Note from the editor:

See the glorious art and architecture of Italy’s finest cities through the eyes of those who know them best

• Discover a hidden Florentine passageway built for the Medici
• View the panoramic vistas that inspired St. Francis
• Regale yourself at a Venetian restaurant recommended by a revered Italian chef
• Visit a Renaissance convent, where you can ring for access to see the frescoes and a miraculous handprint
• A short walk away from the crowds, in a quiet residential area, there is an entryway that leads down to the Grand Canal. There you’ll find classic white steps that lead down to the water where you can sit, relax, watch the boats go by