Venice, Florence, and Rome: Uncovering the History and Culture of Italy’s Most Famous Cities

Venice’s sights are plenty but lean heavily into canals, bridges, and religious buildings — most with a distinct Byzantine, Islamic, and gothic influence — with approximately 200 churches across the various islands. But the main event when speaking of religious eye candy is the sublime Saint Mark’s Basilica in St Mark’s Square, itself lined with attractive cafes and al fresco restaurants besieged by bowtied waiters. The cathedral is evocative, beset by archways and domes highlighted in gold, distinctly Byzantine, and yet in truth a busy amalgamation of various architectural styles from the classical period to the 19th century. 

Close by, the towering 98-meter-tall red brick Campanile offers views over all of Venice, and the Palazzo Ducal — best known as Doge’s Palace —  looks out over the blues of the lagoon. Walk a little further to see the poetic arch of the Bridge of Sighs, connecting the Doge’s Palace to the Prigioni, or prison where renowned author and adventurer Cassanova was once incarcerated. Visit the square at night to see the facades of the buildings atmospherically illuminated from an outdoor seat in the 300-year-old Caffé Florian. 

The Vaporetto water bus is an invaluable tool for travelers serious about seeing more of Venice. Take it to Murano to visit the glass-making factories, or to Burano for an exquisitely quaint slice of Venice that’s all slim canals topped with tiny motor boats and lined with houses painted in greens, pinks, and yellows. Stop here for an afternoon lunch in a traditional trattoria or to enjoy the tranquillity of the homely canals. Sun seekers can take a break from the city and head to Lido, a long slither of land ideal for a beach day, or walk the surprisingly green neighborhood of Torcello. 

In the heart of Venice, pay a visit to Paolo Brandolisio’s workshop to see an artisan making Venetian rowlocks, climb the arched spiral staircase of the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo or visit the Librairie Acqua Alta, a labyrinthine bookshop where books are stacked in a gondola and against walls as a lookout point over the canal.

Perhaps one of Italy’s most impressive cathedrals (and the third largest in the world), the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is a whimsical block of pink and white marble culminating in Brunelleschi’s vast terracotta dome that, along with Giotto’s impressive Campanile, lends the Florentine skyline a unique Tuscan aesthetic. Visit the cathedral to see the interior of the Dome brought to life by Vasari’s frescoes, and conquer the 463 steps to its exterior for vertigo-inducing countryside vistas. 

Visit the nearby Baptistery, or the Battistero di San Giovanni, which, at almost 1000 years old is one of Florence’s oldest structures. It offers an intriguing look at the Romanesque style that led to the distinct architectural styles of the later Renaissance, but it’s also historically storied, as locals such as Dante Alighieri and several members of the Medici family were baptized here. 

For the best views of the Duomo, stroll towards the Ponte Vecchio, cross the Arno River, and ascend to Piazzale Michelangelo to witness the vast scale of the Duomo from above.

While much of the noise surrounding Italian food centers on the pasta of Rome and the Pizza of Napoli, Florentine cuisine is some of Italy’s best. Bistecca alla Fiorentina, the traditional T-bone with a filet on one side and sirloin on the other, is its most notable dish. Order it as the restaurant prepares it (tip: try the excellent Trattoria Sostanza): rare, and seared directly over the embers of a wood fire, with sides of spinach and artichoke, and wash it down with a bottle of local Chianti. 

An area where Florentine cuisine shines and is perhaps less appreciated is in its street food. To sample it, seek out a true Florentine lampredottai (usually a van with plastic chairs) while wandering a cobbled Florentine alley and order a sandwich stuffed with Lampredotto: the fourth stomach of a cow slow-cooked until it’s as deliciously tender as roast beef.

The Colosseum’s instantly recognizable fractured limestone top is awe-inspiring to see up close for the first time but more beautiful are the redolent ruins of the Roman Forum at the foot of Palatine Hill. Take a tour of the Colosseum or view it from outside if the historical minutiae are of less importance. 

But a journey inside the Forum is a must, particularly if it’s your first trip to Italy. Stroll it all like a vast garden museum, paying particular attention to the Arch of Septimius Severus, the Temple of Saturn, and the mysterious marble remains of the House of the Vestal Virgins — a dozen (now headless) depictions of the high priestesses of the Vestal Cult. Climb the steps of Palatine Hill to view it from above and ruminate on the fact this was once the center of Roman politics, commerce, and religion.

Rome’s historic center is beguiling and best seen on foot. From the Spanish Steps, walk to Piazza Mignanell, home to the Column of the Immaculate, and stroll along Via Propaganda towards Sant’Andrea delle Fratte, a 17th-century church whose somewhat plain-looking interiors belie its stunning interiors. 

From here, it’s a short walk to the iconic Trevi Fountain, with its impressive portrayal of Neptune riding a chariot in the shape of a shell at its core. From the fountain, a picturesque walk down narrow alleys, past palatial palazzi, and vibrant Roman Trattorias serving up fragrant Cacio e Pepe leads to the Piazza della Rotonda, home to the Pantheon, the (almost) 2000-year-old Roman temple turned church.