Rome
With just a few days in Rome, you can see the highlights of
the city. You can go on your own, but a guided tour helps if you’re pressed for
time. The Vatican Museums have something to offer everyone, even if you’re not
a Catholic. The architecture is grand, but with 70,000 pieces of art, there’s an
overwhelming amount to look at. A guide will give you just the highlights, from
the Raphael Rooms to mummies. Stop in the crowded but silent Sistine Chapel and
let Michelangelo’s iconic ceiling wash over you.
You need a photo op at the Colosseum and at the metro exit,
head left and up for the hill overlooking the Colosseum for the clearest shot.
Inside, explore the almost 2,000-year-old amphitheater where gladiators once
battled. Archeology buffs will especially enjoy the underground where animals were once kept.
Lots of walking is just part of the Roman experience, but save
yourself a little time and energy by taking a tour on a golf cart around the
city. It’s more spacious and souped-up than what you will see on the golf
course, but it allows your guide to show you things you may have missed in your
travels with lots of time for photos.
Pop into the Pantheon, a former Roman temple from AD 609
that has become a Catholic church. Buying tickets at the door seems to be the
quickest option right now. Plan for breakfast at the famed Trevi Fountain to
beat the crowds that gather throughout the day.
Eat: Pasta and Gelato
Rome is famous for its simple but flavorful pasta dishes made with sheep’s milk pecorino romano cheese like pasta Carbonara, Cacio e pepe, pasta all'amatriciana and pasta alla gricia. They are staples on most Roman menus and all worth sampling. Gelato is also ubiquitous on every block. Opt for the less flashy shops with flat pots of gelato, not rippling towers, for the most authentic flavor.
Rome is famous for its simple but flavorful pasta dishes made with sheep’s milk pecorino romano cheese like pasta Carbonara, Cacio e pepe, pasta all'amatriciana and pasta alla gricia. They are staples on most Roman menus and all worth sampling. Gelato is also ubiquitous on every block. Opt for the less flashy shops with flat pots of gelato, not rippling towers, for the most authentic flavor.
Stay: Hotel Rome Life
Centrally located one block away from Via Nazionale, this
sleek business hotel is a ten-minute walk from most attractions, plus they offer
a generous continental breakfast buffet and ample rooms with generous air conditioning.
Ischia
This underrated island is not to be missed. A short
hydrofoil ride from Naples, this volcanic island tends to be a well-kept secret
by locals. Once a celebrity hot spot in the 1950s where stars like Liz Taylor
would relax in the thermal spas, it’s a great alternative to more crowded
locations like Capri or the Amalfi coast with the best beaches in Italy. Take a
few days here to relax and recharge from Rome before the next stop.
Eat: Rabbit Stew
Rabbit stew is the island specialty, with lots of wild
rabbits inhabiting the woodsy parts of the island. Coniglio all'ischitana is
slow-cooked with tomatoes, white wine, garlic and herbs, and yes, it tastes
like chicken.
Stay: Hotel San Georgia Terme
Like a lot of the coastal hotels on this island, this hotel has lovely sea views, a
beautiful sand beach and a healing thermal spa, which the island is known for.
Sorrento
Technically not on the Amalfi Coast but adjacent to it, this
seaside town is also a short hydrofoil ride from Naples. The downtown is still quaint and walkable, with two long streets packed with restaurants and
shopping — one small and charming, the other more polished and refined. Sorrento
is also a great waypoint for exploring other parts of Campania.
One must-do is a day trip, via boat, to Capri. On the way,
you can see the famed blue, green and white grottos, take in some salty swims and
then, once you arrive on the island, ride the chair lift in Anacapri, followed
by lunch at what feels like the top of the world.
Pompeii is also a must-see — an ash-preserved city destroyed by
the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79. Touring the ruins gives an amazing
snapshot of what daily life was like long ago. Pop into the museum to see
figures cast from the void left by human remains in the ash — fascinating and
deeply heartbreaking.
No trip to Italy is complete without a cooking class.
Pizza, pasta, gelato — pick your favorite and learn how to recreate these
dishes at home because you’ll be craving them, and there’s nothing like real
Italian food on this side of the world.
Check out Limonoro Fabbrica Liquori Di D'Esposito Ciro to stock up on souvenirs like limoncello, chocolates and
cookies. You can make a meal on the samples alone.
One bonus for Sorrento is the elevator in the city center
that takes you down to the beach. Once at sea level, choose one of the four
beach clubs: Bagni Salvatore, Leonelli’s Beach, Marameo Beach or Peter’s Beach.
Rent chairs and umbrellas for the day, sip Aperol spritzes and float in the
glorious Gulf of Naples.
Eat: Pasta alla Nerrano and Delizia al Limone
Don’t miss creamy fried zucchini pasta — a specialty of the area that is so
buttery, salty and comforting. Also try the delightful Lemon Delight, a lemony
custard cake made with the softball-sized citrus famous in the region.
Stay: Palazzo Januzzi Relais
This boutique hotel is so centrally located, it’s smack dab
in the middle of the town, surrounded by shops, restaurants and churches. The
homey breakfast buffet is a perfect start to the day and the friendly staff
will help you get anywhere you need to go, including places you hadn’t even
thought of yet.