Italy is one of my favourite countries in the world, and probably the country where I've visited the most towns and cities. Italy isn't a cheap country to backpack around, as it’s in the heart of Europe, but it has a lot to offer. Think museums, art galleries, fantastic food and beautiful scenery. The nation really does have it all, and it is obvious why it is often declared one of the most romantic countries in the world. I’m going to highlight a few of the places I've been to, and what essentially would make a good backpacking trip.
Rome
Rome is a good place to start and very accessible to get to. Rome wasn't built in a day; and it certainly can’t be covered in one either. You could easily spend a week in the city and still have so much to see, however as us backpackers never have enough time, I’d recommend 3-4 days in the Italian capital. The main sites in Rome are fairly well known but here are my recommendations.
Firstly, take a trip to St Peters Basicilia and the Vatican City, then you can tick going to the smallest country in the world off your list. Then of course visit the Colosseum, which is awe inspiring. The actual insides of the Colosseum were pretty disappointing in my eyes. At the naive age of 15, when I visited, I expected the whole arena to be up and running with actors playing out Gladiator scenes, but this wasn't the case. Quite run down inside but still a lot to see and experience. Further, explore the sites of the Pantheon, the Piazza del Popolo and the Trevi Fountain to make a wish! The sites can take up most of your time in Rome, but don’t forget to stop in a busy Piazza to try local stone baked pizza and fresh pasta.
Florence
Florence is the next venture of my trip, and also a packed city just like Rome. Florence is more accessible than Rome for walking around and seeing the main sites. The city is surrounded by art galleries, tiny streets with tall buildings and fantastic gardens. Your Florence itinerary can be jam-packed if art galleries are on your agenda, with places such as the Uffizi Gallery to see the Madonna and Child, or the Galleria dell'Accademia to see Michael Angelo’s original David. Although these sights are once in a lifetime visits, they might not be top of the list for everyone. If you're not an arty person, then don’t waste your time wandering around the Uffizi just because it’s there. Further sites you could be visiting are the Duomo, which is a magnificent cathedral in the heart of the city (and free to get in) and other less arty sites such as the Palazzo Pitti, a beautiful palace with a costume museum with great surrounding gardens to relax in and stare at the local Italian boys. A good way to also spend your time in Florence is to sample every flavour of gelato you can get your mits on.
