Pienza is one of those Tuscan towns that earns its reputation. Perched above the Val d’Orcia, this tiny UNESCO World Heritage Site was redesigned in the 15th century by Pope Pius II as his vision of the ideal Renaissance city. Walking its perfectly proportioned streets, it’s hard to argue with his ambition. We’ve visited Pienza […]
There’s a moment on the train from Rome to Florence, about an hour in, where the landscape shifts from the flat Roman countryside to something greener and hillier, and you realize you’re already in a different Italy. We’ve made that journey more than once over six trips to Italy, and it never gets old. This […]
With one week in Europe, you have an infinite number of possibilities for coming up with your “perfect” itinerary. Do you dream of visiting world-class cities like Paris, Barcelona, or Venice? Or would you rather hike the Alps, go on a scenic train ride, explore the beautiful beaches and coastal towns in southern Europe, visit […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 Cinque Terre is one of Italy’s most iconic coastal hikes, connecting five colorful villages by cliffside trails overlooking the Mediterranean. Here’s exactly how to hike the Cinque Terre from Riomaggiore to Monterosso, including trail closures, ticket costs, one-way rules, and what to expect in 2026. We hiked the entire route as a family. Our […]
San Gimignano is famous for its medieval towers, and yes, you should climb one. But a great visit here goes beyond the main piazzas and the gelato line at Dondoli. On our first trip, we arrived by bus from Siena on a busy morning with our kids, climbed to the top of Torre Grossa, ate […]