In a city that’s studded with magnificent churches, Santa Croce is a place of superlatives. The basilica has one of the greatest assemblages of paintings, sculptures, and funereal monuments in existence. It’s home to celebrity tombs, magnificent frescos, and Donatello sculptures. The basilica is a place of one stop shopping for Italian culture and a must … Read more
Do you love a beautiful vista? If so, here’s my guide to the best viewpoints in Florence Italy. It’s always exciting to discover a city from above. With a distinctive cityscape and gorgeous architecture, Florence is an incredibly beautiful city. Happily, there are many iconic viewpoints in Florence where you can enjoy magical views over … Read more
“Well-behaved women don’t make history” — Laurel Thatcher Ulrich Here’s my guide to visiting the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice Italy. The collection is a modern art museum founded by the eccentric American expat Peggy Guggenheim. The collection is one of the best museums in Italy. It’s always mobbed. So you’ll need to pre-book a … Read more
Looking for some interesting facts about Rome to prepare for a visit? I’m an inveterate reader and history buff. I always do massive prep for a trip and I’ve been to Rome many times. Rome can be akin to experiencing magic. But to properly walk through antiquity, it helps to unlock the background of Rome’s … Read more
“Once you have tasted the sky, you’ll forever look up.” — Leonardo da Vinci Planning a trip to Milan and obsessed with Leonardo da Vinci? Here’s my guide to the must see Leonardo da Vinci sites and attractions in Milan Italy. Leonardo lived in Milan for almost 20 years and is considered a beloved adopted … Read more
“Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go.” — Truman Capote Here’s my nutshell history of the beautiful floating city of Venice. If you’re thinking of visiting this magical place, you may want to acquaint yourself with its incredible history in advance. Venice stands as the epitome of uniqueness, unlike … Read more
Underrated Milan is an amazing destination in northern Italy. It’s a vibrant and sophisticated modern city, the thriving finance and fashion capitol of Italy. The city combines old world charm and modern “bright lights, big city” flair in compelling fashion. You can’t help but be dazzled by Milan’s architecture, piazzas, historic sites, iconic art, and … Read more
Centro Storico is the most picturesque part of Rome. It’s a tangle of cobbled alleyways, Renaissance and Baroque monuments, ancient ruins, and pretty piazzas. This is the historic Rome that so many visitors come to see. My walking tour of central Rome starts at the Vittorio Emmanuel II Monument in Piazza Venezia and ends at … Read more
Scoping out some day trips from Rome? Here’s my guide to the 25 best day trips from Rome. I give you an overview of each day trip destination and tips for getting there. Rome is one of Europe’s most beautiful and popular cities. There are so many things to do in Rome, you could move … Read more
Are you planning a trip to Florence and looking to explore beyond the typical tourist hotspots? Look no further than the Oltrarno neighborhood, located on the other side of the Arno River from the city center. This Oltrarno itinerary covers all the must see attractions in Oltrarno in just one day, with a step-by-step walking … Read more