Experience Italy Day Trips & Sightseeing Tours

The Italian Affair: Three Cities

Why is Italy such popular destination? Ask any traveler or would-be traveler and it’s bound to be on their list. As for the reasons why, the quick answers are: art, food, shoes, cars, and romance. And they’re not wrong. Yes, this boot-shaped corner of Europe has fascinated generation after generation of artists, dreamers, and lovers of all things beautiful.

La Bella Figura

The Italian experience goes far beyond looking at pretty pictures, admiring ancient edifices, and indulging is delicious cuisine. It’s also about the allure of the Italian way of living, the mindset and demeanor: to be beautiful and gracious in all things, in presentation and in behavior. It’s not easy concept to grasp, especially for non-Italians. But once you get a taste of it, it’s easy to understand why many find it heady and seductive.

In this age of affordable travel, Italy tour packages are more accessible than ever. Travelers of all ages continue to flock to Europe, with Italy as a prime destination. Because of the many must-see sights all over the country, Italy tours usually cover the three destinations in the highest demand beginning at the most popular jump-off point: Rome.

Roma

Read a few Italy tour reviews and you’ll learn about all the requisite spots in the Eternal City. Walking on the streets of Rome is like going through a history book and an art museum at the same time. The Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Palatine, and the many churches and museums can give you sensory overload, so make sure to pace yourself.

You’ll definitely not want for options for good food while in Rome, or anywhere in Italy for that matter. Make sure to sample the authentic versions of food you’re quite familiar with. Try Roman pizza! It definitely isn’t same the pizza back home—wherever home might be—so take advantage.

Firenze

Even people who don’t know much about art have heard of at least one of these guys: Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, or Botticelli, if not all three. They just happen to be three of the rock stars of the Renaissance and many of their beautifully preserved works can still be found all over Florence today.

Florence is looked upon as many an artist or art lover’s Mecca. After all, the city is credited as the “cradle of the Renaissance.” Rome is perhaps the only other city that can rival its bounty of Renaissance art and architecture. That’s why most Italy tours from Rome include a trip to Florence.

With so much to see and do in Florence, you’ll need to map out a plan. The Uffizi Gallery is a must! Again, aside from the masterpieces of the previously mentioned Renaissance rock stars, the Uffizi’s roll call includes works by: Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Donatello, and many others—yes, the other two Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles namesakes round out the list.

Make sure to grab the ultimate Florentine sandwich, a lampredotto, to help fuel your mad dash around the city.

Venezia

Las Vegas may have recreated a version of La Serenissima but once you set foot on the real Venice, you’ll understand why the imitation.

You’ll have to do the typical touristy things because, well, you have to! From a gondola (or even a vaporetto) ride down the Grand Canal to visiting the standard spots such as St. Mark’s, the Doge’s Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, and so on, you won’t regret being the tourist that you are.

You’re in Venice, so eat seafood! The Queen of the Adriatic is the place to blacken your teeth with squid ink pasta and if you’re there in the spring, get some soft shell crabs. And, don’t forget to raise a glass in a toast; make it a Bellini and you’ll have completed the theme.

Check out other jump-off points such as Italy tours from Milan and Italy tours from London. Bon Viaggio!