Italy beckons with so many marvelous and varied regions -- culinary Tuscany, the island of Sicily, the beautiful Amalfi Coast. You can tour ancient ruins, drive through rolling hills and beautiful vineyards, or sun yourself on tropical beaches. And then there's the absolutely delicious cuisine! From pizza to pasta, and polenta to prosciutto, indulge in all of your authentic Italian favorites. Italy vacations might comprise one area of the country, or cover one specific region in depth. But many Italy tours overnight in at least one, if not several, of the country's most popular cities. Here's an overview of some of Italy's most well-known urban areas and all of their wonderful historic attractions.

Italy tours typically include at least a half day of sightseeing in Rome to help orient you to the capital city and introduce you to some of the most famous sights: St. Peter's Square and Basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. While all of Rome's many historic monuments are memorable, particularly poignant is a visit to St. Peter's Square and Basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. The Vatican, a worldwide symbol of Christianity, is the largest church on the planet. Its size and splendor is simply awe-inspiring. Reach the dome (or cupola), designed by Michelangelo, by walking up 330 steps--you will be rewarded with a stunning view of Rome and the square below.

Florence is all about Italian art and architecture. The arts flourished in Florence between the 13th and 16th century, and the Italian Renaissance began here when Brunelleschi completed work on the huge dome on Florence's Cathedral, known simply as the Duomo. Simply walking through Florence is like strolling through a living history museum, with its public works of art, sculptures and fountains in the various squares (or piazzas). One must-see visit is to the Academy of Fine Arts which features Michelangelo's celebrated sculpture of David. Perhaps Florence's most famous museum is the Uffizi, which showcases art by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Titan and Rubens.

Wonderfully romantic, Venice is known throughout the world for its network of more than 100 canals. Many visiting tourists take a gondola ride on the canal--what a great souvenir photograph to bring home from your Italy vacation! Otherwise, important sights include St. Mark's Square (watch out for pigeons!) and the nearby Basilica; ornate Doge's Palace, once home to the city's aristocrats; the sixteenth-century Bridge of Sighs and the palace prisons. Venice is also known for its hand-blown glass; you can visit a local factory to watch the artisans at work.