A lifetime may not be enough to see all the wonders of Italy, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try. Each Italian city is a treasure trove of art, architecture, and historical monuments, while the countryside is filled with breathtaking vistas, unique cuisines, and famous wines. If you're at a loss for where to start, it's worth developing a list of regions or cities you want to cover rather than winging it. You can choose to explore Tuscany, the Amalfi coast, or Sardinia, or pick the 'Holy Trinity' of cities — Venice, Florence, and Rome, as your introduction to the Italian essentials. Whether you pick the fashionistas of Milan, Pompeii's ruins, frescoes at the Vatican, or opera in Verona, Italy will never disappoint.

Italian phrases will come in handy, especially when you are lost in small-town Italy's winding roads, or trying to order the daily special at a trattoria. Food and drink are passions in Italy, so be sure to indulge in all the different regional cuisines and wines, and linger over a cup of coffee at the local piazza. Traffic rules are more of a suggestion than rule to motorists, so look both ways twice before stepping into the street. Trains are the easiest and cheapest way to travel between cities so it may be worth investing in a Trenitalia rail pass for the duration of your stay.

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