To us, the best view of Rome is from a rooftop terrace at sunset. Like so many aspects of good living, Romans have perfected the concept. And there are more than a dozen fabulous roof bars in Rome where you can sip wine and enjoy the breathtaking scenery as the city slips into darkness.

If you’re visiting Rome during spring or summer, stay at a hotel with a top-side patio, or at the very least, have a drink at one of the roof bars listed below. It won’t be cheap, but it will likely become a very special memory of your visit. Read more…

Rome is one of the most wonderful places in the world. Where else can you experience the grandeur of the ancient world, the splendor of the Renaissance, and la dolce vita 21st century style, all in the same day? It is a city of incomparable pleasures — not least of which is the food.

The best way to experience Roman cooking, aside from eating in all those fabulous Italian restaurants, is to do it yourself at one of Rome’s lively cooking classes. Read more…

Just 20 miles north of Venice, Treviso is a delightful town which has retained much of its medieval charm. Like its famous neighbor to the south, Treviso is laced together with a series of pretty canals and medieval arcades. But unlike in Venice, Treviso hotels are off the tourist trail.

Although Treviso was damaged during World War II, what was left was preserved, what could be rebuilt was sensitively restored, and new construction was designed not to overwhelm the existing buildings. Many of the original frescoes have been preserved, and today, there are stylish boutiques on every corner. Read more…

San Francisco is one of America’s best cities for dining. Restaurants here have a bounty of fresh seafood and local produce they use to create innovative menus that change with the seasons. And you’ll find local delicacies like Dungeness crab woven seamlessly into their preparations.

The North Beach neighborhood was once the home of most of the city’s Italian restaurants. But these days, you’ll find them in every part of town, from the Mission District to Nob Hill. Read more…

A friend at work is going to travel to Italy for the first time and asked me for a little trip planning advice.

It was harder than I thought it would be, because she only has ten days. And there are so many great places to see in Italy that narrowing it down is a real challenge.

My first tip was not to bite off more than she could chew. On your first trip, you want to see as much as possible. It’s only natural. But the less time you spend traveling, the more you’ll enjoy your trip. So we decided that with ten days, she should only stay in three places. That way, she’d only have two travel days. Read more…

As an art history major, I’ve wanted to visit Ravenna since college. It’s a little off the beaten path, so it took me a while. But it was worth the wait.

Ravenna has a fascinating history. At one time or other, it’s been under Roman, Papal, and Venetian rule. But what really put Ravenna on the map was the Byzantine conquest in 540AD. The most beautiful mosaics in the world were produced here during that era. And they’re remarkably well preserved today. Many of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Read more…

Some of the best Italian restaurants in the world are in Rome. The cuisine of Rome is rich and rustic, with hearty meat dishes and terrific pastas. Two of the best known are Spaghetti alla Carbonara with pancetta, eggs, and Parmesan cheese, and Bucatini all’Amatriciana with tomatoes, pancetta, and onions.

Other Roman specialties you should try include stuffed fried zucchini blossoms, Saltimbocca, which is veal stuffed with prosciutto, cheese, and sage, and porchetta, or roast suckling pig. You’ll also find traditional Italian foods like gnocchi and pizza on most menus. Read more…

Naples gets a bad rap. For years, travelers have been advised to avoid it because it’s dangerous, dirty, and a little rough around the edges. All of this is true, but it’s more or less true of many places that travelers happily enjoy.

If you use common sense, keep a close eye on your valuables, and don’t go where you don’t belong – especially after dark – you should be just fine. And you’ll get to enjoy all that Naples has to offer. Not the least of which is great food. Read more…

But Rome is very much a city of the present. So your trip planning should include some insider experiences that let you enjoy la dolce vita away from the crowds. Read more…

One of the most charming resorts on Lake Garda, Sirmione is located on a narrow peninsula at the southern end of the lake. Connected with the mainland by a small bridge, Sirmione has winding cobbled streets, an imposing castle, tranquil gardens, and a lovely lake-front promenade.

Sirmione hotels are available in all price ranges. And it’s a great place to unwind.

It was first appreciated by the Romans who discovered hot springs and built baths here. Sirmione was later ruled by the Veronese and Venetians, whose architectural legacy adds to the resort’s appeal. Much of the old town is closed to automobile traffic, making it ideal to explore on foot. Read more…

The largest of the Italian Lakes, Lake Garda forms part of the border between Lombardy to the west, Veneto to the east, and Trentino-Alto Adige to the north. The scenery surrounding the lake is quite varied, ranging from Alpine meadows backed by snow-capped peaks to olive groves, and pine and cypress forests.

Lake Garda is one of the cleanest lakes in Italy, and Riva del Garda is a popular windsurfing destination. There are several Lake Garda resorts to choose from, each with a distinct ambience.

Most of the better Lake Garda hotels have access to the lake, a swimming pool, water sports equipment rentals, tennis, and other activities. And most close between October and May. Read more…

Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda or Emerald Coast is a popular resort for Europe’s jet set. Developed by the Aga Khan in the 1950s, it’s one of the most expensive destinations in the Mediterranean.

But Alghero on the northwestern side of the island is a charming destination. And Alghero hotels are much less expensive than those on the Costa Smeralda.

Alghero was first settled in the tenth century by the Genoese, who defended it from the Moors. But the biggest influence came from the Spanish who conquered the area in the 14th century. In fact, Alghero is sometimes called “Little Barcelona” because of the Spanish architecture and presence of Catalan language, which is still spoken here. Read more…

A favorite summer getaway of well-heeled Italians and Europeans alike, Lake Como is just plain gorgeous. The sparkling water is backed by snow-capped Alps and lined with luxurious villas and dreamy gardens. The lake is shaped like an upside-down Y, and the town of Bellagio is located where the lake forks.

It’s arguably the most beautiful town in the lakes. And if you keep your eyes peeled, you might spot local resident George Clooney water skiing.

Bellagio hotels run the gamut from luxurious to simple, so even travelers of modest means should be able to afford a couple of unforgettable nights here. If ever a place was worth splurging, Bellagio is. Read more…

One of the most attractive cities in Lombardy, Bergamo is a brief train ride from Milan. Nestled in the hills of the Bergamese Alps, the medieval upper city, or Bergamo Alta, is reached by a funicular from the lower town. Bergamo is something of a hidden treasure, and it has much to offer travelers — Venetian-influenced architecture, several beautiful piazzas, and an interesting history.

Bergamo hotels, especially those in Bergamo Alta, tend to be fully booked months in advance during high season, so plan ahead.

In the upper town, Piazza Vecchio has a 12th-century clock tower, law courts dating from the same period, and Read more…

Everyone loves Italian food, and sampling the local specialties is one of the best parts of traveling to Italy. Each of Italy’s regions has its own distinctive cuisine, and Italian restaurants run the gamut from elegant to earthy.
Roman food.

Known for its rustic comfort food, Rome serves some of the meatiest meals in the country. But vegetarians will

Here are the dishes you don’t want to miss if you travel to Italy. Read more…

Livorno Italy is a cruise port that serves as the gateway for Tuscany. As a result, for many travelers, Livorno is just a blur on the way to Pisa or Florence. Which is too bad, because Livorno itself is worth exploring.

Located on a stretch of the Ligurian Sea known as the Etruscan Coast, Livorno has a charming ocean-front promenade, a series of navigable 17th-century canals, and some of the best seafood in Tuscany. Read more…