Discovering Italy

As a kid growing up in the Midwest, I loved to go to Italian markets to sample their offerings. The various salamis and pastas soon became my comfort food.
I yearned to experience this food again, but I wanted to go to the source: Italy. Aside from the food, I wanted experience the country's art and architecture.
For someone who hasn't been to Europe in years and is content with traveling the Southeast, the trip was a big undertaking. Months of planning, budgeting and learning the language became the scene in our house.
My wife and I made our decision: We were to visit Rome, Florence and Venice in a one-week period. I dubbed this whirlwind tour The Italian Sampler.

Romantic Rome

After a nine-hour flight, we were greeted by Rome's golden sun peeking at us through the darkness. It was a sight for sore eyes. Even though we didn't sleep a wink, we were ready to tour Rome when we arrived at Fiumicino Airport.

There is no need to rent a car in here. Simply find your way to the local train, which whisks you to the Termini central station. From that point, it's best to set out on foot to explore this city filled with ancient ruins, world-class museums and amazing cuisine.

When we arrived at Termini, we were pleasantly surprised to find many hotels located across the street. We chose Hotel Mediterraneo, a restored property that is reasonably priced and puts you in a central location.

A front desk employee pointed us in the direction of the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, the Trevi Fountain and local museums. By purchasing a Roma pass, a tourist discount card, we were able to jump to the front of the line at the Colosseum, see other attractions at a reduced price and ride the transit system during the two-day stay.

After breakfast at the hotel, we embarked upon our tour of the Vatican and its museums. The nearby train quickly brought us to this magnificent site. The line was long, but it would have been longer if we went later in the day. The key is to arrive early and stick with what you would like to see.
For myself, I had to see the Tombs of Popes. Just as I suspected, Pope John Paul II's tomb drew massive crowds. After visiting the tombs, I spent much of my time in St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.

The Holy See left me awestruck by its art, architecture and beauty. Television and photos do not do it justice. You must physically be in the Vatican to seriously experience it. I will see the Pope's future addresses through a different prism.

In Rome, I rediscovered the food I loved as a child. Seek out eateries run by generations of families, and you'll likely end up with a good meal. My new memories of mouth-watering risotto at Osteria della Fontana near the Trevi Fountain and uncut pizzas at Bar Pizzeria Koski on Via Cavour are priceless.

Exploring Florence

It is impossible to see everything in Rome, but our tour had to move on. We booked a pair of tickets on a Eurostar train and headed to Florence. Italy's trains fill up fast, so it's a good idea to reserve your seats in advance. In addition to the price of our tickets, a 15 Euro reservation fee was added onto the bill.
Eurostar trains are punctual, so arriving early to your platform is recommended. We were treated like royalty on this modern mode of transportation. Food and drinks were quickly served and we promptly arrived in Florence.

The first thing to do in Florence is to get out at the main train station and proceed to the tourist information office across the street. There, I learned that Florence's streets are laid out in a grid-like fashion. It's tough to get lost in the city.

We made the trek to our hotel, Hotel Cellai, which was a 20-minute walk. Our decision to stay at this historic property was a good one. My wife and I weren't looking for posh accommodations to spend two nights. We just needed something near main attractions like the Uffizi and Academy galleries, and Hotel Cellai delivers on all counts.

Last stop in Venice

The last leg of the tour took us north to Venice. Yes, it's chillier here than in Rome, but its sheer beauty outweighs the weather.
It was easy to locate a water bus, which took us to the Domina Giudecca Hotel on Giudecca Island. The hotel is off the beaten path, and when it comes to Venice, that is a great thing.

Most of Venice is a bit touristy, so staying on Giudecca was perfect for my wife and me. We found our hotel room to be modern and cozy. A morning breakfast served in a greenhouse-like room was among the best bites on our journey.

After visiting St. Mark's Basilica, the famous Caffe Florian and the Academy Gallery, our Italian Sampler tour concluded, too fast. We flew directly out of Venice to return home. It was nice to be back, but I will never forget Italy's beauty and scrumptious cuisine.