If there’s one place that truly lives up to the hype, it’s Italy.
If you love pasta, gelato, wine, history, and beautiful architecture, then this is THE trip for you.
At the end of 2023, my best friend and I decided to celebrate my 30th birthday with a bucket-list adventure through Italy. We only had 11 days but like anyone traveling to Europe for the first time, we were determined to see as much as possible!
We kicked things off in Northern Italy, flying into Genoa and making our way to Santa Margherita Ligure, where we stayed for a few days at Hotel Metropole. It turned out to be the perfect alternative to the Amalfi Coast – breathtaking ocean views, delicious seafood, and some of the best pesto I’ve ever had. Bonus, it’s just a short boat ride from the glamorous Portofino.
Our first couple of days were spent exploring this charming coastal town. We indulged in gelato (of course!), discovered that the region is famous for its pesto and seafood – especially dishes similar to ceviche – and simply immersed ourselves into the laid-back Italian lifestyle.
One afternoon, we took a boat ride over to Portofino, and it was even more stunning than could have imagined. The town is small but packed with luxury boutiques like Louis Vuitton and Gucci, and it radiates old-world charm. We had an unforgettable dinner at DaV Mare, where the view of the coast was only rivaled by the incredible food and wine.
A Quick Stop in Cinque Terre
As we made our way down the coast to our next destination, we spent a day exploring the stunning Cinque Terre. We took the train from Santa Margherita and visited all five of the iconic villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.
Each village had its own charm – whether it was colorful cliffside homes, quiet harbors, or breathtaking coastal views. We loved wandering through the narrow streets, grabbing snacks along the way, and just soaking up the seaside beauty. It was the perfect little day trip and a highlight of our time on the coast.
Our next stop was Florence – and honestly, it might have been my favorite city of the entire trip.
There was so much to see and do, even in just a few days. By this point, the 7 hour time difference was finally starting to catch up with us, but we were still running on adrenaline and the excitement of being in such a beautiful country. We stayed at Soprarno Suites, which was in a fantastic location – very central and easily walkable to everything.
Florence is also where our espresso addiction officially began! One of our first activities was a pasta-making class, where we made homemade ravioli with sauce, carbonara, and even gelato. It was an absolute blast – and the food was incredible. I highly recommend doing something like this if you visit Florence.
The next day we had an early wake up call as we had scheduled a 6:00am climb of the Duomo. It takes 463 steps to reach Brunelleschi’s dome, and while it’s a serious leg workout, it was 100% worth it. The view from the top of the Duomo was stunning, and gave us an unbeatable view of the city waking up. Being among the first people inside was such a unique experience. We got to watch them unlock the cathedral and see the natural light gradually fill the space, illuminating the stunning artwork and intricate architecture. Truly beautiful.
Later, we joined a walking tour of the city, stopping at famous statues and landmarks and finishing at the iconic Statue of David. It was so cool to see Florence’s rich history up close and hear the stories behind the art and sculptures.
We ended the night with pizza and a wander through the charming streets in search of a wine window – a unique Florentine experience. Wine windows are small, arched openings in the walls of buildings that were historically used to sell wine directly from the cellars of noble families. They became especially popular during the plague, allowing for contactless wine sales long before it was trendy. We visited Babae, and loved the experience!
We walked everywhere! It’s such a walkable city, with incredible pasta dishes waiting on every corner. Every street felt like a painting – Florence was truly breathtaking and a place I look forward to visiting again soon!
Another picturesque stop on our trip: the Tuscan countryside.
Throughout our journey, we had a private driver, Donatello, who was amazing. Not only was he helpful and professional, but he also gave us so much insight into the history of the places we visited and showed us hidden gems only a local would know.
As we left Florence, Donatello drove us through Porta Romana, one of the gates in the ancient city walls that once protected the Oltrarno neighborhood. It was such a cool and unexpected historical moment – Florence is full of them!
Just about seven miles outside of the city, Donatello made a surprise stop at the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial. This peaceful and moving site commemorates the American men and women who served during World War II. It wasn’t originally on our itinerary, but I’m so glad he brought us there. The grounds were beautifully maintained, and the feeling was exactly what you’d expect: humbling, emotional, and deeply respectful.
Next up: wine country! We visited the incredible Castello di Verrazzano winery, located in the heart of the Chianti region. There, we took a guided tour of the estate, learning about the rich history of Chianti wines and how they’re made. The views were incredible, and truly gave me the feeling that I was in a movie – rolling vineyards, castles in the distance, and that golden Tuscan light. Naturally, we couldn’t leave empty-handed, so we had wine, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar shipped back home to the States!
After a few more wine tastings (because when in Tuscany…), we made our way to San Gimignano, a picturesque medieval hill town in the province of Siena. Known for its well-preserved towers and charming streets, it was a dream to walk through. It’s also home to Gelateria Dondoli, voted the world’s best gelato at least five times and yes, it absolutely lived up to the hype.
We ended this leg of the trip in complete luxury, staying at the secluded Castel Monastero — a restored 11th-century monastery turned resort. It was hands-down the nicest place I’ve ever stayed, coupled with a Spa day, it was the best place to ring in my 30th birthday. I truly couldn’t have imagined a better way to celebrate.
Adiamo a Roma, the final stop on our Italian Adventure!
We had less than 72 hours in the Eternal City, and we were determined to make the most of it. Rome is packed with history, culture, and energy – it felt like a whirlwind, but in the best way.
As soon as we arrived, we jumped into our prescheduled golf cart tour of the city – and I highly recommend, especially if you’re short on time. It gave us a great overview of the major sights and helped us understand how large and spread out Rome is so we could better plan the rest of our stay. Plus, the tour was a blast – we took time to get to know the other travelers on our ride, exchange stories, and just enjoy cruising through Rome’s historic streets.
Rome felt a bit more Americanized compared to the other cities we visited, but it still had that unmistakable Italian charm.
The next day, we headed straight to the Colosseum for a guided tour, which also included a walk through the Roman Forum and ruins. As a bit of a history nerd, I was fascinated. It’s mind-blowing to think about all the different ways the Colosseum was used throughout history, and that it is still intact and standing today. Also, not going to lie, a small part of me was thinking about The Lizzie McGuire Movie the entire time. (If you know, you know. “This is what dreams are made of..”)
We stayed at Chapter Roma, a chic boutique hotel near the vibrant Trastevere neighborhood, which is full of amazing restaurants and cocktail spots. I’d absolutely stay there again, super stylish and in a great location.
One travel tip: if you’re not walking, plan ahead. Rome has a lot of traffic, and rideshares like Uber can be hard to come by or delayed, especially during peak hours.
On Sunday, we visited The Vatican just after 12 pm and we happened to arrive just in time to catch a glimpse of the Pope greeting the crowd! Once the big crowds began to clear, we were able to soak in the beauty of St. Peter’s Square and its surroundings in a more peaceful setting.
For our final night, we visited the Trevi Fountain because of course you have to throw in a coin and make a wish, one to come back to Rome, two to fall in love. It was the perfect, movie-worthy way to end such an unforgettable trip.
Overall, this trip was absolutely amazing and I’m already dreaming about going back. Italy was everything I imagined and so much more. Every city, every meal, every moment sparked something in me. It reminded me how much the world has to offer and reignited my passion for travel in a way I didn’t expect.
If you ever get the chance to visit Italy – go. It’s beautiful, inspiring, and full of unforgettable experiences. I truly can’t wait to return and discover even more.
I love it!