Travel through Italy

It doesn't matter if you've travelled through Italy a hundred times or if you're still dreaming of your first visit; you'll never get tired of the beauty of the country.

So put your feet up, make yourself a cup of coffee, and spend a while wandering through our galleries.

Unless otherwise stated, all the galleries are made up of photos taken by me, my wife Maria, or our community on Facebook. This particular collection was shared with us by Cristina Pal from Argentina.

Once you've seen these photos, you can see our other Italian galleries here. However, if Venetian canals, gondolas, and all things Venice are your thing, then Maria's Venice and the Veneto collection is the answer—click here to visit.

Venice

Photo by Martino Phuc via Pixabay

The Rialto Bridge in Venice on a summer's day. Maria and I stayed at the most wonderful hotel just around the corner from here this summer—would you believe it was once the old post office? Click here to read more about it.

Venice at dawn

Florence

The Ponte Vecchio in Florence is one of Italy's most famous and beautiful bridges, steeped in history and architectural splendor. Spanning the Arno River, this bridge is gorgeous and is lined with quaint shops (prices aren't quite so quaint though) that have been a fixture on the bridge since the Renaissance. The bridge has withstood the test of time, surviving various renovations and even escaping destruction during World War II thanks to a German officer who refused to follow orders telling him to blow it up.

Two others I absolutely adore are the Bridge of Sighs in Venice and the Bassano Wooden Bridge (Ponte Degli Alpini).

Photo by Heidi Kaden via Unsplash

I remember standing in that exact spot, watching the sunset set the Duomo’s marble on fire. Even from afar, that cathedral commands Florence—you can feel its presence everywhere.

But what really stays with me isn’t just seeing it… it was climbing it. Thinking about how Brunelleschi designed that dome centuries ago still blows my mind. He didn’t just build—he revolutionized architecture. And that climb? Every step humbles you.

Then you reach the top, and all of Florence opens up. The view from the top… it’s not just something you see. It’s something you feel.

That’s the Italy I love. Not just places—experiences. And trust me, this is one you’ll want to plan yourself.

A new Botticelli in the making by a street artist in Florence.

Who can resist the tasty temptations of Italy:-)

Rome

Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain in Rome is not just a magnificent work of Baroque art but also harbors several little-known facts that add layers to its allure.

Firstly, the fountain stands at the terminal point of an ancient Roman aqueduct, the Aqua Virgo, which still supplies water to the fountain today. This historical connection underscores the enduring engineering marvels of ancient Rome, subtly blending with the fountain's grandeur.

Secondly, the original design of the Trevi Fountain was by architect Nicola Salvi in the 18th century, but after his death, Giuseppe Pannini took over the project, completing the fountain in 1762. The collaboration between these two artists lends the fountain its unique aesthetic, marrying Salvi's vision with Pannini's execution.

Thirdly, throwing a coin over the left shoulder with the right hand ensures a return to Rome. However, few know that the coins tossed into the fountain each day are collected and used for charitable purposes, supporting local initiatives to help those in need.

Lastly, the central figure of Oceanus, the god of the sea, riding a chariot drawn by seahorses, is a stunning masterpiece sculpted by Pietro Bracci. This intricate detail symbolizes the dominion of water over the world.

The eternal city of Rome. Sometimes chaotic, but always unforgettable. If you need somewhere to stay in Rome, then these are our recommendations and if you enjoy shopping, you'll want to read our guide to shopping in Rome.

Le Marche and Umbria

I've written a lot about Le Marche in my guide to the region, which you can read here. I truly love this corner of Italy; it is as lovely as Tuscany but without all the tourists. Umbria too is fabulous; you won't want to miss towns like Orvieto, Gubbio, Assisi, Spello, and Perugia. Here's my guide to Umbria.

The map of Italy on a hillside in Umbria.

Castellucio di Norcia is a lovely hilltop village in Umbria.

Just over the border in the Marche region is one of my favorites: the village of San Ginesio. By the way, I shared a lovely story recently about an American family who moved to Umbria. I think it is something you will enjoy reading; here is the link.

Basilica della Santa Casa in Loreto, which is in the Marche region near Ancona.

Scala Santa in Loreto.

Assisi

I’ll never forget the feeling of walking into Assisi for the first time. This isn’t just a hilltop town—it’s a living, breathing piece of history. You can actually feel the peace in the air here.

Of course, I had to visit the Basilica of St. Francis. Seeing those famous Giotto frescoes in person… it’s something no photo can ever capture. The art, the history—it’s all right there.

But what I loved most was just getting lost. Wandering those ancient cobblestone streets, surrounded by those huge medieval walls… and then looking out over the Umbrian hills covered in olive groves. That’s the real magic. 

Preci is a small hillside village on the Umbria/Marche border.

Visso is a quaint little village in the Sibillini Mountains of Le Marche. Hardly any tourists ever make it to this wonderfully isolated corner. To find it on a map, you can zoom in on the one on our San Ginesio page. You'll see it lies about 10 kilometers to the southwest of San Ginesio.