All the way down the Apennines, gli Italiani are surrounded by a sheer embarrassment of riches. From Puglia to Piedmont, Trieste to Trapani and everywhere in between, they live among some of humankind’s most exquisite achievements in art, music, architecture and gastronomy. But beyond frequenting its opera houses, osterias, and blithely passing by forums and forts, the Italians also get to play among envy-stirring natural assets, including soaring alps, volcanic islands, fog-enveloped vineyards and turquoise grottos. La dolce vita indeed.

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Oh... and also

Walk the marble floors of the Sistine Chapel and see the Pope’s usually off-limits private chapel during a private, after-hours tour with a Vatican lecturer.

Experience an authentic Venetian banquet in a 16th-century palazzo overlooking the Grand Canal.

Stand before a display of lights and fireworks in honor of Saint Domenica during the notte delle luci (night of lights) in the Puglian town of Scorrano.