Take a journey through ancient cities from a modern-day perspective.
This spring break I was lucky enough to go to Italy for a week to spend Easter with my parents. Here is the entire experience from my point of view!
The Flight
If you are flying from America to Europe, my biggest recommendation is to get an overnight flight. Sleeping on the plane will ensure you are well rested for the first day of your getaway. But, if you're like me, you won't be able to sleep on the plane. During my time on the plane I watched many movies and TV shows, read my book and did some work. My one piece of advice; try to not stare at the time — it makes it go by so much slower.
Note: COVID-19 vaccinations are required for European travel — exempting you from presenting a negative COVID test.
Rome
This city is full of rich history — therefore it is a city full of tourists too. Keep this in mind when booking your trip here. You may have to book the tourist basics (the Colosseum, Vatican, Pantheon) in advance. Although known for its ancient beginnings, Rome is a more modern city with an easy-to-use metro system. There are only about 2 or 3 train lines that will help you get around — and a little walk never hurt anybody!
Stays:
When staying in Rome, it can be great to look at apartments as well as hotels. Apartments are equipped with a full kitchen and usually have a pull-out bed in the couch! They also allow for fewer neighbors.
Food:
Obviously, food is one of the most compelling factors to go to Italy. In Rome, you will be surrounded by so much amazing food that it can get overwhelming. What I found most helpful to do was to find a busy street filled with multiple restaurants, and then just eat at a different place each day! This helps you become more familiar with the area — which is perfect if you don't have wifi or data. The best area to do this was in the streets surrounding the Trevi Fountain. (You can even make a wish every day!) After dinner, you can walk off those calories by walking to the Spanish Steps — and then getting gelato when you get there.
Florence
After your 3-night stay walking the same grounds as Julius Caesar, it is time to enter the world of the Medici's in Florence. Traveling between the multitude of cities in Italy is easy to do by train. You can book tickets on various websites like ItaliaRail, Trenitalia, and Trainline. If you can, I highly recommend reserving your seat in advance. It will reduce the stress that a travel day can already entail.
When you finally arrive in Florence, you'll find that the city itself is generally very walkable. Don't let the idea of a 30-minute walk daunt you if you have the time — take it! You'll pass the best gelaterias, cafes, and shops. You might even pass some historically significant buildings without realizing it! The city's Medici history calls for extravagant architecture and history. Just like some places in Rome, you are going to want to book some tourist attractions early (especially the Duomo and Accademia Gallery).
Stays:
My family and I stayed at Porta Faenza Hotel while we were in Florence. It was the perfect location for enjoying the city, and the hotel itself was very pleasant. It was 2 blocks away from Santa Maria Novella (Florence's main train station) and about a 5 block walk from the Duomo.
Food:
Scattered across Florence are many plazas that are filled with people and food. These are great places to grab a meal and drinks and people-watch. I won't recommend anywhere specific because I don't think it is possible to find bad food here!
Pisa
If you're already planning to go to Florence, you might as well make your way to Pisa. The city known for its leaning tower is a meer hour-long train ride away from Florence. A trip here won't even take a full day! Once you arrive in Pisa, one bus will take you straight to the square that houses The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Join the abundance of other tourists in trying to get the perfect picture of holding up the tower. However, the tower is not the only place that you should check out in the square. There is a cathedral, museum, and more to check out! The alleyways near the tower are lined with many food options to choose from.
Italy is a beautiful country with many sights to behold. My biggest tip when planning a trip to Italy is to prioritize your destinations! Don't let the country's small size fool you — if you want to see/do a lot, you won't be able to squeeze in every city you want to see. Pick which city you want to see the most and work your way around that. For example, if you definitely want to go to Milan, you might not want to go to Naples on the same trip. Wherever you go in Italy, you'll see great things and eat great food!