VIVA ITALIA!
As we say ‘ciao’ to summer, it’s the ideal time to book a short break to Italy, where you can still enjoy the best of the Mediterranean this autumn
You’ll want to glide serenely under the Rialto Bridge under the expert hand of a gondolier
THE beaches of Italy are so captivating, it can be easy to forget that there’s a wealth of cultural gems dotted around its coastline, too, which make for enriching short breaks – especially in the autumn, when balmy temperatures make exploring more appealing.
So, if you fancy escaping for a long weekend to take in some bucket-list landmarks, here are three must-do destinations to inspire you to head off for a few days, discovering La Dolce Vita.
Rome
BRIMMING with history, the Eternal City offers visitors the chance to quite literally walk through the centuries. And it is one of those destinations where there is no shame in being a tourist, taking in all the sights, because there’s no point in being here unless you visit the Colosseum, imagining the baying crowds cheering on gladiators, 2,000 years ago. You can’t leave without a visit to Vatican City, the awe-inspiring seat of the Catholic Church, which first became a pilgrimage site in the 4th century ad when a basilica was constructed over St Peter’s grave. Embrace being a visitor and enjoy a ‘Roman Holiday’ inspired by the famous film starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck: discover the Spanish Steps, completed in 1725, the beautiful, art-filled Palazzo Colonna, one of the oldest and largest private palaces in the city, and take a moment to tuck into gelato as you admire the many statues and architectural masterpieces at every turn.
Venice
NO ONE can prepare visitors for their first time in Venice. This captivating city is like something conjured in the mind of a visionary movie-maker, with its crumbling palazzos, myriad churches and cathedrals and a network of waterways bustling with vaporettos and gondolas, and exploring ‘off season’ is so much more pleasant than battling the crowds in the heat of summer. Spend an afternoon at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the former canalside residence of an American heiress and now a curious blend of stately home and world-class gallery, featuring her impressive haul of artworks, by renowned names including Picasso and Matisse. Also worth a visit is Palazzo Fortuny, home to a permanent exhibition and a variety of temporary art and cultural installations.
Yes, you’ll want to marvel at the magnificent St Mark’s Square, and its spectacular, mosaic-studded basilica. Of course, you’ll want to glide serenely under the Rialto Bridge under the expert hand of a gondolier. You’ll be tempted to take a trip to Murano, with its world-renowned glass factories, but perhaps more enchanting is the island of Burano, with its pastel-hued houses now a permanent fixture on Instagram, and a rich heritage in lace making. Most importantly, take time to meander without intention, observing the fur-clad locals carrying their toy dogs as they head for their morning espresso.
Florence
FLORENCE is another destination where you can’t help but follow the tourist trail – there is a reason these ancient cities, steeped in heritage and culture, have headed travellers’ bucket lists over the years. The spectacular Duomo is renowned for its distinctive brick-red cupola that can be seen from across the city, but don’t just admire from afar: take in Brunelleschi’s domed masterpiece from the inside, then climb the 463 steps to the viewing platform to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city.
The Uffizi gallery is home to a remarkable collection of Renaissance masterpieces and could keep art lovers busy for an entire long weekend with works by Caravaggio, Rubens and Botticelli, among others. But enjoy modern pieces at the new Museo del Novecento, too, wonder at a collection of curiosities in the Museo Stibbert and take in creatively curated exhibitions at Palazzo Strozzi.
Fashionistas should make time to explore the Museo Salvatore Ferragamo, with its astonishing archive of seminal shoes, and Museo Gucci, where the brand’s equine heritage and cult status are showcased in style. Head to the Ponte Vecchio, where thimble-sized shops are packed with touristy trinkets, but take a leisurely afternoon to browse true artisan boutiques and workshops, admiring the skills of leatherworkers, paper-marblers and lacemakers, too.