re: Italy recomdations? Rome and Florence.

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Toledo is in Spain and it’s awesome.

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I know where Toledo is. I’ve been there. It is awesome. It’s a one night destination. You take the train from Madrid, see everything, catch the sunset from the ridge overlooking the city, get dinner, grab some gelato, go to sleep, and catch the train back out the next morning.

And I say that as someone who wants to stay an extra night or two everywhere

We spent three nights in Toledo. Enjoyed every minute.

I have mixed feelings on Florence.
Some parts are okay. The history is great.
The last time I was there just before Covid, there were a lot of street beggars and scam artists around the popular tourist spots

Rome is okay for a few days but it’s pretty dirty

Again, the history is amazing in both cities

I loved Toledo. My mom is looking to relocate there. I walked every street and saw every site. It's a classic old world city. I liked it better than Madrid.
I would wake up, walk the streets, get some fresh baked pastries, then walk some more. I'm obsessed with architecture. So I really enjoyed the city design and layout.
I like the pace of that city.
Brugges was similar so I wish i had more time there.

Now if I were solo traveling on that trip I would have done more Barcelona and less Toledo. That trip like this trip is a gift trip. So I'm kind of on someone else's itinerary.
In Feburary I go solo to Europe.
Though I'm going back to Mexico in November and really want to get back to Colombia (single man's paradise,) before Feburary.
Those two are so cheap to travel to I don't need to save up. I think including airfare and accommodations i spent maybe $800 in Colombia.

I had this amazing 50p year old apartment in Toledo. I freaky enjoyed that city. It was my vibe.
Some people connect with certain cities.

But the honest answer was it wasn't my itinerary. Neither is this Italy trip. I'm meeting family. My mom is on a one month trip and my brother is in a 3 month trip. We are meeting for a week in Italy.

I wasn't going to go but I was gifted the plane ticket. So it's a mostly free trip.

I'm already looking to modify the itinerary some.

I wanted to go to Poligano a Mare, cinque Terre and Florence as well.

But I'm a Roman empire nerd I'm sure I'll enjoy Rome.

I enjoy most places I go.

Italy recommendations.
Like what to see. What to avoid. . Best places to eat.
Etc.
I mean I figured it didn't need to be all questions I said where I'm going.

I was looking for Rome tips mainly.

We stayed on the medieval part of Toledo. The old city. We climbed every step of that freaking church and the view from the top was epic. I agree about Madrid. It’s nice but it’s really just a jumping off point to see the rest of Spain.

Update as I prepare to leave Lake Como and Italy in general.

Yes 8 days was enough time to see a lot.

I got 3 full days in Rome seeing the forum, the collusiem, the Pantheon and riding a bike all over the city. Plus eating some great food.
Went to Vatican City and took a small group tour of the museum. Was in the Sistine chapel for nearly an hour with less than 20 people.
Great time in the larger basilica but that we did rush as the museum is a good walk away.
Took a bus trip the next day to Positano and had an OK lunch with an excellent view of the black sand beaches. Walked and shopped for a few hours then went to Pompeii.
See the sights there, really interesting
Then hopped a train to Venice in the morning. Venice was my favorite as its a very walkable city with no cars or bikes even. Had some great meals, took the water bus to Murano and spent way too much on glass figures and gifts. At €25 for all day the water bus is a great deal and an easy way to see the city. It started to flood by the Doge palace so we walked back to Rialto area to shop.
Next day just walked until we got lost and kept on exploring.
Then took a train to Lake Como. Checked into airbnb then promptly took a train to Lugano, Switzerland to buy chocolate and eat fondue. Fondue was crazy expensive at $140 for three people and it was only pickles, potatoes, bread, onions and cheese. Still the experience. Got some great views, rode a funicular bought chocolate and then went back to Como.
Today the one day we had in Como took a boat to Bellagio and then Varenna, then took a 100 year old steam paddlewheeler back.
Amazing views of a beautiful lake area. Much more than I expected and I wish I had more time in this region. Just got in from walking around Como.
Bought some cheese from a cheese monger and some good sliced meat and am eating it now watching Harry Potter in Italian at the Airbnb.
Have an Uber black taking me to the airport tomorrow so I don't have to take the two trains. (Uber black is well priced in Italy and I've been getting around daily in E classe benzes)

Yes sure I wish I had more time. But this was a very last minute trip and I can't take off more than a week usually as work backs up.

Didn't touch Florence and only went through Milan.

Venice I need to return to. Rome I feel I saw most of it.
I would like to return to coastal Italy in the summer.

Also they don't slice the pizza here and people eat it with silver wear I found that odd. Also don't look in the toilet after you number 2 after eating cuttlefish pasta for a few days.
Aperol spritzes are good any time of day. A US quarter usually works in pay toilets in lieu of a Euro. Bathrooms are rarely free.

Italy is great all in all. The food is less seasoned than Italian food back home though.

Glad I came. If only for 8 days.

Glad that you enjoyed your trip. Venice is a fantastic city. Some people love and some don't.

Hopefully, I will get back there next year.