Tropea, southern Italy
It’s no secret that Italians love to build houses on dramatic cliffs, and the seaside town of Tropea is one of the more breathtaking examples.
Get lost in the town’s maze of cobblestone alleys and you’ll quickly find yourself at the edge of the cliff, looking down to the pristine sandy beach 100m below. Tropea and its surrounding villages are also known for a particular type of onion. The locals are so proud of their bulb, there’s even a gelateria selling red onion icecream!
Civita di Bagnoregio, central Italy
Perched precariously on a huge rock, surrounded by vast valleys, this medieval fortress looks like an island floating in the sky.
The village is connected to the ‘‘mainland’’ by a long footbridge, and the journey feels like a step back in time. The 20 villagers who still live there jealously guard their old but simple way of life. You’ll see no signs of modernity – just beautiful stone houses and walkways covered in flowers.
Isola Bella, Sicily
A visit to Sicily’s Isola Bella (meaning beautiful island) feels like a tropical retreat, with its shimmering turquoise waters. The island is a nature reserve with some of Italy’s best snorkelling.
It’s connected to the mainland by a tidal walkway – but don’t worry if you get caught out with a high tide, the warm Mediterranean water is irresistible.
Vajolet Towers, Dolomites, northern Italy
Ever wanted to sleep on the moon? You’ll come close with a visit to the Vajolet Towers, a lunar-like landscape nestled in the peaks of the Dolomites mountain range.
The walk is steep, so to make it accessible to non-mountain climbers there are wire ropes installed to help make your way up. But don’t let that put you off, the youngest we met going up was just 5 years old, the oldest 82.
At 2620m above sea level you’ll reach the base of the Vajolet Towers, made up of six craggy peaks. There you’ll also find a ‘‘Rifugio’’ (or hut) where you can spend the night. Last year Brook Sabin and his partner Radha Engling quit their jobs and sold everything to travel. Each week Kiwis in Flight takes you on their adventures. See