For me this is a difficult question to answer since I love so many places in Italy, and still have so many to visit on my list.

Out of curiosity, I posed this question to a few people and here's what they said. I'd be interested in hearing more about your favourite places or where you'd like to travel in Italy. You can connect with me via Twitter @bellaitalia_nz or email me at angela@bellaitalia.co.nz

Orvieto, Umbria

"My favourite destination in Italy would have to be Orvieto. It is situated on top of a large flattish rock and we had to ride six escalators to get to the township itself. In the centre of the town is the square dominated by the unbelievably beautiful façade of the duomo.

When we arrived there was a market on with all manner of antiques and souvenirs. Having wandered through the stalls we lunched in a shady courtyard and people watched while drinking local wine and enjoying superb pasta and pizzas. But the real gem in Orvieto is the archaeological museum. The museum is directly across from the duomo, and in the cool dark rooms the exhibits are arranged chronologically from the stone age.

For me, as I am studying Greek vase-painting, the rooms upstairs were a treasure trove of black-figure and red-figure pots, with a special sanctum set aside for the crown jewels of the Orvieto archaeological museum. In this space apart three vases by the black-figure master Exekias are displayed in separate glass cases to be admired from every angle. They are large in size; beautiful, meticulous, intricate yet lively.

The most famous of Exekias' vases is in the Vatican, and that is indeed a breathtaking masterpiece, but no other place in the world can boast having three vases by the master. It is to Orvieto, then, that I would choose to journey; call it a pilgrimage if you will, for 2500 years ago someone valued Exekias' work so highly they acquired at least three of them from across the Ionian Sea.

When I stand in front of those three exceptional works of art, I feel those ties to the past that remind us of our common heritage as humans. The clay and images of those vases was worked by the hands of a brilliant artist, and his idea of beauty and vivacity is like ours."

Miriam Bissett, PhD student in Ancient History at The University of Auckland

Cinque Terre, Liguria

"I haven't been to Italy for quite a while. So I would go for a destination I haven't been yet, but would love to explore:

Cinque Terre

The coast looks awesome and I like the small villages right at the sea. The walks along the coast sounds breathtaking."

Melvin Boecher, Founder/Owner of TravelDudes.org | For Travelers, By Travelers!

Florence, Tuscany

"It's difficult for me to pin-point a favourite destination in Italy. I've only visited once and it was a bit of a 10 day whirlwind visit. I took in many of the main destinations you would expect to see on a trip to Italy; Venice, Pisa, Florence, Rome, part of the Amalfi Coast and Mt Vesuvius. Whilst I'm not really a city-chick, I did fall for Florence with its splendid architecture and terracotta colours.

Many years on since that visit, I've been made aware of so many more destinations Italy has to offer, together with its great food, wine, culture and landscapes. Without a doubt, I'm sure I will return some day but for a period not less than six months!

I would hope to continue along the Amalfi Coast to Capri, visit Lake Como, go walking in the Dolomites, spend time on the Cinque Terre, explore the multitude of Renaissance gardens, and the list continues! My passion for Italy was ignited after that first visit and prior to that, it was just another European country to explore as a back-packer en-route to Greece!"

Kirsty Wilson, Founder/Owner of TravelTipsPlus.com | Inspirational Travel Destinations

If you liked this article you may also like the following:

A Slow Walk Through Italy
Positano: Affordable Travel Destination on the Amalfi Coast