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Italy Travel List

Italy Travel List

"Welcome to our curated list of recommendations for traveling and dining in Italy. These suggestions have been gathered from our personal networks. While these recommendations are not personally vetted by us, they come highly recommended by those within our network. Please feel free to add your own favourite spots or share any updates in the comments section below. If you come across any information that may have changed, such as closures or updated details, we would greatly appreciate your feedback. Let's build a community-sourced guide to ensure that everyone can enjoy the best of what Italy has to offer." Marco van Embden, Cape Town

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1. Tour Operators / Agency Recommendations across Italy

  • Affresco Luxury Travel
    E: affresco@affresco.it
    President: Carolina Santarelli (YPO)
    T: +39 348 255 1580

  • A Tuscany Holiday
    “for accommodation, restaurants, wineries, things to do recommendations”
  • Context Tours
    Contact: Livia
    “for a tour of Ostia Antica (similar to Pompeii, but in Rome, and practically deserted) or Katie Parla for a food tour in Rome.”
  • Dream and Charme Experiences
    For travel in Italy, Spain & France
    Contact: YPO travel person in Italy was Barbara Mori
    T: 39.02.80503457 and 39.02.89011933
    E: b.mori@dreamcharme.com   cc: m.mazzucchelli@dreamcharme.com
  • Monica Balli Travel
    E: Monica@monicaballi.it
    T: +393929923813
    "Monica Balli offers personalized event planning, concierge service and bespoke travel experiences across Europe, ensuring your journey is seamless, unforgettable, and tailored to your dreams."

  • Frosch Travel
    Judith Wolf
    E: judith.wolf@frosch.com
    D: 847.572.0242
    Judith planned the most amazing trip to Italy for our family. Conde Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist 2021-2023. Recognized as ‘Super Agent’ on Travel + Leisure A-List (2004-2013) Certified Spain Specialist  

Index

Hotel Group Recommendation

Guides in Italy:

  • Angelo Chiarlone
    T: +39 335 6744266
    “He went to Boston College with me and an awesome fellow! Excellent!”
  • Rosi Guia Italia
    T: +39 338 407 2508
    “Rosi is the one we have been using over many years. She is amazing and will hook you up with guides all over Italy.”
  • Salvatore - Rome Tour Guide
    +39 328 270 6568
  • Agnese Aloise - Tour Guide in Rome
    Agnese.aloise@gmail.com, +39 334 360 1827
  • Zaza VIP Tours - Florencia
    +39 366 285 1709

Driver: Tony Sorrento, Positano Taxi - Superb driver. We used him throughout our Amalfi trip. 

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Italy Cities
pexels-njeromin-18077985
the grand canal the doge palace and the bell tower of the basilica di san marco

2. Milan Travel Recommendations

Dining in Milan

3. Verona Travel Recommendations 

Accommodation in Verona

4. Venice Travel Recommendations

Dining in Venice

  • Antiche Carampane.

  • Al Covo.

  • Corte Sconta.

  • Campo Santo Stefano – lovely food, must book.

  • Interpreti Veneziani – Vivaldi concert from 9 till 10.30 pm opposite the square from the restaurant. “It was a superb, 9-piece orchestra, all strings.”

  • Cafe Gratitude on Rose in Venice – “A very SoCal vegan experience.”

  • Corte Sconta – Michelin Starred.

  • Cip’s Club.

  • If you go to Burano island, do not miss Da Romanò.

  • Harry’s Bar.

  • Linea d’Ombra.

  • Officina Ormesini.

  • Quadri – since 1830, now Michelin Starred.

  • The Glam – Michelin Star Chef Enrico Bartolini.

  • Ristorante Giorgione in Via Garibaldi.

  • Sea Bass grilled and Tartufo.

  • Venissa – on an island, fine dining.


Activities in Venice: Marco’s Best Venice – Biennale Highlights:

  • Giardini – OK, Arsenale better. Buy a 2-day ticket (multiple entry, €30)
  • Notable pavilions in Arsenale: Australia, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, USA (Joan Janice), Denmark (Dan Vo), South Africa (Truth & Reconciliation video), Italy (Kentridge at the end)
  • In the main hall: “Tearing of the Book” and other works — Gwen liked the main building
  • In Giardini: Japan Pavilion (Marco loved it), Israel Pavilion (interesting)

Offsite Exhibitions & Cultural Stops:

5. Bologna Travel Recommendations 

to follow

6. Florence Travel Recommendations 

Dining in Florence

  • 13 Gobbi Restaurant via Porcellana 9r – 'good food great place'
  • Atto di Vito Mollica Palazzo Portinai – 5-star
  • Babae
  • Borgo San Jacopo – Michelin Starred
  • Cibreo – 'A Florence staple with diverse dining concepts'
  • Cibreo – Via dei Macci, 118/R. 39-0552001492 'Elegant and a delicious menu'
  • Cibreo Trattoria for dinner
  • Coco Lezzone
  • Crown of India
  • Da Sergio (Piazza San Lorenzo, 8) 39 055281941 "home cooking"
  • Da’ Vinattieri
  • El Troia – Via Dei Porcellana, 25/R. 39 055212691 "Home cooking where the chic Florentines go to eat"
  • Enoteca Pinchiorri – “Best dinner we have ever had (and most expensive) – 12 courses, Via Ghibellina 87 (Only in YPO experience)”
  • Fiaschetteria Osteria Nuvoli
  • Gandhi Florence
  • Gargani via del Moro
  • Gelateria dei Neri (Ice cream)
  • Gucci Osteria
  • Gusta Pizza

  • Haveli Indian Restaurant

  • Indian Palace
  • Il Delsco – '(have lunch)'
  • Il Gatto e la Volpe
  • Il Palagio @ Four Seasons
  • Il Santo Bevitore
  • La Bottega Del Buon Caffe
  • La Buca Dell'Orafo (Via Dei Girolami) 39-055213619 'very small, but very popular and might be very full because it has gotten famous'
  • La Giostra
  • La Loggia – 'is great for dining and has amazing views'
  • La Menagere
  • La Milkeria (Dessert Café)
  • La Prosciutteria
  • Lo Scudo

 

  • La Menagere
  • La Prosciutteria
  • Lo Scudo
  • Melaleuca Bakery & Bistro
  • Mercato Centrale
  • Napoleone Trattoria
  • NOVE (Lungarno Gucciardini, 10) 39 055 2302756 'Less classic but it has gotten very popular'
  • Obicà Mozzarella Bar
  • Olio E Convivium (Via Santo Espirito 4) 'good restaurant but also has gourmet food – you must buy the Ferragamo jams'
  • Onice from the Villa La Vedetta 'the best – the surroundings are amazing'
  • Ora d’Aria
  • Osteria Cinghiale Bianco
  • Osteria Cipolla Rossa
  • Osteria Delle Tre Panche – Centro Storico
  • Osteria Santo Spirito
  • Ristorante Il Profeta Firenze
  • Ristorante Mamma Gina
  • Rivoire
  • Teatro Del Sale – 'an interesting concept and very good traditional cooking'
  • Ristorante Taj Palace (Indian)
  • Trattoria Coco Lezzone
  • Trattoria Da Burde – 'The place for Italian steak and Tuscan pepper beef stew'
  • Trattoria Gargani
  • Trattoria Il Leccio
  • Trattoria Mario
  • Trattoria Sostanza
  • Trattoria Sostanza Florence
  • Tre Panche – 'beautiful view'
  • Trippaio del Porcellino
  • Vinandro Piazza Mino
  • Vini E Vecchi Sapori
  • Za Za restaurant, Piazza Mercato 26r – 'very lively and good food'

Bars in Florence

  • Hotel Helvetia Bristol – nice bar a few minutes walk from Gucci Garden, just off Piazza della Repubblica

  • Cibrèo Ristorante & Cocktail Bar

  • Rasputin

  • Venchi

  • Wine windows near the Gucci Garden

  • Osteria Belle Donne – Via delle Belle Donne 16R

  • Via Santo Spirito 21R

  • Rivoire in Piazza Signoria


Activities in Florence

  • Academia tour – Michelangelo’s David

  • Visit the new indoor market Mercato Centrale 1 piano (First floor) open daily 12am–12pm

  • Pitti Palace

  • Bell Tower

  • Duomo – book tickets in advance (slots sell out)

  • Opera Del Duomo Museum

  • Get a professional guide for skip-the-line museum access

  • Visit the hill of Fiesole and eat at Vinandro Piazza Mino – walk to the top for the view

  • Visit Luisa Via Roma – Via Roma or online at luisaviaroma.com

  • Climb to the top of Duomo

  • San Gimignano day trip – lunch at La Terracotta, Via San Giovanni

  • Romi the Foodie Market Tour – “One of the best experiences in Florence”

  • Piazza della Signoria & Palazzo Vecchio – open-air sculpture display

  • Ponte Vecchio – historic bridge with jewellery shops

  • Uffizi Gallery – thousands of paintings and sculptures

  • Galleria Accademia – Michelangelo’s David

  • Santa Croce – tombs of Michelangelo & Dante

  • Baptistery of John the Baptist – detailed bronze doors

  • Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore – climb 463 steps for panoramic view

  • Tuesday morning Cascine Market

  • Visit the original secret bakery – Via delle Brache

  • Haggle at leather markets

  • Make a wish at the boar head in the leather market

  • Explore crafts from Pitti to Santo Spirito – Pietre Dure workshops


Accommodation in Florence

  • NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa

  • Helvetia Bristol

  • Hotel Lungarno – near Ponte Vecchio Bridge (Madova gloves nearby)

  • Number Nine

  • La Gemma

  • Villa Cora

  • Portrait

  • The Place


Shopping in Florence

  • The Mall Firenze – Luxury outlet with top brands like Armani, Dior, Fendi, YSL, Gucci at amazing prices
  • Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella – Perfume, lotions, and soaps made by nuns since the 1400s
  • Mercato Centrale – Best place for souvenirs, leather goods, scarves. Outdoor stalls with gorgeous, high-quality merchandise
  • Il Papiro – Marbled paper goods near the Duomo
  • Zara – Near the Duomo
  • Piazza della Repubblica – Great for shawls
  • Ponte Vecchio – Don’t miss the jewellery stores lining the bridge
  • Via Roma – Lovely stores
  • Via Santo Spirito – Also worth a stroll
  • Giulio Giannini & Figlio – Piazza Pitti, 37
  • Via dei Tornabuoni and Via della Vigna Nuova – All the big names: Armani, Gucci, Versace, Coveri, Ferragamo
  • Via dei Calzaiuoli – Main shopping street from the Duomo to Piazza della Signoria
  • Via Maggio and Oltrarno – Antiques
  • San Lorenzo Market – Around Piazza di San Lorenzo, for handbags, leather jackets, belts, jewellery, gifts
  • Via Por Santa Maria – Designer clothing
  • Piazza della Repubblica and Piazza della Signoria – Great for soaking up Florence’s local culture

7. Portofino Travel Recommendations 

Dining in Portofino

  • Da i Gemmeli al Molo: waterfront restaurant in Portofino.

  • Taverna Colombo: fine dining in Santa Margherita Ligure.

  • Kicks Ristorante Pizzeria: good pizzas, especially Pinsa base, in Santa Margherita Ligure.

  • Vistamare: fine dining Italian in Santa Margherita Ligure.

Bars in Portofino

8. Pisa Travel Recommendations 

Activities in Pisa

  • Piazza del Duomo, the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Cemetery — UNESCO World Heritage Site

  • Cathedral includes artwork by Giambologna, Della Robbia, and others

  • Piazza dei Cavalieri — Historical buildings and political centre in Middle Ages & Renaissance

  • National Museum of San Matteo — Major Tuscan Renaissance art in a former monastery

  • Santa Maria della Spina — Tiny 1230 Gothic church built to house a thorn from Jesus’s crown

  • Pisa’s Botanical Garden — One of the oldest in Europe

  • Piazza Garibaldi

  • Corso Italia and Via Borgo Stretto — Central shopping streets

9. Rome Travel Recommendations 

Dining in Rome


Bars in Rome

  • Jerry Thomas Speakeasy – It’s a speakeasy bar in Rome. You have to be a member, which you can do on the website. It’s amazing.


Activities in Rome

  • Walk up to Porta Princiana gates

  • Inexpensive private (8–10 ppl) tours through Viator.com – Vatican 3-hour tour at 8:15am gets you in before everyone with skip-the-line English guide for $120 including entrance fee

  • Golf Cart Tour of Ancient Rome

  • Walking Tour of both the Vatican & Rome


Accommodation in Rome


Shopping in Rome

  • Shop Via del Corso

10. Naples Travel Recommendations 

Dining in Naples

11. Sorrento Travel Recommendations 

Dining in Sorrento

  • Bagni D

  • Il Buco – fine dining

  • L’Antica Trattoria – classic

  • Lorelei – Michelin

  • Nino and Friends – limoncello/coffee beans

  • Orange Tree Restaurant – Thai

  • Ristorante Museo Caruso

  • Terrazza Bosquet – Michelin, historic setting

Accommodation in Sorrento

12. Amalfi Coast & Positano Travel Recommendations 

Dining along the Amalfi Coast

  • Al Palazzo – at Hotel Palazzo Murat, in Positano
  • Aurora – Italian. Piazzale dei Protontini 7, in Amalfi
  • Casa e Bottega – in Positano
  • Chez Black – mostly seafood. Via del Brigantino 19, in Positano
  • Da Vincenzo – in Positano
  • Donna Rosa (Positano)
  • Il Mirage – 4th floor at Hotel Posa Posa (Positano)
  • Il Ritrovo – Italian dinner. Piazza Cappella 3, Montepertuso (above Positano)
  • L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele – Piazza Sedile di Portanova 21, in Salerno
  • L’Incanto – amazing pizzas and lemon ravioli on the beach. Marina Grande Beach, in Positano
  • La Conca del Sogno – near Nerano, accessible by boat or coastal path from Positano or Sorrento
  • La Sponda – at Hotel Sirenuse (Positano)
  • La Tagliata – Italian. Via Tagliata 32B, Montepertuso (Positano)
  • La Taverna del Leone (Positano)
  • La Caravella in Amalfi town. Known for great food and an impressive mosaic collection.” (Amalfi)
  • Lo Guarracino – Italian. Via Positanesi d’America 12, on the Fornillo cliffside in Positano
  • Rosellinis Restaurant – “If you drive to the towns of Ravello and Amalfi, then check out the restaurant Rosellini in the Palazzo Sasso Hotel in Ravello.
  • Pasticceria Andrea Pansa - old bakery - try delizie al limone
  • Sal de Riso – bakery (Positano)
  • Sports Marina – lemon sorbet in fresh cups (Positano)
  • The Tridente – at Hotel Poseidon (Positano)
  • Zass – at Hotel San Pietro (Positano)


Bars in Positano

Activities in the Amalfi Coast & Positano

  • Scenic coastal drives between Amalfi, Positano, and Ravello

  • Boat tours along the coastline

  • Beach day at Marina Grande (Positano)

  • Visit the Duomo di Amalfi

  • Walk through Ravello’s Villa Rufolo gardens

  • Take a ferry from Positano to Capri for the day

Accommodation along the Amalfi Coast

Shopping in the Amalfi Coast & Positano

  • Ceramics and handmade pottery from Vietri sul Mare

  • Linen boutiques in Positano’s narrow lanes

  • Limoncello from local distilleries (Sorrento and Amalfi)

  • Coral and gold jewellery shops in Amalfi town

  • Sandals and handmade leather goods (Positano)

13. Capri Travel Recommendations 

Dining in Capri

  • Aurora.

  • Buonocore Gelateria – Via Vittorio Emanuele 35, in Capri

  • Restaurante Villa Verde Capri – espectacular la comida.

  • Restaurante La Fontelina.

  • Il Riccio in Anacapri.

  • Da Gelsomina.

  • Da Paolino.

  • Caesar Augustus.

  • Dau Paulino

Accommodation in Capri

14. Sardinia Travel Recommendations 

Dining in Sardinia

  • Confusion

  • Myrto Pizza

  • Musciora (Alghero)

  • Nautilus

  • Su Gologone (restaurant at the hotel)

Accommodation in Sardinia

15. Palermo Travel Recommendations 

  • Vucciria Market - street food

  • Badalamenti Food & Wine (Mondello) – enoteca

  • Gagini – top pick

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Fontana di Trevi by Michele Bitetto

Contact Us

Please feel free to get in touch to add your favourite spots or if you come across any information that may have changed, such as closures or updated details, we would greatly appreciate your feedback.

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Sign-up below to receive all the latest news and travel recommendations.

*Disclaimer

Please note that not all these recommendations have been personally checked. Use of this website is taken as your agreement that the onus is on you, the website user, to verify that these fine dining locations, tour operators, bars and sightseeing spots, and all other content are still relevant and operational when including them in your travel itineraries. Marco van Embden and Timeless Africa Safaris accept no responsibility or liability for recommendations that are obsolete or experiences that do not match the recommendations listed on this website. Use of these recommendations is at the website user’s own risk.

*Disclaimer

Please note that not all these recommendations have been thoroughly checked. Use of this website is taken as your agreement that the onus is on you, the website user, to verify that these fine dining locations, tour operators, bars and sightseeing spots and all other content are still relevant and operational when including them in your travel itineraries. Marco van Embden, YPO and Timeless Africa Safaris accept no responsibility or liability for recommendations that are obsolete or experiences that do not match the recommendations listed on this website. Use of these recommendations is at the website user’s own risk.

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