This past September I was fortunate enough to get to visit Italy for the first time. Above is our Milanese apartment, a truly special Airbnb find.

The Duomo in Milan, one of the three largest churches in the world.

Villa Necchi, Milan. This was probably my favorite place we visited. You can roam the grounds and sit poolside at the cafe unsupervised however to see the interior of the home you must take the guided tour. I highly recommend doing so. The tour itself is extremely interesting and informative and the interiors of the villa are a remarkable mix of traditional French inspired rooms and very contemporary architectural and interior stylings that were way ahead of their time.

Gucci Museo, Florence. It may seem silly to visit a museum dedicated to Gucci but even non fashion lovers will enjoy a trip here. The heritage and history of this brand are matched by few and the vast collection of pieces is presented beautifully.

The view from Piazza Michelangelo, Florence. The perfect place to spend an early evening and take in the sunset.

Gelato in Milan and me on our terrace in Rome. A little tip when seeking the perfect gelato in Italy, only go to places that keep their product in covered metal canisters!

The Duomo in Florence. The most beautiful building exterior I’ve ever seen. Constructed entirely of different types of marble, it literally took my breath away the first time I saw it.

Another view from Piazza Michelangelo, me in front of the Milan Duomo and the solarium at Villa Necchi.

PHOTOS Gina Marie Barbaro