Step out on a walking holiday in Europe and you can be sure of seeing sights and landscapes that remain out of the reach of many holidaymakers. In Italy, these veer from dramatic mountain backdrops and rural vineyard vistas to the magnificent seascapes that stretch along the coast.
To be honest, we’re beginning to lose count of the number of times we’ve been asked where to get the best views in Italy! So we decided to put our heads together to come up with a list of some of our best-loved Italian panoramas.
The Dolomites
No Dolomites walking holiday is complete without a view of the magnificent Tre Cime di Lavaredo, three striking peaks which rise up from the rocky landscape. One of the best hikes in the Dolomites is the mountain trail we take on the final day of our tour to Austria and the Dolomites which takes us past picturesque lakes and alpine blooms to the heart of the soaring Dolomite peaks.
Glimpse the towers of Siena
Take a walking holiday in Tuscany and you’re guaranteed a stream of exquisite views. Hike through the Chianti vineyards past out-of-the-way castles, pretty hamlets and ancient woodland. If we had to pick one favourite shot of Tuscany, it would probably be the views we take in just after our visit to Celsa Castle on our Tuscan Harvest tour, when we picnic on Tuscan treats whilst looking out across open countryside to the tower-dotted Siena skyline.
Mountain peaks and formidable forts
The sight of the 19th century forts on either side of the Tende pass on the French-Italian border is certainly memorable. This is one of the Alps’ highest mountain passes and one with a military history that is as remarkable as its views. Set against a backdrop of the snow-capped mountain peaks of the Mercantour and Maritime Alps, the forts line one of Europe’s most ancient roads, built by the Phoenicians and later used by the Greeks and Romans. Find out more about hiking in the Alps on our France and Italy tour.
Off-the-beaten track in the Abruzzo
The Gran Sasso National Park in the Abruzzo, in southern Italy, is the backdrop to some of the best walks in Europe. Largely undiscovered by tourists, hiking in the Abruzzo takes you across high plains speckled with alpine flowers, beech woods, open meadows and mountain pastures populated by wild horses. While the towering peaks of the Gran Sasso National Park hover in the background, beautifully preserved villages such Pescocostanzo and Santo Stefano dot the landscape. Find out more about our tours to the Abruzzo.
Lake views
We all have our favourite Italian lake and our own special vantage point, but it would be hard to beat the 360° view from the summit of Monte Mottarone. From here, the panorama sweeps across Lake Orta and a shimmering Lake Maggiore and, between the beech and chestnut woods, allows snatches of other lesser-known lakes such as Mergozzo and Comabbio. In the distance, you can see the mountain peaks of the Ligurian Apennines, the Maritime Alps and the high peaks of Switzerland. Our hike up Monte Mottarone is a highlight of our Italian Lakes tour.
