I’ve been to Italy 3 times. In February 1992 on a school trip, in June 1997 after finishing university finals and in August 2009 as part of our honeymoon. There are places I’ve been to twice and many not at all!

Where: Milan (briefly), Venice, Padua, Ravenna, Rome, Florence, Cinqe Terra (on the Italian riviera)

Who: School trip, with uni friends and my husband

How: For the school trip we flew into Florence and out of Rome (bus between), For the post uni trip we flew in and out of Milan and took trains in between all the destinations, For out honey moon we flew into Venice, then took a train to the border of Slovenia and walked over.

Weather: The winter is very cold and dry, the summer is hot and dry

Food:  WOW!! I put on weight every time I go. Fabulous delies with anti-pasti, gelato and wine. You’re unlikely to starve.

Sights:  Packed for an art historian like me! Rome: the Roman Forum, colosseum, St Peter’s Cathedral, the Trevi Fountain, Florence: Duomo, the church of Santa Croce, the Ufizzi museum, walking around the town, Padua: the Giotto frescoes, Ravenna: stunning mosaics, Venice: St Mark’s square, the canals – gondolla ride, Cinqe Terra: swimming and relaxing

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Surprises:

Tips: solo female travel is not recommended. I have been without a man and it’s a real pain, the Italian’s don’t take ‘no’ for an answer and travelling with a guy was soooo much easier.  Climb the domes of Florence and St Peter’s cathedrals, for experience and views!  If you are not going to come back, splash out and take a gondolla ride in Venice – totally worth it, THE way to see Venice.

Note:  Many things shut on Mondays, coffee in most coffee shops is drunk standing up as a quick thing. Crossing the roads in Rome is scary. Noise from scooters can be really disturbing, get a hotel room off the main road.