Ten great locations for first-time visitors to Italy

Dining al frescoe at Hotel Palumbo in Ravello 
(Courtesy: Hotel Palumbo)

ITALY —  Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”      

For first-timers to Italy, there is no better advice, although it is guaranteed you will never go where someone else has not already been and written about it.

Mosaics tell a rich history
(Photo: Taylor)

No country in the world has inspired more poets, writers and artists than Italy. So selecting 10 must-see destinations in Italy is a fool's errand because for every place you pick there are a dozen more that qualify.

With that thought in mind, let's just call this a sampler, a starter's kit of sorts to whet your appetite to visit one of the most alluring, captivating and beguiling countries on the face of the earth.

Everyone knows about Chianti Country, but it must be experienced to understand the appeal  (Courtesy: Chianti Country)

Chianti Country:

We begin with a location that offers two for the price of one because it's situated in Tuscany, the heart of one of the most popular regions in the boot.

Chianti often gets a bum rap ax being on the low end of a wine expert's palate, but traveling the rolling countryside filled with radiant fields of sunflowers dotting lush green hills will quickly change your mind.

Savor a glass of Italy's most famous red wine and take home the bottle to use as a classic candlestick holder.

Nothing captures the magic of Florence better than the Duomo at dusk  (Photo: Maëlick from Charleroi, Belgium -- licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license)

Florence at dusk:

 Head to Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset in Florence and soak in the magic. Situated on the opposite side of the Arno River from the city center, Piazzale Michelangelo radiates earth tones that wcaptivate your soul; umber, sienna, ochre and other rust-colored browns and tans come alive as streetlights overcome the day.

The Duomo dominates the scene. Romance is in the air in an inescapable shroud. Embrace it, for this is a place to fall in love.

Trastevere is a favorite hangout for Romans
(Courtesy: Travel Italy)

Trastevere, Rome:

 The saying goes "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Trastevere is the ideal spot in the Italian capital to do just that. In a city known for its food, Trastevere is arguably the best. 

The lively neighborhood is a favorite for locals and that alone should be 'nuff said. Trattorias abound amid colorful food markets and side streets that beckon to be explored.  

Visit Trastevere in the early evening at sunset and don't leave until the wee hours of the morning.

Every place in Ravello is a photo-op -- Villa Ruffalo, Ravello
(Courtesy: Ravello.com)

Ravello, Amalfi Coast:

If heaven is a garden it must look like Ravello. Greta Garbo discovered it. So did Richard Wagner, Gore Vidal and dozens of other celebrities. If you are wondering why it isn't better known due to its famous clientele, it's because they are keeping the secret to themselves.

If you can find more breathtaking views anywhere in the world then tell everyone because Ravello is a 360-degree panorama of beauty that's second to none. With 13th century villas surrounded by perpetually blooming flowers and eternal sunshine, if you miss Ravello, you have not seen Italy.

The Cinque Terre has come into its own in recent years
(Photo: Taylor)

Cinque Terre:

Compared to other destinations in Italy, Cinque Terre is relatively new to the touristic landscape. Part of the appeal of these five seaside villages on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites is that they can be visited by local trains, from the water or walking.

The 10-mile stretch of small towns overlooking the sea from above captures the spirit of Italy in ways that you have imagined the country to be in your dreams. Dine al fresco in the village of your choice because this is one destination where there is no way to make a mistake.

This is no "Ponza Scheme", the islands of Ponza are for real
(Photo:  ta01 --  licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license)

Ponza:

No list of great Italian destinations would be complete without mentioning at least one site that is relatively unknown to most travelers. For our sampler, the miniature islands of the Ponza archipelago gets the nod.

Located just off the coast of Rome, the towering cliffs and spectacular bay of idyllic Chiaia di Luna appear much like an earthly moonscape. The charm of Ponza is that it feels like a secret, yet unlike many "undiscovered" resorts, it is relatively accessible.

Italians say "this is the island where real Romans vacation" thanks to its timelessness and simplicity. And therein lies the magic.

Burano is the lace capital of Venice  (Courtesy: Pixabay)

Burano Island, Venice:

Venice has twin islands, Murano (glass) and Burano (lace) that qualify, but given the limitations of this sampler Burano is the choice.

One reason is that Murano arguably gets more attention from travelers on a tight schedule and that's too bad because Burano's lace is some of the best in the world.

With its compact size and cobblestoned streets, Burano is a great place to take a window-shopping stroll before stopping for some of the best espresso in Venice. We're betting that while you're sipping your coffee however, the window-shopping will ultimately morph into a purchase or two.

Portofino is no longer the tranquil, quaint fishing village of the past  (Photo: Stan Shebs -- licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license)

Portofino:

Thanks to its location along a serpentine road, the Italian fishing village of Portofino is a picturesque commune with a "wow" factor. This is a "lifestyles-of-the-rich-and-famous" site on the Italian Riviera that is filled with narrow tree-lined streets and ancient architecture.

The compact village clusters around a stunning harbor that is never without several ultra-deluxe yachts at anchor. Portofino is one of those places where you just feel richer by taking a stroll.

San Gimignano is famous for its vertical skyline in rural Tuscany
(Courtesy: Discover Tuscany)

San Gimignano, Tuscany:

From a distance San Gimignano's impressive medieval skyline is the thing that beckons travelers to visit. With its tall towers, this Italian version of a New York skyline captivates from the moment you see it.

The dramatic hillside architecture has long been appealing to Hollywood directors as a setting for their films, but once inside, the myriad of cafes will keep you occupied for hours.

Dynamic Hotel San Pietro is a gem in a city of jewels
(Courtesy: Hotel San Pietro)

Positano, Amalfi Coast:

Though Positano prospered from the 15th to the 17th centuries, it was a relatively poor fishing village during the first half of the 20th century.

Starlight dining at San Pietro
(Courtesy: Hotel San Pietro)

That all changed when John Steinbeck published an essay in 1953 in Harper's Bazaar in which he wrote "Positano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone."

For some of the best views of the region, stop for lunch at Hotel San Pietro about a mile and a half outside of town. The check might bite a little, but it is well worth it.

To call this a Top Ten list would be unfair to the rest of the country. For now we will just leave it as a primer to sample the flavor of Italy and let you judge for yourself.