Italy

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Rome, Italy

  • Pantheon – best visited in the middle of the day when the sunlight shines directly downward onto the floor
  • Trevi Fountain – try to arrive early in the morning for the least crowded view
  • Spanish Steps – surrounded by couture shops
  • Piazza Navona
  • Campo de Fiori
  • Castel Sant’Angelo
  • Vatican City – Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums & St. Peter’s Basilica all included on tour 
  • Catacomb of Santa Priscilla
  • The Colosseum , Palatine Hill, The Roman Forum – Take the tour that includes all three
  • Capuchin Bone Church – creepy, but a must-see
  • Explore Trastevere – hip neighborhood of Rome across the river from Castel Sant’Angelo
  • Galleria Borghese

Florence, Italy

  • Uffizi Gallery – One of the top museums in the world
  • Galleria dell’Accademia – Michelangelo’s David is housed here
  • Piazza del Duomo – you can climb the Duomo at certain times of the day
  • Ponte Vecchio
  • Piazza Michelangelo – If you can make it up all of the steps you will enjoy a panoramic view of Florence
  • Westin Excelsior rooftop bar – fantastic spot for an evening aperitivo overlooking the city
  • Mercato Centrale – many people don’t know about the food options upstairs as well
  • Antica Torre  di Via Tornabuoni – for breakfast with a view
  • Santa Croce Cathedral
  • Basilica di Santo Spirito – there is a charming flea market in the square on weekends
  • Osteria Santo Spirito – get the truffle gnocchi and meat plate for 5 star dining

Bologna, Italy 

  • Piazza Maggiore and Piazza Nettuno – These adjacent piazzas are in the center of Bologna. Piazza Maggiore is the larger of the two and is located in front of Basilica di San Petronio, the fifth largest basilica in the world. Piazza Nettuno is named for the Fontana del Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune) that dominates the square
  • Basilica di San Petronio – take the elevator up to the top for a rooftop view of the city
  • The Quadrilatero – This district is full of bustling market stalls, delis, cafes and other restaurants. This is a good place to start exploring Bologna’s food culture
  • Le Due Torri – open to the public, and for a small fee you can climb the 498 steps to the top.
  • Cooking classes – Bologna is the perfect place to sign up for a cooking class due to its culinary traditions. You can find anything from a half day experience to a full week course
  • Osteria del Sol
  • Mercato di Mezzo
  • Asinelli Tower
  • The Quadrilatero della moda – high fashion shopping area
  • There are plenty of places for aperitivos in Bologna so go explore!
  • Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca – take the train up the hill and enjoy all of the porticos of Bologna

Venice, Italy

  • Grand Canal – skip the gondola and book a semi private boat tour for a more thorough experience of the canals with a knowledgeable guide
  • Rialto Bridge – One of the most famous bridges in Venice, great pictures of the Grand Canal and market
  • Piazza San Marco – This is the main square in Venice 
  • Basilica San Marco – you can do a quick walk through the church for free but some sections of the basilica are only accessible by paying an entrance fee.
  • Doge’s Palace – take a tour or view the Bridge of Sighs from the waterfront
  • Ponte de Chiodo – one of the only few bridges with no railings
  • The Fondaco dei Tedeschi rooftop terrace – on top of a high fashion shopping center, take in 360 degree views of the city on the water
  • Campanile di San Marco – you can take an elevator up the belltower of St. Mark’s Basilica
  • Saint Mark’s Basilica – during “high water” the ground floods and almost becomes like glass
  • Burano island – watch a glass blowing demonstration and take in the colorful fishing village
  • Acqua Altra Libreria – for the most overstocked bookstore you can imagine
  • Jewish Ghetto – learn the neighborhood history and about the Venetian community
  • Drink a Spritz (hell, drink several)

 

 

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