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Italy

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Thinking of spending a full 24 hours in Positano, Italy? Here are some of the key things you need to know:

  • This gem of a town on the Amalfi Coast is BIG on lemons. And sandals.
  • If you prefer, you can have your sandals made according to your specifications on any shoe boutique or roadside shop — a nifty boon because you’ll want to walk everywhere… and bet your blisters would take all the fun out of that.
  • The lemons are also quite nifty — you’ll likely wish to be hydrated at regular intervals, and whether it’s through a drink, a cold dessert, or through any number of Italian-style sweets you can think of, the lemons used to make them are reliably refreshing.
  • Strictly speaking, you’re required to walk almost everywhere. But you won’t be complaining much, seeing as the streets, stairways, and flower-draped buildings alone are sights rewarding enough by themselves. There are lots of churches, towers, and out-of-the-way villages to visit too if you’re inclined to spend more than 24 hours in Positano to properly explore them all. Tip: When you get far enough up this lovely terraced town, look to the coast and decide if all that walking hadn’t been worth it.
  • Everyone keeps saying how stunning Positano looks when seen from the outskirts — very few places in the world could equal these stacks of pastel houses that seemingly cascade from the mountains down to the beaches. But has anyone ever told you what the view from ocean-facing windows in any of those houses is like? No? It’s probably ‘cause that’s something best left for you to find out
  • Ah — almost forgot about the beaches. But then again, if you’re planning to spend a mere 24 hours in Positano, Italy, it’s forgivable to assume that visiting Fornillo or the Marina Grande (or both!) is already pretty high up your list of priorities… isn’t it?

Just about every traveler dreams of going on a European vacation at least once in their lifetime. And Italy often figures prominently in many of these highly sought-after itineraries.

Much like Spain and Greece, this boot-shaped nation is hundreds of years old and boasts a long and colorful history. The latter has, in turn, resulted in centuries’ worth of breathtaking architecture, art, and sculpture — and of course, one of the most celebrated cuisines in the world.

So, if you happen to find yourself en route to one of the most coveted travel destinations in the world, what should you do first?

Walk Around the Trastevere Neighborhood

Rome might be off-putting to some, what with its overpriced tourist traps and scam artists that seem to be lurking around every corner. If Italy’s capital city makes you feel the need for some extra room to walk, run, or even hop around in, look no further than the old Trastevere neighborhood.

Located a bit further from the capital’s bustling city center, this old neighborhood’s relatively quiet cobblestone streets are a nice reprieve from its tourist-oriented counterparts. Once you’ve gotten your fill of undisturbed brisk walking or even jogging, you can even stop in at one of the local eateries for a cheap but yummy bite.

Climb Florence’s Most Famous Building

If you have a taste for heights (and the adrenaline rush that often comes with scaling them), and you aren’t the least bit claustrophobic, go all the way up to the top of the Duomo in Florence.

The climb up this dome-shaped structure will not only get your spirits rising (pun unintended), but it will also give you a splendid, all-encompassing view of the city dubbed “Rome’s little sister.” As a bonus, you’ll also get a glimpse of the wonderful feats of architecture and engineering that went into building this structure on your way up.

Drive the Amalfi Coast

Channel your inner-daredevil and go for a drive along the Amalfi coast. Italians have quite a reputation for being among the world’s most reckless drivers and nowhere is this more apparent than on the treacherous road snaking its way along the Italian coastline.

If you’re brave enough, you can rent a car and attempt to navigate your way around this rather dangerous highway. If you actually value your life (but still would like to experience that roller-coaster like thrill of riding in a vehicle that appears to go over the edge in any minute), you can also hitch a ride with a local and then hang on for dear life, while enjoying the view of the picturesque coast, of course.

Pizza in Napoli

Grab an honest-to-goodness slice of Neapolitan pizza in its birthplace. Naples is widely credited as the very birthplace of the bread and tomato-sauce combo that has captured the hearts of people all over the world. It would be a crying shame to visit Italy and not sample this delicacy in the way that it was meant to be eaten.

Besides, after all that traveling, you’re sure to need all that extra energy that only a slice of pizza dripping with cheese and carbohydrates can provide.

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