Portofino 1: This classic seaside village along the northwest coast of Italy is preserved in the old-fashioned style as a designated national historic treasure. travel video
Portofino 2: with its little bay and colorful square surrounded by lush green hills, has been a long-time favorite of the visitor, yet still retains much of its charming old atmosphere. travel video
Portofino 3: Sitting at an outdoor café in the little fishing harbor, we enjoy a great conversation with Emilio, a Portofino native full of gusto for his home town. On our train ride south we reflect back on this special visit.
Santa Margherita, only a few miles from Portofino, provides the perfect place to stay while visiting the area, with affordable hotels, numerous restaurants and a very pleasant, seaside atmosphere of its own.
Monterosso, Vernazza and Corniglia. These villages cling to the steep Ligurian hills along the Mediterranean shores of northwest Italy. Another magical entry in the “Bucket List of Places to Visit.”
Manarola, Riomaggiore and Portovenere. From the Manarola train station there is a short, pedestrian tunnel that goes under the tracks, and in a few minutes you walk through town to the Mediterranean shore.
Sorrento offers more than just a convenient home base for your Amalfi visit, for it has a pleasant pedestrian zone with little shops and tasty restaurants, and a pretty shore lined with swimming alcoves and a small boat marina.
Pompeii is preserved so well it seems it was abandoned only yesterday. Walking these eerie streets gives you the strange feeling that things are still much as they were two thousand years ago before the volcano blew.
Amalfi ranks among the most picturesque coastlines in the world, stretching south from Sorrento, featuring several hillside villages, especially Positano, with colorful homes clinging to the cliffs. travel video
Capri's major highlight is the Blue Grotto, a sea cave with glowing blue water, shining with a brilliant light that comes mysteriously from below. Other sights include the communities of Anacapri, Capri and Marina Grande.
Merano is surrounded by mountains in northern Italy, and has a delightful cultural mix of Austrian and Italian due to its twisted history. We are in the Tirol, a territory that used to be Austrian.
Siena We explore pedestrian lanes and the Cathedral, with art by Michelangelo, Bernini, Pintoricchio, Pisano. Campo, City Hall. Walk with a local guide, learning the history and modern life of Siena.
Bellagio: get on the hydrofoil boat for a ride to Bellagio, one of Italy's most charming hillside villages with narrow staircase lanes and a waterfront promendade. Italy travel video.
Como: Very quick look in the evening at this city on Lake Como, with a small pedestrian zone, cathedral and cafes, then we leave for Milan.
Domodossola: At the northern tip of Italy in the foothills of the Alps you find this small town of Domodossola, gateway to Switzerland. From here you can enjoy scenic train rides through the mountains.
Isola Bella, Lake Maggiore: Stressa is the gateway to several islands, especially Isola Bella, with a beautiful palace and elaborate 17th century gardens.
Milan: We explore the great cathedral from the roof-top sculpture garden to the vast interior, then the Galleria, high fashion boutiques and models on Via della Spiga, and a tour of La Scala opera house.
