In 2023 I made two trips to Italy. I had already visited what is geographical a pretty small country over a dozen times. What keeps me going back for more?
To answer this question it is necessary to first understand that Italy as a unified country is rather young, the nation-state being established in 1861. So while the area has a storied and rich past, the concept of Italy as a single entity is relatively new in comparison to many other countries around the world. What was Italy like before unification? Well depending on the specific era the peninsula was fragmented into kingdoms, states, duchies and dynasties. The main take away is that it was a conglomeration of independent regions. This diversity is still reflected today with different interregional dialects, cuisine, culture and traditions. There are currently 20 administrative regions packed into this small country so you can see why this is a place you could explore and savour over many visits.
While many of my trips around the world have been heavily focussed on achieving a portfolio of the best photography, I love that Italy makes want to immerse myself in the cultural experience too. I’m amazed that you can travel by train from Rome to Bologna in 2 hours and feel that you’re in a totally different world. You have transitioned from pale coloured ancient ruins and fountains to boulevards of red arched and porticos. From the classic Roman quartet of pastas (cacio e pepe, alla gricia, amatriciana, carbonara) based on very few ingredients to meaty ragu of Bolognese and stuffed pastas.
My early 2023 trip (winter) was based on attending my 12th Venice Carnevale and revisiting Umbria, a region I hadn’t returned to since my early explorations. I would highly recommend it for people who have already enjoyed Tuscany and want to experience some more enchanting hilltop towns and picturesque undulating countryside. A big plus is that apart from Assisi, it’s a bit easier to avoid the crowds.
However it was our late 2023 trip, at the end of autumn and coming into the Christmas period that really showcased the diversity of Italy. Over 3 weeks, we made our way from Rome, stopping overnight in the Umbrian town of Orvieto, then paused for a few days in the Emilia-Romagna region, basing ourselves in Modena and Parma. Following that, came the main reason for our trip – exploring the wine region of Piedmonte. We were blown away by the beauty of the area, rolling hills covered by vineyards in their autumnal splendour.
And then came a heady whirlwind of changing landscapes and towns as we tumbled from the top northwest corner of Italy, down the Ligurian coast and its colourful fishing villages, crossing over the country through the charming town of Civita Di Bagnoregio, the infrequently visited region of Basilicata and finally landing at the heel of Italy’s boot Apulia on the southeast coast. Whew!