Our Trip to Italy
Ciao!
Connor and I recently returned from a magical 2-week stay in Italy and I want to share some of our favorite spots during our visit! We only scratched the surface of enjoying all that this country has to offer. Italy is beautiful. It is filled with history, incredible architecture, and charm.
MILAN
Milan was the first and last leg of our journey. When we weren’t napping from jet lag, we were making the most of our short time in this remarkable city. Some of our favorite spots were:
Sforza Castle - This was our first stop (after grabbing an essential croissant + espresso) after stepping off the plane in Milan. Connor and I traveled very light (only our carryon backpacks) and needed to kill five hours before being able to check-in to our Airbnb. So with our bodies full of jet lag and our backpacks in tow, we made our way to Sforza Castle to casually explore. This was the perfect activity to jump start our trip! The castle is an expansive space, filled with architecture, water features and individual museums.
Navigli Canal District - A great area to grab dinner and drinks along the canal!
Mascherpa, Coffee + Tiramisu - The cutest spot to grab a cup of espresso & delicious tiramisu!
Vintage clothing retailers - There is a reason Milan is a fashion mecca of the world! Milan was a hot spot for finding vintage, designer clothing at incredible prices.
Note: It was incredibly easy to travel within Milan. Their underground metro system is so well-organized that it makes traveling within the city a breeze! Overall, we were so impressed with Italy’s country-wide transit systems.
AMALFI
Not much compares to the beauty of the Amalfi Coast. We arrived in the city of Salerno and took a 45-minute ferry ride to the city of Amalfi. This boat ride was one of the highlights of our trip! The Tyrrhenian sea is the brightest shade of teal and it crashes against the cliffs of southern Italy.
La Rua - This casual takeaway spot was conveniently located near our Airbnb and was our favorite bite in the city of Amalfi! Their panzerotto is life-changing. One night, we opted to grab two pizzas and sit on the steps of the duomo. We struck up a conversation with a local painter whom we talked with for nearly an hour about the history of Italy, his recommendations for our trip, and our shared passion for art.
“The Path of the Gods”- After a full day of beach lounging & eating in Amalfi, we opted for some adventure the following day. We took a bus ride from Amalfi up to the city of Bomerano to hike Il Sentiero degli Dei, also known as “the path of the gods”. The bus ride to Bomerano was an adventure all in itself (imagine a full-sized bus going 50 mph uphill along the cliffs of the coast). The hike was a breathtaking 2.5-hour journey filled with steep coastline views, rocky terrain, natural springs and a 1,700-step descent into the city of Positano.
ROME
If you’re considering a trip to Italy, allow yourself a considerable amount of time to spend here! We were here for three nights but we could have spent at least a week exploring Rome. This city is a living, breathing history book and is so vast in its offerings. Friends of ours recommended staying in the city of Trastevere, which was significantly less touristy and only a 10-minute walk into the heart of the city. Trastevere was described to me as “the East Nashville of Rome”, which if you’ve been to or lived in East Nashville, you understand the vibe. We loved combining our time with the main tourist attractions of Rome and the local life of Trastevere.
Botanical Gardens - Conveniently located within Trastevere are the beautiful Botanical Gardens of Rome. The garden covers nearly 29 acres and includes plants that have been growing there for hundreds of years!
Dar Poeta - Our favorite pizza during our stay in Rome! We waited in a very long line and ate dinner close to 10:30 pm., but I would do it all over again for their Vicoletto pizza.
Lela Casa - The CUTEST home decor store in Rome, housing handcrafted goods and gorgeous seasonal florals. If you are looking to bring home souvenirs or gifts that are less touristy and more authentic, beautiful and functional, then this is the place for you!
Tazza d’Oro - Our favorite coffee during our trip! This spot is just around the corner from the Pantheon and came as a recommendation from the painter we met in Amalfi.
Proscuitteria Cantina Dei Papi - A small, casual spot near the Trevi fountain that provides the perfect break for lunch! They will build you the charcuterie board of your dreams.
Akropolis - If you are looking for a palette change from traditional Italian fare, Akropolis has the fix! It is a wonderful Greek restaurant located within Trastevere.
Saltimbocca - Hands down the BEST Italian meal we had during our time in Rome. Connor and I spent the evening talking about life, sipping wine and expanding our stomachs (some of our favorite shared activities).
Of course you have to include trips to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and more to your list! There were several main attractions that we were unable to fit in during this trip, but we hope to make our way back in the future.
FLORENCE
There’s something special about Florence. Firenze felt surreal in its charm and quiet persona. We had two nights in this city and it certainly was not enough.
The SoprArno Suites - We mainly stayed in Airbnb’s during our trip, but chose to change things up with a stay at The SoprArno Suites during our time in Florence. Everything from their common area to our individual suite filled me with inspiration! Our room was styled in a vintage typeface theme, including furniture from a retired printing press. If you are looking for lodging that provides quality service and amenities but also a unique experience to your trip, I would highly recommend staying at the SoprArno.
All ‘Antico Vinaio - There is a reason why this is one of the most reviewed food spots in the world. Two lines of customers flank the sidewalk, awaiting their chance to order one of the restaurant’s famed flatbread sandwiches. I had their limited-edition “Bada Come La Fuma” sandwich and Connor had their classic “Favolosa”. This could be the meal that our brains travel back to the most from our trip.
Enoteca Pitti Gola - Connor and I are amateur wine lovers (amateur in our knowledge of wine but confident in our love), so Enoteca Pitti Gola was the perfect stop for us to taste & learn more about this beautiful craft. The men that operate this shop know their stuff and provided each of us with our own wine flight, along with a brief explanation of each wine and the origins of where it came from.
La Sorbettiera - Without a doubt, La Sorbettiera had THE BEST gelato during our trip!
Nerbone - Located within the central market of Florence (which is a very cool atmosphere in itself) is Nerbone, a food stall known for their Lampredotto sandwich. Do yourself a favor and don’t look it up, just give it a go. Haha
Alla Vecchia Bettola - On our final night in Florence, we opted for a restaurant that came highly recommended by the locals. The atmosphere of Alla Vecchia Bettola was cozy, warm, and communal. It was incredibly authentic and if it had not been for the New York couple next to us who helped interpret the menu, (James and Tarah, if you’re out there, THANK YOU) we would have been lost. However, I have a feeling that even if we had ordered blindly we would have been served some of the best food that Italy has to offer.
