Expert Recommendations for Amazing Itineraries

This hotel is the perfect place to spend your first or last night in Italy if you are using FCO airport in Rome. You can literally walk to the hotel from the airport, the rooms are safe and clean, and they have the best breakfast buffet I’ve ever seen. After a good night sleep, you can wake up refreshed and head to the train station at the airport. There is a connection to Roma Termini where you can get to almost anywhere in the country quickly. There is a direct train from FCO to Santa Maria Novella in Florence (it does stop in Termini but you don’t change trains) and in 2 hours, you’ll be at the Duomo!

This is our “Home away from Home” on the Amalfi Coast of Bella Italia. We have stayed there 20 Times over the last 26 years and 14 members of our family and many friends have joined us there.

This small and beautiful hotel is truly family run and has been since 1968 when the Cinque family converted it from a 17th century palazzo.

We have always been treated as part of the family and consider ourselves that way. The included colazione is delicious and several years ago the family opened a chic high end Ristorante, “Don Giovanni” on their picturesque terrace overlook the sea. The hotel is quite popular and there are just 16 rooms, most with sea view terraces, so reservations during peak season must be made very well in advance.

Located in Trastevere, this boutique hotel has spacious rooms and gorgeous courtyard. Breakfast is delicious and they even serve a happy hour for guests! They also have family friendly rooms where your kids can have their own beds. The location is really perfect if you want to stay in Trastevere.

It seems a bit crazy to need a break from Italian food while in Italy, but we’d been there a while and were looking for a little something different.  This place was perfect.  The food was insanely good, the butter paneer hit the spot along with soft and delicious garlic naan.  Florence is a food lover’s mecca for sure, and this Indian place really confirmed that for us!

Isola Tiburtina is the small island in the middle of the Tiber river. You can access it from the Trastevere side, walk all the way around it and exit on the Campo di Fiore side. We stopped for lunch at a cute cafe right near the Basilica. It’s fun afternoon spot and a nice place to walk for a bit.

This restaurant is right at next to the Chiesa di San Pietro Caveoso in Matera. The service is exceptional and the food was perfect for a lunch on a warm day in Matera. Had an excellent plate of pasta – braised beef under tagliatelle with a special pistachio sauce. Insanely good.

We had a lovely dinner here — it’s delicious Puglian food, so of course, we had to try the orecchiette. Make sure to make a reservation. It’s right inside the city’s gates and perfect for a nice evening out. Make sure to try a Puglian Primitivo with dinner!

This great little bar is on the way up the hill and is the perfect spot for a bite to eat and a glass of wine. We enjoyed this cheese fondue dish and were delighted to sit in the window.

This hotel sits right on the bluffs overlooking the quaint town of Vietri Sul Mare on the east side of the Amalfi Coast close to Salerno. The hotel has a lovely restaurant, is walking distance to the town and even has a few parking spaces. We especially loved the kind staff who greeted us each morning for breakfast and in the evening for aperitivo!

This red wine from Emilia-Romagna is quite different than tradition Italian red wine. We were in Bologna in May and it was getting warm, so we enjoyed Lambruscho quite often as it’s fizzy and served chilled. We highly recommend trying a bottle if you are in this region.

In the 12th century, when Bologna was a city of power and wealth, the construction of these towers indicated the status of the family — at one point in history, there were likely almost 200 towers in Bologna. These towers are part of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. They serve as a reminder of the city’s rich past and the rivalry between noble families.

This lovely French bakery is a quick walk from Trastevere and the perfect spot to pick up a nice celebratory treat. The cafe and quiche lorraine for lunch which were delicious. Highly recommend.

Right next to the Piazza Santa Croce, this small sandwich shop is the perfect spot for lunch. They make the traditional Schiaccia sandwiches and you can sit in their spots on the sidewalk to enjoy your lunch — or walk down to the benches in the Piazza. The food is delicious!

Literally everywhere you go, there is something amazing above you. Inside, it’s a 14th century fresco on the ceiling in your school. Outside, it’s amazing architecture and sculpture. Just look up…. so you don’t miss a thing.

This pastry shop has the most beautiful desserts and they are just as delicious as they are pretty. They serve a tasty espresso and seem to stay open late for the folks walking home.

Matera is just an hour away and well worth the visit. It is known for its unique architecture and fascinating history. Carved into the rugged landscape, Matera is famed for its “Sassi” districts, where dwellings are built into the rock cliffs, creating a strikingly picturesque scene. Visit the Museo della Civiltà Contadina “Casa Grotta” (Museum of Peasant Civilization “House Cave”) to get a fascinating glimpse into the daily life of Matera’s inhabitants throughout the centuries. These cave dwellings, some dating back to prehistoric times, have earned Matera recognition as one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited settlements and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. You may also recognize it as the backdrop in the James Bond movie “No Time to Die.”

The first floor of the mercato centrale is a vibrant bustling market with fresh food, fruits, veggies and the like. Like. The upstairs is a very interesting and entertaining dining hall. There are many different types of food to choose from, all prepared by local vendors and all delicious. You can get a glass of wine with a delicious plate of pasta or a big Florentine steak. It’s an absolute stop for any foodies while in Florence.

The Mercato di Testaccio in Rome is a lively food market in the heart of the Testaccio neighborhood. Here, visitors can explore stalls filled with fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, and Roman street food delights. From supplì to porchetta sandwiches, the market offers a taste of authentic Italian cuisine amidst a bustling atmosphere, making it a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts and travelers alike.

The Mercato Sant’Ambrogio is a fresh food market with stalls of all kinds of different foods. There are stalls for fish, meat, pasta, veggies, fruit, spices and more. It’s so fun to walk through the stalls checking out all the interesting local ingredients. If you are a foodie and don’t want to brave the crowded of the Centrale Market, try this one instead!

Nestled amidst the rolling hills of Tuscany, Montalcino exudes a timeless charm that captures the hearts of visitors from around the world. This picturesque hilltop town is renowned for its stunning views of the surrounding countryside and its rich cultural heritage. Montalcino is perhaps best known as the birthplace of Brunello di Montalcino, one of Italy’s most esteemed wines. Here, visitors can wander through the narrow cobblestone streets, lined with ancient stone buildings and charming artisan shops, or explore the imposing fortress that dominates the town’s skyline. With its idyllic setting, centuries of history, and world-class wine, Montalcino offers a quintessential Tuscan experience that is as captivating as it is unforgettable.