Italy Travel Agent Specialist

Italy-If you like food, wine, history and culture, this may be the place for you!

Venice-Did you know Venice is about 100 or so small islands?  The canals are the roadways that connect all these together.  The canals are lined with architecture that is Gothic or Renaissance style and is amazing to see.  There are restaurants that expect you to take up a table and stay for as long as you like.  It is a slower paced atmosphere here and people take pride in that.  In the warmer months, there is an outdoor market with so many bright colors from Venetian masks, scarfs, luggage to handbags and shoes.  Don’t forget to bring home a mask!  Every color, style, size…it is hard to choose but it’s amazing to see the artistry that goes into each one.

Pisa-The leaning tower of Pisa is one of the most famous sites in Italy.  People flock from around the world to see this wonder and take a look/tour inside.  Don’t just stop here though, walk through the streets at the cafes, shops and so many other buildings whose architecture will catch the eye.  I had pizza in Pisa, it is a Must try!  If you are driving though,pay close attention to the street signs as there are several streets, with one- way traffic, and the flow of which way to go changes based on time of day. I learned this the hard way.

The drive from Pisa to Tuscany was incredible.  High bridges above a natural forest or stream give a calming effect that has to be witnessed first hand.  The streets/highways do not curve around the mountains, they go right through them with man made tunnels.  It is so worth the drive.

Tuscany-I think this is my favorite spot of all of Italy, at least so far.  We stayed in a hotel where the views were unmatched.  The best wine (moscato) I have ever tasted and food like you have never had.  There is also a train that can take you to any other city you want to travel.  Make sure you note exactly what station you got on and which track you got off so you don’t end up on the wrong train, like I did.  There are cities that sound similar.

Florence-We took the train into Florence. I think this may be the best architecture I have ever seen, pictures do not do this place justice!  The colors, the detail of every building is outstanding.There are several

DaVinci museums, check them all out.  There is one for his inventions, showing his invention and its drawings and how it has evolved into things we use today. There is an art museum of his greatest works and some lesser known pieces that should be better known.  There are walking tours that will guide you through the museums and teach you about his history and works.

The one thing I have always wanted to see and didn’t think I would (Florence was not on our original itinerary) is the statue of David. You see every vein, every tensed muscle, every line as if David was standing in front of you. It is the most emotional and amazing thing to see close up. 

There are also many of DaVinci sculptures that are amazing as well and several that are partially finished showing his method of creation.

Rome-The history, the structures, sites, shops, I’m just not sure you can fit everything into a paragraph or two.  First, the coliseum was amazing.  I took the inside tour and was blown away by the history, the stories, and how big this structure was.  I learned so much that you don’t learn in school or by watching roman movies.  While I truly enjoyed all the sites, I have to say the food was better in the other cities.

Vatican City-When visiting, please ensure that you are covered past your knees!  I had on a skirt that was right above the knee and very conservative but had to buy a scarf and wrap it to cover my knees.  The beautiful buildings, history, art and the people, this is a place worth visiting. I suggest taking a walking guided tour as you learn so much more than just walking around on your own.  

Sistine Chapel-A work of art on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel that will take your breath away. It took over 4 years for Michelangelo to complete this amazing work.  Pictures inside are not allowed but this is something you will remember for the rest of your life.

Puglia-The Mediterranean coast is home of a city of whitewashed buildings, hills, farmland and some of the best food and wine.  There are several cookbooks from this region and tours available for cooking classes, wine tasting, pairings and some of the friendliest people I have met on any journey.  This town feels like you imagine when watching movies about Italy.

There are so many places to explore in Italy, where do you want to go?