Run the World: Italy Edition
Original Post Date: June 15, 2024
Italian summers are truly like no other. For 10 days I explored the beautiful cities of Venice, Florence, Rome, Positano, and ended in Naples. There’s so much to explore across the country but here are my favorites from my own adventure.
Where to Stay
Palazzo Maria Formosa - Venice
Our first stop didn’t disappoint. The rooms were bigger than I expected. The hotel sits in one of the town squares and is surrounded by a few restaurants. It’s about a 10-minute walk to the shopping areas.
San Firenze Suites and Spa Hotel - Florence
Similar to our first stay these suites are bigger than expected. The most outstanding part was the service. The concierge was able to make amazing recommendations and clarify details for our excursions.
Monte Mare Hotel - Positano, Amalfi Coast
This small hotel offers amazing views of the coast. Our room even featured a backyard and patio with lounge chairs and a hot tub. It features its own cocktail bar and restaurant, Ristorante il Capitano. Additionally, it’s close to other dining options and cute boutiques.
The Brittanique Hotel - Naples
The Brittanique Hotel is a part of the Curio collection, a Hilton brand. Out of all the hotels, this one reminded me of hotels in the U.S. Once again, amazing service and a beautiful rooftop restaurant. This boutique hotel is a perfect mix of modern and traditional Italian design.
Where to Eat
You can’t think of Italy without the idea that you’ll have amazing food. There are so many amazing restaurants, that it’s hard to go wrong. I’ve listed some of my top picks but be sure to ask your concierge and locals about their favorite spots.
Florence is known for their Florentine steaks and La Cupola has many options for sizes and cuts. They also had a burrata bruschetta; hands down the best bruschetta I’ve ever had.
This cute spot was only a 2 - 3 min walk from Monte Mare hotel and their seafood dishes were delicious. We split the linguine with crab and the seafood risotto. My personal favorite was the risotto.
Ristorante il Capitano - Positano
This restaurant is a part of the Monte Mare Hotel. The low lighting and perfect views of the coast make it an amazing dinner option. Their fish and pasta dishes were cooked to perfection.
Pizza is available all over Italy, but Naples is named as the best city for it. We chose 3.0 Ciro Cascella, per our concierge’s recommendation. It surely deserves the 3 consecutive Michelin star ratings. With it’s unique flavor combinations and fun ambiance, it’s perfect for a quick bite.
What to Do
Gondola Ride - Venice
A Gondola ride is one of those tourist things you just have to do in Venice. Float along the beautiful Venice canals and take in the beautiful traditional buildings. You’ll also gain a better appreciation for their boat lifestyle.
Florence:
This cooking class was my favorite activity, overall. You’ll enjoy connecting with other participants from around the world as y’all share in making different pasta shapes. We were taught by a chef who previously worked in a Michelin-starred restaurant. He gave us in-depth directions on making pasta and various sauces. Even if you don’t choose this exact class, an Italian cooking class is a great choice.
The Florence outlets feature brands like Gucci, Prada, Miu Miu, Saint Laurent, Off-White, and many more. Goods are priced up to 50% off, plus your VAT tax refund. An Important note is that there is a shuttle near the Florence train station that drives you to the destination. The mall is about 50 mins away from the city.
Rome:
This was a 10/10 experience. We were able to taste various bruschetta’s and the most elite balsamic vinegars. We stopped by the Pope’s favorite meat and cheese shop and shared many laughs with the shop owners. We finished with delicious traditional pasta and yummy gelato. Beyond the great eats, we met some amazing people from around the globe and shared our Italian adventures and lots of laughter.
Shopping and visit the Spanish Steps - Via Condotti in Rome
Via Condotti is a street in Rome that sits right behind the Spanish Steps. The street is lined with stores like Gucci, Dior, Louis Vuitton, and much more. This area is the perfect space for some retail therapy and indulgence in history. A top of the Spanish steps sits another church with beautiful art and architecture.
Colosseum and Roman Forum
Many companies offer tickets to explore the Colosseum and nearby historical attractions, like the Roman Forum. We chose a self-guided tour, but I wish we had a guide. Once upon a time, I learned the history of the Colosseum, but at 21 I don’t remember much. If you want more historical context I’d choose a guided tour. Other visitors also opted for free YouTube audio tours that they could download and listen to as they explored.
Take the Ferry to Capri or other cities - the Amalfi coast
While we stayed in Positano, the Amalfi coast has a few different regions that're accesibile by ferry. We visited Amalfi and Capri and we were able to tastwe more amazing foods and take in the beautiful views of the ocean and beaches.
Explore the churches and cathedrals
All the cities we visited featured beautifully crafted religious spaces. Even if you don’t practice, the pure artistry is breathtaking. Most are free to visit.
Important Travel Notes:
Pack less than you need. Most cities in Italy require lots of walking. I understand the urge to bring all of your super cute shoes, but chances are you won’t get much use out of them.
Always bring your passport when you plan on shopping. One of the benefits of shopping overseas is the VAT tax refund. Not only are designer goods cheaper in Europe but there’s the added benefit of getting sales tax back. Another note is the tag price is the final price; tax has already been added. You will need to find the VAT tax refund office before you leave. This visit must happen on the day of your flight. After this, you can process and receive your tax refund through an app. Most brands use the company Global Blue, but double-check your receipts to make sure you find the necessary office.
Consider bringing a collapsable water bottle, especially for Rome. There are many water fountains throughout the city. Otherwise, you will have to buy water bottles. Thankfully, they offer 1 litter bottles that should keep you hydrated throughout the day. Also, when dining at restaurants, water is not free. You will pay per bottle.
Most of the hotels that we visited will charge you a city tax at the end of the stay. It’s per per person per night, but shouldn’t exceed 7 or 8 euros.
Make sure to check the USD - EURO conversion rate. This will help you decide how many Euros you want to get.
Venice and Positano are the most difficult cities to navigate. In Venice, the only options for travel are by foot or by boat. Positano sits upon the hills of the Amalfi coast. To get to the beaches or the main roads you will have to walk downstairs (and I mean hundreds of them). Be prepared and consider investing in some quality walking shoes.
On our Roman Food Tour, we learned that Gelateria’s that pile Gelato high or use artificial colors (like coloring lemon gelato yellow) aren’t authentic.
Many people spread the rumor that you must pay for restrooms. In our case that wasn’t the norm. However, we tried to align trips to the bathroom with our dining times. The only time we paid was in the Amalfi.
Overall, Italy was one of the best travel experiences I've had thus far. If you're looking to start or continue your European travel, I think Italy should be next on your list.
