Expert Recommendations for Amazing Itineraries

We stayed at Villa Mercede for six nights during our time in the Castelli Romani. Easily accessible by train from Termini in Rome, we were met by a driver to help us down the hill with our bags. The rooms are spacious and clean. The restaurant downstair is quite good and of course, you are able to enjoy a full Italian breakfast each morning included with the room. We had a rainy day and decided we could relax rather than go sightseeing so we signed up for a spa treatment and relaxed by the indoor jacuzzi in the afternoon. There is a little bar in the lobby with food and drinks. One really nice touch is that they have two cars on property that you can rent for the day, which is perfect for taking a drive to the other towns in the Castelli Romani. Having the car right there ( you should pre-book it ) really saved time and energy so we could enjoy the town and it’s neighboring villages!

This is the restaurant in the Hotel Sirmione. The food is exceptional and the service is warm and gracious. We enjoyed pasta al gricia, peppery and creamy with guanciale and a tasty fish with sweet potato puree and pesto. The dessert was a work of art with tart berries and creamy lemon cake. We enjoyed our first bottle of Veronese Valpolicella Ripasso. The wine list was extensive and we appreciated the advice from our waiter about a good local wine.

Il Cavallino Bianco offers a warm and inviting atmosphere, making it a delightful spot for a meal, close to the Campo. The menu features authentic Italian dishes, including local Tuscan specialties, Whether you’re craving classic pasta dishes or a hearty Florentine steak, Il Cavallino Bianco provides a memorable dining experience that captures the essence of Tuscan cuisine.

This small bar is open weekdays and was the perfect spot for me to stop on the way to school. In the morning, it is a busy Italian bar so make sure to have your order ready! In the afternoon and for apertivo, they have delicious panini and bruschette. My favorite was with potatoes and blue cheese – an absolutely yummy combination!

Il Teatro Cucina Toscana in Montepulciano offers a cozy, inviting atmosphere where you can enjoy authentic Tuscan cuisine. Located near the Teatro Poliziano, it’s the perfect spot for a meal after exploring the town. The menu features local specialties like homemade pasta, Florentine steak, and classic desserts. With friendly service and a charming setting, it’s an ideal choice for both casual dining and or a special dinner.

One of the best meals we had in Italy, and after a few months of only Italian food, we loved the change of cuisine. We had the traditional tikka masala along with rice and naan, and my favorite papadum. The service was warm and friendly and being located in central Florence. it makes it a good option if you are somehow tired of Italian food.

The three Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore, famously coveted by Napoleon, are easy to reach and absolutely worth visiting. The islands—Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Isola dei Pescatori—each have their own unique charm. Isola Bella, perched on a rocky outcrop in the middle of the lake, is accessible by a short ferry ride. If you start early in the day, you can purchase a pass to visit all three islands in one day. We chose Isola Bella for its renowned beauty. Dominating the island is the Palazzo Borromeo with its stunning terraced gardens. Visitors can tour both the palace and gardens; in fall 2025, tickets were €24 per person.

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. There is also a church on the island you can visit, if you are so moved.

Juliet’s Balcony may be rooted more in Shakespearean literary legend than historical fact, but its magic is important to Verona. The medieval house known as Casa di Giulietta once belonged to the Dal Cappello family—whose name echoes Shakespeare’s Capulets—and over time became entwined with the story of Romeo and Juliet. Though the famous balcony was added later, the courtyard has evolved into a symbol of love, hope, and devotion, drawing visitors who happily suspend disbelief. Honest yet enchanting, Juliet’s Balcony captures Verona’s unique ability to blend history, storytelling, and romance into an experience that feels timeless.

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. So good. There is outside seating and you’ll be able to see up to the sassi and watch the Cathedral visitors come and go.

Key Largo Bar is a perfect spot for a casual drink or a quick bite. Located on Il Campo, it boasts a beautiful terrace overlooking the Piazza and the Torre del Mangia, offering stunning views of the iconic square. The bar serves a variety of coffee, cocktails, and snacks, making it an ideal place to relax and people-watch. Whether you’re enjoying a morning espresso or an evening aperitivo, the laid-back atmosphere and friendly service make it a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

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! We enjoy the Puglian Orecciette with some rolled up beef. Delicious! And of course, the traditional pasta of Puglia.

Nestled in Piazza Giuseppe Mazzini, La Consorteria 1966 is the world’s only shop dedicated entirely to Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena PDO. Housed in a charming space just steps from the Ghirlandina Tower, this boutique showcases small-family producers, offering guided tastings of precious barrels aged 12+, 25+ years, and beyond. The knowledgeable staff create an intimate, educational experience, with visits often featured on Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil

This lovely trattoria is an ideal spot for a memorable dinner, whether you choose a table along the sidewalk or dine inside the cozy dining room. We enjoyed beautifully prepared pasta with a unique arugula cream sauce, a perfectly cooked steak, and an exceptional chocolate dessert. The service strikes a pleasant balance between friendly and refined, making this a wonderful choice for a special occasion or a relaxed evening out in Verona, very close to the Arena.

La Locanda dei Tintori is a cozy restaurant nestled in the heart of Siena, honoring the city’s rich history of textile and leather dye artisans. The name pays tribute to the neighborhood’s past, once bustling with renowned dyers like Jacopo Benincasa, father of Saint Catherine of Siena. The menu showcases traditional Sienese cuisine, featuring dishes such as pici pasta with aglione sauce and wild boar ragù. Guests can enjoy the warm ambiance indoors or opt for outdoor seating along the charming Via dei Pittori. Located just a short stroll from the Sanctuary of Saint Catherine, it’s an ideal spot to savor authentic Tuscan flavors while exploring Siena’s historic center.

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! Our room had the most iconic view as well, right out to sea!

Perched above the deep blue waters of Lake Albano, Castel Gandolfo is one of the most picturesque towns in the Castelli Romani—and for good reason. Long known as the summer retreat of the popes, the town combines sweeping lake views with an intimate historic center, elegant piazzas, and a relaxed, almost resort-like atmosphere. Below, Lake Albano fills an ancient volcanic crater, its clear waters framed by forested slopes and walking paths. Visit to the Papal Palace or the town center but make sure to save a few minutes for time by the lake—whether that means a leisurely lunch, a walk along the shore, or simply taking in the view. It’s an ideal escape from Rome for travelers craving beauty, calm, and a touch of history.

Cradled within a volcanic crater and ringed by dense woodland, Lake Nemi has an almost otherworldly stillness. Known in antiquity as the Speculum Dianae—the Mirror of Diana—the lake was sacred to the goddess and closely tied to ritual and myth. Above it sits Nemi, officially recognized as one of “I Borghi più Belli d’Italia”, its pastel buildings and narrow lanes clinging to the crater’s edge. The contrast between the dark, reflective waters below and the storybook village above makes the setting especially striking. At the lake’s edge, you can visit the Museo delle Navi Romane di Nemi (Museum of the Roman Ships) was originally built in the 1930s to house two enormous pleasure vessels from the time of Emperor Caligula, recovered from the lake between 1929 and 1932.

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. The wine is perfect for a warm day and you can get both sweet and dry varieties.

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. They dot the skyline to indicate how at one point in time, Bologna was quite famous.