(CNN) In a perfect world, we wouldn't need to explain why Italy's beaches and islands are worth visiting.

We wouldn't need to describe the fluorescent waters and talcum-powder sand, or highlight the delicious seafood or lively nightlife.

Fortunately, this isn't a perfect world, so we get to show off these beautiful spots and you get to read about them and start planning your next trip.

Diving, seafood, dancing: perfect vacation trinity. Plus the sea of the Tremiti islands is gorgeous.

People come here to cover their bodies with clay mixed with seawater, which makes skin smooth and serves as a soothing balm.

The place is great for snorkeling and diving, too: the shallows are one of the best attractions.

You get here from San Domino island, which has lively nightlife.

Wine Bar Era Ora has great cocktails and A Furmicula is worth a visit if you're up for dancing.

All the colors of a great island destination.

At the foot of the elegant town of Taormina, Isola Bella Beach is one of Sicily's most beautiful and popular.

Archeology, shopping and sunbathing combine here.

The little isle in front and the protected bay with its emerald, still waters are perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

Nearest airport: Catania. From mainland drive to Messina for the ferry.

One prison you might not wish to escape.

An uncontaminated isle just-off the northern coast of Sardinia, Asinara Island is quiet and surrounded by nature and shimmering sea.

Once a penal colony, today it's a protected park where the only inhabitants are local albino wild donkeys, freely grazing the land, and more than 650 other animal species.

No clubs, no hotels, no restaurants. You get here by motorboat from Stintino, a chic fishing village.

Get to Stintino from Olbia port/airport or Alghero airport.

World's biggest wind protector?

Many Romans' favorite holiday spot, the lunar atmosphere at Chiaia di Luna is striking.

It's great for sea adventurers with precipices, inlets, the caves of Ponzio Pilato and the nearby isle of Zannone.

At the harbor, visitors can rent a motorboat or go for a guided tour.

The scenic town's crazy nightlife is something to behold. The best aperitifs can be had at the glamorous Bar Tripoli on the main square, where VIPs mingle with football players.

Come here and you'll understand why it's considered by many to be one of the most beautiful islands in the world.

The water color and almost prehistoric scenery of colorful pebble-stone beaches, granite cliffs, sea stacks and grottos will make you feel like Indiana Jones exploring a new world.

The island is uninhabited. There's a small restaurant open only during the summer.

If you feel like trekking, there are dozens of organized tours.

Lampedusa Island -- blinding white cliffs, fluorescent blue waters, African-like temperatures and dry desert.

The heart-shaped Rabbits' Islet beach, one of the world's best beaches, is what makes this island special.

Lampedusa is Italy's southernmost island (it's near Tunisia), with blinding white cliffs, fluorescent blue waters, African-like temperatures and dry desert.

Protected turtles lay eggs here; dolphin-watching is one of the main attractions. But in recent years the island has become better known as a major entry point for migrants attempting to get into Europe.

At the harbor, visitors can rent a boat for a tour around the island and nearby volcanic isle of Linosa, featuring a spectacular black and red Mars-like beach.

The local cream pastries and fish couscous at Trattoria del Porto are great.

Get here by plane from Rome, Milan or Bologna.

Windsurf by day, gorge on seafood by night.

Loud and vibrant, "noble and popular," as locals define it, it's a top windsurfing site and an elegant holiday location.

The restaurants along the sea promenade lure tourists with their stands of fresh fish.

Get here by car or bus from Palermo, just 11 kilometers away.

Mountain trails make this one beach destination you won't want to laze about on.

Inside the Mount Conero Park on the Adriatic coast, Numana Beach lies at the base of a high, rugged cliff.

It's silent, peaceful and breezy and surrounded by lush vegetation: no wonder hermits used to come here in the Middle Ages to meditate.

To get here, take highway A14, exit at Ancona -- the area is also connected by plane from Rome and Milan.

Black and blue -- one of Italy's most beautiful "bruises."

The largest of Sicily's Aeolian Islands, the black volcanic rocks at Lipari contrast with the whitewashed roofs of the houses.

Standing on the Belvedere Quattrocchi, a rocky platform suspended above the stacks, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the archipelago.

Along the village's central street you'll find Da Bartolo, a restaurant serving delicious local fish specialties.

Get here by ferryboat from Naples, Palermo or Messina.

One of Sardinia's top spots, this is the biggest island in the Mediterranean's Maddalena archipelago.

The coral beaches of Budelli and Spargi atolls can be reached by boat.

The pinkish granite rock (some of which was used to build the Statue of Liberty) makes the picturesque fishermen's village -- dubbed "Little Paris" -- glitter at sunset.

The panoramic road that circles the isle takes in several old military forts.

The island is famous for its nightlife: Bar Milano offers food at all hours and DJ music.

How to get here: fly into Olbia airport or port (from the mainland), then ferry from Palau.

Where life imitates postcards.

White sand, palms, shallow turquoise waters -- welcome to Italy's Maldives.

Closest airport: Palermo, then a two-hour drive by car or bus.

Editor's note: This article was previously published in 2013. It was reformatted and republished in 2017.

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Italy's best beaches and islands - CNN