Category Archives: Explore Italy

How to Skip the Line to See David by Michelangelo

statue of david torso

The masterful statue of David by Michelangelo is honestly a must-see in Florence. It is truly an incredible piece of art in a stunning setting, but that also means that pretty much everyone else visiting Florence also wants to see the sculpture. Luckily, you can buy tickets ahead of time to skip right by the […]

Visiting St. Mark’s Basilica at Night

reflection of st marks basilica in acqua alta at night

There is nowhere like Venice which means, by definition, there is nowhere like San Marco – the very heart of the city of canals. St. Mark’s Square is easily the most visited part of the city so you will be in A LOT of company if visit. However, visiting St. Marks at night is an […]

How to Skip the Line at St. Mark’s Basilica

St mark's basilica in venice with a blue sky

Venice is the Italian city that is having the toughest battle with over-tourism. The small city of canals can be overrun with groups who arrive for the day and flock to the main square. The number one sight to see? Piazza San Marco. So, if you want to get inside Venice’s most famous church, it […]

The Splendid Santa Chiara Monastery in Naples

Naples has a reputation for trash and chaos which is not entirely undeserved. While the vibrant city has been cleaned up in the last few years, it certainly has not lost any of its edge, so one of my favorite places to escape from the speed and noise is inside the Santa Chiara monastery complex.  […]

A Guide to Parma, Italy

Updated: October 2023 Located in northern Italy in the foodie-rich region of Emilia-Romagna, Parma is a wonderful destination for those who appreciate art, architecture and Italian food. The city is probably most famous for Parma ham (prosciutto) and sits at the gateway to the area which produces Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and balsamic vinegar. In addition to […]

How to Get Pompeii Tickets (and Skip the Line)

Updated October 2023 I have been to Pompeii several times, and I always manage to forget how large it is. Once you step inside, you realize that it really is the ruins of an entire ancient city. With Vesuvius looming in the background (now heavily monitored by scientists), you can imagine the level of eruption […]