Discover Italy

people on a gondola

From Venice to Rome and beyond bookmark this page for our latest explorations in Italy.

Must See in Rome…

This month on American Nomad we’re exploring The Eternal City – Rome. Founded nearly 2800 years ago, Rome is a city of myth and majesty. In its height it was the center of The Roman Empire – with all roads leading to Rome. Though it fell to invaders in 476 AD, Rome continued to persist…

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by ynpgal77

Rome Explorer: My Roman Holiday

We’ve been exploring Italy from Venice to Tuscany and beyond. In April we’ll be focusing on exploring the history, majesty and wonders of Rome. Before we beging to Roam around Rome, I wanted to start with an overview of my recent Roman Holiday and provide some tips I learned from this adventure. In January I…

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by ynpgal77

Discover Tuscany: Lean into Pisa

Today we’re continuing our Italian Adventures with a daytrip to the charming and beautiful seaside town of Pisa. Known for its remarkable architectural wonder (or wonderful mistake), The Leaning Tower of Pisa, this city of rich history from The Etruscans to Romans and beyond is a Must-SEE in Tuscany. If you are in Florence you…

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by ynpgal77

Discover Tuscany: Get to Know Siena

Today we’re heading into the hills of Tuscany to the charming historic town of Siena – a Medieval crown jewel waiting to be explored. A little history: Siena was originally an Etruscan settlement (people before Roman rule) and later was transformed into the Roman city of Sena Julia. This settlement disappeared after the fall of…

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by ynpgal77

Must-See in Florence: The Accademia

Today on American Nomad we’re taking a tour of one of Florence’s most important museums – The Galleria dell’Accademia. In addition to being home to Michelangelo’s famed statue of David, The Gallery houses one of the most impressive collection of 13th-15th century art anywhere. While David rightly draws most of the viewers attention, I challenge…

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by ynpgal77

A Walking Tour of Florence Italy

Today we’re continuing our Tuscany Adventures with a walking tour of Florence, Italy. When I last visited Florence, I only had two full days in the city, but was still able to see a lot in a short amount of time. Florence is compact and very walkable. Most of the major sites are within half…

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by ynpgal77

Must See Museums in Florence Italy

Must See Museums in Florence Italy… We’re continuing are Italian Adventures today by exploring Must-See Museums of Florence. As the Birthplace of the Renaissance and cultural hub for over 2000 years, it could take weeks (to a lifetime) to discover all of the amazing museums, historical and cultural sites that Florence has to offer. As…

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by ynpgal77

Venice Explorer: Burano Lace

Buongiorno and Welcome – today we’re touring the Island of Burano, which is one of the Venetian Islands. Burano is renowned for this history of gorgeous lacemaking. This even served as the plot for Hallmark’s romance series ‘The Wedding Veil,’ with Autumn Reeser, Lacey Chabert and Alison Sweeney… Burano is defined by it’s colorful buildings…

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by ynpgal77

Italian Adventures: Giotto’s Scrovegni Chapel

We’re continuing our advenures Italian Adventures in Padua at the astonishing Scrovegni Chapel. Considered to be “one of the most supreme achievements in Western European Art,” (citation: Professor Kloss on The Great Courses), The Scrovegni Chapel includes frescos by Giotto that forever shifted the course of art history. You’re thinking…that is a bold statement, why…

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by ynpgal77

Italian Adventures: Visiting Verona

Today on Italian Adventures we’re visiting Verona! A jewel of Northern Italy, Verona is roughly seventy-five miles west of Venice. This ancient city is located at the base of The Lessini Mountains (also known as the Italian Pre-Alps) and has a population of 250,000 people. Chances are when you hear the word ‘Verona’ you are…

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by ynpgal77

Helpful Travel Resources:

When booking your trip to Italy there is a lot to consider. I’ve included links to resources that helped me to coordinate my vacation. If you have additional suggestions let me know via comments section below.

  • Great guidebooks
    • Rick Steves Venice (lots of free resources on his website as well)
    • DK Eyewitness Books
      • Florence and Tuscany
      • Top Ten Rome
      • Italy
  • I enjoyed the Great Tours of Italy and Italian Renaissance courses on streaming service ‘Wondrium.’ You can sign up for a trial.

My favorite sites:

Rome:

  • The Colessium
  • Spanish Steps
  • Pantheon
  • The Vatican (technically it’s own country :))
  • St. Paul’s Beyond the Walls
  • Catacombs

Florence: Birthplace of the Italian Renaissance

  • Uffizi Gallery – a must see for art lovers; includes masterworks by Raphael, Botticelli, Leonardo daVinci, Michelangelo and so much more
  • Accademia – home of Michelangelo’s David
  • Bargello – National Museum for Sculpture – includes Donatello’s masterpiece ‘David’ in bronze
  • The Duomo – Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Mary of the Flower) – Brunelleschi’s maginificent dome is a wonder of architecture
  • Convent of St. Mark’s – Home to Fra Angelico paintings
  • San Lorenzo – Church of the Medici
  • Palazzo Pitti (Pitti Palace) – gorgeous gardens and art museum in former Medici estate
  • Ponte Vecchio and Arno River

Venice:

  • St. Mark’s Basilica
  • Gran Teatro La Fenice
  • Accademia (Art Museum)
  • Peggy Guggenheim Art Museum
  • Rialto Bridge
  • Glass-blowing demonstration