We have been to Italy six times, and this route — Rome, Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, Florence, Tuscany, the Cinque Terre, and Venice — is the one we recommend above all others for a first visit. We’ve traveled every stretch of it firsthand and refined the planning advice in this post trip by trip. What […]
Choosing where to stay in Venice is one of the biggest decisions you will make as you plan your trip to this city. The location of your hotel will have a big impact on your overall experience. Venice is made up of neighborhoods, also called sestieri, and each neighborhood has its advantages and disadvantages for […]
Italy is one of the most photogenic countries in the world, and after six trips here, we’ve stood at a lot of viewpoints, from clifftop villages in Tuscany to the jagged peaks of the Dolomites to the canals of Venice at twilight. The views never get old. In this guide, we share 20 of our […]
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 is a gorgeous city filled with world class art museums, towers to climb, great places to go shopping, and lots of beautiful viewpoints. Here is a list of the 10 […]
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 […]
Siena rewards everyone who visits, whether you have one day in Siena or five. We know, because we’ve done both. Our first trip was a full five nights. We used Siena as our base for exploring the Tuscan hill towns, and most evenings ended the same way: the four of us heading down to Piazza […]
If you are planning your first visit to Rome and have limited time, this Rome itinerary is perfect for you. With 2 days in Rome, you have just enough time to visit the highlights. Tour the Vatican Museums, enjoy the amazing view from St. Peter’s Basilica, marvel at the Colosseum, get a history lesson at […]
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 […]
With 10 days in Italy, you have enough time for an incredible trip, but not enough time to see everything. That’s the good news and the hard news at once. Italy is enormous, wildly varied, and deeply worth savoring. The biggest mistake most people make when planning a 10-day Italy itinerary is trying to fit […]
From ancient Roman ruins to pastel streets made for evening strolls, Verona feels like stepping into a storybook. Here are the best things to do in Verona, plus how to plan the perfect one-day visit. Have you ever visited a new place and instantly fallen in love with it? For us, that was Verona. On […]
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 […]
San Marino is a tiny, independent nation completely surrounded by Italy, perched high on the rocky summit of Monte Titano near the Adriatic coast. The capital city, also called San Marino, is a maze of medieval streets, stone towers, and hilltop piazzas with sweeping views over the Italian countryside below. In this guide, we cover […]
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. In this article, we display our 20 favorite photos of Venice, Italy. Our Visits to Venice So far, we have visited […]
In this guide, you’ll discover 25 beautiful places to visit in Italy, from Rome’s ancient wonders to the Cinque Terre’s coastal charm. See the highlights in 7 to 14 days or spend 3+ weeks to dive deeper into Italy’s extraordinary sights. If you are planning your first trip to Italy, be prepared to fall in […]
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo trail is one of the most iconic hikes in the Italian Dolomites, featuring a scenic loop trail that circles three dramatic limestone peaks. We’ve hiked Tre Cime on multiple trips to the Dolomites, including peak summer season when parking restrictions were in place. The first time we did this hike, […]
Are you planning a trip to Florence? Sure, you can’t miss Michelangelo’s David, the amazing Uffizi Gallery, a stroll across Ponte Vecchio, and a visit to the Florence Duomo, but you also cannot miss the best views of Florence. Climb to the top of duomo for a breathtaking view of Florence, watch the sunset from […]
Venice is one of our favorite spots in Italy. With its winding canals, stunning architecture, and rich history, Venice is one of the most enchanting cities in the world. It is also small and compact, perfect to be explored with just a few days’ time. In this guide, we’ll take you through the absolute best things […]
The Cinque Terre is one of Italy’s most beautiful destinations, and one of its most expensive during peak summer season. With colorful cliffside villages, limited accommodations, and high demand from travelers around the world, prices can rise quickly. We visited the Cinque Terre in the summer with our kids and quickly realized that staying inside […]