The perfect weekend getaway to Italy

Ideal for enjoyment, relaxation and inspiration, weekend trips are the sweetest respite between two working weeks. There is probably no better or easier way to escape from everyday life. 

We have already written about how to spend a weekend in our region, in Sarajevo, Ljubljana or Banja Luka, and now we can recommend two Italian pearls: Florence and Naples.

With flights to Naples or Florence, in just an hour and a half's comfortable flight you will arrive in Italy, which, we are sure, will remain in your fondest memories.

Magical Florence, surrounded by fairy-tale hills full of vineyards, lies at the very heart of Tuscany, considered by many to be the most beautiful part of Italy.

Visit this city of culture and art, the birthplace of the Renaissance where every building is a masterpiece and every monument tells the story of the many artists who shaped it. Although not a large city, Florence is so full of sights you must plan your time well, especially if you have only a weekend ahead of you.

Be sure to visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, or the Duomo, as the Italians call it. This jewel of Florence is famous for its beauty and a witness to the magnificent age when the city arose.

The central building in this square is the Palazzo Vecchio, an administrative building from the 14th century. Its tower is especially noteworthy. Once a belfry and a prison, today it houses a gallery of 16th century artworks.

In Piazza della Signoria there are also impressive sculptural works, and you can see the famous Neptune Fountain from 1574, made in honour of the many Tuscan naval victories.

Nearby is the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most famous in Italy and the entire world. It houses an amazing collection of paintings from the Renaissance period, including Botticelli's Birth of Venus.

While in Florence, be sure to visit the Mercato Nuovo square with its loggia, where the famous Fontana del Porcellino (the piglet fountain) is located. Legend has it that it brings you luck if you put a coin in the mouth of the boar adorning the fountain and it falls through the bars. Because of this belief, the fountain is full of coins, which are collected and donated to charity.

According to another legend, anyone who wants to return to Florence should caress the snout and back of the boar statue, which is why those parts are slightly worn.

A visit to Florence would not be complete without enjoying the culinary specialities. We don't have to highlight the pizza and gelato, that goes without saying, but that's why we recommend you to try the Florentine bread. It is completely unsalted which gives it an unusual taste, characteristic of the entire Tuscany region.

You must also try the Chianti, a Tuscan wine that goes well with the highly regarded Florentine steak.

The best panoramic view of the sights of Florence can be seen from the rooftop bars, which are very popular here. The prices of drinks in these bars are a touch higher than in other places in the city, but they offer an unforgettable view, so it's worth it.

Italians like to say that Rome is the heart of Italy, while Naples is its soul. This city is inhabited by people with a temperament completely different from their compatriots. All around you, you will hear the sound of Vespas and the residents' lively conversations, often from balcony to balcony.

The smell of freshly baked pizza suffuzes the city. It is also interesting that the Neapolitan Rafaele Esposito is today considered the creator of the margarita. He made it in 1889 in honour of the visit of the queen of this name.

Not far from Naples is Mount Vesuvius, the only volcano in Europe that has been active for the past 100 years. Its last eruption was in 1944 and no one knows when the next one will occur.

This square is the centre point of the city. The Royal Palace and the Basilica are located here, and there are many other sights in the immediate vicinity. The columns of the basilica are arranged in a semicircle and beautifully frame the square, which has become a famous meeting place.

Near Piazza del Plebiscito is the medieval castle Castel Nuovo, which dominates the panorama of Naples. Spend time in the central courtyard of the building and admire the beauty of its towers or enjoy the rich collection of artefacts in its museum.

The oldest building in Naples is Castel dell'Ovo from the 6th century BC. Originally built on an island, today it is connected to the mainland by an isthmus and is the first thing you see if you arrive in Naples from the sea.

The evening is ideal for a passeggiata, a ritual walk along the Lungomare promenade along the Mediterranean coast. At that time, many couples take to the streets holding hands, and mums and dads take their children for gelato.

Pompeii is an ancient city at the foot of Mount Vesuvius. At one time, it was extremely developed and advanced, but it was completely destroyed when the volcano erupted in 79 AD. It was rediscovered at the end of the 18th century. Despite the lava that covered the city in this natural disaster, Pompeii is perfectly preserved today because of a layer of ash that protected it.

A similar fate befell nearby Herculaneum, a small fishing town where wealthy Romans had magnificent residences. Farther from Vesuvius than Pompeii, it is even better preserved - certain elements of the settlement such as wooden structures and roofs, are still in their original state, preserved through time.

A visit to Italy is unthinkable without shopping, and a great place to do it is the lively Via Toledo in Naples. It dates back to the 16th century and is about a kilometre in length. Today, it houses all kinds of shops, cafes and restaurants.