My Wishlist
1.800.557.2841or Contact Your Travel Advisor
POV from a Gondola on a Canal in Venice, Italy
Home/Destinations/Europe/Italy/Travel Guide/5 Essential Places to Visit on a Trip to Italy

5 Essential Places to Visit on a Trip to Italy

Tell me more

There's a famous quote from Leonard da Vinci: "la semplicità è l’ultima sofisticazione" or "keep it simple.". Keep the words of the great Italian artist in mind when planning a classic trip to Italy. Revel in the country's essential destinations, which are world-famous for a reason.

Rome

The starting point for many classic Italian vacations, Rome is filled with world-renowned attractions, including the Colosseum, the largest Roman amphitheatre in the world, the Pantheon, one of the best-preserved examples of Roman architecture, the Vatican and its splendid museums, the Sistine Chapel, the Basilica of St. Peter, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. The best sights of Rome can be explored on foot and on a hop-on, hop-off bus, with the latter allowing you the opportunity to visit other attractions like Marcello's Theatre and Circo Massimo. When in Rome, learn the secrets and skills of Italian cooking and sample wines from the nearby Lazio region.

Florence

A classic itinerary of Italy cannot miss the birthplace of the Renaissance. Immerse in the city's stunning Renaissance sights, including Piazza Duomo, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, and the Giotto Bell Tower. Visit the famous Uffizi Gallery, home to masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo. Step into the bustling atmosphere of the Mercato della Paglia, where you can buy inexpensive leather goods and textiles, and cheap souvenirs. Roam the Piazza Signoria, which is home to important buildings and statues like the Palazzo Vecchio, a massive fortress-palace, Loggia dei Lanzi, an open-air sculpture gallery hosting antique and Renaissance art, and the Statue of Duke Cosimo I.

Venice

Romantic Venice is best explored on a guided walking tour that takes you to unmissable attractions like Rialto Bridge and Marco Polo's house, as well as back alleys and cultural icons such as La Fenice Opera House and the Bovolo spiral staircase. A gondola ride is a must-do! Admire the city's best views on a ride through the canals.

Milan

When you think of Milan, you think of high fashion and the Last Supper. While booking during fashion week can be tricky, a visit to the Santa Maria dell Grazie to see da Vinci's "The Last Supper" is convenient if you go through Goway. We can arrange tickets that let you skip the line and leisurely explore other major attractions, such as the Sforza Castle, the Duomo, and the famous shopping arcade of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. On a classic Italian vacation with Goway, you will also get out of the city and explore Lake Como.

Capri

The enchanting coastal destination is all about beautiful views. After walking tours of Rome, Milan, and Florence, you will appreciate the relaxation and tranquillity afforded by this picturesque island.

Check out Goway's Classic Italy trips, which are customizable to your travel needs. You can include add-ons like shopping in Milan or a boat tour in Capri to maximize your enjoyment at each destination along the way.

What do the experts say?

Jacqueline Fagioli

Jacqueline Fagioli

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
Italy is full of hidden culinary gems, but one place that really stands out is Trattoria di Via Serra in Bologna. It’s beloved by locals for its authentic Emilian dishes like handmade tortellini in brodo and rich tagliatelle al ragù
Jacqueline Fagioli

Jacqueline Fagioli

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
One unforgettable tradition travelers should try to experience is a sagra—a local food festival that celebrates a specific dish, ingredient, or harvest. These are often held in small towns, especially in the summer and fall, and they offer an amazing window into real Italian life
Alisa Grigoryeva

Alisa Grigoryeva

Destinations Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
Italy is not just Rome, Venice, Florence and Amalfi Coast... Every region or small town has its own history, art, traditions, culture, peculiarity
Jacqueline Fagioli

Jacqueline Fagioli

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
Most tourists don’t realize just how deeply regional Italy is. Not just in terms of food, but also in language, traditions, and identity. Italian culture is really a patchwork of local cultures

Unlock more by subscribing to our newsletter.

With our newsletter, you’ll get access to regular communications that inspire you and help you explore the world your way.
Exclusive Savings
Insider Benefits
Trending Stories
Newsletter signup visual
ExcellentBased on 5,291 Reviews
Verified
My husband and I booked a tour to Portugal using Goway travel. Working with Phoebe was a pleasure. She responded promptly and professionally to all of my requests, concerns and queries. Our trip was filled with lovely details and unexpected treasures.Kristen Remsen
Verified
My trip to China was a wonderful experience, and everything was planned very well. The itinerary was well organized by Ms. Harpreet Litt. The arrangements were smooth, and the overall trip was enjoyable. I appreciated the attention to detail and the excellent coordination throughout the journey. It was a memorable experience, and I would highly recommend this trip to anyone planning to visit China!edyta
Verified
Harpreet Litt provided us with a rich experience for our week. She offered good choices for local tour companies. We had a very good guide in Osaka. She is an Osaka resident with good English skills. She took extra pains to include opportunities we requested Osaka was a beautiful city at night. My photos of restaurants and street food were colorful and fun. Food was good too.Noel Chrisman
Verified
I had a fantastic experience working with Lisa D. on the Goway team. She was helpful, attentive and made sure we were comfortable with our bookings and itinerary before departure, and also checked in with us following our trip. Would definitely book with Goway again!Mandi S.
Verified
1186952 trip reference - Croatia and Montenegro. Dear Goway Travel Team! I wanted to reach out and share some well-deserved praise for Jacqueline, who has assisted me closely with several of my travels. She recently curated a trip for me to Croatia, the beautiful islands, and Montenegro, and it was an absolute home run. Jacqueline has an incredible ability to listen to her clients' needs and translate them perfectly into a flawless itinerary. Her articulation, guideline execution, and professionalism are unmatched. What sets her apart is her forward-thinking approach—she always knows the exact hotspots and trends, ensuring the pace of the trip matches my speed perfectly. Everything transitioned seamlessly thanks to her attention to detail and care. She is a massive asset to your organization, and her consideration makes every vacation stress-free. I will absolutely continue to use her for all my future travels. Kindest regards, Vince Sacco Vince Sacco
Verified
Absolutely incredible trip! From beginning to end! All accommodations were excellent. If you want to experience Safaris this trip will fulfill all your expectations! A special thanks to our driver we had for our entire trip Evans! He made our trip over the top! The Hot air balloon ride in the Masai Mara is a must…it’s breathtaking!Pam Seitz
Verified
I have worked with Goway several times in the past two years and every single trip has been unforgettable. Specifically, our travel advisor, Maria, has helped us book phenomenal trips to Thailand, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, and most recently, Iceland. Maria is so wonderful and easy to talk to, but what really stands out is her ability to get to know her clients so she can plan trips that perfectly align with our interests and desires. I cannot recommend her strongly enough! Her expertise, hard-work, and dedication towards each trip has given myself, my family, and friends memories to last a lifetime! Kayla Covello
Verified
Jamil made our 40th birthday trip to Portugal so so very amazing and special! Great service, fabulous hotels, and wonderful day trips! Lane Strickland
Verified
Katie was great, planned everything we needed, was great with changes and trip schedule conflicts. Fantastic working with her.CT
Verified
I have been booking with GoWay for more than 2 years and feel so fortunate to have the best Travel Advisor, Maria Spitman, making our vacations unforgettable. I can’t say enough about Maria… she is personable, efficient, detail-oriented, and extremely knowledgeable about her specialty destinations. We have booked many trips with her, including Thailand, Spain, Portugal, Sicily, Iceland, and our most recent trip in Greece. Maria has not only curated nuanced itineraries, but has done so combining her vast knowledge of each region with our interests and needs being met perfectly. With that, it is evident that Maria learns about her clients to create vacation packages that far exceed expectations. I won’t book with anyone else! GoWay has a gem that is irreplaceable! I highly recommend seeking Maria out for all your destination needs. Darleen
Follow Us On
instagramfacebook
Contact UsCustomer ServiceGeneral Inquiries
Featured in
Travel + LeisureAfarCondé Nast TravellerSmithsonian
Accreditations & Memberships
ASTA — American Society of Travel AdvisorsUSTOA — United States Tour Operators Association
 
© Copyright 2026. Goway Travel