10 Days of Italian Elegance: From Canals to the Coast

We started our day in St. Mark’s Square, one of Venice’s most iconic and busiest landmarks—skip-the-line tickets are definitely worth it here. From the square, we walked to the Bridge of Sighs, then continued exploring the city’s narrow streets.

Along the way, we stopped to watch a quick but fascinating glass-blowing demonstration before heading to Ristorante De Ville for lunch. This beautiful canal-side spot served pasta dishes topped generously with truffles, which made the meal feel like something special.

Next, we made our way to the Rialto Bridge, passing through streets lined with artisan shops. Just nearby is the Rialto Market, which is a great place to explore—full of local produce, seafood, and energy.

Inspired by Stanley Tucci’s tour of Italy, we tried cicchetti—Venetian tapas usually served with a glass of wine or a spritz. Cantina Do Spade and Al Mercà are both great places to try them.

We also spent some time in two of Venice’s neighborhoods: Cannaregio, which is quieter and more local, and Dorsoduro, which is livelier and good for shopping or just wandering for a few hours.

To wrap up our visit, we took a guided gondola tour—a classic Venice experience—and then caught a water taxi to head to our hotel in Milan.

One of the first things I’d recommend in Milan is taking the elevator to the rooftop of the Duomo early in the morning to beat the crowds. The views are incredible, and it’s the perfect way to start the day. From there, wander through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, home to iconic shops like Prada, Versace, and Louis Vuitton—even just browsing the window displays is a treat.

Milan is known for its risotto, and we had an unforgettable one at Cracco, a fantastic restaurant well worth the visit. If you’re planning to see Da Vinci’s The Last Supper, make sure to book your tickets well in advance—it’s one of the most in-demand experiences in the city.

Later, we grabbed drinks at Ugo Cocktail Bar, a stylish spot with a great atmosphere, before heading to QC Termemilano, a beautiful spa perfect for winding down in the evening. Just be sure to reserve your spot ahead of time—it fills up quickly.

We took a boat day trip to Lake Como, and it was the perfect escape from the city—peaceful, scenic, and full of charm. We spent time wandering through narrow cobblestone streets, popping into boutiques and cafés, and enjoying a long, relaxed lunch by the water.

Whether you’re into gardens, architecture, or just lakeside lounging, the scenery was unbeatable.

We ended the day with a spritz at a lakeside bar before heading back—feeling like we’d stepped into a postcard, even if just for the day.

We took the train to Florence, arriving just in time for lunch. Our first stop was Trattoria ZaZa, a lively spot with a great local vibe and generous portions—perfect for a relaxed meal after the journey.

In the evening, we had dinner at Trattoria Cammillo, a classic Florentine restaurant with a cozy atmosphere and incredible food. If you go, do not skip the bruléed pecorino—it’s unforgettable. Trust me, you’ll be thinking about it long after.

To finish off the night, we wandered through the charming streets and treated ourselves to a scoop (or two) from Gelateria della Passera—a small, no-frills gelato shop tucked away in a quiet piazza, but absolutely worth seeking out.

We started the day with breakfast at Ditta Artigianale, a great café with excellent coffee and fresh pastries—the perfect way to fuel up for a day of exploring.

Next, we set off on a private day tour that included skip-the-line access to see Michelangelo’s David, which made all the difference in avoiding the crowds. We wandered through Piazza della Signoria, spotted a few wine windows along the way, and learned about the street art and history.

In the late afternoon, we joined a pasta-making class, which turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip. Learning to make fresh pasta from scratch (and eating it afterward!) was such a fun and delicious experience.

As the day wound down, we headed up to La Loggia at Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset and cocktails. The views over Florence were incredible. Just as we were about to leave, a group of locals started singing in the piazza, filling the evening air with music. We ended the night walking down the long set of steps back to our hotel, taking in the glow of the city as it lit up beneath us.

We spent the day exploring Tuscany, with stops in both Siena and the Chianti region—a perfect mix of history, rolling hills, and wine country charm. Siena’s medieval streets and beautiful piazza made it feel like stepping back in time, while Chianti gave us that classic Tuscan countryside experience, complete with vineyards and olive groves stretching as far as the eye could see.

For dinner, we headed to Dario Cecchini’s restaurant—a must if you’re in the area and are not a vegetarian. The food was fantastic, but the real standout was the olive oil cake—hands down the best I’ve ever had. It was the perfect sweet ending to a day full of unforgettable sights and flavors.

We took the train to Napoli then our private transfer took us to Praiano—we chose to stay in Praiano, and it was the best decision. Praiano is quieter, with fewer crowds, but still just a 10-minute drive from Positano. The food was better, the atmosphere more relaxed, and we enjoyed the feeling of having a bit more space while still being close to all the action.

We had lunch at La Moressa, where the views were as amazing as the food. It’s the kind of place where you can enjoy a relaxed meal while taking in the stunning coastal scenery—definitely a spot worth lingering at.

In the evening, we headed to Il Pirata for dinner, which turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. Not only was the food incredible, but the espresso martini I had was hands down the best I’ve ever tasted—perfectly balanced and strong, just the way it should be.

We arrived in Positano and spent some time exploring the shops and grabbing a quick breakfast before heading to the boat pickup for our day trip to Capri. Capri was every bit as stunning as we’d imagined. Upon arriving, we went straight to Lido del Faro, a peaceful beach club on the quieter side of the island. It was the perfect spot to swim off the rocks, relax by the water, and soak in the laid-back Capri vibe.

For lunch, we ate at Il Geranio, where the views of the sea were just as memorable as the food—fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Don’t leave without trying their lemon sorbet for dessert—light, refreshing, and full of that classic Capri flavor.

Afterward, we spent some time wandering through the charming streets, browsing the local boutiques and artisan shops. Capri has a mix of high-end fashion and one-of-a-kind finds, making it just as fun for shopping as it is for sightseeing.

Later in the afternoon, we took a boat tour to the famous Blue Grotto. Yes, it’s touristy, but stepping into that glowing blue water is a unique experience that’s hard to forget.

We took a boat to Ravello, a picturesque town perched on the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast. After arriving, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at Conca del Sogno, a charming spot with fresh seafood and incredible views of the coast—definitely one of those meals you’ll remember.

After lunch, we wandered through town and stumbled upon a cute pink store called The Pink Closet, which was a perfect spot for a quick photo op. The vibrant color made it stand out against the stunning backdrop of Ravello’s historic streets.

If you’re staying for dinner, you can’t go wrong with either Da Lorenzo or Mimi—both have received great reviews for their local flavors and welcoming atmosphere, making them perfect choices to end your day in Ravello.

We headed to Naples Airport to catch our flight. My husband and I have this fun tradition of trying McDonald’s in different countries, and we couldn’t resist stopping at the McDonald’s at the airport. We were pleasantly surprised by their unique twist on the burgers—it’s always fun to see how they adapt the menu to local tastes, and this one definitely didn’t disappoint!