Play as you read: Che Vuole Questa Musica Stasera

Oh, Italia! This was a trip of a lifetime and I'm desperate to go back. My husband and I landed in Milan and drove to the magical land of Lake Como. Of course when we were traveling by car we got lost a few times and as we approached Lake Como the roads got so curvy and narrow. The locals were zipping by in their small cars or mopeds, so naturally I held on tight to my car door in fear of an unwanted swim. Alas, I'm a backseat driver like my mother.

We arrived in Bellagio, settled into our hotel and then we took a moment to take in the stunning scenery. It was peaceful. I swear it felt like Frank Sinatra was going to jump out from a bush and serenade me with "Strangers in the Night" while I sipped an Aperol Spritz on the deck looking at the lake.

Time was of the essence so we were moving around soon after we arrived. There's so much to do in and around Bellagio, especially in the summer. You can't go wrong hopping on and off the ferry to explore all of the towns around the lake.

Via Giuseppe Garibaldi - Put on some comfortable shoes and get ready to walk. Everything is in walking distance, so you're most likely going to walk from your hotel to this main street in Bellagio. Explore the small shops, drink some wine, eat some gelato and get lost in the stone streets.

Chiesa di San Giorgio - We stumbled upon this church in Bellagio as I was curious with the open door and no-one inside one afternoon. An adorable little church dated between 1080 and 1120. Inside there is a fresco dating back to the 11th century of Madonna.

Villa Carlotta - A quick ferry ride to Tremezzo and you're in front of a historical villa. It was last a wedding gift to Princess Marianne of Orange-Nassau's daughter, Charlotte (hence the name Villa Carlotta) in 1843 when she married Georg II of Saxe-Meiningen. The architecture, frescos, detail inside and heavenly gardens are not to be missed.

From Lake Como, we traveled about 4 hours by train to luxurious Venice and took in the heat and history. Venice was HOT and I mean that in every way - the weather, the people, the clothing, the food, etc. It was definitely a change of pace from Lake Como.

Venice is a collection of mini islands connected by canals and bridges. It's foundation is built from wood pilings, wood that was brought from Slovenia, Croatia, and Montenegro. Wood can rot, but in this instance because the wood was not exposed to oxygen and submerged into water and mud it became petrified due to constant flow of mineral rich water around and through it. The wood then turned into a stone-like structure providing solid support to the magnificent buildings that rest on it. Unfortunately, Venice is sinking and scientists are considering ways to rescue it so I urge you to visit.

Guided Tour - Through your hotel you can book a guided tour. I recommend a private tour early in the morning or close to dinner time when the sun isn't as hot if you're there in the Summer. I think this is the best way to learn about the rich history of Venice, how it came to be and where it is today.

Bridge of Sighs - We stayed at a hotel on one of the mini islands around Venice so as we got off our water taxi, we were a few steps from the bridge. This was the last view convicts saw over the Rio di Palazzo before they were taken from the Doge's Palace to the New Prisons.

Doge's Palace - The palace was the residence of the Doge of Venice, or the supreme civil and military leader that held office for life. It's gone through expansions and a few fires, but we're very lucky it still stands today. Ludovico Manin was the last Doge in 1797 when Napoleon took power over the city. It was subject to French rule, then Austrian and finally in 1866 Italian.

Piazza San Marco - People watching in the square is spectacular. Stroll through the edge of the square to visit the shops or have a late lunch al fresco.

St. Mark's Basilica - Stories say that the 9th century cathedral was meant to be the resting home of St. Mark after Venetian's smuggled his corpse out of Egypt. It burnt down in 932 and was rebuilt. You're going to be in shock when I tell you it was the Doge's private chapel for a long time, but then became a cathedral in 1807. This place is what I call opulent.

Campanile di San Marco - The bell tower was built in the 9th century and fell in 1902. It was rebuilt to be exactly the same, but safer. You can take an elevator to the top for some amazing photos, but expect a line.

romanticismo italiano