueprint
The southern region of Italy introduces a completely different, deeply conservative, and highly culinary culture. The flavors of these Mediterranean islands are incredibly vibrant. If you have a week or more, focus entirely on the dramatic eastern coast of Sicily:
The Artistic Charm of Taormina
Perched high on a hill overlooking the sea, Taormina is one of our absolute favorite villages in the entire world. It is soft, incredibly colorful, and meticulously artistic - every single doorway, tiled staircase, and storefront is beautifully decorated with local ceramics and flowers. After exploring the historic center, head down the hillside to the unique beachfront cove below, where you can swim in calm waters for hours. For unforgettable day excursions, drive south to explore the historic Baroque architecture of Syracuse, Noto, and Ragusa.
The Coastal Vibe of Cefalù
Located further along the northern coast, the beach town of Cefalù is another magnificent surprise. It features a sweeping sand beach resting right against a historic, medieval village center. At night, the town comes alive as hundreds of high-quality restaurants set up tables along the historic alleys and waterfront stone walls.
The Culinary Tip: For an unforgettable lunch, grab a fresh local focaccia sandwich stuffed with roasted eggplant and a cold beer, and find a quiet spot directly on the sand. It is a simple, perfect experience that will make you want to return year after year.
Note: While western Sicily holds its own rustic charm, we recommend dedicating 5 to 7 days purely to this eastern loop before transitioning out to the spectacular white-sand coastlines of Sardinia (which we feature in our Top Beach Vacations guide).
Top Greek Islands
Best Time to Visit: June or September
Navigating the Greek islands is no easy task. With over 30 inhabited islands to choose from and countless names you have likely never heard of, planning the perfect escape depends heavily on your travel style and pace. Based on our independent journeys across eight distinct Greek islands, we have curated the ultimate playbook for DIY travelers who want to skip the rigid cruise ship lines or group tours and experience the true soul of the Mediterranean.
Our Three Favorite Islands
1. Santorini: Iconic Clifftop Villages
Santorini delivers exactly what it promises: the world’s most breathtaking cliffside architecture. It is a volcanic masterpiece of stacked white buildings cascading down toward the sea.
The Golden Memory: We will never forget our long, arduous trek along the cliffside rim trail from Fira to Oia. Walking through one beautiful village after another, we arrived at the northern tip tired but completely exhilarated to finally stand before the iconic three Blue Domes of Oia. Conclude your evening with a sunset dinner overlooking the Caldera side - it is a classic milestone for any world traveler.
The blue domes of Santorini
2. Milos: A Moon-Like Haven
Milos is a magical island defined by dramatic volcanic geology, colorful fishing ports, and a beautifully mellow lifestyle rhythm. Janet and I have spent days debating whether Milos or Paros deserves our #1 ranking - ultimately, it remains a tie.
The Golden Memory: Watching the sunrise over the stark, white, moon-like limestone cliffs of Sarakiniko is an absolute must-do expedition. It was here that Janet won the hearts of all our friends back home when she bravely dived directly off the high cliffs into the deep turquoise water - a video that still lights up our Facebook feed!
The Insider Tip: Milos houses some of the most colorful, artistic fishing villages in the world. Make sure your island driving route includes stops at the waterfront garages of Plaka, Mandrakia, Klima, and Fourkovouni. For your beach days, seek out the colorful cliffside backdrops of Firiplaka, Paliochori, and Firopotamos.
Sarakiniko’s sculpted white cliffs
The waterfront villages of Milos
3. Paros: Pretty Harbors & Lively Cafés
Paros brings a livelier, joyful energy to the islands. Naousa is hands-down one of the prettiest whitewashed harbor towns we have ever encountered, where the evenings come alive with music and dancing on taverna chairs right along the water's edge.
The Insider Tip: You strictly do not need a rental car to explore Paros. A highly reliable, inexpensive network of local water taxis and public buses will transport you smoothly to all the top beaches. Spend your days beach-hopping between Kolymbithres, Golden Beach, Monastiri, and Santa Maria. For a serene side-trip, take the quick, few-minutes ferry ride over to the quiet shores of adjacent Antiparos.
Designing Your Island Route
The Classic First-Time Loop (8 to 12 Days)
Fly directly into Athens to explore the ancient ruins for a few days, then catch a regional flight or ferry to Santorini for a 2-to-3-day stay. From there, hop across the Aegean Sea to dedicate 4 to 5 days each to Milos and Paros.
The Ultimate Beach & Food Loop: Naxos
If you have already experienced Santorini from a cruise stop, we highly recommend focusing your trip on Milos, Paros, and Naxos. Naxos completely surprised us with its endless sandy coastlines and exceptional culinary landscape.
The Insider Tip: Unlike other Greek islands where the best beaches are scattered in distant corners, Naxos features all its premier beaches cleanly aligned down one easily accessible coastline. The beaches are so spectacular - featuring premium sun loungers with high-quality local restaurants sitting directly behind your chair - that Janet and I spent entire days completely relaxing at a single spot, happily forgetting to beach-hop.
The Culinary Tip: Naxos features the finest, most authentic Greek food in the islands. Look for traditional tavernas serving locally sourced cheeses, slow-roasted meats, and fresh wild greens drizzled in local olive oil. It is so good we are already planning a return trip just for the food and sand.
The Portara of Naxos at golden hour
The Crucial Weather Blueprint
Always aim for June or September. These windows treat you to warm Mediterranean sunshine and incredibly clear, turquoise waters without the crushing July and August summer crowds.
The Safety Warning: Do not attempt to visit during the colder winter or early spring months just to save a few dollars on lodging. The seasonal ferry networks shut down, the local seaside tavernas close, and you simply will not see that brilliant turquoise water or vibrant scenery we share in our photographs. Save your Greek holiday for when the islands are fully alive!
Scaling Your European Journey
After these island favorites, explore the historical landscapes of Crete and Rhodes, then the wild scenery of Zakynthos and Kefalonia. Before heading farther into the outer islands, we recommend making time for mainland Italy’s timeless cultural regions, Norway’s deep fjords, and Switzerland’s high alpine paths.