Alexei J. Cohen - Moon Rome, Florence & Venice

Florences Duomo

These are no ordinary cities. Theyve witnessed remarkable events, given birth to revolutionary ideas, and formed the foundation on which modern culture and civilization rest. When it comes to beauty and influence, few places can compete.

There are no limits to what can be experienced in this Italian triumvirate. You may begin with a list of must-see museums, churches, monuments, and ruins, but you will discover much more. Follow in the footsteps of emperors, saints, and artistic geniuses by walking into the Vatican, crossing the Arno, and stepping into a gondola on the Grand Canal. Its easy to imagine the Roman Colosseum, Michelangelos statue of David, and St. Marks Basilica, but the true scale and grandeur of such sights must be seen to be believed.

Balancing the creativity of the past and the beauty of the present requires effort. To appreciate la dolce vita today, immerse yourself in each city and discover the characteristics and customs that make it unique. Notice the smell of freshly baked bread each morning; and silent squares after the masses have gone to sleep, surrendering the cobble-stoned streets to the adventurous. Learn to greet locals with a confident buon giorno and order espresso like an Italian. Sample new flavors in rustic trattorias, enter unexpected doorways, and ask locals which hillside provides the best view. With a little determination, youll begin to distinguish a Romanesque church from a Renaissance palazzo, Florentine aperitivi from Venetian cicchetti, and good leather from bad.

Florence by night.

street market in Florence

lion statue at Piazza della Signoria in Florence

Rome, Florence, and Venice offer all the delights and satisfaction of a sumptuous three-course meal. Savor every bite.

Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute in Venice

Basilica di San Marco.

Venice vegetable market

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Roman Forum: Ancient artifacts tell the story of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire ().

Pantheon: Romes largest temple has survived nearly 2,000 years and counting ().

St. Peters Basilica: The center of the Roman Catholic faith is also the largest church in the world ().

Vatican Museums: You could easily get lost in the treasure trove of art and artifacts, but dont miss Michelangelos Sistine Chapelarguably the greatest work of art ever created ().

Borghese Gallery: Masterworks by Bernini, Botticelli, and Caravaggio are displayed in a sumptuous villa ().

Cycling Villa Borghese: Romes central park is the best place to take refuge from the summer heat ().

Regional Italian Cuisine: Each city offers its own specialties, from cacio e pepe pasta in Rome ().

Michelangelos David: Amid the masterworks in the Accademia,David gets an entire room to himself ().

Florences Duomo: Rising above the city, the structure of Brunelleschis iconic dome defies gravity ().

Uffizi Gallery: Florentine artists added a realistic dimension to paintings that transformed art forever. See their masterworks up close here ().