Our top three favorites change with each trip.

If I could only return to one Italian city, it would be Venice hands down - and I didn't love it the first time.

But if I won the lottery and could move to Italy it would be a tough decision between Assisi and Urbino. On a daily basis the tourists might be a bit much in Assisi, but the setting, food, shops were so appealing especially in the evening. Urbino was simply amazing. The steep streets, the warmth of the people, it's location in Le Marche, sitting under the stars with a grappa listening to soft jazz! I can't translate it either - it needs to be experienced!

Vicenzo that is genius! Again, I want to thank you for all of your help in planning my recent trip. You are a big asset here on Fodor's!

Hm...
I think I could visit Rome and Venice over and over.
Smaller places I loved were Padua, Todi, Orvieto and Lucca - if I had to choose just one I think it would be Padua.

<b>Venice.</b>
Nothing compares to it! It's unique and unbelievably magical (especially if you stay several days and wander around exploring).

<b>Ravello.</b>
The weather, the views, the villas, the food at Cumpa Cosimo, and the many neighboring towns of the AC add up to a place you'll never forget.

<b>Montalcino.</b>
I loved the tranquility of Montalcino in the evening. Also adored the fortezza, the town's many enotecas, and the general cozy feeling it gave me.

Can I have an honorable mention?
<b>Vernazza.</b>
Sciacchetr&agrave;, perfect pesto, the view from the CT trail above the town, all of the cats I saw stalking fishing boats.

I think it's safe to say, you can't go wrong with Italy!

Rome
Capri
Positano

My wife and I are drawn to the sea. I have lived on the water my whole life.

This is a very,very difficult question to answer.

Selva di Val Gardena - spring through fall - learned the value of walking through the mountains, fording streams, laying in a meadow and watching my 10 year old son pick wildflowers for his 2 year old sister &amp; how beautiful a thunder storm is when it echoes off of the mountain sides at 3:00 am in the morning.

Asti - all year - found my favorite wine, Barbera.

Prato Nevoso - all year - learned to ski there &amp; took many wonderful walks through the mountains.

Yes, I know it specified 3, but?? Arenzano - I lived there 2 1/2 years in the Pineta, 147 steps down to the beach (actually it was 147 steps UP carring a toddler, you didn't notice going down) &amp; visited most areas of Italia.

Rena Marie,

Venice is a spectacular destination.
You can do it justice with two full days. I would recommend that splurge on a top quality tour, maybe even a personal guide.

Venice's airport (Marco polo) is a major international airport. Maybe you could fly home from Venice and add a day to your sight-seeing.

Or you just do some day-trips from Paris.

With only 2 days to devote, I would not try to include Italy at all.

If you do decide to go ahead, coming from Paris, my vote goes to Venice.

Verenna(Lake Como), Florence and of courso Roma

What do I know, only been there once with limited exposure, but Rome is #1, and also really liked Orvieto. Of course, haven't been to Venice, YET.

Ferrara or Parma?
Who is more beautiful?

IMO, Ferrara.


Vincenzo

I cannot say simply Salerno, rathern than Rome etc...etc... I can talk about locations:

I definitely love all the Cilento Coast (Palinuro, Acciaroli, Santa Maria di Castellabate, Perdifumo, Torchiara, etc...etc..) a few miles off the usual tourists' routes... an enchanting mix of culture, art, nature and folklore in the heart of South Italy.

Tuscany (specially the countryside around Siena and Arezzo) less-touristic, but extremely delightful places.

Rome...the Eternal City!

:-D

Rome is at the top of my list, it's my favorite city in the world...it tops all of my personal lists: best food, best art, most interesting history. Then I would have to say Verona for being the most &quot;Roman&quot; city outside of Rome (at least as far as ancient ruins are concerned), and for its beautiful architecture and the fact that it's not as touristy as you would think being so close to Venice...plus it's close to the Valpolicella region and those great Amarone wines.
Lastly I would say Positano, since it has one of the most spectacular settings in the world... I could be very happy hanging out there for a long time with a bottle of Limoncello!

I'd like to add Trento in the North, it's beautiful, historical, and frankly undiscovered except for Austrian tourists it seems.

Three are not enough! Venice, Rome, Bologna, Spoleto, Pisa. Each has something or someone that/who made our visit molto bene!

Venice
Venice
Venice

i agree
venice venice venice! nothing like it
go see it before it sinks

By the way, close enough to Venice, have you ever visited Comacchio ?!
I cannot say that Comacchio should be in the short list of the top 3 because, really, it should not be true, but, anyway, it is very cute and very characteristic with, as Venice, its water channels.


Vincenzo

Venice- obvious reasons.

Sorano- so unique, quiet and beautiful. I love to photograph this town.

Norcia- a special setting with no crowds and a great energy.

Ask me this question tomorrow and I'll probably come up with a different list. There are just too many beautiful, wonderful and special places I have visited in Italy.