Summer has arrived. We have been waiting in anticipation for months and now the time has come to reconnect with our loved ones and start exploring again.
To celebrate the start of the season and to inspire your travel planning, the TomTom Team and Borghi d’Italia have collected some of Italy’s most exciting routes. Now is the time to enjoy our country’s most beautiful treasures!
Ancient cities, seemingly endless vineyards, incredible coastlines - this route around Sicily will introduce you to the island’s rich heritage and lovely culture. Take in Sicily’s sublime combination of nature and historic sites.
Before setting out on this scenic RoadTrip, stroll around one Palermo’s ancient markets to get into the Sicilian spirit. From the cathedral of Monreale, to the sandy beaches of San Vito Lo Capo, a hike in Zingaro Nature Reserve, an exploration of the archaeological park of Selinunte, the ancient Greek temples in Agrigento, and a magnificent view of the majestic Mount Etna to top it all off - simply magicial. The route winds up and down, taking in panoramic views of the turquoise sea and the remnants of the past that are scattered all over. An excess of impressions await so we advise you to take your time with this trip.
The Amalfi Coast is famous for its precipitous corniche roads and its light blue waters. It is considered Italy's most scenic coastline road and is often combined with a visit to Pompeii.
Stretched between Salerno and Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast is situated south of Napoli on a small peninsula. This thrilling route takes you along a coastline dotted with picturesque Italian villages set on majestic cliffs that seem to rise out the idyllic sea. With the abundance of lemon trees, bougainvillea, and colorful houses, every twist and turn on these narrow roads offers a new and spectacular view of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Costiera Amalfitana. Taken together, the gorgeous natural landscape and the narrow, zigzagging roadways make this trip exhilarating.
The Italian Riviera is famed for its glittering harbors and dramatic coastline. Discover the sheer beauty of scenic bays and wonderful Italian towns on this iconic route.
From San Remo, the road takes you along the Ligurian Sea to Portofino, a picturesque harbor that is often described as the world’s prettiest. The road follows the sea to Genoa and the city’s many historical sights, museums, and a labyrinth of backstreets to explore. Our route continues along the coastline and its pristine beaches and palm trees, all in view of the colorful medieval towns perched atop mountains. Before heading to La Spezia, this route takes you through the pearl of this region, Cinque Terre National Park. While there are five “Cinque Terre” villages, we recommend you park your car in one and set them all on foot.
With its rugged coastline, traditional white villages, and relaxed pace, Puglia is one of Italy’s best kept secrets. Explore the heel of the Italian boot and let the Adriatic coast, olive groves, vineyards, and endless cliffs delight you from the seat of your car. This scenic RoadTrip takes you to the highlights of Italy’s easternmost province.
The wonderful village of Polignano a Mare, set atop a steep cliff, and its white sand beach squeezed between two massif cliffs, the caves of Castellana, probably Puglia’s most famous natural wonder, are phenomenal stops. Just inland you will find the mysterious white UNESCO-listed “Trello” houses in the Alberobello. Cisternino is another white village that you should set aside time to visit. From here, the route takes you along the Adriatic coast, with plenty of beaches and quaint villages. The final destination is Grotta della Poesia, which is a natural pool right on the coast.
Few tourists make it to Puglia, so be sure to visit this gem before it becomes the next big thing and is overrun.
This scenic route takes you around the captivating Garda Lake, known for its pristine waters, diverse landscapes, and enchanting villages.
Start your trip in Riva del Garda, the northernmost resort on Lake Garda. Enjoy the backdrop of the jagged Dolomites while on the lake’s eastern shore, surrounded by lemon and olive groves, picturesque harbors, and pine forest. Head all the way down to Sirmione, a wonderful lakeside village perched on a narrow strip of land reaching into the lake. Once there, visit the site of an excavated Roman villa or the thirteenth-century castle sitting at the lake’s extreme south end. On the west bank, the lake encompasses a ton of scenic beaches, vineyards, and mountains alongside the winding lake shore road.
For exclusive tips on how to plan the perfect summer staycation, click or tap here.