Florence

One of the most popular vacation destinations in Italy, this vibrant medieval city is known as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, opera and the Italian language. Florence has long been one of the most influential cities for art and culture, and with good reason.

Art and Architecture

Florence is home to some of the world’s most magnificent art, much of which is housed in the Uffizi and Accademia galleries. See works by Leonardo, Rubens and Botticelli, including the Birth of Venus and Spring at the Uffizi. You also won’t want to miss Michelangelo’s famous David sculpture at the Accademia.

Shopping

Florence is a shoppers’ paradise, known especially for shoes, stationary and leather goods. You’ll find famous upscale designer boutiques like Gucci and Ferragamo along the Via de’ Tornabuoni and Via della Vigna Nuova. Alternatively, try your hand at bargaining at the San Lorenzo street market.

Food and Nightlife

Delicious Tuscan cuisine abounds at restaurants and trattorias on every corner, and you should have no trouble finding a great bottle of wine. For those looking for nightlife in Florence, there are several bars and clubs around Santa Croce that have been known to keep people dancing until dawn.

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Rome

For centuries, Rome has been an epicenter of politics, religion and art. Catch a glimpse of Ancient Rome by strolling through the Forum and the Colosseum. The legendary Forum Romanum was once the heart of the Roman Empire and the place where ancient Romans once sacrificed their victims. Originally built to accommodate nearly 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum played host to some of the most incredible spectacles of the day, including gladiatorial combat, mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions and even dramatic performances based on classical mythology. When in Rome, you’ll likely want to visit Vatican City, one of the world’s smallest sovereign states and the seat of the Catholic Church.

Art and Architecture

At the Vatican Museum elaborate galleries filled with one artistic masterpiece after another lead you directly to the Sistine Chapel. Between 1508 and 1512, Michelangelo painted some of the world’s finest pictorial images on the chapel’s ceiling. This was his first attempt at working in fresco, which he did by standing up and craning backward from a scaffold. You might also visit the Pantheon, which houses the tomb of painter Raphael. Other highlights include Galleria Borghese, also Rome’s main urban park, the Capitoline Museums and many more—the list goes on and on.

Shopping

Shopping in Rome isn’t complete without a stroll down Via del Corso, the city’s longest pedestrian street. Sit alongside locals on the Spanish Steps and then check out the latest fashions and designer shops on Via Condotti, a great place to window shop and people watch.

Food and Nightlife

It is said that eating is a form of art in Italy. Restaurants and pizzerias abound on every corner, and it’s not difficult to find amazing pizza at a great value. Tour Rome after dark and you will see it looks dramatically different, but just as beautiful. We recommend revisiting Rome by night, making sure to take in the Colosseum and the view from Castel Sant Angelo, originally a mausoleum commissioned by Emperor Hadrian.

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Venice

You’ll find distinct differences between northern and southern Italy. Located in northern Italy, Venice is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, thanks to its exquisite art, quaint canals and serene beauty. The Republic of Venice was once a maritime empire and has been referred to as the “City of Bridges” and “Queen of the Adriatic.”

Art and Architecture

Venice holds many artistic treasures, some of the most popular being St. Mark’s Basilica and Piazza San Marco. Learn about the architecture of a city built on water and the challenges of keeping it afloat. You’ll also want to visit the grand 14th-century, pink-and-white Doges’ Palace, from which mighty Venetian dukes once ruled

Shopping

Venice is a center for interior design, but it is also the place to buy beautiful, hand-blown glass, which is exported all over the world. Visit a factory on the island of Murano, where you can learn about the process from start to finish before you decide to pick up a souvenir.

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Milan

As the fashion and finance capital of Italy, Milan is a cutting-edge metropolis, famous for its designer wares, nightlife, arts and technology. Don’t miss the Golden Triangle, the city’s fashion center.

Shopping

Milan is one of the world’s centers for modern design and the fashion capital of Italy. Along Via Montenapoleone you will see some of Italy’s best-dressed shoppers, as well as many fashion houses’ flagship stores. Visit what many consider the world’s oldest shopping mall, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, located in the Piazza della Duomo.

Art and Architecture

Visit the impressive Duomo, which took nearly five centuries to build! The 135 marble spires, thousands of statues and its impressive triangular structure just may convince you it was worth it. You’ll likely want to make a visit to Santa Maria delle Grazie, which holds one of the most famous works of all time, The Last Supper, by Leonardo da Vinci. You also won’t want to miss La Scala, the world’s premier opera house.

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Almalfi Coast

If you crave true Italian romance and charm, you’ll want to visit the Amalfi Coast. Drive along the 31-mile coastline, making your way through the picture-perfect towns and taking in magnificent views of the sea. The coastline has inspired everyone from Homer (He modeled the Siren Isles after the islands near Positano.) to modern-day Hollywood filmmakers. Weather permitting, you may wish to spend a few days in Amalfi, one of the major resort areas along the way.

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