Our Experiences in Italy
Choosing where to stay in Venice can be exciting yet challenging. Venice is made up of neighborhoods, also called sestieri (singular sestiere), and each neighborhood has its advantages and disadvantages for travelers. Some sestieri contain Venice’s most popular sites, but with that comes huge numbers of tourists and expensive prices. And in some sestieri, you will have a quieter experience, …
If you are researching where to go in Italy, without a doubt you are finding gorgeous, vibrant photos of Italy’s top destinations. Would you like to know how to get these same gorgeous views of Italy? In this post, find out how to get a bird’s eye view over Venice, where to get one of the best views of the …
Florence is one of Italy’s most popular cities to visit, especially for first-timers. Not only is Florence the art capital of the world, it’s a gorgeous city with streets to wander, towers to climb, great places to go shopping, and lots of gelato to eat. Here is a list of our favorite experiences, a good starting point for your first …
How to travel from Rome to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast can be a little confusing. You can’t simply hop on a train in Rome and ride it all of the way to Sorrento or Positano. In this post, we explain your different options for getting around this region. Rome to Naples By Train Whether your final destination is Sorrento, …
Siena is easy to visit if you only have one day since it is a compact city with just a few big sites. With one day in Siena, visit the Duomo, get one of the best views in Italy from the Torre del Mangia, wander the historic old town, and dine at one of many fine restaurants. Located just an …
Rome is one of Europe’s grandest cities. It is a showcase of ancient Western civilization, with marvels such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Pantheon. It takes days and days to truly explore Rome. The city is enormous and it is filled with enough churches, Roman ruins, and exceptional restaurants that you could spend weeks here and never …
A visit to Pompeii is one of Italy’s most fascinating history lessons. Pompeii can be visited as a day trip from Rome, Sorrento, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast. For those in transit between any of these cities, Pompeii makes a nice, quick side trip. Here’s how to do it. Traveling from Rome to Pompeii to Sorrento If you are traveling …
Italy is a country that is on many travelers’ wish list. And why not? Italy has it all: fabulous cuisine, gorgeous cities, towering mountains and beautiful beaches, and ancient historical sites. Throw in some gelato and wine and you have the perfect ingredients for a memorable 10-day holiday in Europe. For first timers to Italy, Rome, Florence, and Venice usually …
Have you ever visited a new place and instantly fallen in love with it? For us, that was Verona. Verona may not be as popular as other Italian cities like Florence and Venice, but don’t let that fool you. Verona is underrated as an Italian destination, as we just discovered. Tim and I only had a few hours to tour …
Ironman Italy is destination racing at its finest. Swim in the Adriatic Sea, cycle past pink flamingoes and through Sangiovese vineyards, and then run through a charming coastal town. What a spectacular setting for a race! Add in its location near popular spots like Venice, San Marino, and Florence, and this makes a great destination to combine Ironman triathlon racing …
San Marino is a tiny, independent nation completely surrounded by Italy. It has a spectacular location, nestled in the mountains near the Adriatic Sea. The capital city, also called San Marino, is a maze of hilly, medieval streets, dotted with cafes and small shops. From the guard towers and the piazzas, the views over the surrounding countryside are gorgeous. San …
Venice is a photographer’s paradise. With its maze of canals, its colorful, crumbling facades, and gondolas silently drifting through the city, it’s hard to leave Venice without a memory card full of beautiful images. We recently had the pleasure of spending one day in Venice, one of our favorite cities in Italy. Our Second Visit to Italy Our main purpose …
Are you planning a trip to Italy? If so, be prepared to fall in love with an extraordinary country. The food, the wine, the history, the art and architecture, the quaint, hillside towns in Tuscany, and the underrated Dolomites…there is something here for everyone. The list of places to visit in Italy is long. So long, in fact, that it …
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo is one of the Dolomites’ iconic hikes. Three massive rocky prominences rise up from the rolling scenery of the Dolomites, surrounded by amazing views and, during the summer months, wildflowers. As far as hiking goes, this is a relatively easy hike. Tre Cime is great for kids, so if you are here on a family …
Are you planning a trip to Florence? Sure, you can’t miss Michelangelo’s David, the Ponte Vecchio, Italian food and gelato, and the galleries of Renaissance Art, but you also cannot miss the best views of Florence. No trip to Florence would be complete without a climb up the Duomo or a view from Piazzale Michelangelo. Where to Get the Best Views of Florence The Duomo …
Venice is one of our favorite spots in Italy. Why? It is small and compact, perfect to be explored with just a few days time. Venice is romantic, historic, and gorgeous. The canals, the gondolas, the architecture, the colorful towns of Murano and Burano…what is not to love? The list of sites to visit in Venice is long. So long, in …
The Cinque Terre is one of Italy’s most scenic spots. It is here that five colorful, gorgeous towns precariously sit on the hills that tumble into the Mediterranean Sea. The popularity of the Cinque Terre has exploded in recent years, with photos of Riomaggiore and Vernazza plastering the internet. The Cinque Terre was one of our favorite spots in Italy. In fact, …
The Leaning Tower of Pisa, overrated tourist attraction or worthwhile destination? Regardless if you think Pisa is overrated or worthwhile, it still can be a lot of fun doing silly poses in front of this crooked icon of Italy. What’s even better is that a day trip to the Leaning Tower of Pisa can be quick and easy to do. …
Why go to Milan? It’s the home of Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Last Supper,” one of the most famous paintings in the world. Milan is also home to the Duomo, world-class museums, and trendy shopping areas. Milan is undergoing an architectural Renaissance and is worth even a few hours on the fastest of itineraries. Seeing Milan in one day can be …
Since arriving back in the US, I have had some time to sort through our terabytes of data amassed during our travels. It has been so much fun going back through our photos, editing the ones I never had time for while traveling, and reminiscing about where we have visited. Italy is gorgeous, and with the food, the history, the art, …