After an overnight flight across the Atlantic you arrive in Rome the "Eternal City." You may wonder where to begin. A good start is a visit to the Sistine Chapel to see the breathtaking ceiling painted by Michelangelo. Then see the Roman Forum, where Roman legions marched in triumph. Next stop, St. Peter's Square and Basilica. All of the sights mentioned are located within Vatican City. With a population of only 1,000, this city is completely independent but surrounded by Rome. 

Take time to enjoy the different aspects of the city; the Via del Corso with shopping, churches, and cathedrals; the Tiber and Trastevere, the areas outside the city walls. Among many treasures, one will find numerous catacombs, and Foro Italico, built in anticipation of the 1940 Olympics (World War II cancelled them). Outside Rome be sure to visit the city of Pompeii, the Roman city both destroyed and preserved by a volcano eruption in 79 A.D.

Traveling on to Florence the excitement continues. Along the way you will find the amazing Leaning Tower of Pisa, 180 feet high and no less than 16 feet out of perpendicular. Upon arrival in Florence, walk to the Piazza del Duoma to see the heart of the city. Climb to the top of the nearby Campanile (bell tower) for a view of the Duomo. Just east is the Church of

Santa Croce, which holds the graves of Galileo, Machiavelli, and Michelangelo. Visit the renowned Uffizi Gallery to see paintings by master artists Botticelli, Vander Goes, Titian, Rubens, Caravaggio, Raphael, and Rembrandt. To top it off, admire Michelangelo's celebrated David in the Gallery of Fine Arts. 

Who could visit Italy without a stop in Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics and art lovers from around the globe. Venice is divided by 177 canals which are covered by 400 bridges. Take a gondola ride on the Grand Canal. Then relax at one of many sidewalk cafés. Don't forget to shop for Venetian glass for which the city is famous.

Another wonderful city is Milan, the most "European" of Italian cities. In Milan you will you find the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, which displays Leonardo's Last Supper, and the Brera Museum, which houses Madonna and Child by Bellini. Milan is the center for fashion, so great shopping abounds. Near Milan are two must-sees: the Carthusian Monastery of Pavia and the 12th century Chiaravalle Abbey.

Portofino is one of the most attractive sections of the Italian Riviera. It has mountains, clear bays, thick evergreen forests, a national park and divine villas. One could easily spend several weeks in this charming area.

Culture (modern, old, and ancient), fabulous food, historic sites, varied and stunning scenery, beaches, jagged coastline, architecture, skiing, opera, water sports, health and beauty spas, ruins and shopping for clothing, shoes and designer goods are just some of the things Italy has to offer. Italy is most enjoyed by romantics, art and history lovers, those who want a diverse, fairly informal vacation and those who seek lovely settings.