Italy is one of my favorite destinations.

There is so much to see and explore, one lifetime isn’t enough to nearly cover it.

Here are my favorite places in Italy so far:

Venice

Slightly gritty with a mix of bustling waterways and quiet alleys, Venice is always fascinating. Walking out of the train station onto the Grand Canal takes my breath away every time. The historic buildings glow in the sunlight. Boats of all powers and sizes deliver people and goods to various locations. Think of the vaporetti as city buses and you can get around easily. Don’t be afraid to get lost while walking, that’s part of the fun.

Sicily

Beautiful coastlines, hilltop villages, ancient ruins, great food. There’s something for everyone here. Palermo has modern shopping and beautiful churches. Mt. Etna is certainly a sight to see.  I especially loved the archaeological sites and the panelle (chick pea polenta fries).

Florence

I love Florence for the art-the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery are two of the best.  Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci lived here. The last time I was there, I climbed Giotto’s Tower and got great views over the entire city. I think the best gelato is here, too.

Rome

While the ancient sights are great and worthwhile visiting, and the Sistine Chapel is a must-see, there is more to Rome than antiquity. I did a wonderful foodie tour in the Prati district and went to a Baroque music concert in a lovely mansion/museum. And I had pretty good gelato, here, too.