Ilaria was born and raised in Rome and then moved to Treviso, just outside of Venice, when she was a teenager. Though she now resides in the United States, she frequently returns to Italy to visit her family and friends. Here is her recommendation for Rome, Florence, and Venice.
Traveling: For traveling in between cities I would just take the train, but if you plan to be in the countryside in Tuscany it may be worth to rent a car for that part of the trip.
Tuscany: In Tuscany, Siena and the Chianti region are probably are the best. They are a bit touristy, but I think that's pretty much everywhere you go in Italy these days. I personally don't think Pisa is worth it, especially not for the tower (I thought the cemetery and the church were quite beautiful), but that really depends on how many tour groups and bad overpriced food you can handle. I have a secret love for Lucca, but I think Siena is probably more unique. Siena was the first place my mother--who is American--visited in Italy, she always claims that's really why she stayed, not my dad.
The thing to eat in Tuscany is meat, that's what they are known for. And drink tuscan red wine! Also beware: most tuscan bread (at least around Florence) is made using no salt. The reason I've most commonly heard is that taxes in the middle ages discouraged the use of salt, either way, some people love it, not me!
Tuscany: In Tuscany, Siena and the Chianti region are probably are the best. They are a bit touristy, but I think that's pretty much everywhere you go in Italy these days. I personally don't think Pisa is worth it, especially not for the tower (I thought the cemetery and the church were quite beautiful), but that really depends on how many tour groups and bad overpriced food you can handle. I have a secret love for Lucca, but I think Siena is probably more unique. Siena was the first place my mother--who is American--visited in Italy, she always claims that's really why she stayed, not my dad.
The thing to eat in Tuscany is meat, that's what they are known for. And drink tuscan red wine! Also beware: most tuscan bread (at least around Florence) is made using no salt. The reason I've most commonly heard is that taxes in the middle ages discouraged the use of salt, either way, some people love it, not me!
Rome: I won't suggest sights because I'm sure your guide books will have plenty of information. If you like art, I always recommend googling the churches that have Caravaggio paintings in them and going to see them. It's always impressive to see masterpieces in their original setting. There are tons of churches, museums and archaeological sites. I think the healthy way to approach tourism in Italy is to make peace with the fact that no one can see "everything."
For going out and eating in Rome, Trastevere is generally a very lively neighborhood, it's become a little overwhelming and crowded in recent years but always very characteristic. This used to be very much a working class neighborhood, but also very artsy. I don't think struggling artists would ever be able to afford living there now.
San Lorenzo, the neighborhood near the university is always very popular. Testaccio also has lots of restaurants and bars; there are quite a few nightclubs which look dreadful. In the past few years an area that has become very hip is "il Pigneto". Part of "Via del Pigneto" has been transformed into a pedestrian area and there are tons of bar/cafes that are very popular. There are restaurants around there as well. This isn't a beautiful area, it was the working class slum of the 60s, but it may be more "off the beaten track" than Trastevere.
If you're going to have pizza you should have it here. Pizza is a southern food, traditionally neapolitan, but roman pizza has a loyal following as well.
Overall you'll find in Florence and Rome that the aperitivo tradition is very popular. It started in the north has spread to all over italy in the past 10 years. Now it's very popular to get a drink before dinner.
For budget hotels, there are many around the Termini train station. It's not a great area, but it is well connected to the rest of the city, and there's so much tourism you shouldn't have trouble finding cabs for example (cabs in Rome are notoriously hard to come by and ridiculously expensive).
Generally speaking it's very expensive to stay in the center, or areas like Rione Monti or Trastevere. My aunt lives in Prati (near the vatican) and I know there are many hotels around there, so you might be able to find something there as well (it's walking distance from Piazza del Popolo and Trastevere).
For going out and eating in Rome, Trastevere is generally a very lively neighborhood, it's become a little overwhelming and crowded in recent years but always very characteristic. This used to be very much a working class neighborhood, but also very artsy. I don't think struggling artists would ever be able to afford living there now.
San Lorenzo, the neighborhood near the university is always very popular. Testaccio also has lots of restaurants and bars; there are quite a few nightclubs which look dreadful. In the past few years an area that has become very hip is "il Pigneto". Part of "Via del Pigneto" has been transformed into a pedestrian area and there are tons of bar/cafes that are very popular. There are restaurants around there as well. This isn't a beautiful area, it was the working class slum of the 60s, but it may be more "off the beaten track" than Trastevere.
If you're going to have pizza you should have it here. Pizza is a southern food, traditionally neapolitan, but roman pizza has a loyal following as well.
Overall you'll find in Florence and Rome that the aperitivo tradition is very popular. It started in the north has spread to all over italy in the past 10 years. Now it's very popular to get a drink before dinner.
For budget hotels, there are many around the Termini train station. It's not a great area, but it is well connected to the rest of the city, and there's so much tourism you shouldn't have trouble finding cabs for example (cabs in Rome are notoriously hard to come by and ridiculously expensive).
Generally speaking it's very expensive to stay in the center, or areas like Rione Monti or Trastevere. My aunt lives in Prati (near the vatican) and I know there are many hotels around there, so you might be able to find something there as well (it's walking distance from Piazza del Popolo and Trastevere).
Venice: it's a strange place with tons of tourists, strong regional traditions and a big student population. Venice, unlike Rome, has a very established drinking tradition. Venetians love to drink and you should definitely take advantage of all the wine bars in the city. A typical thing to do is to get a glass of wine or a spritz and a little something to eat (cicchetto). For example, the Osteria "la Vedova" was a popular spot to eat a meatball with your prosecco standing at the bar and chatting.
Good areas for a drink are around the university, especially "Campo Santa Margherita." This is where the nightlife is (my sister and several friends attended the university of Venice and they basically LIVED here), especially during the weekdays so it can get a little roudy late at night. During the day though it's pretty quiet and has several decent bar/cafes.
A really nice area for dinner and quiet walks is around Santa Maria dell'Orto, near le Fondamenta Nuove. Ostaria Da Rioba is very nice, right on the canal. Il Paradiso Perduto is also around there and is a fun place. It's more of a lively spot, they have drinks and food. Specialties in Venice are polenta, risotto (risotto with squid ink!), anything with radicchio or fish.
The San Marco neighborhood is the most touristy and with reason, but while I highly recommend visiting the church and the other sights I would generally avoid it for eating and drinking if you want something more "authentic." If you like art, make sure you visit the "Scuola Grande di San Rocco", it is worth the entry ticket price.
If you plan to go to the outer islands, Burano is always very pretty while Murano less so although that's where all the glass-making shops are.
Good areas for a drink are around the university, especially "Campo Santa Margherita." This is where the nightlife is (my sister and several friends attended the university of Venice and they basically LIVED here), especially during the weekdays so it can get a little roudy late at night. During the day though it's pretty quiet and has several decent bar/cafes.
A really nice area for dinner and quiet walks is around Santa Maria dell'Orto, near le Fondamenta Nuove. Ostaria Da Rioba is very nice, right on the canal. Il Paradiso Perduto is also around there and is a fun place. It's more of a lively spot, they have drinks and food. Specialties in Venice are polenta, risotto (risotto with squid ink!), anything with radicchio or fish.
The San Marco neighborhood is the most touristy and with reason, but while I highly recommend visiting the church and the other sights I would generally avoid it for eating and drinking if you want something more "authentic." If you like art, make sure you visit the "Scuola Grande di San Rocco", it is worth the entry ticket price.
If you plan to go to the outer islands, Burano is always very pretty while Murano less so although that's where all the glass-making shops are.
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