Here is a photo essay on Italy’s famous troika of Venice, Florence and Rome that is sure to incite travel pangs in people who already have or are yet to visit Italy.
Venice
How can any memory of Venice be complete without it’s canals and boats ?..Or without it’s yodeling gondoliers, in their romantic gondola ridesWandering narrow ‘alleyways’ in Venice was a favorite pastime of ours....as was standing atop the Rialto and enjoying this view of the Grand CanalEverybody learns a new concept when they’re in Venice, traffic jams on waterAnd everybody jostles with the crowds in Rialto for that one perfect photo.Nobody comes away from Venice without shopping for one of these Venetian masksOr without sipping a coffee, maybe even an expensive one at the square that gave birth to the cafe, while orchestras serenade the crowdsThis sight at the iconic Bridge of sighs will have you bidding adieu to Venice
The Florence experience is incomplete if you haven’t watched the sun go down from the Piazzale MichelangeloWaking up early in the morning for a crowd free square near the Duomo is a good thing to do..As is gazing up at Brunelleschi’s lovely brick-red cupola of the DuomoNobody comes away without walking alongside the works of the rockstars from the Renaissance eraLicking a gelato with this view of the colorful Ponte Vecchio is a wonderful memory to take backAs is spotting uniquely Florentians slights like theseGelato licking and crowd watching is a wonderful activity to indulge in at it’s famous squares, like the Piazza della RepubblicaWhile you’re in Florence, it pays to take a day off to visit the hill towns in TuscanyAnd open your hearts to the beauty of the Tuscan countryside with its cypress lined roads and rolling hills....Amble about in unknown lanes, stop by to sip some wine and taste the cheese, in ideal towns built during the Renaissance....And while you’re at it, savour wood fired pizza while church bells toll in the background
Visit the pantheon of architecture, the Pantheon in Rome was one of our favorite memoriesDo not forget to pick your jaw up from the floor, when you’re inside the PantheonIndulge in crowd watching at the Piazza Navona and Bernini’s 5 rivers fountain in Rome while sipping a coffee at one of the numerous cafes lining the PiazzaWatch the sun go down, if you can find empty steps at the Spanish stepsAnd toss a coin at the Trevi fountain, to ensure another visit to RomeMarvel at the gigantic, iconic pieces of architecture in Rome..And wander among ruins that are a 1000 years oldCross into the smallest country in the worldAnd gape at the astonishing pieces of art insideBut do make a promise to yourself that you’ll come back .. one day