My husband and I just returned from a fantastic holiday traveling from Venice through Tuscany and ending up in Rome. Italy is one of my favorite places to go with its unbelievable scenery, food, wine and culture. I would like to highlight some of our favorite parts so if you go you could possibly add them to your list of 'to-dos'!
There was no one particular site that we liked best in Venice (all are great). The thing we liked best was getting lost in all the winding streets and stumbling upon a fun shop or piazza to have a tasty meal. Venice is not like anywhere else of course being that is 'floating' on water and not a car to be seen. But there is also something magical about being there that I can't really describe besides saying that you have to go and see for yourself and you will know what I mean. An extravagance but fun thing to do is get a bellini (prosecco and peach nectar)from Harry's Bar. It is where the bellini was first created. There is a limited menu but I would just go for the bellini!
Florence had many changes from when I studied there in college five years ago. Much more populated and hate to say it a little bit dirty (lots of graffiti and so many cars). However it is still charming and fun to go back to some old favorite spots. Florence is known for its genuine leather goods and for a good price head to the Central Market (just make sure it is real leather). For great people watching and live music while enjoying aperitifs (Italian happy hour) head to Golden View. It overlooks the arno just down from the ponte vecchio. The small plates are free as long as you order a cocktail. For a lunch with magnificent panoramic views of Florence head to Piazzale Michelangelo. Before you go head to a Gastronomica for cured meats, cheeses, bread, olive oil and drink of choose for your picnic lunch. You will work up an appetite climbing up the steep steps and hill. For a bit of the countryside I highly recommend the 'Bicycle Tuscany' tour (www.bicycletuscany.com). You start off biking through the hills of Chianti and about halfway through stop at a winery for a tour and tasting. From there you head to a local trattoria for a slow relaxing lunch. I warn you not to drink to much vino as the last 30 minutes biking back is the hardest part!
After getting that taste of the countryside we wanted to explore more. So we departed the city for Castellina in Chianti. Hotel Belvedere di San Leonino was so charming and would like to stay at again if (when) we go back to Tuscany. The rooms are spacious, breakfast is included and location makes it easy to take day trips to the surrounding areas. Another plus was the pool as it was about 90 degrees (unseasonably warm for mid-May). You need to rent a car while you are in Tuscany so you can explore the local wineries and travel to neighboring areas like Greve, Siena and Radda. While in Italy I think it is essential to take a cooking class. The way the Italians cook and eat is such an insight to their lifestyle. For a non-classroom format we signed up for a class run by two ladies, Tina and Manuela. The class was held in their home which was an old villa in the middle of the surrounding vineyards. We made so much incredible food; homemade pasta that went into our lasagna, crostini with roasted peppers, roasted turkey breast with herbs and fennel, apple torte and biscotti. My non-cooking husband was amazed by how everything they make is from scratch - nothing comes from a box! Go to www.cooking-class-authentic-tuscany.com and sign up!
After relaxing by the pool and getting our energy back we headed to Rome for more sightseeing. Even though you see pictures of the Pantheon, Colosseum and Vatican seeing them in person is just breathtaking. The Pantheon is located in a popular piazza where you find several cafes to take in the views and enjoy a drink. I would recommend not eating there but heading to Piazza Coppelle just around the corner where there are several restaurants that would be hard to go wrong by. Campo de Fiori is another lively area for food and drinks. The Campo draws a younger crowd that stays out till the early morning so be aware if your hotel is in the area. Blue Ice down one of the side streets from the Campo hits the spot for a late night sweet treat with their banana and nutella crepes!
With one extra suitcase, 8 bottles of wine and so many amazing memories we boarded the plane for our 13 hour trip back to the States.
La Dolce Vita!
