Venice. Florence. Rome.
(or Rome. Florence. Venice.)

It’s a timeless trek to see the highlights that Italy has to offer. Begin in Venice. You’ll deplane and stroll outside of the airport to a waiting speedboat that will whisk you away across the lagoon to the heart of Venice. Pull right up to the dock at Al Ponte Antico where Matteo, the owner, welcomes you by name to his family-run hotel.

Explore the winding sidewalks and tiny canals. The best time to see the sights is early in the morning or at night, once the big crowds have left for the day. Then, Venice feels like it is yours.

After a night or two, take your speedboat… (by now you’re spoiled and only want to travel this way)… take your speedboat one last time to the train station. Hop aboard and within two hours, you’ll find yourself in the heart of Florence.

Gaze up at the Duomo; visit Michaelangelo’s David; bask in the Boboli Gardens; climb up to Pizzale Michaelangelo for an evening aperitvo while you watch the sun set over the city at the heart of the Renaissance.

Now perhaps it’s time for some fresh air and scenic views. We hear you have some friends getting married in Tuscany. What better way to slow down in the middle of your trip than an al fresco wedding weekend, Italian style.

Cap off this extravaganza with a finale in Italy’s capital – Roma! Good food, cool bars and amazing sights. From the Colosseum to Vatican City, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Rome.

Cinque Terre. Capri. Amalfi.

There are worse places to spend the summer than on the Med. Sipping aperol spritzes on your terrace overlooking the sea; swimming in the dark clear blue waters; hiking along ancient coastal trails. This is seaside living at its finest.

From Tuscany, you can easily visit Cinque Terre – five of the tiniest, most picturesque seaside villages you’ll ever see. Hugging the cliffs near Pisa, Cinque Terre is best accessed by train. Please stay at least a night. Like Venice over there, Cinque Terre is best experienced once the day crowds leave. Hike from one village to another, along a panoramic trail that’s been there for ages.

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A bit further down the coastline, outside of Naples, you’ll find the Amalfi Coast. A world in and of itself, with so much to see.

Stay a night at an old convent turned luxury hotel – complete with infinity pool overlooking the sea. Drive down to Positano, then hop on the ferry to Capri or Ischia.

Now, Ischia we cannot personally recommend but have heard wonderful things. But Capri! Capri is probably one of the places we think of the most. If you don’t mind a bit of a hike and a great many stairs, Capri will spoil you.

Apart from taxis (convertibles, no less!) and small buses that will shuttle you between Capri and Anacapri – the two main ‘towns’ on the island – Capri is virtually car-free. Beautiful vistas, aperitivo hours in the piazza, dinners under lemon trees, sailing out into the sea for a swim – Capri is doing something right.

Matera. Alberobello. Bari.

Matera, Alberobello and Bari are three beautiful places located in the Southern Italian region of Puglia.

Matera is a city renowned for its Sassi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Sassi are cave dwellings that today have been restored and turned into beautiful homes, shops, and restaurants. You may also recognize this town from the latest James Bond movie.

Le Grotte Della Civita is a beautiful cave-style hotel there we recommend.

Bari is a bustling city located on the Adriatic Sea. It is known for its beautiful historic center, its delicious cuisine, and its vibrant nightlife – it’s also a great jumping off point for exploring the Puglia region & visiting the nearby seaside towns of Polignano a Mare and Monopoli.

Alberobello is a small town in Puglia known for its unique trulli houses – small, white-washed stone buildings with conical roofs that are typical of the area. Alberobello is an easy one-night stop or day trip to add to your travels around Puglia.