I recently took my second-ever international trip to Italy. Although I was tempted to jam as many sights into our 10-day itinerary as I could, my husband and I made a tough decision. We decided to spend three days in each of Italy’s major cities: Venice, Florence and Rome.

Although we knew we would miss out on the style and fashion of Milan, the quaint village towns of Cinque Terre and the spicy flair of southern Italy, we thought the sacrifice would be worth it.
Absorbing the culture at a pace we knew would be challenging but not exhausting was the best option for us. Plus, we have an excuse to go back and visit again! Below are a few highlights that may be helpful if you’re planning to visit Italy.

Venice

Crowds: Slightly busy. Although we read online that the peak travel season to Italy occurs mainly in the summer months, traveling in this small city in May during the daylight hours was a struggle. If you happen to stay at a hotel in the city (vs. on the mainland), you’ll be rewarded with a significantly reduced crowd in the evening and a sparkling glimpse of St. Mark’s Square all to yourself.

Attractions: St. Mark’s Basilica and Square are not to be missed, plus I highly recommend taking a gondola ride at twilight. Getting a fish’s-eye-view of the Grand Canal lit up by twinkling lights is worth this somewhat-pricey, touristy trip. I also enjoyed a quick boat ride to the colorful town of Burano for some gelato and shopping. The Doge’s Palace and the Academia are other great sites to experience Venetian history and art.

Food: As you might think, seafood dishes are common in Venice. The cuisine also includes a variety of pasta dishes like risotto, ravioli and fettuccine. I ate and devoured delicious lasagna at a family-owned restaurant near our hotel.

Florence

Crowds: Busier. The crowds in Florence were as equally dense (if not more so) as in Venice but more dispersed. Bikes and mopeds (like the iconic Vespa) dominate the city, and cars are not allowed near major tourist attractions where crowds are heavy.

Attractions: The Uffizi Gallery offers a stunning collection of works by famous Italian painters and sculptors like Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli and Raphael. Most visitors will also want to see the acclaimed Statue of David at the Accademia Gallery. My husband and I still wanted more time with these masterful artists and toured the Bargello Museum, a former palace with a variety of famous collections.

We took in the serene Arno River among the shuffle and bustle of commerce along the Ponte Vecchio—a calm yet authentic way to experience Florence. Other key sites we loved were Il Duomo, the Baptistry, the church of Sante Croce and the renowned Florentine leather market.

Food: I’d heard that some of the best food I’d eat in Italy would be in Florence. Oh, how true this was. My most delicious meal there was a sinful bowl of gnocchi (dumpling-like pasta) covered in a creamy gorgonzola sauce.

My husband and I also had the opportunity to attend a cooking class while in Florence. We were taught how to make bruschetta, marinated chicken, crepes and tiramisu. All of it was divine. For a one-of-a-kind cooking experience, I suggest booking the 4-course dinner option with In Tavola cooking school.

Rome

Crowds: Busiest. Rome is Italy’s capital and its most populated city—and it shows. In this city, the adage “look both ways before crossing the street” needs an additional “and any alley, crosswalk or footpath.” With so many people vying to see some of the most historic places in the world, prepare yourself— it’s going to be bumpy ride. Even in the off-season, I felt slightly claustrophobic around the major tourist attractions like the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon.

Attractions: With so many amazing sites in this enormous city, I recommend buying all attraction tickets in advance. My husband and I were lucky that our tour group (another great travel option) scheduled the logistics beforehand. Along with the locations I mentioned above, other essential travel spots are the Vatican, the Forum, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Piazza Navona.

Two of my favorite places in Rome were the Colosseum and the Borghese Gallery. While the Colosseum impressed me with its sheer size and dark history, the Borghese Galley stunned me with its delicate beauty and detailed artistry.

Food: Although Rome is known for its more up-scale fare, I found myself eating more of the classic Italian foods, like pizza (though very different from the American version), spaghetti carbonara and gelato in quantities equivalent to my body weight.

One delectable treat you cannot leave the city without tasting is Tartufo. This calorie-packing creation consists of a candied cherry center surrounded by chocolate ice cream in a chocolate shell drizzled with chocolate syrup and served with a mound of whipped cream. That’s what I call going out with a bang!

Post a comment and tell us about some of the must-see and do experiences you’ve had in Italy.