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Looking for travel ideas? Why not escape to Italy! It is a country that should be on everyone’s bucket list. In fact, it is one of the most visited destinations in Europe and one that we all love at Milesopedia! From culture and relaxation to gastronomy, let’s explore the must-sees of Italy!
Since the dawn of early civilizations, Rome has been considered the cradle of the Western world.
Italy’s capital is filled with historic monuments and excellent restaurants. What could be more romantic than strolling past the Trevi Fountain and dining in the beautiful Trastevere neighborhood?
Rome is also the gateway to the Vatican, the headquarters of the Catholic Church. The architecture and art decorating the walls and ceilings of St. Peter’s Basilica make it one of the most impressive buildings in the world.
Whatever your interests and budget, a visit to Rome is a must. This city is sure to charm you.
Florence is one of Italy’s most famous cities and an excellent base for exploring the region. In fact, Tuscany is a place for wine and food lovers.
Florence’s architecture showcases Renaissance art. Moreover, if you’re an art gallery enthusiast, you’ll be delighted in Florence. Its panoramas are also magnificent.
This city is also a popular destination for student exchanges, so the center is very lively on evenings and weekends.
Located in Tuscany, the city of Pisa is a common day trip from Florence. It’s very cliché and cheesy, but taking a photo holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa doesn’t hurt anyone and it’s quite fun.
The Cinque Terre region comprises five magnificent coastal villages in northwestern Italy: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. This area is one of the most visited places in Italy.
These five villages form a national park and are part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
A hiking trail connects the “lands” with each other and this walk is incredible!
Milan is a popular destination in Italy primarily because it’s recognized as a world fashion capital.
However, Milan has much more to offer than luxury clothing boutiques. Indeed, Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting The Last Supper is located inside the Santa Maria delle Grazie church.
Then, the sublime Milan Cathedral is a Gothic architectural masterpiece.
Between Milan and Venice, you can stop in Verona for a quick visit to the Casa di Giulietta. This residence did not inspire Shakespeare in any way and Juliet is not based on a real person.
Although this house and the city of Verona have no connection to the fictional story of Romeo and Juliet, you can feel the emotion of people who decided to associate (consciously or unconsciously) the place with Shakespeare’s work.
The city of Venice is one of my favorites in Italy: with the canals, gondolas and charming little streets, it’s one of the most romantic cities in the world!
To get a good feel for Venice, you should put away your phone and get lost in this Italian labyrinth. It’s magical!
In recent years, overtourism has become a problem in Venice; especially with cruise ships bringing hordes of visitors. That being said, this Italian treasure should still be on your travel plans. It’s not difficult to find some peace and quiet in Venice and have a wonderful experience.
In southern Italy, you’ll find the city of Naples, which is recognized as the birthplace of pizza.
Naples is a good place to start a trip to the Pompeii and Amalfi Coast regions.
These two cities were tragically destroyed by a volcanic eruption. When Vesuvius exploded, a rain of ash quickly buried Pompeii and Herculaneum. This ensured that these ruins are very well preserved.
From an archaeological perspective, it’s a marvel to discover these communities that were frozen in time.
The town of Sorrento is a good base for exploring the Amalfi Coast. It’s the ideal starting point for a road trip with breathtaking views.
Capri is an island off the coast of Sorrento with magnificent beaches, superb seafood restaurants, and hiking trails.
The famous Blue Grotto is a must-see in my opinion; although this attraction is very touristy, it was impressive to see the light make the water color so blue.
The best time to discover the vast majority of what Italy has to offer is in spring and fall:
The temperature in Italy will be ideal for exploring the country while avoiding the crowds. This destination is very popular with European and international vacationers; most tourist sites are full during the summer season and it’s very hot!
In southern Italy, the climate remains mild even in winter.
Italy is a very culturally rich country and it’s impossible to see everything in one trip; it’s better to divide your visits by region.
For a “bit of everything in Italy” type vacation, the following 3-week itinerary can be interesting:
As for the Amalfi Coast, Sicily, Puglia, etc., these regions could be the subject of several separate trips!
Indeed, you shouldn’t try to compress too many places into the same trip and it’s very easy to be tempted to do so in Italy since everything is very close.
If you prefer to travel without worrying about logistics, Wingbuddy is a Quebec-based agency specializing in organized, semi-organized, and independent tour packages. Italy is one of their flagship destinations, with tours covering Rome, Florence, Venice, and Tuscany.
Their packages include flights, accommodation, local transportation, and a French or English-speaking guide, depending on your choice. This is an excellent option for those who want to experience Italy to the fullest without the stress of planning.
When we went to Italy, we paid for a flight in cash, as it wasn’t the best use of our points following a valuation calculation.
It’s therefore very convenient to have a bank of travel points applicable to expenses like Scene+ points from the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card. In April 2026, this card offers up to 60,000 Scene+ points as a welcome bonus (a value of $600), including 40,000 points after $2,000 in purchases in the first three months. These points can cover a good portion of the plane ticket!
You can use your Scene+ points directly on the plane ticket purchase. Additionally, the card has no foreign transaction fees—a significant advantage in Italy.
Air Canada provides a direct connection between Montreal and Rome, Milan, and Venice.
You’ll need approximately 40,000 Aeroplan points for a one-way economy class ticket to get to Italy from Montreal—the direct Montreal–Rome flight exceeds 4,001 miles, placing it in the corresponding fare category. Prices are dynamic on Air Canada flights and may vary depending on season and availability.
Since this flight is operated by Air Canada, you can benefit from one free checked bag for yourself and for 8 people on the same booking!
Each month, Flying Blue launches a new Promo Rewards offer, and it’s advisable to monitor these offers as they provide an excellent opportunity to find low-cost flights to Europe using points. In April 2026, Promo Rewards are valid for travel until September 30, 2026.
The base rate for an economy class flight from Montreal to Europe is generally 25,000 Flying Blue miles. With monthly Promo Rewards (discounts up to 25%), it’s possible to find rates starting at 18,750 miles one-way—one of the best valuations for crossing the Atlantic with points.
Like any European country, Italy is very well served by public transportation. Indeed, the country is relatively small, so it’s easy to get from one region to another on the rail network.
Several trains connect the major cities; the fare for a connection depends on the class of service and the speed of the train.
These train tickets can be purchased with a credit card. By using a credit card without conversion fees like the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card, you’ll save 2.5% on foreign transaction fees. Plus, you’ll be able to earn points on your purchase!
Within cities, it’s generally possible to explore all tourist sites on foot or with public transportation.
A trip primarily limited to major centers can easily be done without a car rental. In fact, you can’t drive around the historic center of Florence and the traffic in Rome can be daunting.
However, to discover certain regions in Italy, a car rental is recommended and greatly facilitates travel. For example, you’ll have difficulty getting to the far south of Salento or visiting the Valle d’Itria in the Puglia region without a vehicle.
Also, families can save by traveling by car since train ticket costs increase proportionally with the number of people.
To reduce the costs of a car rental in Italy, you can easily accumulate TD Points with the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card and make a reservation on the Expedia for TD site. In 2026, the card offers up to 165,000 TD Points as a welcome bonus (a value of $825 in travel) and the annual fee is waived the first year. The choices are very numerous and the prices are comparable to other platforms in addition to being able to use your points.
Venice has introduced an access fee to combat overtourism. In 2026, this tax applies on 60 non-consecutive days between April 3 and July 26, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, primarily on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
Rates:
This fee does not apply to individuals staying one night or more in Venice (only day-trippers are affected), nor to the islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello. Pay in advance on the official website: cda.ve.it/en
Italy is a very touristy country and rates really follow the supply and demand curve. The price range of these hotels varies quite a bit. However, it’s always possible to find reasonably priced accommodations on third-party sites like Booking.com.
Italy is the ideal place to spend one or several weeks relaxing and soaking up the Dolce Vita. The opportunity to rent a house with VRBO for example.
If you can’t find hotels within your budget, numerous Airbnbs are available in Italy; these are often very well located in the heart of the action.
Unlike hotels, an Airbnb can be more practical for people and families needing a kitchenette.
In Italy, Marriott Bonvoy chain hotels are available in most major cities; there’s something for every budget since several brands are present.
For example, some establishments are very affordable with points or money like this hotel in Rome.
Indeed, when prices are similar to independent hotels, you’ll be better off if you book with Marriott Bonvoy; you can accumulate elite nights to reach status or benefit from advantages if you already hold status!
On the other hand, you can also treat yourself a bit with luxury at a good price (in points) like at the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa.
Finally, several hotels have rates below 35,000 points, which allows you to use free night certificates while the cash cost can be high. These certificates are obtained with the help of the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card or the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card. In April 2026, the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card offers up to 70,000 points as a welcome bonus.
So, you can stay at hotels like these simply upon renewal and after paying the annual fee of $120 (personal card) depending on the card.
Read our reviews on hotels in Italy :
Italy is a destination that never disappoints. Between the ancient history, gastronomy, landscapes and the warmth of Italians, each trip leaves unforgettable memories. Whether you’re traveling with Aeroplan points, Flying Blue miles or Scene+ points, there’s a strategy for every type of traveler.
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