It is difficult – if not impossible – to limit a list of things to do in Italy to 100, and even more difficult to put them in order of descending significance or entertainment value: home to Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Etruscans, Greeks and Romans, with islands as diverse as dour Sicily and African-influenced Pantelleria and cultures as far apart as Renaissance Venice and the prehistoric Trulli in Alberobello, Italy is a vibrant and colorful hotch-potch, a land of stark and passionately defended contrasts.

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14. Nuraghi Sardinia

By far the most fascinating attraction on the beautiful island of Sardinia are the “Nuraghi” – a series of strange, megalithic edifices dating from nearly 2000 BC, relics of the Nuragic civilisation which occupied Sardinia during the Bronze Age and about which almost nothing is known. 7.000 of these constructions are still to be found on Sardinia, mainly in the northwest and southern center of the island.

Sardinia has five airports, the largest being the Cagliari Elmas airport. Alternatively the island can be accessed by ferry from a number of Italian ports, notably Civitavecchia, Palermo, La Spezia or Naples.

15. Murano glass factories (Venice)

Approximately 1.5 kilometres north of Venice lies the series of small islands linked by bridges known as Murano, which have been famous for their glass-making for centuries. It is thought that the Venetian glassmakers – who were relocated to Murano from Venice in 1291 owing to fear of fire – had their origins in 8th century Rome, with strong Asian and Muslim influences. Today Murano produces the largest quantity of Venetian glass worldwide, however factories have replaced many of the glass artists of the past, of whom only around 1.000 still practice their art on Murano.

The “Museo del Vetro” (Glass Museum) in the Palazzo Giustinian tells the story of glass-making from its origins to the present day. For insight into glass-making techniques, the Mazzega glass factory gives demonstrations for tourists. Murano is easily accessible from S. Zaccaria in Venice (Line 4.2 waterbus, around 40 minutes).

16. Medici Villas and Gardens (Florence)

The Medici villas and gardens comprise a total of 27 villas and two gardens (Giardino di Boboli and Giardino di Pratolino) built between the 14th and the 16th centuries, each of which was occupied by a significant member of the Medici family. Set in the glorious countryside of Tuscany, the villas demonstrate the power and wealth, but also the culture of this family which ruled Florence for 300 years. Most famous are the Villa di Caffagiola (Barberino di Mugello) and the Villa die Trebbio (San Piero a Sieve). The twelve most significant villas and two gardens have been a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013.

Barberino di Mugello is around 30 km north of Florence and can be accessed by bus in 40 minutes, or 30 minutes by car. Guided day tours of the villas are also available.

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