Rome | Florence | Bologna | Cinque Terre | Lake Como
We have done a few trips to Italy now with our students, and these are my top locations so far. On one trip, I was coming from Greece, so we took the night ferry into Ancona, Italy. The ride was almost a full 24 hours, but it was a great new experience, as most of my kids had never slept on a ship before. On arrival in Ancona, we made some quick stops before driving by San Marino (another super tiny country, but no stopping here unfortunately) and on to Florence, known for its leather. After a couple of days there, we did a quick day trip into Bologna before heading on to Rome and The Vatican (which is a separate post). Now, those were awesome places, but on my previous trip, we started at Lake Como and went to the Cinque Terre, or 5 Villages. This was so colorful yet relaxed; I stayed out as late as I could. While it has many highlights, these are just a few suggestions if you’re considering Italy!
Florence: Stunning Views and Leather!
Florence
Historic Center
We walked the Piazza della Signoria with a local guide and did photo stops of the Ponte Vecchio and the Gates of Paradise. Be sure to check out these and the Duomo at the Cathedral de Santa María. We also visited a great leather shop, where I bought a fine leather handbag and Jeff got a jacket. Italian leather is expensive, but worth it for the quality.
Florence
Ponte Vecchio
This bridge, Ponte Vecchio, is easy to find and cross on foot. I swear, if you get there while the sun is out, EVERY photo is so beautifully vibrant that they look photo-shopped. But the view is really that gorgeous. The scenery made for a great backdrop for some of my seniors to take their yearbook ad photos.
Bologna
Statue of Neptune
The center of Bologna was so very crowded! It was the first place one of my kids almost got robbed during the 2023 trip. Someone in the crowd stuck a hand into his sweatpants pocket, and he never noticed! Luckily, my friend Eric did. Nothing was lost that day, and we were able to see the famed Fountain of Neptune and have some pasta.
Rome
Living History
Amphitheaters and Colosseum
Everything in Rome is just so old. We visited the famed Colosseum but also found other amphitheaters. Everywhere we looked, there were ruins, statues, and remnants of the Roman Empire. This was a 3D textbook from start to finish.
Spanish Steps
Photo Stop on the Spanish Steps
These steps, located between Piazza di Spagna at the base and Piazza Trinità dei Monti, in front of the Trinità dei Monti church, have served as a meeting point for artists, as well as poets like Percy Shelley and John Keats, for centuries.
St. Paul and the Church
St. Paul Outside the Walls
St. Paul outside the Walls is historic for Christians everywhere, not just Catholics. Supposedly, according to church tradition, when the apostle Paul was beheaded, his body was recovered and buried just outside the walls of Rome. His head, however, is believed to be in the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome.
Cinque Terre
Monterosso al Mare
At one of the biggest villages of the Cinque Terre, Monterosso al Mare, you can climb the rocks around a statue of Neptune. It still has damage from weapons fired during WWII.
Cinque Terre Beaches
Riomaggiore
For one low price, you can by a day pass on the train that goes between these villages. I spent a day with a few adventurous travelers, hopping on and off the railway, seeing beaches and fishing ports.
San Giovanni Battista
A Pirate Church?
The Church of San Giovanni Battista is located in Monterosso al Mare. It stands out, with its black-and-white-striped exterior, but for me, the inside was even more interesting. The decor reminded me of pirates, with skulls and skeletons. Definitely worth a visit.
Italy: In Conclusion
This country has picturesque views for every drive, castles on random hills, and living history in every city. We will definitely be back, if for no other reason than the food! We had so much pizza, pasta, gelato, cappuccino, and espresso that we should be ashamed (but we aren’t).
The Traveling Teacher 