Hi everyone, for my first post I may as well begin here...
So far I have been to Florence (3 times), Venice, Siena, Montepulciano, Milan (briefly) and Turin, and next year I'll be going to Verona for the first time.
Florence is indeed beautiful and has a unique charm that is hard to resist. It is a place you have to stay in. Although it spreads out quite a lot into the suburbs and outskirts, the centre of Florence is really quite small and it is just swarming with tourists in the daytime, lots of day trippers on guided excursions. To me you need to explore it for yourself at leisure and avoid it being just a tick list of sights. Absorb the atmosphere and the charm of the place, which is much better at night when the crowds have diminished. To find the best restaurants, you need to venture across the river to the Oltrarno side of the city, or north of the centre, around the San Marco area.
Venice is an incredible spectacle, but is even more 'touristy' than Florence, it was a bit too much for me, like a theme park on the water. Out of the centre though, there are some quiet spots and it is undeniably beautiful and unique. You have to go once.
Siena is quite laid back, being a smaller town, and is very charming. I could imagine living there. The cathedral is beautiful, the Piazza del Campo is unique and the surrounding landscape is Tuscany at its enchanting best. Great food and wine city too.
Montepulciano is the closest place to paradise I've ever visited. High on a hill and surrounded by breathtaking countryside, vineyards all around, the town is very small and quite peaceful. If you want a relaxing break with lots of great food and wine, a tranquil, laid back atmosphere and stunning views all around, then this is the place.
Turin is the only big city I've been to in Italy, only a few weeks ago, and it amazes me how much it is 'under the radar' as a tourist destination. When discussing the best places in Italy, Turin hardly ever gets a mention. On the one hand, I want to shout about how amazing it is, on the other, I'd quite like to keep it a special secret, so whisper it quietly, but Turin is a magnificent, elegant city, with amazing architecture, beautiful piazzas, stunning views, lots of great museums, fantastic food and wines (not far from the Langhe wine region) and a lovely atmosphere, and not too many tourists!
Looking forward to Verona next year, and some day, Rome, Naples, the south and Sicily.