Expert Recommendations for Amazing Itineraries

Right in the heart of Trastevere, there are multiple sites of this restaurant. We ate at the one right in the Piazza della Scala by our apartment and it was really tasty. Good red wine by the carafe, we each had a tasty pasta and then split saltimbocca and it was excellent. Tonnarello is definitely a staple of Trastevere, and we’ll go back every time!

If you are missing your cat, this spot is perfect to see some ancient ruins and to pet a few cats. The Torre Argentina is the remains of four Roman temples and is thought to be the place where Caesar was murdered. It was found during an excavation in the 1920s and now is a protected site. Within the ruins is also a cat sanctuary. You’ll see lots of cats roaming the ruins and in the grass but you also can walk down a small flight of stairs to a basement where there are cats you can interact with. Some are old or blind and they are all lovely to sit with for a few minutes. It doesn’t smell great in there, but it was worth it for me to visit. Be a good citizen and leave a few euro to donate to help these cuties.

The Torre del Mangia in Siena is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, standing tall in Piazza del Campo. Built in the 14th century, this bell tower offers panoramic views of Siena and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. Named after its first bell ringer, Giovanni di Balduccio, also known as “Mangia” (meaning “eater” in local dialect), the tower is a symbol of Siena’s civic pride. Climbing the 400+ steps to the top is a rewarding experience, offering breathtaking views of the city’s medieval rooftops and the rolling hills beyond. A visit to the Torre del Mangia is a must for anyone wanting to take in Siena from above.

The Torre di Pisa, or Leaning Tower of Pisa, is one of Italy’s most iconic landmarks, located within the stunning Piazza dei Miracoli. This famous tower, part of the Pisa Cathedral complex, stands alongside the impressive Duomo (Cathedral), the Baptistery, and the Monumental Cemetery. Visitors can climb the 294 steps of the tower for a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. The Duomo, with its intricate marble façade and stunning interior, and the Baptistery, known for its acoustics, add to the historical and architectural significance of the site.

This very small hotel has rooms overlooking the Bay of Naples with Mt. Vesuvio in the distance. It’s a charming small hotel, clean and convenient. We loved being away from the hubbub of the city by being down a short causeway by the Castel dell’Ovo. They only take reservations from March-ish through the tourist season and you can reach them via email at info@transatlanticonapoli.com. There is a wonderful restaurant downstairs along with a few other places nearby. Get the Pasta Vongole, if you eat that their restaurant, it comes highly recommended by my dad! ***The photo is taken from our room!

This was our best meal in Sirmione – at a small local trattoria. There is a lovely patio, but the evening was chilly so we opted to sit inside. We enjoyed a carafe of the house red wine (Valpolicella) with tortelloni with butter and sage, plus a pork shank with stewed white beans. The food was exceptional and the service with quick and polite. I highly recommend this restaurant.

This restaurant is specifically known for its extra large portions of cotolette — large, thin pieces of pork breaded and deep fried, then topped with traditional Italian toppings. I had fontina cheese and ham. I ordered a small one and was able to have it for lunch two additional days! We are talking HUGE portions. The food was terrific, the service was friendly and quick, and we really enjoyed this Verona spot.

Nestled on the charming Strada Conservatorio in Parma’s historic center, Trattoria Corrieri is a warm, rustic eatery celebrated for its authentic Parmigian cuisine. Housed in a centuries-old inn where couriers once stopped to rest their horses, it remains true to tradition—serving hearty plates like cappelletti in brodo, tortelli, risotto alla Parmigiana, crispy gnocco fritto with local salumi, and slow-cooked guancialini. With glowing praise from Gambero Rosso and The Fork rating of 9.3/10, guests rave about “excellent food and wine” and a “homey vibe”

By far, this was one of the top dinners we had in Italy. This is a small family run trattoria, but you do need to get reservations because it is so popular. I had the small ravioli with parmesan inside and pea cream with sausage. Located in the neighborhood near our VRBO, this trattoria was highly recommended as a local favorite by our host.

This tiny restaurant is in the Mercato Sant’Ambrogio so it is only open for lunch. The market closes at 2pm so be sure to plan to be there around noon for lunch. The tables are open to everyone so you may share a table (and a carafe of wine) with some folks taking their lunch break. The scene is a little chaotic but they restaurant knows what it’s doing so just ask for a table for your party and roll with everything else. The food is delicious and clearly made with care and love.

Perched on a hill with twinkle lights decorating the door, this small family run trattoria is a wonderful spot for dinner. We each had a traditional Roman meal – including cacio e pepe and saltimbocca. We decided to get a recommendation on a white wine since the Frascati Superiore is what this town is known for and it did not disappoint. Final course was a terrific berry tart dessert with fresh whipped cream. The staff was kind and the restaurant was very busy with local so we knew we came to the right spot. Our taxi driver even told us to say hello to the owner for him…. we love a local experience and this was as good as it gets.

We tried two different risotto dishes at this small, family run Trattoria. Risotti con Amarone, which is made with the famous red wine of the region and Risotto al Tastasal, which is made with sausage and spices. Both were very tasty. We also enjoyed a glass of Valpolicella Ripaso. The restaurant is small but offers a great meal at a very reasonable price.

The Trevi Fountain stands as a majestic masterpiece of Baroque artistry in the heart of Rome. Completed in the 18th century, it is the largest and one of the most famous fountains in the city. Visitors are captivated by its grandeur, featuring intricate sculptures depicting mythical figures and sea creatures. Legend has it that tossing a coin into the fountain ensures a return to Rome, making it a timeless tradition for tourists seeking luck and a connection to the Eternal City.

The Uffizi Gallery is one of the main art galleries in Florence. Housed in an beautiful building, there are rooms and rooms of art for you to see. There are sculpture galleries in the hallways. This is a must stop sight in Florence. You can get a multi-day ticket so you can visit the Uffizi, the Boboli Gardens and the Palazzo Pitti on one transaction.

This restaurant in the University neighborhood is the perfect spot the end a fun day of touring. It’s warm and cozy, lined with book shelves filled with books. The food matches the vibe – great Italian food. We ate the most delicious pasta here and the house wine is affordable and perfect! Their outside seating area is as charming as the inside. Highly recommend!

This quaint little street, lined with shops and cafes, is a perfect place to wander for the afternoon. We stopped for an aperitivo and enjoyed watching world go by. The street is highlighted by the words to Imagine, by John Lennon, in lights above the path. There are many restaurants that line the street and shops with leather and other goods. Pro tip: there isn’t a bathroom here but there is one right at the Comune building at the end of the road.

The famous singer, Domenico Modugno, grew up here in Polignano a Mare. He is best known for the song “Volare” which you can often hear being played in town. This street has the words of the song, written in lights, strung across the street and it is particularly darling at night. This street seems to the place for aperitivo as well with many bars and restaurants lining it.

Viareggio is a charming coastal town in Tuscany, known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant promenade, and lively atmosphere. The passeggiata, or promenade, stretches nearly 2 miles along the seafront, lined with elegant Art Nouveau architecture, shops, and cafés, making it the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll. The town is famous for its grand hotels and villas, as well as the renowned Carnival of Viareggio, one of Italy’s most famous festivals, featuring elaborate parades and colorful floats. Whether you’re enjoying a walk along the passeggiata, relaxing on the beach, or attending a local festival, Viareggio offers a perfect blend of relaxation and culture.

This large park/villa is a welcome escape from the hubbub of Rome. It’s large and very walkable. There is a lake where you can rent a paddle boat and plenty of pretty spots to sit and relax. The Terrazza Viale del Belvedere has a lovely view of the city. Make this part your last stop in the park then you can walk down the Spanish Steps to get back to the city.

This restaurant is in a hotel, about a 20 minute walk from the Castel. We had nice meal here while watching an unforgettable sunset across Lake Garda. We enjoyed two main courses, a local fish and a traditional steak, arugula and pesto. The servers were attentive and kind.