Next Trip

On my next trip I'd like to visit Florence again to see Michelangelo's David that I missed on my last trip.

I want to the Amalfi coast, the Cinque Terre, Capri, Sicily, Pompeii and Herculaneum.

I would also like to visit the great site of Paestum located south of Naples. 

I would like to visit Venice, but the problem is finding a time of year when it isn't overrun with tourists (like so many great sites in Europe). According to Google mid-January to mid-February is the best time to visit to avoid crowds. Temperatures are cool (~8°C daytime high), but at least it's warmer than Canada!

Dolomites

One of the highlights of the Dolomites is to visit or stay at Rifugio Nuvolau, the mountain cabin at 2575 metres (8,450ft), on top of Mount Nuvola. Booking ahead is a most for a stay. The nearest town is Cortina d'Ampezzo, about a 20-25 minute drive away.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

Rome

In Rome, I would probably return to the excellent Hotel Villa San Pio, Via di Santa Melania, 19, which is part of the Aventino San Anselmo collection of hotels. They have four hotels, three of which are close together in the Aventino section of the city (near the Massino subway stop): Hotel Villa San Pio, Hotel Aventino and Hotel San Anselmo. The other hotel is in the Termini (main train station) section: Villa San Lorenzo Maria.

For first class places to stay look at the Manfredi collection of hotels. They have four in Rome and one each in Florence and Capri. They also have a collection of restaurants in each of those cities as well as in Torino.

Florence

For a more modest accommodation, Rick Steves recommends Hotel Oceania, Via Firenze, 38. Centrally located, about a 15 minute walk to the Trevi Fountain and 30 minute walk to the Colosseum. It looks like a very nice family run hotel, and Rick notes its excellent coffee and breakfast.

Venice

Rick Steves recommends Pensione Guerrato as a top choice in Venice for its excellent location near the Rialto Market, reasonable prices, and authentic charm. It is often used for his tours, known for its helpful owners, Roberto and Piero.

Verona

Noted for its Juliet statue as a tie-in to the Shakespearean play, this idea for this as a tourist spot was the idea of a tourist guide in the 1970s. Verona is one of the spots on Rick Steves video of the highlights of Italy.

Capri

A good side trip while in Italy is to the ancient resort island of Capri.

ACCOMMODATION

The 5-star Punta Tragara Hotel, a Manfredi hotel, that I saw on a video has spectacular views.

Punta Tragara Hotel

San Marino

I visited there in the spring of 2025. A nice town to visit though very touristy. The only way to get there other than driving is by the regular bus from Rimini, the coastal Italian town. I stayed at Hotel Rosa which was a nice 3-star hotel.

Milan

Milan is a top place to visit for history, shopping and fashion — home of Ravazzolo, Gucci, Giorgio Armani, Salvatore Ferragamo, Valentino, and Versace.

The monumental arch of Vittorio Emanuele II as the entrance to the famous Galleria.

Naples

Great art found in the Sansevero Chapel, Naples

Disillusion by Francesco Queirolo

Veiled Christ by Giuseppe Sanmartino

Modesty by Antonio Corradini

Sicily

As noted in Fred Plotkin's book Italy for the Gourmet Traveler he found the best gelato in all of Italy in the town of Noto.

In Syracuse, try Caseificio Borderi (Via Emanuele de Benedictis 6 Mercato di Ortigia) for delicious sandwiches.