Enchanting Italy - A Week in Venice, Florence, & Rome

About the destination: Perhaps no city is as extraordinary as Venice, a metropolis constructed on stilts, a maze suspended over a lagoon. Venice has been referred to as Europe's living room, and indeed for centuries, the city was a haven for ideas and idealists, a junction of the Byzantine and Roman worlds. Today, Venice is a different kind of living room. Affluent visitors scramble into gondolas to marvel at the Byzantine palaces while being serenaded by accordionists and art enthusiasts strain to catch a glimpse of Renaissance masterpieces. No monument is as unforgettable as the city itself, so use the major attractions only as a pretext for exploration. Venice revolves around Piazza San Marco. The best feature of the mosaic-covered Basilica di San Marco is the Pala D’Oro, a dazzling gold Byzantine bas-relief. The Torre dell’Orologio, to the left of San Marco, is a beautifully adorned clock tower. For culture enthusiasts, check out the Accademia for the finest Venetian paintings. Some say that the tourist Venice is indeed Venice, but there are other versions of Venice as well. To discover them, stray from the major attractions and into the quieter outlying residential neighborhoods, you won’t be disappointed, this labyrinth of stone and color radiates charm from every brick.

About the destination: Florence remains as vibrant and beautiful today as it was when its wool and silk traders and bankers revolutionized the economy of 13th century Tuscany, and the art of Dante and Michelangelo left the world in awe. Florence was the heart of the Italian Renaissance. The results of the city's revival can still be seen in its seemingly endless array of museums, churches, and palaces. With its historic center recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Duomo, the elegant and stunning cathedral, towers over the city and serves as a clear landmark during your explorations. The River Arno, which runs through the oldest part of the city, is topped with the Ponte Vecchio bridge, which is lined with shops and supported by stilts. Dating back to the 14th century, it is the only bridge that withstood attacks during WWII. Standing by the river at night, when the city is lit up with countless twinkling lights, is an unforgettable experience. But more than just stones and paint remain of Florence's unparalleled heritage; the city's unyielding spirit has also endured through the centuries, ensuring that Florentine life today is vibrant and sophisticated.

About the destination: Modern and ancient, past and present coexist, constantly. Whether you're in Rome for 3 days, 3 weeks or 3 months, be ready to step into the world's largest open-air museum. Rome will charm you and it will hardly leave you unaffected. It will astonish you, as it has so much to offer to any visitor, and its beauty has merely been slightly obscured by the passage of time. Rome is one of the world's most photogenic cities - not surprising when you consider what's here - The Vatican, the Trevi Fountain, St Peter's Square, Spanish Steps, Colosseum... Whether you spend your time sightseeing, or lounging in cafes watching the world pass by, it will be your turn to star in your very own Roman Holiday. If you can plan to stay for at least a week, you won't run out of things to do and you'll still feel like you're leaving too soon.