Top 9 Places You Should Visit in Italy

Today I thought I wanted to share with you some of favourite places in Italy. With the holiday season almost upon us, maybe some of you still looking for ideas or inspiration where to go and what to do this December, so I hope this post would help a bit! I’ve been incredibly lucky to travel the world for the last 10 years. Something that I still find it hard to believe but also incredibly grateful to experience so many things I never thought I could. While every country is special, it’s never easy for me to pick the best or most beautiful country. But if you ask me what is my favourite country, I can tell you Italy is definitely one of my favourite countries. Oh, easy! Who doesn’t love Italy, anyway? Great food, great culture, beautiful people, amazing landscape, architecture and history. A good friend mine would describe Italy as a beautiful lady who knows how to seduce you and that’s why you keep coming back. I absolutely agree with her! I visited Italy for the very first time in April 2015. I remember I didn’t really enjoy Rome that day because of the heavy rain and bad weather but as soon I moved to Venice, I just couldn’t help but falling in love with Italy. From exploring five villages in Cinque Terre to celebrating my birthday in Capri and Positano then of course it’s always nice to visit my dear friends in Milan and Rome, Italy has so much more to offer - you just can’t get enough of this country. Scroll down for more places and pictures and click the city if you want to find out further stories and adventures. Going through some old blog posts from Italy and Europe, I didn’t realize how my photography has improved so much over the years. Another thing to be grateful for I guess…the opportunity to improve, create, and do what I truly love.

Positano

Cinque Terre

Rome

Lake Como

Capri

Burano

Siena

Sorrento

Milan

Venice

Positano

In the meantime, chase light. Chase things that make you feel alive, passions that fill your soul, ideas and dreams that keep you up at night. Chase things that taste like freedom, that make your mind spin with joy. Chase light in the sense of fostering it within yourself and the people around you.

-Marissa Donelly-

First of all, just wanted to say thank you to whoever reading this blog, following my adventures since 2012. When I first started this blog I just wanted to record my journey, but to be honest I never thought I would write 200 posts from 200 places, random thoughts, countless dreams come true. Especially when you live overseas for years by yourself, do everything almost on your own... I  wouldn't lie there are so many times I feel like giving up but then each one of you inspire me, life loves me so much. So I want to make sure before I grow old and grey, I chase things that make me feel alive, passions that fill my soul, ideas and dreams that keep me up at night ( I hope you do the same things too ). And of course highlight them here so whenever I need extra motivation I can always revisit my blog and remind myself how incredibly lucky and blessed I am.  

Meanwhile, here're few souvenirs from Positano, Italy. One of my absolute favorite birthday trips just indulging myself with gelatto, pasta, pizza and wine for a week 

( you guys have to try Ristorante C'era Una Volta, delicious food at reasonable prices ). I started my birthday trip in Capri, then continue to Positano, even did a day trip to Sorrento. Been dreaming about Italian summer lately but I guess this year I want to do something completely different for my birthday trip, any suggestions where to go? 

Capri : La Dolce Vita

Because life isn't about milestones, but moments. The open road, fresh air in our lungs and laughter filling our bellies ( even better with wine and pasta... )

Last June, while I was so lucky to visit Stockholm for a work trip, I decided to take a week off and celebrate my birthday in Capri, Italy. It seems only yesterday I arrived in Rome for the very first time, I loved every single things I experienced in Italy from food to Roman architecture, from fashion to exploring Cinque Terre, getting lost in colorful houses at Burano - but that was back in April 2015 and of course I couldn't wait to visit Italy again.

It didn't take me a very long time to decide which places I would love to see this time. In my head was : I'm turning 27 this year and I've done so much work for the past year so I deserve a beautiful place with clear blue skies, good food, and beach to relax. 

Capri, where else ?

Perhaps the best thing about Capri is that there isn't many things to do. You'll find many bars and restaurants at Capri and Anacapri, boutiques, historical sights, hotels and villas, of course the beaches, but really...when in Capri, you just have to relax, eat, wine and repeat. This island is one of those places that actually forces you to recharge, so be sure to get yourself a good place to stay, to eat, bring some colorful summer dresses, good books, a music playlist and money ! Capri can be a little expensive as your meal costs from EUR15 but heyy, you're on vacation - so why not splurge more ?

Obviously I had no idea what Capri's like except I kept hearing positive comments how people love it, so when I had to book my accommodation ( I normally do it on the spot, no bookings in advance, but oh this is my birthday so I wanted to give myself a little present ) I knew I wanted a room with a terrace and wifi, just so I can reply my emails and work a bit. Maybe not so much in the center of Capri to avoid tourists, so Anacapri - the neighboring town about 5-10 minutes bus drive from Capri sounds like a perfect place to stay. 

I found Alle Ginestre Capri B&B located about 15 minutes walk from Anacapri. The super sweet owner picked me up from center Anacapri where the bus dropped you off, explained me about Capri, what to do, where to eat ( really good restaurants, not the tourist trap ones ), gave me map and showed me a beautiful room with a private terrace and ocean view. It was just everything I ever wanted. But as I have warned you before, this B&B located quite distance from both Anacapri and Capri, but I don't mind at all with the walk, as you'll pass the local houses and meet local people. It's a very quiet area but you'll be very spoiled with stunning sunset, the food and wine you'll get from my favorite restaurant Da Gelsomina . Great service, amazing food, a very intimate cuisine experience with breathtaking sunset, just 5 minutes walk from the B&B. Birthday girl couldn't ask for more.

The view from Alle Ginestre Capri B&B