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Thing about Rome is that, in terms of historical heritage, it has at least a bit of everything since basically the year one and a lot of many things. It is unique in that sense, especially in terms of both Mediterranean and European history.
But Venice is also unique, in my view mainly because it was the longest-lasting island-based purely Mediterranean Empire, even though that major epoch in history is long forgotten in the modern world and most people who go to Venice have little or no idea of what they are looking at and why.
Florence is also unique as the birthplace of the European Renaissance, closer to the modern mindset.
And that's why Rome, Venice and Florence are the Holy Triad in terms of Italian tourism.
In my experience, Napoli and Palermo have the best food, but also Bologna.
Anywhere in Italy is good as a university student.
For work and career, Milan by far, maybe Turin a distant second or third, and Rome too is a possibility.
For retirement and death, I would consider Rome, Venice, Lecce or somewhere in Salento (extreme southeast tip of the heal of Italy), or eastern Sicily somewhere between Syracuse and Messina.
Or northern Sicily around Cefalu.
Or southwestern Sicily around Agrigento and the valley of the temples.
Or around Palermo.
But the Adriatic shoreline towns of Veneto are also attractive.
Well, just about anywhere in Italy and I am utterly confused by the beauty.
Depends. Counting metropolitan areas, Milan is larger and Napoli is just as large. This is because Rome's municipality has absorbed several nearby ones throughout the years so it includes more than half the metropolitan area. The core of Rome is probably as large as the core of Napoli and Milan and the suburbs aren't as dense either. By the way, talking about historical centers, i was surprised at how large Napoli's and Genoa's were, probably both, especially the former, are as large as Rome
Well I didn't like Milan that much and I've never been to Naples so I can't compare them.
I just feel like Rome has the most revisiting values as there are plenty to see. I couldn't walk pass a block without hitting some millenium or at least centuries old building. Ok that was exaggeration but you get what I mean.
The downside for me is that it's really dirty, I don't think any European city that I've been to comes close. I don't want to bash it as I liked it but seriously it was pretty gross, and the traffic was also terrible by European standard, the amount of motorcycles made me feel like I was home earlier.
I think it would be a decent series if anyone (but Americans because we've had enough of those kind of threads from them) would start this kind of thread abouts his/her own country. As an Italian, i'm curious to see how this goes.............................
Good thread idea. To be honest, I have never been a huge fan of Italy's largest cities, though Milan left a better impression on me on the second visit. I absolutely loved Verona -- just a perfect town, not too small not too big, with amazing atmosphere and buzz. Bologna is also great. Florence is magnificent, as is Venice of course, but both are overrun with tourists which detracts from local flavor. Of the smaller cities I've visited, I loved Bergamo, Siena and Perugia.
Going again for two weeks in September and planning to hit a few cities I haven't been to before, including Turin, Parma and Modena.
I really liked Rome and Naples... Venice was beautiful but really stinky and that kind of ruined it for me. Florence was great too but I voted for Rome.
I've only been to Rome, Milan, Florence and Venice, but passed through Naples, Turin and Genoa.
The area around Naples...Sorrento was spectacular and would go again.
Rome was only a day, so I'm eager to really do it justice.
So out of the three Milan, Florence and Venice...ugh. Well Milan was OK, it didn't impress me. Perhaps it was stepping out of the train station and seeing a very uninspired view that tainted my impression. Although there were some nice sights, it didn't make me fall in love with it.
Florence and Venice....so difficult. I know Florence better and the surrounding hills. Like Venice it's crazy touristy at times...but the edge goes to Venice. It was one of the few places that when I stepped out of the train station I was stunned. Incredible place.
I really liked Rome and Naples... Venice was beautiful but really stinky and that kind of ruined it for me. Florence was great too but I voted for Rome.
That's why I planned my trip in Spring. I hear summers are like that.
Haven't been in Italy yet but here are my top 10 cities that I want to visit
1) Roma
2) Venezia
3) Palermo
4) Torino
5) Capri
6) Verona
7) Amalfi
8) Perugia
9) Genoa
10) Cagliari
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