Our Italy itinerary

We spent three wonderful days in Rome, and it was the perfect introduction to Italy. We stayed at the beautiful W Rome, which was in an ideal location for exploring the city and just a short walk from the iconic Spanish Steps. I loved wandering the nearby streets, stopping at cafés, and simply taking in the energy of Rome.

A fun souvenir from the trip was purchasing my favorite pair of Dior sunglasses at the boutique near the Spanish Steps. The store itself was absolutely beautiful, and there was something so special about bringing home a little piece of Rome that I still wear all the time. Every time I put them on, they remind me of this incredible trip.

As a fashion lover, I was also on the hunt for the famous studded doors that inspired Valentino’s iconic Rockstud design. The decorative metal studs can be found on historic doors all throughout the city, and once I learned the story behind them, I couldn’t stop looking for them everywhere we went. It became such a fun little treasure hunt during our time in Rome, and I was so excited every time we spotted another one. Enjoy the photo above of one of my favorite studded doors we discovered!

No trip to Rome would be complete without visiting the Colosseum. We did the underground tour, which ended up being one of the highlights of our time in the city. Walking through the tunnels beneath the arena where gladiators and animals (such as tigers!) once waited before entering the Colosseum was such a surreal experience. Seeing the underground chambers and learning about the incredible engineering behind this ancient landmark made the history come alive in a way that simply walking by it never could. Standing inside one of the world’s most famous monuments and imagining what took place there nearly two thousand years ago was absolutely unforgettable.

One of our favorite lunches was from Pane e Salame, where we happily waited in line for their famous sandwiches. We ordered a Caprese bruschetta and a chicken and sun-dried tomato sandwich, and both were absolutely delicious.

We also had a wonderful dinner at Da Francesco, a classic Roman restaurant near Piazza Navona. We shared a rich truffle pasta and a delicious plate of prosciutto with fresh mozzarella. As wine lovers, one of the highlights of the trip was trying Barolos in their home country. There is just something special about enjoying incredible Italian wine while sitting in Rome on a warm evening.

As Catholics, visiting the Vatican was also a very meaningful experience for our family. My mom was traveling with us, so it was especially special to experience it together. It was definitely crowded, but seeing the beauty and history of Vatican City in person was unforgettable. We did a guided tour, which was incredibly informative, although I also think I would have enjoyed simply wandering through and taking everything in at our own pace.

Rome was everything we hoped it would be—historic, lively, and filled with amazing food, beautiful wine, stunning architecture, and little details that made us fall in love with the city.

Our second stop in Italy was the beautiful town of Ravello on the Amalfi Coast, where we were celebrating my cousin’s wedding. We stayed at Villa Piedimonte, and I cannot recommend it enough. The views over the coastline were absolutely breathtaking, the rooms were spacious and comfortable, and the price felt surprisingly reasonable for such a special place. One thing to know: book early! We reserved our room nearly a year in advance.

To get to Ravello, we took the train from Rome to Naples and then hired a car through Blacklane to drive us up the Amalfi Coast. The drive is incredibly scenic, but those narrow, winding roads definitely made me a little queasy!

One of the highlights of our trip was attending the wedding at the stunning Villa Cimbrone. Even if you’re not attending an event there, you can visit the gardens, and I highly recommend making time for it. The Terrace of Infinity  offers some of the most breathtaking views on the Amalfi Coast, and the entire property feels like something out of a dream.

We also visited Villa Rufolo, another beautiful garden in Ravello filled with vibrant hydrangeas, climbing roses, and colorful Mediterranean flowers overlooking the sea. It was such a peaceful way to spend an afternoon and one of my favorite spots for photos.

For food, Mimi Pizzeria was unforgettable. I still dream about the fresh pomodoros, the bright lemon zest on the pizzas, and the simple, fresh ingredients that somehow tasted even better on the Amalfi Coast.

Ravello felt slower and more peaceful than some of Italy’s larger cities. Between the gorgeous gardens, incredible food, and unforgettable wedding celebrations, it was one of the most magical stops on our trip and a place I would return to in a heartbeat.

After our time in Ravello, we made the long journey north to Venice for just one night. My dad had recently visited and told us it was his favorite place in Italy, so we decided it was worth the trek—and he was absolutely right. Venice is truly unlike anywhere else in the world. The incredible architecture, centuries-old buildings rising straight from the water, ornate churches, and grand palazzos around every corner make the entire city feel like an open-air museum.

We stayed at the beautiful JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa, which sits on its own private island in the Venetian Lagoon. One of the most memorable parts of our stay was all of the boat rides. Every trip into Venice felt like an experience in itself, gliding across the water and arriving in the city by boat. It made our short stay feel incredibly special.

One of the things I loved most about Venice was its energy. It feels so lively and glamorous! We spent some time wandering the shopping district and my husband got a new Gucci wallet before it was available in the U.S. We think of our incredible stay in Venice everytime he uses it.

Of course, we had to stop at Libreria Acqua Alta, the famous bookstore known for storing books in gondolas and bathtubs to protect them from flooding. It has become quite the tourist attraction, and there was a long line that kept moving everyone through the store, so it wasn’t exactly a leisurely browsing experience. Still, it was a fun stop, and I couldn’t resist picking up one of their yellow linen tote bags, which I still use to carry my books today. It’s one of my favorite souvenirs from Italy.

We grabbed drinks at The St. Regis Venice overlooking the Grand Canal. An Italian we met earlier on our trip insisted we visit, and I’m so glad we did. There happened to be a Giorgio Armani event taking place that evening, and we even spotted Regé-Jean Page among the guests. I sipped a glass of Barbaresco while watching the boats glide by, and it ended up being one of those magical travel moments I’ll never forget.

We also booked a private guided tour with Fiona Giusto, and I cannot recommend her enough. She shared so much history about Venice and made the city come alive in a way we never could have experienced on our own. She even emails me every Christmas to wish me a Merry Christmas, which is such a thoughtful touch and says so much about the kind of person she is. I love recommending her to friends who are visiting Venice. If you’re planning a trip, you can reach her at fiona.giusto@alice.it.

Although our time in Venice was short, it completely won me over. It’s romantic, charming, and unlike anywhere else in the world, and I would absolutely return for a longer stay someday.

We spent a few nights in Florence, and there is no denying how beautiful and historic the city is. Seeing the breathtaking Duomo in person was incredible. Its stunning white, green, and pink marble façade is even more impressive when you learn that it took more than a century to complete. Everywhere you turn, Florence feels like an open-air museum filled with beautiful architecture, charming streets, and centuries of history.

We also spent time exploring the beautiful Boboli Gardens, wandering through the manicured gardens, fountains, and scenic pathways. It was such a peaceful way to experience another side of Florence and offered gorgeous views of the city.

Florence was also one of our favorite cities for food. We had an amazing pasta dinner at Trattoria Cammillo and found delicious focaccia sandwiches all over the city, which made for the perfect quick lunches while exploring. The shopping was phenomenal as well, with everything from charming local boutiques to beautiful Italian designer stores lining the historic streets. We especially loved visiting the Gucci Garden, where it was fun to see the beautiful floral displays and learn about the history of Gucci's iconic bamboo handles, which were first creating during World War II when traditional materials were difficult to source.

One of our most memorable meals was at Trattoria Dall’Oste, where we tried the famous Florentine steak. The food was incredible, and our server was so kind and made the entire experience so much fun. It ended up being one of the highlights of our time in Florence.

From the incredible architecture and historic streets to the unforgettable meals, beautiful gardens, and fantastic shopping, Florence completely charmed us. It’s the kind of place where you can spend hours simply wandering, taking in the beauty around every corner, and it’s a destination we’ll always be happy we experienced.

One of the highlights of our entire Italy itinerary was taking a bus tour from Florence through Tuscany. Normally, I’m not someone who gravitates toward big group tours, but this one completely exceeded my expectations. Everything was so well organized, we were able to fit so much into a single day, and somehow it still felt relaxed instead of rushed.

During the tour, we visited three gorgeous wineries, each with its own beautiful views of rolling vineyards and the Tuscan countryside. We sampled plenty of Chianti, soaked in the scenery, and quickly understood why this region is considered one of the world’s most iconic wine destinations.

The absolute highlight, though, was visiting the medieval village of Monteriggioni. Perched on a hill and surrounded by ancient stone walls, it was one of the most charming places we’ve ever visited. Walking through the tiny streets made it feel like we had stepped back in time. There were cats wandering through the village, vines climbing the old stone walls, and charming little shops tucked into every corner. I still regret not buying the prettiest linen dress covered in little pomodoros (tomatoes)—it’s definitely one of my biggest travel shopping regrets!

If you’re staying in Florence, I can’t recommend taking a day trip to Tuscany enough. Between the wineries, peaceful countryside, medieval villages, and unforgettable scenery, it was one of our favorite days of the entire trip.

Italy completely captured our hearts, and it’s a destination we’ll be dreaming about for years to come. We can’t wait to return one day and discover even more of this incredible country. Grazie, Italy!