Italy

Italy is one of those countries where you could spend a year and still want more. The food is obviously incredible, the art and history are everywhere, and every region feels different. Don’t try to see everything in one trip or you’ll burn out fast.

Rome is overwhelming in the best way. The Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican. All worth it despite the crowds. Book tickets ahead to skip lines. The neighborhoods are what make Rome special though. Trastevere at night, Campo de Fiori market, getting lost in small streets. Eat cacio e pepe, drink wine at lunch, have gelato twice a day.

Florence is the Renaissance capital and it’s beautiful but small. The Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio. Two or three days is enough for the city. Tuscany around it is stunning. Rent a car and drive through Chianti wine country. Siena and San Gimignano are gorgeous hilltop towns.

Venice is unique and touristy and still worth it. Get lost in the backstreets away from San Marco. Take the vaporetto down the Grand Canal. Burano island has colorful houses. Go early morning or evening when cruise ships leave. Yes it’s sinking and crowded but there’s nothing like it.

The south is underrated. Naples has the best pizza on earth and it’s chaotic and real. The Amalfi Coast is stunning but expensive and crowded in summer. Positano is the postcard town. Puglia has whitewashed towns and great beaches without the crowds. Sicily is huge and diverse with Greek ruins and amazing food.

Northern lakes like Como are beautiful. The Dolomites have incredible hiking and mountain scenery. Cinque Terre is five colorful villages on cliffs. Touristy but gorgeous.

Getting around means trains for cities, rental car for countryside. Trenitalia connects everything. Book high speed trains ahead for better prices.