1. Rome
What is there to be said that hasn’t already been said about Rome. It is one of the most visited cities in the world and once you visit it you will be blown away. You can spend a whole week here and not discover all the treasures. Aside from the Coliseum, the Roman Forum is almost as incredible! You can spend hours looking at all the old ruins! Another incredible structure is the Pantheon and is completely free to enter. I could go on and on about all the attractions of Rome (Trevi Fountain, Vatican) but I’ll let you formulate your own opinion when you visit the “Eternal City.”
2. Venice
There is no other city in the world quite like Venice! Every corner and street you walk down, you will be awestruck by the views. The Grand Canal is truly marvelous. An underrated island of Venice is the island of Burano! This colorful island is one of the most beautiful places in the world! The houses are brightly colored and the canals are small. If you have the time, go to Burano! To me, San Marco Square is the most beautiful square in the world! The architecture and the style of the buildings are something out of a dream.
3. Florence
Personally, Florence is my favorite! It is the most beautiful city in Italy. It is quite smaller than Rome but for me that is a good thing. I was only there for a couple days but got to know the city really well. The “Duomo” is like nothing else and the views it brings are amazing. Climb to the top of Piazzale del Michelangelo for the most breathtaking view of the city. There are countless attractions to see in this small city but it will keep you quite busy.
4. Turin
This was my first city that I got to experience in Italy. This is where my grandparents and great grandparents made the long journey to America! This city has a very Italian feel but with more French architecture. If you love cars, then visit the Fiat museum! If you love movies, then visit the Mole! I recommend riding the elevator to the top of the Mole where you can see the whole city and on a clear day you can see the Italian Alps! There is a beautiful park (Parco del Valetino) with a medieval castle and it is quite incredible. Locals come here to escape the heat and to relax with friends and pets.
5. The city of Aosta
Way up in Northern Italy is this little city nestled in between mountains. If you love nature and the mountains than this is the city for you. While there isn’t much to do here in terms of sightseeing, nature remains supreme here. This is a perfect place to escape the heat of the Italian summer. There are many places to go hiking and mountain biking! You can also visit the tallest mountain in the Swiss Alps (Mountain Bianco). There is a lift that takes you more than halfway up the mountain into the snow. The view from this place will leave you breathless.
6. Milan
Fashion, Fashion, Fashion! If you love high end shopping than come to Milan! You won’t be disappointed. The “Duomo” of Milano is an incredible sight and definitely worth the price of admission. There are numerous attractions that will keep you busy for a couple of days. If you want to see the famous “Last Supper” painting, I suggest you book a ticket a couple months in advance. Also, you can visit the famous opera house (Teatro alla Scala) and if you can try to catch a play here!
7. Lake Como
If you want a break from the hustling of a busy city, then you should visit Como! There are numerous places to stay along the lakeside. This is where the lake meets the mountains. A very relaxing place where there are trails to hike and good for swimming! It is so beautiful that numerous celebrities have purchased properties and villas alongside the lake.
8. Verona
This is an extremely gorgeous city. Shakespeare had numerous stories that took place here but none more famous that “Romeo and Juliet.” You can visit her balcony and call to a lover. There is also a very popular Roman arena here. Though it’s not as impressive as the Coliseum (obviously!) it is still an awesome place to see!
9. Bergamo
This city is very small but offers some amazing scenery. It is located right at the foothills of the Alps. One of the coolest places about Bergamo is the “high city” (Citta alta) and is very medieval in style. This part of the city is very old while the “lower city” is more modern in style. The main square here is awesome! You can see for miles on a clear day.
10. Lake Maggiore
This is marvelous lake with islands and many little cities around it. This lake is on the border with Switzerland. If you have ever read “A Farewell to Arms” by Hemingway then this lake will appear familiar. I guess this lake held a place in his heart as it serves as the backdrop to this lake. There are islands to go and visit here and it is recommended.
