I've traveled all over Italy. There are 4 places I can't wait to return to — and 2 I'd leave off my itinerary next time.

• After visiting 21 cities and villages in Italy, there are some spots I can’t wait to return to.
• However, a few Italian destinations left me wanting more.
• Overall, I really enjoyed my time in popular cities like Florence and Verona.

In my opinion, Catania, Sicily, is a must-visit location.

In my opinion, one trip to Venice was enough.

Although the architecture is stunning, the narrow, winding streets also made it difficult to navigate the city and added to the feeling of overcrowding.

Additional planning is now needed to visit, as the city requires tourism permits on certain days. Considering the expense, challenges with walkability, and additional planning required, I likely won’t return to Venice for another visit.

This story was originally published on May 3, 2025, and most recently updated on September 11, 2026.