An Italian visit is not just Rome, Florence, and Venice

    I will grant you that Rome, Florence and Venice are great places to go. There is lots of history and Italian culture there. It is fun to pet the pig or visit some Roman icons. It is wonderful to sit along a canal in Venice watching the lights after all the tourists have gone back to their ship. Here it comes: However, Verona is a compact lower key Italian city which much to say for itself. The photo above is of the Colosseum in Verona. It is still in use. The Italian Alps rise to the north and are amazing. Then there are Milan and Pisa. You can also head to the coast with its cities hanging on hillsides.  If you want your breath take away, visit the lakes between Lecco and Bergamo.  There is also southern Italian with a whole different vibe. Indeed you cannot cover this unless you have a free month. But, work one of these "extras" in and you will not be sorry.