On our Italy Travel Facebook page, Melissa posted a few restaurants she liked during her recent stay in Florence. She and her family stayed in a vacation rental apartment (through VRBO) in San Frediano neighborhood, across the Arno from the historic center and she says she highly recommends staying in a vacation rental, especially if you're traveling with children. Melissa's recommendations:
- Alla Vecchia Bettola, the fried zucchini flowers were a miracle but the place, in keeping with the spirit of historic foods, doesn't take credit cards.
- Trattoria del Carmine was a favorite for the affable service, traditional food, and the fact that my kids could melt down and they were very kind.
- Enoteca La Barrique on Via Leone was fantastic - brand new, modern food vision of a non-Italian chef, has a small, intimate garden in the back, love it. The food was superlative.
- Trattoria Sabatino is a hoot, a real neighborhood place. Hard to get in (in July) but a delightful place to dine.
- One restaurant outside of Florence we return to year after year is Da Ventura in Sansepulcro, a lovely family has been running this restaurant for 3 generations. They have wonderful fresh pasta and the antipasto cart is not to be believed.
- Gelato: Gelateria Artigianale Sorbettiera is an extraordinary artisanal gelato maker on Piazza Tasso. My husband still loves Perche No! near Piazza Signoria off Via Calzaioli.
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Michelangelo is one of Italy's most famous Renaissance artists and many of his great works, including his statue of David, can be seen in the city of Florence. A replica of Michelangelo's David sits outside Palazzo Vecchio, Florence's city hall, but the original can be seen in a Florence museum. Michelangelo fans may also be interested in visiting the house that once belonged to him. Here's Where to See Michelangelo's Art in Florence.
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This week's photo is an unusual fountain in the picturesque historic center of Sanremo.
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Sanremo Fountain Photo © 2010 by Martha Bakerjian
Eat Pray Love, the movie based on the best-selling book by Elizabeth Gilbert, opens in US theaters August 13. Eat, the first part of the story, takes place in Rome where Elizabeth, played by Julia Roberts, lives while taking Italian classes and discovering the pleasures of eating in Italy. In one scene she visits Naples where she has a fantastic pizza experience at Pizzeria Da Michele, touted as one of the best pizzerie in Naples, the birthplace of pizza. She also does a little eating and sight-seeing outside Rome. I'm looking forward to great food and movie scenes shot in Rome and Naples.
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One way to experience the splendor and romance of Venice is to stay in one of Venice's luxury hotels. Often housed in historic buildings and ornately decorated, most of these deluxe hotels have special amenities such as a spa, gourmet restaurant, or private dock. Here's a selection of top rated luxury hotels in Venice.
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Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake, is a popular vacation destination. Spanning three regions in northeastern Italy, the lake encompasses a variety of landscapes and offers both water sports and hiking opportunities. Picturesque villages and resort towns line the shore. Take a look at the lake with these Lake Garda Photos.
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The northern Italian city of Verona, thought of as the home of Romeo and Juliet, is the main setting for the romantic movie Letters to Juliet, which also has scenes from the nearby town of Soave and Siena in Tuscany.
Although Juliet is a fictional character, tourists flock to Juliet's House in Verona to take photos of the famous balcony and rub the right breast of Juliet's statue for luck and thousands of people write letters to Juliet for advice about love.
Verona is one of the most romantic destinations in Italy and makes a good stop on a Milan to Venice itinerary.
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Letters to Juliet Movie in Verona originally appeared on About.com Italy Travel on Friday, June 11th, 2010 at 07:50:40.
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The piazza or public square is the center of life in Italy. Rome has many lively squares with beautiful fountains or statues but there are several that stand out as must-see sights.
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Top Squares in Rome originally appeared on About.com Italy Travel on Tuesday, June 1st, 2010 at 07:12:57.
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