A recent coaching client exclaimed that she was so relieved to have found my website and services. She'd been searching the internet for good Italy travel advice, didn't know which sites she could trust, and was suffering from information overload. I was a little surprised to hear this; there is a veritable cornucopia of excellent Italy travel advice online. If you're planning your own trip and don't find what you're looking for on this website or on the Italy Beyond the Obvious facebook page, go visit the experts listed below.
Overall Italy Martha's Italy travel guide on about.com has information about practically every town, custom, and festival across Italy as well as lots of useful travel advice. Jessica at WhyGo Italy has lots of well-researched advice about anything you can think of related to Italy travel, including great information on getting from A to B within Italy. Italofile is also a great source of information, and I'd take pretty much any advice Lee Marshall feels like sharing (though I particularly love his recommendations for Sicily and Venice).
Florence & Tuscany Alexandra has a Ph.D in Art History, lives in Florence and writes Arttrav.com about Florence, Tuscany, and art in Italy. The Tuscany tourism website is great.
Rome General Rome advice and sights are actually easy to find. But for Rome restaurant recommendations, listen to Katie Parla at ParlaFood.com and to Elizabeth Minchilli. Going to Rome with kids? Let JM Pasquesi guide you: buy her book or check out suggestions on her blog.
Umbria Take Rebecca's advice on practically any aspect of Umbria: itineraries, food, kids, the outdoors, or aspects of expat life.
Naples Napoli Unplugged is well-researched and thorough, and after reading what Bonnie has to say, you'll want to double or triple the time you planned to spend in Naples.
Calabria Cherrye at My-BellaVita.com has lots of great information about Calabria and the south. You can also count on anything Michelle recommends on BleedingEspresso.com.
Sicily Go to the Tripadvisor forums and take what ever advice Vagabonda doles out (and leave her a question - she may help you with your specific trip!)
This is nowhere near a comprehensive list, and I know I've left out some great sites (please share in the comments), but I've been following these blogs, Facebook pages, Twitter streams and more for years and have gotten to know several of the authors. They're real people, with real experience, writing about what they know. They're not bots trying to work SEO with the sole goal of appearing at the top of a google search. They care about giving accurate information, and while you should always double check things for your own trip, you could practically do what ever they suggest.
{P.S. I know this post is going to generate emails to me about paid links. There are no paid links on this entire website so please don't bother contacting me about it.}
But if you don't want to do it all yourself, let Italy Beyond the Obvious plan your trip or help you along as a travel consultant. If you like what you read, subscribe to this blog for free.
Aww, thanks so much for the kind words, Madeline! :)
Posted by: Jessica | October 07, 2011 at 04:52 PM
Great list! Although I hope to think that not ALL of the info about Rome on my blog at www.revealedrome.com is that easy to find elsewhere :). Thanks for the roundup!
Posted by: Amanda | October 09, 2011 at 11:37 AM
I concur! I'm connected with these great writers, too! Although I write about all places in Europe, I only write about what I have personally experienced. I feel Italy is my specialty because I have spent more time there than anywhere--it holds a very special place in my heart! Please consider www.juliegilley.typepad.com as a travel source, too. It's not comprehensive by any means, but I'm continually adding to it!
Posted by: Julie Gilley | October 24, 2011 at 08:09 AM
nice tips and suggestions on best places, things, businesses, products and services found on the cities mentioned and I am sure this will help people from back packers to businessmen doing trips to Italy on where to spot great finds.
Posted by: Tour Italy Now | November 17, 2011 at 04:45 AM
May I suggest a visit to the fantastic Lake Garda, very nice as do many other beautiful areas of Italy. John.
Posted by: Gardasee | November 26, 2011 at 12:17 PM