Venice

• Duration: 2 days
• Highlights: Wandering the “streets” and channels; Seafood; Markets; Romance

Hotel

We are staying at the Locanda Vivaldi which is an excellent blend of price and quality.  You will get a somewhat small (venice is tight on space), but lovely room.  If you are lucky, your window will peek out to see some of the brilliant roof-top views.  If this doesn’t float your gondola, check out some other hotels in Venice.

Food

Many many options here, but I have tried to distill this down to some key wins.

• Cichetti (sort of like Italian Tapas) at Cantina do Mori
• La Zucca- fantastic fresh ingredients using the best produce of the region
• Grab some killer seafood for dinner at Alle Testiere, a great hidden gem.

Florence

• Duration: 5 days
• Highlights: Art; Gelato; seeing the countryside; Gelato; Tuscan food; Gelato; Gelato

Hotel

The well located Hotel Berchielli will do you right.  It is close to the River Arno and the Duomo right in the historical district.  And of course, you can always find other great Florence hotels.

Food

Once again, there is a deluge of good food here, here are a few you can’t miss.

• Classic Tuscan cuisine at Trattoria Cibreo (they are the small sister restaurant to Cibreo)
• Mario’s- Super-authentic, what the actual residents eat.
• Gelato Gelato Gelato Gelato Gelato!!!!!!!  It’s everywhere, but one of the best is Vivoli.
• Hosteria Da Ganino is a killer hole in the wall place near the duomo, one of the best places in all of Florence.

Cinque Terre

• Duration: 4 days
• Highlights: Hiking; Seafood; Pesto; Old-time charm on the seashore

Hotel

The hotel situation in Cinque Terre is an interesting one, may guidebooks suggest you walk into one of the towns and ask around at the shops.  I have done this and it can indeed work, you may want to do a bit of research first and perhaps even call ahead a day or two before to line one of these up though.

Another thought here is to get a hotel in Levanto instead and take the train into the Cinque Terre on a daily basis.  Levanto has a bit more infrastructure if you enjoy that sort of thing.

Food

Some edible highlights for this region are: Great white and dessert wine; Pesto with Troife (A hand rolled pasta); and all kinds of great seafood.

• My most favorite place in Vernazza is Ill Pirata delle Cinque Terre, aka (The Pirate Bar). Two Sicillian brothers run this place at the top of the hill and make the best pastries as well as some strong lunch and dinner options.  The overwhelming draw is the brothers themselves, each trip was a rolicking good time.
• Il Gambero Rosso in Vernazza for some most excellent shrimp and killer pesto.
• Ristorante Belvedere in Monteroso, had some of the best bollegnese as well as an excellent mixed fry (frito misto) of fish.

Milan

• Duration: 3 days
• Highlights: Architecture; Shopping!; My favorite restaurant in Italy

Hotel

There are many many hotels in Milan.  Staying near the Duomo though is quite convienent which is why I suggest Hotel De La Ville for your stay.  This hotel has many creature comforts and we really enjoyed the decor of the room (interesting fabric on the walls).

Food

I only want to put one listing here because I dont want to mince words…if you are in Milan, go go go to this restaurant.

• Best meal ever at Boccodivino – if you have to go home from italy, this place will send you out very happy.  I can’t even do it much justice so I simply suggest you read this great article by Craig Camp to get a sense of what you are in for.

Enjoy the trip!

Caio!