Recommendations

Hotels, Restaurants, Gelaterias, and more

Here is a listing of all the hotels, restaurants, gelaterias, and more that we went to on our trip... mostly so I won't forget any of them. Enjoy!

MILAN

Hotel
- B&B Milano Sant'Ambrogio
Food
- Princi - pastries, pizza, and sandwiches to go and also has a few seats inside for a quick bite
- Cioccolati Italiani - delicious gelato and chocolates
- Obicà Mozzarella Bar - we ate here at the train station before heading out to Varenna
Sights
- Duomo
- The Last Supper - purchase tickets here
- Sforza Castle

VARENNA - LAKE COMO

Hotel
- Eremo Gaudio
Food
- Bar il Molo - right on the water - good pasta and gelato
- Ristoro Forma & Gusta (aka Restaurant Terrazza Barchetta) - delicious pizza and cute seating in the alleyway
Sights
- Vezio Castle - a nice hike from our hotel, unfortunately we headed out too early and arrived before they opened
- Take the ferry ride all the way around the lake and then get off where you want to explore - Bellagio is the town with the most shops
- La Punta - point of Bellagio - easy walk from the ferry stop, great views of the lake and surrounding towns

VERONA

DOLOMITES

Hotel
- Hotel Seelaus
Food
- Dinners were from the Hotel Seelaus and they were delicious
Sights - hikes both from Rick Steves Italy travel book
- "Witches Benches" trail
- Meadow Walk

BOLZANO

Food
- We found a small deli while we were walking around for a sandwich
- Loacker store in the main Piazza
Sights
- South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology to see Otzi
- Outdoor market for fresh local foods and flowers

VENICE

Hotel
- Hotel Mercurio
Food
- Restaurant Anonimo Veneziano - right next door to our hotel
- Ristorante al Theatro - just a few steps away from our hotel as well
- Cantinone Gia Schiavi - recommended by a friend but we didn't get a chance to go
Sights
- Pizza San Marco
- St. Mark's Basilica
  - Dress modestly - no bare knees or shoulders
- Correr Museum --> ticket for this gets you into the Doge's Palace too. Buy the ticket at the Correr since the line is shorter here.
- Doge's Palace
  - Make sure you walk on the Bridge of Sighs and take a picture looking out from the bridge
- Rialto Bridge
- Gondola ride at night - pay extra for the singer - it's worth it

FLORENCE

Hotel
- Hotel Accademia
Food
- Antica Gelateria Fiorentina - across the alley from our hotel
- Mercato Centrale - soooo many amazing choices here
  - Primi Piatti - made to order pasta
  - Mike had roast chicken - can't remember which stand this was
  - Everything look amazing here
- Ristorante Giglio Rosso --> Mike found his favorite pastas here - cinghiale & four-chees gnochhi
- Sergio Pollini Lampredotto --> I had the tripe sandwich and it was delicious
- La Cucina del Garga --> I found my favorite pasta here as mentioned in the trip notes
Sights
- Buy the Florence Museum pass from here to get access to:
  - Duomo, Brunelleschi's Cathedral, and Ghiberti's Baptistry doors
    - Climb Giotto's Campanile and Brunelleschi's Dome for amazing view of Florence
      - For Brunelleschi's Dome: you need to book your climb time in advance
  - Museo dell'Opera del Duomo
- Michelangelo's David at the Accademia Gallery
- Uffizi Gallery
- Ponte Vechhio
Shopping
- Massimo Leather --> genuine Italian leather, tell him Rick Steves sent you for a discount
- Flash art by Caterina Balletti

CINQUE TERRE

Hotel
- Hotel Villa Steno
- Hotel Pasquale (half of group stayed here)
Food
- Restaurant attached to Hotel Pasquale - have the pesto lasagne
- Pizzeria La Cambusa in Manarola
- Ristorante Belvedere - get the Amphora (seafood stew)
Sights
- Rick Steves' vineyard walk - more info in his Italy tour book
- Each town has its own charm

SIENA

Hotel
- Hotel Chiusarelli
Food
- Trattoria la Torre - all the pastas here are delicious - my favorite was the raviolis
Sights
- Duomo
- Piazza del Campo
- Fortezza Medicea
- Torre del Mangia
Shopping
- Stained Glass by Massimo - learn more here
- Massimo's glass jewelry can be purchase here
- Massimo & his brother also do ceramics here

ORIVIETO

ROME