If you are looking for a trip that offers an extremely diverse cultural experience, Italy is for you! Whether it’s the unsurpassed food products of the Emilia-Romagna region paired with the wines of Tuscany, Milan’s couture shopping, gorgeous Duomo and beautiful Sforza castle, Florence’s art museums, Rome’s collection of Catholic relics and ancient ruins, or meeting the Pope at the Vatican, Italy has something for everyone!
One special note for traveling throughout Italy is to learn some phrases in Italian. Most people in tourist areas speak some English, however, you will have an easier time if you can engage in a simple conversation about practicalities such as getting around or ordering food. Also, I recommend you call ahead for each city’s main attractions since most of the websites do not provide accurate accessibility information, and it can vary throughout Italy.
The following are some highlights of my Italian adventure. If you are not able to go in person, you can use it as a guide for a virtual trip. Many of the attractions have websites with pictures or virtual tours for an easier and more comfortable way to visit.
Milan
Milan is a beautiful city especially in terms of architecture. One of the most stunning pieces of architecture is the magnificent Milan Cathedral or the Duomo which was built in 1385 in the traditional Gothic style. It is in the center of Milan and offers excellent views of the city from its rooftop. Fortunately, the Duomo has an elevator, however, you should call ahead to make sure there is no construction occurring, as happened one day when I was there, that could shut down the elevator.
Admiring the beauty of Milan’s Duomo! A must see for any architecture fan!
Another interesting attraction in Milan is the Sforza castle which was sieged by Francesco Sforza in 1450. The castle has magnificent rooms including one completely decorated by Leonardo da Vinci and the Room of Doves that has exquisite frescoes. The gardens with the statue of Francesco Sforza and the Arena which was constructed as an amphitheater are also wonderful to see.
If you are looking for a great high-end fashion shopping experience, you should definitely visit the Vittorio de Emmanuelle, especially during the holidays. The stores are lovely, and the restaurants and cafes provide many options for lunch or dinner. And, if possible, a visit to or tour of the well renowned Teatro alla Scala opera house will leave you singing! The afternoon tour provided a peek at backstage and costumes and some historic memorabilia. I can only imagine what it is like to see a performance there.
While staying in Milan we also took a quick train ride (1 hour 20 minutes) to Turin to see the famous shroud with what believers say contains an image of Christ. What you actually get to see in the museum is an exact replica of the shroud and the image. The original is preserved in a box under the alter of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Turin.
Turin is a lovely city with a lot less tourist traffic than Milan or Florence. It has a beautiful main avenue with shops and restaurants that is close to the train station. Our day trip made for a lovely relaxing day in our busy schedule. Turin is especially delightful to see at Christmas when the town square is festively decorated and holds a wonderful Christmas market.
Florence
If you love art and fashion, Florence is the town for you! One of the most famous museums is the Gallaria d’Accademia where Michelangelo’s famous statue of David is placed front and center. I was in awe of the majestic statue because of its detail, given the limited tools Michelangelo had to work with at the time. Pictures truly do not do it justice. There are also many magnificent paintings and works of art in the famous Uffizi Museum, especially of the Madonna and Child. My favorite is Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus.
Another excellent attraction in Florence is the Pitti Palace which was built by Cosimo de Medici. The palace is now a museum but it is also where the Medici, Hapsburg-Lorraine and Savoy families lived. As a result, visitors not only get to see beautiful artwork but also the sumptuous Medici Summer living quarters and the chapel. I enjoyed seeing the Medici’s apartments because it provided me with more respect for the Medici family’s love of art and for their prominent role in the history of Florence. (Especially great for fans of The Medici series on Netflix).
One day trip you should definitely take when visiting Florence is to Pisa! One tip: Try and “straighten” the tower. It makes for a great photo op. (Here is my attempt with a little help from my friend!).
Florence is also known for its fashion and shopping! If you have the time, I strongly suggest browsing the shops looking for leather and ceramic goods. Also, there are too many excellent restaurants to mention!
Rome
Rome is an ancient and vibrant bustling city. If you are into history, this is the place for you! One of the most well-known and best attractions is the Colosseum. It may look like a pile of ruins, but is actually an excellent example of a traditional Roman amphitheater because it has been well-cared for. Another powerful attraction is the Roman Forum which was built in the 7th century BC. Seeing these beautiful ancient sites that are still standing helps you appreciate how much the Romans have contributed to Western civilization.
In addition to history, Rome also offers an excellent array of churches and religious sites. One of my favorite events was climbing the Scala Sancta (sacred steps) on my knees. It was difficult for me but was a once in a lifetime experience. I also went on an excellent tour of Catholic relics in several churches around Rome and saw what is believed to be a nail from Jesus’ cross, a thorn from his crown and a piece of the original crucifix. As a practicing Catholic, I felt humbled to be in the presence of such beautiful relics. I also went into the catacombs, although I took a shorter tour with easier passages and navigated part of the way using my crutches. You will need to check in advance with the catacombs you are most interested in to see if they have accessibility provisions. I also visited the Chapel of the Capuchin monks where most of the décor was created by the monks out of human remains. It has an attached museum and is fully accessible. Well worth the visit!
Although Rome’s relics and attractions were beautiful, the piece de resistance of my trip was a tour of the Vatican, including the Sistine Chapel and my meeting with the Pope! We booked an online general audience with the Pope and because of the large crowd and my wheelchair, we ended up being seated in a special section near the front. After his speech and blessing, Pope Francis came into the audience to greet us individually. Meeting him in person was surreal and was an experience never to be forgotten!
Some additional day trips…
Venice from Florence- Venice is a city that produces a watershed of emotions (pardon the pun!). The elegance of St. Mark’s Square and riding in a gondola passing the colorful buildings on narrow canals is a unique experience. One tip: Do not wear a hat in a gondola (mine fell into the water)! Second tip: If, like me, you are able with help to get into the gondola, the gondolier can recruit locals to hold your wheelchair until you return. He can also fish your hat out of the canal!! Also, don’t forget to pick up a few beautiful baubles made of Venetian glass!
Emilia-Romagna from Rome- When you come to this area of Italy, get ready to eat! I went on an amazing food tour where I saw how mozzarella, Parma ham, and Modena vinegar are made. I love these foods and seeing the intense processes that go into making them made me appreciate them more.
Also, if you are a car lover you must go to the Ferrari Museum. You will learn the fascinating history of how the company began and have a chance to sit in and/or drive one! (Spoiler Alert: they are small and not easy to get into and out of, especially if you are seated in back).
Pompeii from Rome- Pompeii is a world frozen in time! After the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD, everything in Pompeii turned to stone. It was eerie to see people who were going about their daily business and were immortalized in stone. There was even a dog. I would definitely recommend this all-day trip! We traveled by bus through Naples and then on to Pompeii making one stop on the way for a lovely lunch and one for souvenir buying on the ride home. Note: Be prepared for rocky ground and uneven surfaces.
For now, thanks for reading my blog! Ciao! And until next time, Wheel On!