Venice

VENEZIA

Like Florence and Rome, also Venice is a target for mass tourism and many who's been there tend to warn you not to go there. But often those, who warn you haven't been elswhere than the most touristic spots. Venice really surprises of its size and possibilities to explore the fascinating town in peace.

Rialto and Piazza San Marco are the most popular spots in Venice and it is good to see them in the beginning of your trip so that you can reserve more time to adventure not so crowdy areas.

Take vaporetto - a water bus to the Island of Murano. It is known for the centuries old glass industry. In the Middle Ages the glassmakers were all forced to move to Murano not to risk the other parts of town with the fire. Murano glassmakers were onot allowed to leave the island as that could have jeopardized the secrets of special glass making. 

Murano is absolutely filled with the glassware shops. The amount of supply makes you quickly confused. To find more contemporary and playful glass, visit Nason Moretti glassware shop in Calle Dietro Gli Orti 12. It is impossible not to buy something...

There is lots to shop in Venice. In addition to glassware, Venice is known for the paper products. The speciality is the handmade marbled paper. It is rather expensive but such a great present to take home. And even if you wouldn't be a masquarade fan, after seeing thousands different masks, you cannot resist bying one..or two. 

Harry's Bar in Calle Vallaresso 1323 is a fenomen. Serving international and well known clientele since 1931, the bar attracts visitors to sense the atmosphere of which Ernest Hemingway, Charles Chaplin, Orson Welles, Truman Capote and Peggy Guggenheim, among many others, also enjoyed. The drink of Harry's is Bellini, one of Italy's most popular coctails. The cocktail was invented by Giuseppe Cipriani, the founder of Harry's Bar and named after Giovanni Bellini - a Venetian renaissance painter. 


Try to make Belllini at home: Prepare it with ripe peaches and Prosecco sparkling wine. Peel and remove the stone of the peaches. Purée the peaches totally smooth in a blender. Let the purée to cool in the fridge. Spoon purée into a chilled champagne glass and slowly pour cold Prosecco on the top, stirring simultaneously (1/3 of purée and 2/3 of Prosecco).

Escape the hubbub of the centre and take a vaporetto to the Island of Giudecca. Have a nice relaxing walk along quiet streets and sit down for a dinner at I Figli delle Stelle restaurant by the water and enjoy the picturesque silhuet of Venice in the sun set, while dining.

Siena

SIENA

Siena - an amazing medieval town in the heart of Tuscany.

The Cathedral of Siena - La cattedrale metropolitana di Santa Maria Assunta is a must to visit in Siena. Its really unique interior with black and white marble stripes and beautiful domes create such an impressive sight.

Firenze

FIRENZE

Among Rome, Florence (Firenze) is the classic spot to see in Italy. The centre of Italian renaissance still amazes with its art tresures, but the Florence visit can easily turn into a living hell, especially during the summer season. Town is heavily filled especially with American and Dutch tourists. This, however, can be converted into an entertainment as it is rather amusing to watch and listen to the mass of Americans carrying out their 'must-to-see-in-Europe' -list.

But don't let the touristic streets to ruin your trip. Raise yourself above the tourist chaos of nowadays and let your mind to travel to historical times. There is much to experience in Florence. The core symbol of town is the cathedral - Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. The massive gothic style building is crowned with the renaissance time dome, engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi. The cathedral really is one of the most impressive buildings we've experienced. The massiveness of the church is emphasized when approaching it through the small streets of the historical centre. 

The history of art meets you everywhere in Florence. The museums to visit in Florence naturally are Galleria degli Uffizi and Galleria dell’Accademia. As they are extremely popular venues, it is recommended to buy the tickets in advance i.e. from Firenze Musei ticket boxes.

Florence is split by river Arno and surrounded by green hills. To enjoy the peace, cooling breeze and beautiful scenery, visit the parks on the hills. Il Giardino Bardini is much less popular than Giardino di Boboli next to it, but has a beautiful cafeteria terrace and great views over the town.

The Ospedale degli Innocenti is another beautilful building designed by renaissance architect Filippo Brunelleschi.

In addition to historical sites Florence offers a lot for the shoppers. Florence has always been a centre for business and therefore certainly it is not only a tourist destination, but also a vivid spot to enjoy the city life with cafés, restaurants, bars and shops.

San Marino

SAN MARINO

When visiting Rimini it is handy to make a short trip also to San Marino - the oldest surviving sovereign state and constitutional republic in the world. The best thing to do in San Marino was actually enjoying the views. Otherwise the experience was rather suffocating as the capital - Città di San Marino was absolutely packed of visitors. The restaurants and cafés were slightly tacky, worn out and expensive. Fresh air and views to the Adrian sea and green hills around Monte Titano.