7 Italian Cities To Fall In Love With This November

Fall in love with an Italian city this November.

It’s hard to choose, but here’s a list of 7 of the best. Take your pick, but be warned… you’ll probably discover you can’t wait to explore them all.

Rome – the ancient heart of Italy

Why Rome? Narrow streets of artisan shops. The waspish sound of Vespas. Art, fountains, architecture, archaeology – all of it breathtaking. For many reasons, November is the best time to come. To stand awestruck in front of Guido Reni’s gorgeous painting of St Michael in the church of Our Lady of the Conception.

Vatican City is a much better experience in the less crowded shoulder season. Walk  the ruins of temples to ancient gods knowing that you’re treading the same ground as Emperors once did. Without the intense heat or the hordes of visitors, you can truly appreciate the antiquity of this unique city.

There are plenty of cafes and restaurants in Rome. And this time of year, the locals have more time for you.

Venice – the bohemian heart of Italy

Awaken to gondoliers calling from the canal. In November, Venice, a city of marble palaces built in a lagoon, glows in the warm light.  Peaceful after the summer rush, bring a jacket or umbrella for the occasional rainy day.

Visit the gathering place of Venetians -- the Piazza San Marco. After a coffee and lunch, perhaps a dish of Sarde in Saor, wander over to the Palazzo Ducale, a museum and gallery in the Gothic style.

At this time of year, unhurried by crowds, you can really enjoy a visit to the Galleria dell’Accademia. Every moment here gives you pause for reflection as art, opulence, faith, and style blend to create an unforgettable experience.

Bologna – the culinary heart of Italy

If you love food, choose Bologna. Capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, it’s full of historical surprises. Medieval and renaissance buildings, fountains, basilicas, and towers… many towers. Towers you can climb.

But that’s not all. If you go in early November, why not take part in the Trekking col Treno?  This wonderful hiking festival into the mountains around the city will work up an appetite for the delights of eating out in this culinary jewel.

But if that seems too much, unwind at one of the thermal spas on the Via Emilia. Many of them serve delicious local food and are surrounded by ornate botanical gardens. After dinner, a musical evening courtesy of the Bologna Jazz festival might be just the thing to round off your day in this delicious city.

Florence – the creative heart of Italy

Capital of Tuscany, and the old capital of the Kingdom of Italy in the late nineteenth century, this is where (according to many historians) the Renaissance was born. A fabulously wealthy area, ruled for centuries by the powerful Medici family, their legacy is everywhere.

A slow breakfast settles you into the Florentine mood. It’s the most important meal of the day here. Plenty of cafes dedicated to this meal offer coffee, mignons, fragrant croissants, or the irresistible “bomboloncini” pastries filled with Chantilly cream.

After that, stroll along the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest stone bridge in Europe. From there, saunter round the Palazzo Vecchio and the San Lorenzo market, a popular place for those who love Italian leather crafts.

Take a whole day to visit the Uffizi gallery. Relish the beauty of Botticelli’s birth of Venus, rooms of work by Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Titian... Then there’s the ornamental gardens and so much more. But before you go --  eat gelato. Ice cream was invented here by an alchemist working for the Medicis. You’ll need it after all that art…

Verona – the romantic heart of Italy

Built on the River Adige, located between Milan and Venice, Verona has the highest number of red-roofed Roman buildings in northern Italy. Known for its beautiful blend of art, history, and romance -- this is where Shakespeare set his famous play of love, grief, and feuding families -- Romeo and Juliet. You can even visit the house of Juliet and touch her statue for good luck!

From St Peters Hill, you’ll get a wonderful panoramic view of the city before you discover the charming piazzas full of cafés and restaurants. Indulge in the local specialty risotto known as tastasal, creamy gnocchi served as a sweet or savory dish, or delicious homemade pasta so beloved in the region.

Consecrated in 1187, the Romanesque church of Santa Maria Matricolare, also known as the cathedral of Verona, is well worth a visit and you’ll love its gothic appeal. Verona never disappoints. An eclectic UNESCO world heritage site with a delightful mix of ancient buildings and streets bustling with markets, cafes, churches, museums, and shops, this is a place you’ll always hold in your heart.

Milan – the chic heart of Italy

Welcome to Milan, once the capitol of the Western Roman Empire. Now, it’s one of the richest and most fascinating cities in the world. A hub of fashion, design, and architecture, it really must be experienced to be appreciated.

After all, this is where Leonardo Da Vinci lived for around 20 years. And he left his fingerprints everywhere. Book ahead to stand in front of the breathtaking fresco of The Last Supper painted by Da Vinci on the wall of the priory of the Santa Maria della Grazie, but don’t worry if you miss it. There are many other museums and galleries devoted to the life and works of Leonardo.

For those who love a great cemetery full of sculptures and marble mausoleums, take a stroll round the Cimitero Monumentale.

As the day fades, and because Milan is where the aperitive was invented, it’s time to enjoy one and watch the world go by. With so much more to see, including Milan Cathedral – the largest church in Italy, the Opera La Scala, and the castle of the Sforza Duke of Milan, you won’t be able to resist falling in love with the sophistication and grace of this city.

Naples – the cradle of Mediterranean culture

Naples has a cuisine influenced by a rich fusion of cultures of history.  It’s not just the food.

To wander this city is to stroll through a living tradition of art, music, food, and language. And to be immersed in it all, as it streams through the narrow alleyways and into the grand piazzas.

With palaces, ancient ruins, and several great beaches too, this UNESCO world heritage site has everything. No one can visit Naples without enjoying its culinary legacy to the world. Pizza is more than a meal. Rituals surrounding the preparation, cooking, and serving of this signature dish goes back thousands of years and you’ll experience the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of these rituals everywhere.

Explore the endlessly fascinating ancient remains of Pompei and Herculaneum, swallowed by a cloud of volcanic ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79. Art is everywhere. So, don’t forget to grab your camera and stroll round the Sanita district where Naples transforms into a canvas for all styles of artistic expression.

These remarkable cities in Italy are all worth a visit. Whether you’re planning on visiting one or more of them, if you’d like to know more, have a look at our fabulous offers here…