What’s it about Italy that makes us People so enamored? Is it the influences on our meals and tradition? The pizza, pasta, gelato? Frank Sinatra or The Sopranos?
All I do know is I all the time needed to go to Italy rising up, and I’m fortunate sufficient to have been a number of occasions now. So I’m sharing this 2-week Italy itinerary from my favourite journey to this beautiful nation. You in all probability don’t want any inspiration to guide that ticket, however hopefully this can make it easier to plan your journey to Italy extra simply!
Days 1-3 – Rome
First issues first: Rome, the capital of Italy. It will not be charming in the best way that smaller Italian cities are neither is it pristine just like the countryside, however there’s a lot historical past within the Everlasting Metropolis.
In every single place you go, there’s some constructing or sculpture worthy of observe. Or an archaeological website proper beneath your nostril. Or the set to your favourite traditional movie. And let’s not overlook the aggregation of regional Italian cuisines all collectively in a single place — with a spotlight on Roman delicacies.
The place Julius Caesar was killed, good there in the course of the road.
I prefer to plan my time in Rome across the locations that I would like tickets to get into, particularly if it’s a timed ticket. These are the three spots that I believe completely require a go to and are well worth the cash.
- The Colosseum, the Roman Discussion board, and the Palatine Hills. Flash again to your highschool historical past lessons (or perhaps your many viewings of Russell Crowe’s The Gladiator). It’s a single ticket for all three locations, with skip-the-line tickets accessible as nicely (and let’s simply say that traces are virtually all the time lengthy on the Colosseum, even throughout off-season). I’d additionally suggest taking a tour that features the underground portion of the Colosseum, which I believe is likely one of the coolest features of it.
- Vatican Metropolis. Extra particularly, the Vatican Museums, which incorporates the well-known Sistine Chapel. You may enter the world’s smallest nation with out a ticket — or a passport — however you’ll want tickets to see the huge collections of artwork that it homes.
- The Borghese Gallery. That is one among my favourite artwork museums on this planet. It’s acquired an immense assortment of Bernini and Caravaggio, each of whom I like, and it’s so tranquil as a result of they solely enable 360 individuals inside throughout every visiting block. The draw back? Every visiting block is just two hours lengthy.
Past that, I prefer to fill my time in Rome by visiting landmarks, strolling round neighborhoods, and consuming loads of scrumptious and soul-filling meals. Listed below are some suggestions past the three highlights above:
- Should-sees: the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon
- Should-dos: climb Janiculum Hills (one among Rome’s seven hills), discover the Trastevere and Testaccio neighborhoods, stroll round Villa Borghese
- Should-eats: lunch or dinner at Armando al Pantheon, gelato at Punto Gelato (aka Gunther Gelato) and Otaleg (that’s gelato spelled backwards!)
In the event you’d desire a day-by-day breakdown, take a look at this 3-day Rome itinerary. It’s additionally acquired extra particulars on easy methods to get round Rome and different suggestions.
The place to remain in Rome
The place we’ve truly stayed and preferred: the music-themed Resort Franklin Really feel the Sound
The place it could have been superior to remain if cash wasn’t a priority: the historic Villa Spalletti Trivelli
Days 4-10 – Tuscany
I’ve stated this many occasions earlier than, however I like Tuscany. Completely adore it. It’s a type of locations that’s further particular to me (together with northern Thailand and Lisbon). I’ve even been attempting to persuade my associate to go reside in a small Italian village for a 12 months or two (in all probability in Tuscany, although he’s keen on someplace nearer to the Alps).
So now that you just’re all conscious of my love, right here’s a rundown of my favourite issues to do within the following Tuscan cities. For extra particulars and a structured journey itinerary, take a look at this one-week Tuscany itinerary.
Days 4-5 – Florence
Should-sees in Florence:
- The Duomo Advanced. In the event you can, guide forward to climb to the highest of the dome. It’s completely value it. (Entry is included in your ticket, however it’s a must to pre-book a time.) In the event you’re strapped for money, at the least go to the cathedral, which is free to enter.
- The Uffizi Gallery, which I imagine is the biggest and most preeminent museum of Italian Renaissance artwork. No joke, I needed to take relaxation breaks throughout our go to.
- The Accademia Gallery, dwelling of Michelangelo’s David.
- The Jewish Museum of Florence, which provided a special tackle Italian life than most different locations.
Should-dos in Florence:
- Climb as much as Piazzale Michelangelo for one of the best sundown within the metropolis
- Decide up some contemporary fruit and baked items at Sant’Ambrogio Market, a moist and dry farmers’ market
- Store for leather-based items and different presents at San Lorenzo leather-based market
- See Ponte Vecchio, the beautiful centuries-old bridge that was the only real survivor of World Battle II amongst Arno River bridges
Hi there, is that this heaven?
Should-eats in Florence:
- Le Volpi et L’Uva for beneficiant pours of wines from round Italy and numerous Tuscan snacks
- Fiaschetteria Nuvoli for some down-home Italian cooking
- Trattoria da Rocco for a cafeteria-style lunch that’s fast, low cost, and oh so scrumptious (plus wine by the jug)
- My Sugar for some specialty flavors of yummy gelato
The place to remain in Florence
The place we’ve truly stayed and preferred: the centrally-located Resort Cardinal of Florence
The place it could have been superior to remain if cash wasn’t a priority: the 4 Seasons that’s legit a villa however inside strolling distance to the middle of town
Days 6-7 – Siena
Siena stole my coronary heart on this journey — and as you’ll see, it clearly stole my abdomen and style buds, too.
Siena is sort of a little sister to Florence. (This could be such an lovable set of names for sisters!) Florence is daring, spectacular, the focus. Siena is charming, delicate, and exudes intimacy and homeyness in all places you go.
For me, there’s simply are simply two must-sees in Siena. The primary is Siena’s Duomo Advanced. For years, I used to be enchanted by Florence’s Duomo Advanced. Siena’s didn’t appear like a lot from the surface, however the inside blew me away. Sorry, Florence, Siena takes the gold on this one.
The opposite place to go to is Basilica Cateriniana San Domenico. House of Saint Catherine of Siena’s relics and a few extraordinarily colourful stained glass artwork. I’m as church’ed out as many individuals, however I promise this one is value a go to.
Aside from that, merely stroll round and discover the attractive cobblestone streets and lovely views of Siena.
Every little thing else on my listing? Meals, duh.
- Taverna di San Giuseppe. Probably one of the best meal we’ve ever had (and that features quite a lot of the world’s best-rated eating places). Go make your reservation NOW.
- Il Bargello. If I have been a digital nomad, I’d come right here to work whereas noshing on delicious Tuscan plates and dealing my manner down their wine menu.
- Vineria Il Murello. Extra wine, much less meals right here. That is positively a nightcap spot.
- Bar Gelateria Nannini. Gelato for breakfast? Sure, please.
The place to remain in Siena
The place we’ve truly stayed and preferred: the quaint however comfortable B&B Quattro Cantoni
The place it could have been superior to remain if cash wasn’t a priority: the Grand Resort Continental Siena, which makes me really feel like I’m in a Seventeenth-century Italian interval drama
Days 8-10 – Tuscan wine nation
Then it’s vino time!
We targeted our wine excursions on three of the various wines which have made Tuscany such a well-known area for wines:
- Chianti Classico
- Vino di Montepulciano (my favourite)
- Brunello di Montalcino
And my goodness, will you imagine it? They’re from the cities of Chianti, Montepulciano, and Montalcino!
Listed below are our advised wineries:
- Montemaggio, an natural vineyard in Radda in Chianti
- Tana Gatta, a family-operated, 10,000-bottled per 12 months vineyard in Montepulciano
- Solaria, a family-run producer in Montalcino
And our absolute favourite: Cantine Contucci, a centuries-old winemaker situated smack dab in Montepulciano city middle.
Adamo, the longtime winemaker for the Contucci household
All of those cities are additionally completely darling and improbable locations to cease for a protracted lunch or a day stroll.
Outdoors of those wine cities, be sure to take a look at a lesser-known gem of Tuscany: its many thermal springs, together with Bagni San Filippo, Saturnia, Val d’Orcia, and Bagno Vignoni.
We visited Bagni San Filippo as a result of it was probably the most handy to our route and itinerary, however I want we had time to go to all of them! Do your self a favor and add in some leisure to your vino days.
The place to remain in Tuscan wine nation
The place we’ve truly stayed and preferred: this beautiful villa named Casa Cernano within the centrally-located Castelnuovo Berardenga
The place it could have been superior to remain if cash wasn’t a priority: Adler Spa Resort Thermae in Bagno Vignoni. Simply that itemizing makes me really feel relaxed.
Days 11-12 – Cinque Terre
Subsequent, we left Tuscany for the coastal area of Liguria, dwelling of Cinque Terre.
Cinque Terre, these colourful 5 seaside villages, held a particular place in our hearts. Lengthy earlier than we booked our journey to Italy, we’d purchased a Cinque Terre puzzle — particularly, a puzzle of the view of Manarola — and we’d labored on that puzzle within the months main as much as the journey.
How lengthy you spend in Cinque Terre is known as a matter of your pursuits and the time of 12 months you go to.
With the trains working via the 5 villages, you are able to do all of Cinque Terre in in the future if you want. In the event you go to in the course of the busy summer season and vacation seasons when Cinque Terre is perpetually crowded and horrendously costly, in the future might be one of the best wager.
However in the event you’d desire to hike between the 5 villages as we’d initially deliberate to do, you’ll need at the least 2-3 days. Or maybe you’re visiting throughout low season and simply need to have a number of enjoyable seaside days. Phrase of warning although: few eating places are open throughout off-season, and so they’re typically not excellent.
We’d deliberate on 3 days in Cinque Terre so we might do some intensive climbing to offset all of the scrumptious meals we knew we’d eat in Italy. Sadly, heavy rains and flooding had closed all of Cinque Terre’s climbing trails indefinitely once we visited.
As an alternative, we took the practice to every village, went on lengthy walks alongside the ocean, and customarily took it simple.
Right here’s how I’d rank the Cinque Terre cities:
- Manarola
- Corniglia
- Vernazza
- Monterosso al Mare
- Riomaggiore
Why?
Manarola really is extremely stunning (and never simply saying this due to our bias in direction of it). I believe it and Vernazza are in all probability probably the most beautiful of the villages.
We additionally had a surprisingly scrumptious meal at Marina Piccola in Manarola. Stunning as a result of it was a waterfront restaurant that had all of the indicators of being a vacationer entice. However the meals was scrumptious and fairly priced for Cinque Terre, and the wait workers was candy (be good to them — we noticed so many different vacationers being extremely demanding).
We additionally had a delicious lunch at Ristorante Cecio in Corniglia, so maybe you would say that meals biases my opinions. However I liked how Corniglia was totally different from its sisters, the place huge views of hillside farms bleed into the ocean. I liked exploring its slender and winding alleyways and sitting atop the city’s largest hill basking within the solar.
We stayed at Vernazza, which within the low season is such the quintessential sleepy fishing city. There’s not a lot to do there when it’s chilly, however the views are so superb.
Whereas Vernazza is a small city with a harbor sq., Monterosso al Mare felt extra like a real coastal city, the type you may discover in Monterey or Carmel. The seashores have been a bit lower than picturesque once we visited as a result of latest storms, however the city provided some good climbing. When you’ve got time, take a look at the Capuchin church and convent, the city cemetery, and town middle.
After which we now have Riomaggiore. Don’t get me mistaken, it’s an lovable little seaside city. By itself, it could’ve been nice, nevertheless it didn’t stand out as a lot as the opposite cities to me. (I believe my associate preferred Riomaggiore higher than Monterosso al Mare although.) In the event you fancy a relaxation and drink whereas in Riomaggiore, take a look at Dau Cila on the water. Finest view on the town.
Nevertheless you select to spend your time on this UNESCO World Heritage website, be sure to drink some limoncino (not precisely the identical as limoncello!) and eat some pansoti in both walnut sauce or with lobster. You received’t remorse any of these decisions!
The place to remain in Cinque Terre
The place we’ve truly stayed and preferred: the tower room at Albergo Barbara, which is smack dab in the course of the city sq. with this unbelievable view. (One draw back: once we have been there, the city bell rang a horrendous variety of occasions at 7 a.m. every day. Apparently, this isn’t all the time the case, however this spot might be greatest for early birds.)
The place it could have been superior to remain if cash wasn’t a priority: a room with an ocean view at La Torretta Lodge in Manarola.
Day 13 – Genoa
Even with our slow-paced practice visits to the 5 villages, we have been out of issues to do inside a day and a half. So whereas it wasn’t a part of our 2-week Italy itinerary, however we determined to take a spontaneous day journey to Genoa.
Like how we discover many new cities, we began simply by strolling round. We handed many procuring areas and begrudgingly skipped many bakeries, and we noticed that there have been important immigrant communities in Genoa (Asian, African, Center Japanese). I suppose that’s a trademark of port cities all over the world.
We strolled Through Garibaldi, which has many fanciful previous palaces that at the moment are banks or workplaces however are open for the general public to go to. With all of the work and architectural particulars, you may virtually think about the previous occasions when these have been actual palaces. (I additionally couldn’t assist imagining it as a scene from The Princess Diaries. You may’t fault me although — the Italian title for Genoa is Genova, which is just one letter away from Genovia!)
And for a panoramic view of town, we went to Spianata Castelletto. There’s a elevate which you can pay for to take you up high, however you may as well simply climb the steps up. It’s a comparatively quick and reasonably steep route.
After all, we additionally hit the waterfront, the place you’ll undoubtedly end up as nicely. There, I implore you to go to Friggitoria San Giorgio.
Have you ever seen anybody so pleased with fried seafood? (I hope so, in any other case, you want some extra associates who love meals!) It made me so completely happy to stroll alongside the waterfront with this in hand.
If delicate sweets are extra your factor, take a look at Profumo Genova. Strolling into this fancy pastry and sweet store appears like strolling via a door to the previous. Every little thing is so dainty, the decor so traditional, the workers appeared so butler-esque. The cons? It’s a bit on the expensive finish and so they don’t have a rest room, which is the unique motive we walked in, ha!
We explored some paid-entry spots as nicely. I’d say the one worthy of your cash is the Galata Museum (13 euros for adults), which gives a historical past of Genoa’s maritime exploits in addition to broader edutainment.
Whereas the primary few rooms of the museum are a bit disorienting as a result of they have been 95% in Italian, the remainder of the museum included extra English explanations and extra interactive shows. My favourite elements have been the second-floor exhibit on slave ships, ghost ships, and sea monsters, and the VR expertise of being in a storm after which shipwreck.
Day 14 – Pisa
After which it was time to move again to Rome for our flight dwelling — however not earlier than a pit cease in Pisa to see its well-known eponymous tower.
Is Pisa value a cease? Sure. Is it value going out of your solution to go to? Not for my part.
Sure, I do know I used to be solely in Pisa for a few hours and may’t really decide all of it. All I’m saying is that the Tower of Pisa that makes the place such a well-liked vacation spot wasn’t all that thrilling for me. And there are such a lot of superb locations to go to in Italy. It was definitely a handy practice cease between Cinque Terre and Rome although.
Arrivederci, Italy! Till subsequent time.
