#1 - Venice

Venice is the Grand Dame of Italy, old, elegant, mysterious and just a little smelly. Venice has been depicted so often in movies, books and television shows that most of us feel we know it before we even get there. When you finally step foot on your first vaporetto you will realize you don’t know anything about the city. Just the fact that you are surrounded by water and bridges everywhere you go will be foreign to you. But, oh, just think of the fun you will have unraveling the mystery that is Venice. Discover Venice

#2 - Rome

Which Rome is the city you want to visit? Is it the ancient city of the Roman Empire? You can spend one whole day exploring the Coliseum, the Forum, the Palatine Hills and the Pantheon getting a feel for what it was like to have lived when togas were all the fashion craze. Is it the splendor of the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter\'s cathedral that piques your interest for travelling to Rome? Michelangelo\'s Sistine Chapel and his Pieta along with the museums of the Vatican are so beautiful that one look at them and you will have a new standard by which to measure beauty. Do you have an affinity for fountains? Fontana di Trevi,Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, Fontana del Moro, Fontana di Nettuno, Fontana del Tritone with their flowing waters will soothe your soul. Discover Rome

#3 - Florence

Florence's dark buildings and narrow alley's pave the way to some of the most glorious art ever created. Michelangelo\'s statue of David and the jam packed halls of the Uffizi are just two of the sites that draw art lovers to Florence. If shiny, glittering things are your preference then visit the Ponte Vecchio where gold glitters in just about every shop or head to the Palazzo Pitti and the silver museum. The Giardini di Boboli behind the Palazzo Pitti offers a beautiful view of the Duomo and the surrounding rooftops. And don\'t forget to try a gelato, Florence is said by many to have the best gelato in Italy. Discover Florence

#4 - Bellagio

Bellagio, Bellagio, Bellagio. Just saying the word brings a sense of calm as memories of beautiful days cruising Lake Como come flooding back. Bellagio sits at the intersection of the two arms of Lake Como and is considered by most people who hold opinions on such thing as one of the most beautiful towns in Italy. Restaurants, shops, and hotels are all plentiful in Bellagio. But the real attraction is touring the lake by boat. Discover Bellagio

#5 - Amalfi

Amalfi is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the main town in Amalfi Coast.  Major sights to see are Saint Andrew's Cathedral (Duomo), Chiostro del Paradiso and Museum of Handmade Paper and Arsenal of the Maritime Republic.  The Amalfi Coast is known for its Limoncello liqueur and lemons.  Don't miss trying this treat.  Discover Amalfi

#6 - Lucca

The first thing you notice when you approach Lucca are the walls. The walls were originally built to protect the town from wars that never came. Today, visitors to Lucca can walk, bike or jog along the top of the walls and look down on the town. Since the walls encircle the entire town you can look around and decide where you want to go. There are stairs leading from the top of the walls to the streets at various points making it easy to enter the town when you see something that peaks your interest. It is not unlike taking one of the hop-on-hop-off buses you see in most major cities. Discover Lucca

#7 - Portofino

Portofino with its quaint harbor and beautiful views is one of the most recognizable towns in Italy, it is also one of its most expensive. That does not mean you need to spend a lot of money to enjoy your visit. You can sit at one of the cafés near the harbor and pretend that you are glamorous and wealthy. Or you can walk up the steps to San Giorgio and enjoy the view of Portofino from above. Discover Portofino

#8 - Riomaggiore

Sitting on the rocks in Riomaggiore, looking up at the brightly painted houses perched precariously on the hills is a great way to spend a few minutes or a few hours. If you are lucky enough to be there on a sunny day the houses will be set against the bright blue sky and the blue-green sea making them almost too picturesque. After your break get up and go walking up and down the streets and alleys of this cute town in Cinque Terre. Shops and restaurants are sprinkled throughout the town. There is a deli type shop where you can buy all the fixings for a picnic which you can take back to your rock and continue gazing at beautiful Riomaggiore. Discover Riomaggiore

#9 - Siena

Siena is famous for three things: The amazing black and white stripped gothic cathedral, the always busy Piazza del Campo and the Palio. If you are visiting the city on July 2 or August 16 you will be treated to the Palio, the horse race dating from medieval times that is held every year in the Piazza. Horses race around the Piazza in a intense competition that pits one neighborhood against another.  Discover Siena

#10 - Perugia

Umbria was always considered the stepchild to the more popular Tuscany. Umbria is finally coming into its own. The capital of Umbria is the medieval hill town of Perugia with its walls, town squares and large university. Perugia as well as the other Umbrian towns of Assisi, Gubio and Spoleto have finally come into their own as popular destinations for travelers looking for an alternative to Tuscany. Discover Perugia

#11 - Pisa

There is more to Pisa than a tower that leans. The good news is that most of it is right next to the famous landmark. The tower is located in the Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles) and consists of three buildings: the Baptistery, Duomo and Tower (the campanile). The Baptistery is the largest in Italy and is known for its incredible acoustics. Discover Pisa

#12 - Taormina

Taormina is one of the most picturesque towns in Sicily. Located high above the Ionian Sea on the east coast of Sicily, Taormina has been a destination for writers, painters and actors for centuries. Taormina has been occupied for almost 2,500 years showing once again that the Greeks knew a beautiful place when they saw it. Taormina has an ancient Greek theater, a number of churches and beautiful public gardens with a spectacular view of Mt. Etna. You do not have to look very far to find a restaurant with a view in Taormina. Discover Taormina

#13 - Milan

Milan is known for its large and glorious shopping districts, lacy castle-like Duomo, Leonardo da Vinci\'s intriguing Last Supper and did I mention shopping? Shopping and fashion are really what drives Milan. Other cities in Italy may find their beauty in art, ancient history, canals or nature. Milan finds its allure in fashion and design. Discover Milan

#14 - Naples

There are people who travel from Rome to Naples just to enjoy a lunch of pizza but there is more to Naples than just good pizza. Exploring Naples (be sure to keep your hand on your wallet as pickpockets abound) is both exciting and daunting. It is worth spending time there just to watch the traffic; it is more exciting than most television shows. In spite of its problems Naples inspires a fierce loyalty among the population. The locals are the first to admit to their flaws but they are also quick to point out the beauty of the city.  Discover Naples

#15 - Turin

Guidebooks books often talk about what the city of Turin does not have. It does not have the beautiful views of Cinque Terre, the ancient ruins of Rome, the art of Florence, the weather of Sicily or the tourist appeal of Sienna. People are more likely to talk about the economy of Turin, rather than its beauty and history. But that is missing the point of what Turin does have. Turin is a city full of parks, palaces, arcades and cafés. Not to mention that Turin is home to great wine, Bicerin (a chocolate/coffee drink), truffles and chocolate.  Discover Turin