Top 10 WhyGo Italy Travel Articles in 2011

I’m happy to mark the 5th anniversary of WhyGo Italy this month – I can’t believe it’s been five years since I started writing about Italy, and yet as I peruse the site every now and then I’m struck by all the information I’ve compiled here, all the Italy enthusiasts I’ve met over the years, and (perhaps most importantly) how much more there is to cover when it comes to Italy. This country is the gift that keeps on giving, I tellya.
For the past few years, it’s been a fun exercise to take a look at the most popular articles from the previous year – so I’m doing that again. Most of the articles in the 2011 top 10 weren’t written in 2011, but have remained steadilly popular since they were published. Some are new this past year, however, and it’s great to see that they were instant “hits” with readers.
Here are the top 10 articles on WhyGo Italy from 2011 – the articles you visited the most.
Want to see what made the top 10 in previous years?

• Top 10 WhyGo Italy Travel Articles in 2010
• Top 10 WhyGo Italy Travel Articles in 2009

10. Italy in October – I’ll admit, I find this entry fascinating. The articles I’ve written about what it’s like to be in Italy at various times of the year are always popular, so that’s not the interesting part. What’s interesting to me is that last year the #10 slot was occupied by the September article – and now, it appears, the WhyGo Italy readership is migrating toward October as a favorite month to visit Italy. I can’t blame you – September doesn’t offer the shoulder season bargains it used to, and October is rife with harvest and food festivals. It’s usually an awesome time of year to be in Italy. In other words, y’all are smart. Bravi, ragazzi.



9. How to Get from Naples to Sorrento – Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast are among the most popular destinations in Italy, so it’s no surprise to see an article all about getting there on this year’s top 10 list. It is, after all, not as straightforward to reach this part of the country as it is many others. Still, I’m a huge fan of Naples, so here’s my plug to those of you who made this article such a hit – I do hope that you’re venturing to Sorrento only after having spent a few days exploring Naples. No, Naples doesn’t necessarily make herself easy to love, but I truly believe the rewards for those who are willing to put in the work are tremendous.



8. Top 10 Things to Do in Florence – The Renaissance city, capital of Tuscany, is a must-see for just about every Italy traveler. This onslaught of foreign visitors is often increased by the number of Italians who go to Florence, too – especially school-age kids on educational field trips. In other words, doing your pre-trip research on Florence is a good idea to keep from being overwhelmed by crowds and consequently underwhelmed by what is a remarkable city.



7. How to Get from Milan to Venice – With so many of this kind of “how to get from A to B” articles on WhyGo Italy, it’s good to know that they’re proving useful for readers. This article also came in at number 7 on last year’s list, and apparently it’s still popular. Despite the fact that there are often better deals on airfare to Milan than there are on deals to Rome, Milan isn’t usually on must-visit lists – so people are looking for a way out almost as soon as they arrive. If that describes your situation, I’d encourage you to check out flights to Venice as well – the prices are usually comparable, and it eliminates the need for an extra train trip.



6. Italy First Time Visitor Guide – This is another article that was on last year’s list, too, although it’s dropped in popularity a bit since 2010. It remains an excellent starting point for anyone visiting Italy for the first time, or in need of reminders on how to get the most out of your trip. It’s also updated regularly with links to new articles that get published on WhyGo Italy, so it’s worth it to check back even if you’ve seen it before.



5. How to Get from Rome Airport into Rome – Long before you can start enjoying any destination, you’ve got to figure out how to get there from the airport. In other words, this article may not be about anything particularly glamorous or exciting, but it’s critical information if you’re planning to visit Rome. Luckily, you’ve got a few good options for getting into Rome from Fiumicino Airport, including some that are budget-friendly and don’t require you to take a taxi. After that? Rome is your proverbial oyster.



4. Top 10 Things to Do in Milan – As I mentioned earlier, Milan doesn’t usually make the cut for dream destinations in Italy, and there are good reasons for that. Still, it’s a city I happen to like quite a bit – and since it’s a popular entry or exit airport for many travelers, it’s good to try to make the most of your time in the city. It’s easy to see Milan’s main sights in a well-organized 24 hours, so whether you make it your first day in the country or your last before you fly home, this list of the top things to do in Milan will help you see a better side of the city than just an airport hotel.



3. Italy Itinerary: The Perfect 2 Weeks – The questions I get asked most are still itinerary-related, and while I wrote a whole slew of new itinerary articles in 2010 this one (the first I wrote) remains the most popular. I constantly get comments from people who use this itinerary, either as-is or tweaked slightly to suit their taste better, and who come back with rave reviews. This warms the cockles of my heart, as you can probably imagine.



2. Top 10 Things to Do in Rome – Italy’s capital city is one of the world’s must-see destinations, and yet it’s not as straightforward as you might think. It’s a sprawling city that requires lots of walking or public transportation, and that has enough famous attractions to last the average tourist several weeks. It’s not surprising, then, that this list of my suggestions for the top things to do in Rome ranks so highly on this list. It was at #3 last year.



1. Top 10 Things to Do in Venice – Venice is absolutely one of my favorite places on the planet, so I’m thrilled that this collection of Venice to-do items tops the list this year (it was at #2 last year). I like to think that this means more people are learning how to see the glorious side of Venice rather than succumbing to its frustrations. She’s worth it, trust me.

Are there any articles here that you hadn’t seen yet? Are there any articles you’ve read on WhyGo Italy that didn’t make this top 10 list but that you particularly enjoyed or found helpful? Let me know in the comments section below!
2011 fireworks photo by Andy M¢, all other photo credits are on the articles in which they appear