Rome

Italy is endlessly compelling—a place where ancient forums meet buzzing piazzas, Renaissance domes crown café-lined streets, and cliffside villages spill into sunlit seas. This guide pulls together the country’s greatest hits and secret corners: Rome’s Colosseum and Pantheon, Florence’s Uffizi and Brunelleschi’s dome, Venice’s canals and islands, the Amalfi Coast’s dramatic trails, the Dolomites’ year-round adventure, tranquil Lake Como and Lake Garda, Matera’s cave-cut history, Sicily’s theater-by-the-sea in Taormina, and more. You’ll find smart ways to beat the crowds (think skip-the-line passes and shoulder-season timing), plus trip ideas that blend city art walks with vineyard lunches, alpine hikes, or beach days. Whether you’re a culture lover, foodie, thrill-seeker, or planning a family escape, use this playbook to craft an itinerary that moves at your pace—pairing icons with authentic, lesser-known gems—for a trip that feels both classic and completely your own.