Beautiful Photos of Italy

Ingrid lives in Germany but spends as much vacation time as possible in Italy. These beautiful photos of Italy are a selection of those she has taken over the years in the Veneto and Tuscan regions. To see some of Ingrid's photos taken in lovely Liguria, click here.

Let's start with the photos taken in the Veneto...

Ingrid's Veneto

The Heller Botanical Gardens in Gardone Riviera sit just above the shores of Lake Garda, and they've earned quite a name for themselves—not just for the plants, but for the views and the sheer sense of discovery. Every time I walk in, I'm overwhelmed all over again by the riot of it: roses tumbling over each other in every shade you can think of, delicate orchids hiding in the shade, tropical leaves so large they feel prehistoric. You round a corner and suddenly there's a pond scattered with water lilies, or a tucked-away arbor so heavy with blooming vines you can barely see through them.

One of my favorite spots is the hidden grotto. It's easy to miss if you're not paying attention, tucked away from the main paths. But once you step inside, the temperature drops, and the sound of trickling water fills the space. Ferns drip from the walls, moss covers the rocks, and a little waterfall spills into a shallow pool. It feels almost sacred, like a place meant for sitting quietly and letting your thoughts settle.

If you're planning a visit, try to go early in the morning or later in the afternoon. That's when the light gets softer and the garden takes on that dreamy, almost painterly quality. And don't rush. Heller Garden is the sort of place where the pleasure comes from wandering without knowing quite what you'll discover next.

I'd also strongly recommend joining a guided tour. The guides really know their stuff—not in a rehearsed way, but with genuine passion. My guide had actually been a gardener there for years, so he knew all the little secrets: which plants were used historically for medicine, how they train the bonzai over decades, and the painstaking trial and error involved in creating new hybrids. He told stories I never would have picked up from a placard, and those little insights made the garden come alive in a completely different way.

While you're there, make time for Il Vittoriale degli Italiani—it's right nearby, and it's hard to miss. This was the home of the poet Gabriele D'Annunzio, and the place is every bit as over-the-top and theatrical as his writing. Sculptures pop up in unexpected places, fountains and gardens fill the grounds, and from the terraces you can see Lake Garda spread out below you like a postcard.

And if you're visiting when there's a performance on, don't miss the Vittoriale's magnificent open-air amphitheater. Carved into the hillside with the lake as a backdrop, it hosts concerts, theater, and other performances during the summer. Imagine sitting beneath the stars, surrounded by the gardens, with Lake Garda stretching away below you and a voice rising from the stage. It's the kind of setting that turns an ordinary performance into a memory you'll carry with you long after you've left.

Ancient castles, towering peaks, and Lake Garda all come together in the small fishing town of Malcesine (view our guide for more about Malcesine). Malcesine is considered to be one of the loveliest towns to be found around Lake Garda.

Anyone who has ever had an ice cream (gelato) in Italy will know that it is like nowhere else on earth.

To those who haven't been to Italy and haven't yet tried it: you have a wonderful experience ahead of you...add this to your bucket list now!

Ingrid's Tuscany

Certaldo is a picturesque town nestled among the rolling hills of Tuscany. While the entire town exudes charm, it is the medieval village perched atop the hill that truly captures the imagination.

The medieval part of Certaldo is a living testament to its long and fascinating history, a story many locals will be able to explain to you as though the events of centuries past happened only the other day.

Giovanni Boccaccio, one of Italy's most celebrated poets, renowned for his masterpiece "The Decameron," once called Certaldo his home, and in 1375, he was buried here.

One of the highlights of exploring Certaldo is the Funicolare, a funicular railway that transports you from the lower part of the town to the medieval old town atop the hill. Ascending through lush greenery, the panoramic views of the surrounding countryside will leave an indelible impression on you.

Stroll through the narrow alleys and hidden corners, and discover charming artisan workshops, where skilled craftsmen continue age-old traditions. From pottery and ceramics to leather goods and traditional Tuscan delicacies, the artisans of Certaldo showcase their expertise and provide you with a choice of souvenirs to remind you forevermore of your time here.

To fully experience the spirit of Certaldo, I recommend visiting during one of its festivals. The Mercantia Festival, held in July, transforms the medieval streets into an open-air theater, with street performers, musicians, and artisans creating a lively and colorful atmosphere. The Boccaccesca Food and Wine Festival, held in October, celebrates the region's culinary delights, offering a tantalizing array of local specialties and wine tastings.

In the lower part of Certaldo, you will find a more contemporary side of the town, with modern amenities and a bustling atmosphere. Explore the vibrant Piazza Boccaccio, named after the esteemed poet, and indulge in the flavors of Tuscan cuisine at one of the charming trattorias that line the square.

Don't neglect visiting nearby towns too; some of the loveliest in all of Tuscany are nearby, including Colle di Val d'Elsa, San Gimignano, and, my favorite, Siena.

Not much in life comes much better than wandering the ancient lanes of Certaldo; a new discovery awaits around every corner.

To get up to the Certaldo old town, there is a little train that runs from the newer lower town. You can see the tracks in this photo at the end of the road.

The rolling hills of Tuscany are a balm for even the most jaded soul. They are best in the fall when leaves turn golden or in spring when the poppies are in bloom.

Walking into Antica Fonte, you feel it right away—that warm, lived-in kind of coziness that makes you want to settle in for hours. The stone walls are rough and uneven, the ceiling crisscrossed with dark wooden beams, and somehow it all just works. It feels genuinely Tuscan, not like someone tried too hard to make it look that way.

The food is exactly what you'd hope for. They're not messing around with fusion or trendy twists—just solid, traditional Tuscan cooking, and you can tell the ingredients come from nearby. The pasta is homemade, the grilled meats come out smoky and perfectly charred, and the desserts are the kind of thing you keep sneaking bites of even when you're full. Every dish tastes like it belongs there.

Their wine list is impressive too, but not in an intimidating way. It's heavy on local bottles, and the sommelier actually knows his stuff—he pointed us toward a red I never would've picked myself, and it paired so perfectly with the meal that we ended up ordering a second bottle.

But honestly, what really sticks with you is the terrace. You sit outside, look out over the hills and vineyards stretching into the distance, and suddenly you understand why people write poems about Tuscany. It's the kind of view that makes you forget to check your phone.