Vicarious Vacations – Italy Edition
Published on August 11, 2026
By Ben W.
At the end of 2019, my life was forever altered when I went on my first international trip, a week-and-a-half-long journey through Czechia, Austria, and Germany. Two years later, I was given another opportunity to travel internationally, this time to the beautiful country of Italy. My first day there, I fell in love with the people, the language (don't ask me to speak it, though), the landscapes, and, of course, the food. It quickly became my favorite place on Earth, but, sadly, I have not had a chance to go back.
Not all hope is lost, however. While monetary and time constraints are very real, the good news is that traveling vicariously is just as easy as picking up a book. In fact, you can travel vicariously by picking up a book! Now, I'm not saying that vicarious vacations are better than actual travel, but I am saying that it may just be the next best thing.
So, if you've ever had a desire to travel to Italy but are afraid of the cost—or if you, like me, have a strong desire to revisit without breaking the bank—these books will give you the chance to experience the beautiful Boot from the comfort of your home. These titles may even convince you to book that flight!
A Room with a View by E.M. Forster – While the latter half of this short novel takes place in England, the first half follows our main character Lucy through Florence, where readers get to see the Cradle of the Renaissance’s architectural and historical resplendence through the eyes of a very sheltered, naïve young woman.
Diavola by Jennifer Thorne – While a horror book through and through, Diavola is not without its own version of tranquility as a tempestuous family vacations in Tuscany. The tranquility doesn’t last, but what else would you expect when staying in an extremely haunted Italian villa?
The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt — Using a 1996 fire at Venice’s La Fenice opera house as a narrative driving point, John Berendt explores Venice’s history—not to conclusively solve the fire’s mystery, but to pull back the city’s simplified façade and dig deep into the complex cultures, traditions, and people that define the City of Canals.
SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard – Similar to Berendt’s historical dive into Venice, Mary Beard’s exploration of ancient Rome works to shed light on the overlooked history of Italy’s capital, telling the story of its rise through the lives of the common folk rather than the luxurious lives of the leaders most history books prefer to talk about.
The Secret Love Letters of Olivia Moretti by Jennifer Probst – Three estranged sisters journey along the Amalfi Coast to find clues regarding their mother’s secret past, all while reigniting their sisterly bonds with the help of the magical Italian coast.
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante – The first book in Ferrante’s Neapolitan Quartet, My Brilliant Friend follows two best friends growing up in a poor neighborhood in Naples. The story highlights a side of Italy unseen by most tourists, while also telling an exceptional tale of female friendship in the 1950s.
See You in the Piazza by Frances Mayes – I want to end with a book for the adventurous type, someone who wants to visit Italy not for the world-famous landmarks, but for the hidden wonders. With See You in the Piazza, Frances Mayes shares her journey through the backstreets of Italy. If you want to take a trip that goes beyond the traditional tourist-filled attractions, this may be the book for you.
Whatever journeys—vicarious or otherwise—spawn from these texts, I hope they are safe, fun, and rewarding.
I will leave you with just one piece of advice: try the gelato. It’s absolutely worth it.