With its crystal blue waters, colorful houses, and sheer cliffs descending into the sea, the Amalfi coast has long been a popular vacation destination. Its popularity has only been increasing, making it more important than ever to start planning your trip early.

Off the coast of Sicily lay the islands of Malta and Gozo. They are arid windswept islands of limestone. Raided, settled, conquered for millennia, these islands have a rich and complex history. Now tourism has taken over her harbors and cafes, as hotels and shops open to accommodate the crowds. In 2016, there were over 7,000,000 tourists who visited here.

The next stop on our “Italy in 5 Trips” series is all the way down south, in Sicily. Between the gorgeous seaside, intricate history, unique culture, and exceptional food and wine, this island has much to offer visitors.

The Amalfi Coast. An incredible oasis of crystal blue sea and colorful houses built into the cliffside. What seems like a dream can actually become a reality! The key is to plan with plenty of lead time.

After you’ve visited the art cities in Italy, return travelers have a few great options for other areas to explore. One of our favorite areas is the Lakes region, in the northern region of Lombardia, the next region we are highlighting in our “Italy in 5 trips” blog series. Arriving to this area is easy with Milan Malpensa airport being a major gateway with many nonstop flights from the US.