Exploring Italy’s Big Three:
Rome, Florence & Venice

Written by CHUCK CLEVELAND    |    Photographed by BARBARA CLEVELAND

Italy usually charms its visitors, and many return over and over again to enjoy its delightful destinations and fellowship with its friendly people. My wife Barbara and I have visited seven times so far, and we understand what makes Rome, Florence and Venice – Italy’s Big Three – so attractive and so memorable.

ROME

Ruza (“Rose” in English) Gagulic is our dear friend of 12 years. She guided us on our first trip to Rome, and the relationship has continued ever since. Because she lives there, I defer to her regarding an excellent hotel, especially in central Rome, where a plethora of attractions awaits, including Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps and other incredible sites. While in central Rome, good bets for lodging include Hotel Bernini Bristol and Hotel Inghilterra.

Don’t leave the area without visiting St. Peter’s Basilica, the top attraction in Rome, in our opinion. The interior is stunningly beautiful, and I suspect it’s the most impressive church in the world.

Upon entry, we were amazed at the beauty of a mosaic there. We learned that the trick question is, “How many paintings are there at St. Peter’s?” The answer appears to be, “At least one.” The real answer, however, is none. The gorgeous “painting” is actually a mosaic.

FLORENCE

Millions of people flock to Florence each year to see such attractions as the paintings at the Uffizi Gallery, the Gates of Paradise at the Baptistery, the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens (home to the Medici family), Michelangelo’s sculpture of David, and the Old Bridge, circa 1345.

Because Florence is near the middle of Italy, it’s a central location from which to take day tours to Pisa, Siena, Assisi and Cinque Terre.

Each of our seven trips to Italy has included a stay at the Helvetia and Bristol Hotel in Florence, and some have questioned why we would stay at the same place multiple times. The answer is simple: because we were treated exceptionally well. The H&B is among the Leading Hotels of the World, but what makes it special to us is that several members of their staff have become our friends.

VENICE

Venice is one of the most unique cities in the world. In a lagoon with 118 islands and more than 400 bridges connecting them, Venice has no automobiles in the city. To get around, one either walks or takes a boat.

Couples considering a visit to Venice should, by all means, plan on a gondola ride. The city is known as one of the most romantic places in the world, and gondola rides are partly responsible for that. Be warned, however, to not expect the gondolier to sing for you. That could be arranged, probably at considerable cost, but we were told years ago: “That is only in the American cinema.”

In Venice, we stayed at the Ca’ Sagredo, a 15th century former palace situated on the Grand Canal. A few years ago, Love Travels recognized it as the best hotel in Europe for weddings. Dinner there overlooking the Canal is a delight.

And to add to the romance, there’s a gondola stand just outside the door.

Ciao! NCM