Angela & Daniel’s Wedding

We chose Italy, not only because of our story, but also because we love the Mediterranean feel and way of life that reminds us so much of our Egyptian roots. We hope our guests can enjoy all this beautiful country has to offer, whether its your first visit or your fifth!

We've assembled some recommendations, both near our venue, and for Italy in general, some from personal experience and some with added research =). Rome and Bologna are the places in Italy Angela lived in. She was able to amass some stellar recs detailed below, that were of course Daniel-Approved. We can't wait to share some of these experiences together, and our love for travel with you!

Whether you're starting or ending your travels in Umbria, these Itineraries should give you a good glimpse of the country.

TO SEE IT ALL

We recommend pairing a bigger city (Rome, Bologna, Florence, or Milan) with a coastal spot (Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, or the Italian Lakes). 

Pro-tip: Try to catch an express train (freccia) if you want to get quickly between Southern and Northern Regions (use TrenItalia or Italo). This should be easily accessible from all of Italy's main cities.

SOUTHERN ITALY

Rome - Amalfi Coast- Umbria 

Rome is definitely a must see if it's your first time in Italy. There's literally something for everyone. Great history, art, churches, food, and shopping to name a few. 

Check out our specific Rome Recs below.

For an idyllic vacation, the Amalfi Coast is the place to be. The slow pace, breathtaking Mediterranean views, and all the seafood and lemon infused food and drink you can imagine. Catch the cliffy beachside vista in Positano. If you can, spend some time in Capri and Ravello, our favorite stops on the Coast, which offer some of the most relaxed atmospheres around. We've also heard Ischia is another great island stop.

If you want to explore one of the more 'undiscovered' parts of Italy, spend some extra time outside the wedding in Umbria. This landlocked region has a lot to offer, but is often overlooked. This is the place of medieval times, truffle hunting, great Italian wine, chocolates, and olive oil, saints, and gorgeous nature. If you want the countryside experience, book an aggritourismo stay.

Check out our Umbria Recs below for a more detailed look.

CENTRAL ITALY

Bologna/ Emilia Romagna- Tuscany - Cinque Terre- Florence

If you're a foodie, you do not want to miss the Emilia Romagna region. A nickname for our favorite city (very biased opinion), Bologna, is La Grassa, meaning the fat. This is the food capital of the country, with the origins of some of our favorite dishes: mortadella, ragu sauce (Bolognese), tortellini, and lasagna to name a few. Regardless of your itinerary, we highly recommend this stop.

Check our Bologna/ Emilia Romagna Recs below for specifics.

If you're a wine lover, Tuscany is worth the trek. Stop in Sienna or Lucca for the day then head to a chic country villa in Chianti or Montepulciano where some of the world's best vineyards are located. Wine tastings are highly encouraged.

If you're here for la dolce vita, Cinque Terre is one of the most beautiful coastal spots in the country. It's a grouping of five towns with ample hiking, views, and beaches to keep you busy. It also happens to be in the region specializing in pesto and focaccia.

If you're an art lover, Florence is the place to be. It has access to some of the most renowned Renaissance paintings, sculptures, and architecture. While there, be sure to have some Florentine steak and purchase some leather goods.

NORTHERN ITALY

Italian Lakes - Venice - Milan

If you're here for the leisure, the Italian Lakes are worth a stop. Lake Como and the lesser known, Lake Garda, Maggiore, and Orta contain stellar views lined with some of the most stunning villas and gardens in the country. It’s also a great opportunity to get out on the water and enjoy some boating activities while sipping great wines.

For the romantics, Venice is the spot to be. Take a couple of days to get lost in the canal lined streets and beautiful squares. Get out on the water to fully enjoy the canals and if you want to keep exploring, try to get to the surrounding islands, which offer some of the highest quality Italian products and materials.

If you're here for the fashion, take a moment to explore Milan, the most metropolitan city in Italy. The contrast between modern and Renaissance makes it one of the most unique spots. Of course there’s the shopping, but there’s also no shortage of art and sightseeing including the Duomo and the famous Last Supper Da Vinci painting. The food in this region is also luxurious to match the vibe.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

Sardinia - Puglia - The Dolomites- Turin- Bergamo

For the less touristy low key but still epic spots, these places are more than worth your time. The island of Sardinia is one of the most stunning parts of Italy. It’s not on the mainland so it will require a flight (flights are relatively inexpensive within Europe). It has magnificent waters, and don’t get us started on the food. Try an aggritourismo for an epic dining experience and stay. If you still love the coastal vibes but don’t want to bother with another flight, head to Puglia, the whitewashed southernmost region in Italy. It has some unreal views, charming towns with old time Italy vibes, unique architecture and history, and of course great food and wines. Finally, if you love the mountainside, the Dolomites are some of the best in Europe. The panorama you get of the Italian Alps are unmatched and offer great options for the adventurers. For the Northern Italy smaller city vibes with great art, architecture and decadent food and drink head to Turin or Bergamo.

TORGIANO (Wedding Area)
during your stay, Wonder Umbria, Osteria del Museo (in a local winery), and Ristorante i Rodella offer good dining options. For a casual café try Coffeè House, Caffe del Giardino, or La Nuit d'Or.

FOOD & WINE EXPERIENCES
People come to Italy for the food and wine and Umbria is no exception. The region agriculturally decadent and so is its dining scene featuring Italian comfort foods and great wines. Take advantage by booking a cooking class (book in advance using viator or Let’s Cook in Umbria, offering several types of experiences). A must visit is nearby famous Perugina Chocolate Factory (home of the OG chocolate ‘kiss’) offering tours and workshops in chocolate- making techniques. The region’s rich agricultural terrain allows its famous production of a delicacy that most love to sprinkle on many foods, black truffles, harvested locally in the summer. You can experience centuries old tradition of truffle hunting and tasting by booking on Viator and Airbnb.
Venture out for wine tastings at the lovely Tenuta Bellafonte or Lungarotti Winery. If wine education is for you, visit the Museo del Vino (MUVIT) inside the Palazzo Graziani-Baglioni. The region is also known for its olive oil production. Try an olive oil tasting at Olio Bartolomei or check out the Olive Tree and Olive Oil Museum

Eat at any Umbrian restaurant from cozy cafes to Michelin star, everything is good.

OUTDOORS
Hike Il Bosco Sacro di Monteluco (Sacred Woods) for the Spoleto overlook at Ponte delle Torri, where St. Francis of Assisi lived. On your hike, you’ll find the 5th cent St. Peter’s Church, Sanctuary Monteluco, and may spot ancient Latin stone carvings. For historic structure, check out the Ponte delle Torri bridge. Do not miss beautiful Lake Trasimeno surrounded by small charming coastal towns. Boat trips around the lake are possible from Passignano, but first have delicious seafood lunch at Trattoria Del Pescatore or sunset aperitivo at Bar del Sole. Explore villages like Monte del Lago, an exquisite sleepy spot that was a Puccini favorite stay in the grand villa there.

PERUGIA
While Perugia is the closest major city to the festivities, it’s also the largest in Umbria, with plenty to see and do.

What to See
Aside from famous chocolate, Perugia has many attractions. Palazzo dei Priori, Umbria’s national gallery, is home to famous paintings and sculptures by Umbrian School of art. In central Piazza IV Novembre is Fontana Maggiore built by master Tuscan stone-carvers. It wouldn’t be a European city without famous churches – check Sant’Arcangelo Church, built with a mix of Corinthian, Roman, and Byzantine influences, and San Domenico Church with its interesting history and famous frescos. If history and chocolate don’t peak your interest, try the Music Museum with intimate concerts and stunning views near Sant’ Angelo Church, built on ruins of a pagan temple. Speaking of views, catch sunset at Giardini Carducci for a romantic atmosphere. From there, wander Rocca Paolina (Underground Perugia) to explore an entire network of medieval fortress streets. For shopping, explore the stores on Perugia’s main roads (Coso Vannucci, Via Dei Priori, Oberdan, Sant’Ercolano).

What to Eat & Drink
For Umbrian cuisine with a modern twist, try La Taverna, once frequented by Lady Gaga. You’ll find traditional Umbrian fare at Osteria a Priori (good wine/ beer selection). For upscale, check out Radice or L’Officina, in a former scale repair shop where the head chef has 30 years experience. For inexpensive local eats, try Ristorante Dal Mi’ Coco. Pair great food with a greater view at Ristorante del Sole. For a laid-back lunch vibe, try La Romantica for pizza or Antica Salumeria Granieri Amato (not to be missed) for the most delicious sandwiches. For al fresco seating and an alternative Mediterranean vibe, head to Nadir, nestled under Perugia’s oldest cinema. Stop by Sandri for a café with delicious pastries. For a hip breakfast café by day and a beer and wine spot by night, try Pintriucchio Café and Kitchen. For a quality meal with gf options, head to Trattoria del Borgo, by a former wine and food promoter (Pro-tip: Get handmade strangozzi with Umbrian wild herb pesto). Satisfy your sweet tooth with gelato at Lick, or handcrafted chocolates (more gelato) at Cioccolateria Gelateria Augusta Perusia. farther in Montefalco try Ristorante L’Alchemista for farm to table experience.

At Corso Vanucci, you’ll find the nightlife. Try local favorite modern wine bar, Civico 25, with a hip atmosphere and equally great food (Pro-tip: book ahead). If craft beer is your thing, try Elfo Pub or Il Pirrino. Other spots include Living Café for appertivo and drinks with a view, Dot for cocktails, La Bottega del Vino and Jazz Club Perugina for live music, or Caffe Morlacci and Velvet Fashion Café for a party scene.

SOME EXTRA TIME IN UMBRIA
Assisi
A pilgrimage site homage to St. Francis of Assisi, this UNESCO heritage town has exquisite medieval architecture, winding roads, and gorgeous vistas of Umbrian hills. Visit Basilica di San Francesco, built in the side of a hill where St. Francis was born and died. The Basilica has an Upper and Lower Church with gothic features and stunning frescos. Stop at La Delizie del Subasio, a great charcuterie spot featuring truffle mortadella and truffle beer, or Umami Beer for a brewpub with a great selection of craft beers and delicious burgers. Other good dining spots are Osteria Piazzetta dell’Erba, a cute restaurant with a modern take on typical dishes, Locanda del Podesta with local and veg-friendly fare, Ristoranto Il Frantoio, an upscale spot with a view, and Benedikto for a unique quality dining experience at the site of a former monastery overlooking the rolling hills. Shop at Liberia Zubboli unique bookshop with quality stationary, Tessitura Pardi artisan fabrics, or Arte Lengo olive wood craftsmanship.

Deruta
This medieval hill town is famous for its ceramics that have been in production for centuries. You can see it throughout Umbria but go to the Ceramic Museum or ceramics shopping to see the unique craftsmanship yourself.

Orvieto
One of the oldest settlements in Italy, Orvieto has a unique underground city filled with caves and tunnels. Visit Orvieto’s Duomo, a gothic masterpiece with stunning frescos on the façade. Wander the narrow streets lined with hotels of old palaces, handcraft workshops, galleries, markets, wine bars and cozy family restaurants with stellar local fare and Orvieto Classico white wine. Under street level, the city is more intriguing, built over an underground labyrinth of caves, tunnels, and cellars dating back to Etruscans.

Urbino & Spoleto
Not to miss is Urbino’s Palazzo Ducale, a UNESCO Heritage Site that houses one of the most important collections of Renaissance art in the world, the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche. Enjoy slow pace in Umbria’s music mecca, Spoleto, known for its summer music festival offering a mix of Italian classics: opera, theatre, ballet, classical, and art exhibits. Aside from the festival, its streets are filled with piazzas with medieval attractions and views of beautiful natural surroundings.

This is one of the most under-rated Italian areas. It can seem underwhelming at first, but once you start to experience the city for yourself, you realize why it's so loved. It was surreal for us to be in Bologna together after talking about it for so long and a major Italy highlight for us. It helps that we have a shared love for food/ cooking and this is, after all, the food capital of Italy.

FOOD

You can go pretty much anywhere and have a solid Bolognese meal. Post up for lunch and a spritz pretty much anywhere in the Quadrilatero or Piazza Santo Stefano area for al fresco vibes. Daniel's favorite Bolognese dish, lasagna Bolognese, you can't say you've had real lasagna till you've had it in Bologna, we promise it hits different. Angela’s favorite is the classic tagliatelle al Ragu (pasta bolognese). For a dinner that has a bit of everything traditional Bolognese cuisine, head to Osteria Brocaindosso. Salumeria Simoni offers delicious mortadella that melts in your mouth (America deems this Bologna but it's not even relatively close). Other good spots to enjoy a tagliere (charcuterie) are Rude and La Proscuitteria. For a more upscale Bolognese dining experience try Drogheria Della Rosa or Osteria Al 15. For a no frills traditional pasta Bolognese or tortellini en brodo, Osteria dell'Orsa is the spot. You can find the best pizza in town at Pizzeria Spacca Napoli. For dessert, head to La Sorbetteria Castiglione the creamiest gelato goodness.

DRINKS

If you’re needing to skip a dinner and save a buck, get access to a delicious buffet on the side of your drink order when you have appertivo at Lab 16. Right next door you can grab a cocktail at Le Stanze where the art covered interior is a whole mood. Ruggine is a great drinks with good music and good vibes spot. Some other great spots for cocktails are Bizarre, Caffe Rubik, and Bamboo.

ACTIVITIES

Hike up the steps to the Santuario di Madonna di San Luca. The stellar views of the region's rolling hills are well worth the exercise. Wander Piazza Maggiore and catch a glimpse of the Neptune Fountain and the Due Torre (2 leaning towers- not just in Pisa; you can also climb the top). For upscale shopping, head to Piazza Cavour, the price tags might deter you, but the stunning painted porticos there will keep you. Another building with beautiful porticos in the courtyard is the Archiginnasio in historic University of Bologna (Fun fact: You can visit the Teatro Anatomico, where the first anatomy lectures with cadavers were given). Also, not to miss - taking a cooking class and learning techniques from the city in Italy that arguably knows food best.

EMILIA ROMAGNA OUTSIDE BOLOGNA

These recs can serve as good day trips if you plan to make Bologna home base, or you can take your time and work your way/ stay through the region. It's no surprise that our favorite activity was a day of food valley tours. Reserve a spot through viator or trip advisor to see how some of the world's most renowned food is produced: Parmigiano-Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, and our personal favorite Aceto di Balsamico (balsamic vinegar-super unique experience - we went to a cute family run producer called Acetaia Cavedoni). We all know Italy has a reputation for the sexy luxury cars, but what you didn't know is that you can explore their production at their factories, museums, and even test drive in Emilia Romagna's Motor Valley. We recommend the Ferrari tour in Maranello, but you can also find Lamborghini, Pagnani, and Ducatti in the motor valley. For small town day trips accessible by train from Bologna check out Parma (home of parmesan cheese), Modena (host city for one of the world's best restaurants , Massimo Bottura's Osteria Francescana) , Ferrara (yes Ferrari was named after it), and Ravenna (known for byzantine art and influence). You can also find a food theme park (yes you heard that right) at FICO World Eataly. Last but most certainly not least, venture out for a wine tasting in the Romagna wine region (don't leave without trying the local Lambrusco, a sparkling red (don't knock it till you try it) and San Giovese).

MUST-SEE TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Colosseum (Pro-tip: save your time and skip going inside; the view from the outside is truly the best), The Vatican (Vatican Musuem for the Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica; Pro-tip: Go to the top of St. Peter's for an amazing view of the city), Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navonna (Angela's favorite Roman piazza- read up on the history if you can), Spanish Steps, Castel St. Angelo, Villa Borghese Galleria & Gardens (Pro-tip: Get a reservation in advance), and MAXXI (amazing art museum a little further out; building designed by famous Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid).

BEST FOOD & NIGHTLIFE BY LOCATION

Near Trastevere: Across the river you can find the best Roman pizzas at Emma's Pizzeria (Pro-tip: stay for dessert & try their espresso tiramisu). Also across the river, and in the historic Jewish quarter, try BaGhetto or Piperno for some really great classic Roman Jewish cuisine. (Pro tip: Don't leave without trying some fried artichokes and zucchini flowers). La Prosciutteria is a great charcuterie chain in Italy; pop in for some great meat cheese, wine, and laid back vibes. Roma Sparita has amazing caico y pepe, a roman specialty that you should definitely try while in town (Anthony Bourdain went here).

This neighborhood also has some of the best nightlife. For a good cocktail bar try Mecchanismo Bistrot, Baylon Cafe, & Niji Cafe. For appertivo try Freni E Frizioni. For some good brews head to Bir & Fud. Bar San Castilo will be a fun cheap spot, and Enoteca Ferrara and Vineria Litro are solid wine bars.

Near Piazza Navona: Frigidarium is a top gelato spot in town; Right across the street from here is the another great pizza in Rome, Pizzeria Bufetti usually crowded but delicious. Grab some wine at Enoteca il Piccolo or Enoteca Spiriti. For a less frequented, but a specialized menu featuring a one of a kind pear pasta head to Osteria del'Anima (try their arabbiata too for the second best menu item- this was Angela's first meal out in Italy). For a traditional Roman meal with a view, head to Armando al Pantheon, there's nothing that says Rome quite like dining among centuries-old buildings.

Near The Vatican: Due Cento Gradi in Piazza Risorgiomento has some really great sandwiches if you're on the go while sightseeing. Another good gelato place with generous portions in the same square is Old Bridge. If you love baked goods, try Dolce Maniera, the pastries are superb.

Near the Trevi: If you want an endless selection of pasta, try L'Archetto. If you can never have enough gelato, Giolitti is another great spot with lots of flavors. Out of the area, a bit farther from the colosseum are some good cocktail bars: Co.So and Yeah Pigneto.