My First Trip to Italy and its Three P's – Pizzas, Piazzas and Palazzos

I have a confession to make. I went on a holiday to Italy recently and fell in love. I fell truly, deeply, madly in love with Italy. With its glorious history, iconic architecture, proverbial churches, Tuscan skies, and poetic landscape, it’s no wonder that this was the setting for one of Shakespeare’s most romantic plays, Romeo and Juliet.

There’s so much to talk about my trip to Italy that I don’t know where to begin. But to make things easy, I’ll start out with three things that immediately stood out – the three essential P's of Italy – Pizzas, Piazzas and Palazzos.

Pizzas

Call it fast food, comfort food, or sheer culinary delight, the good old pizza finds its roots in the delicious Italian kitchen. Known to have originated in southern Italy, the Neapolitan pizza has travelled across the world. But if you want the original taste, all of Italy is peppered with pizzerias you won’t be able to resist. With innumerable toppings including ham, pork, chicken, veggies, and cheese to die for, even a vegetarian like me was spoilt for choice. If you happen to be a fan of the classic Margherita, you absolutely must visit Pizzeria Brandi at Salita Sant' Anna di Palazzo in Naples, credited for creating the popular recipe named after Queen Margherita of Savoy. But no matter where you go, you won’t be disappointed; it’s almost impossible to go wrong with food in Italy.

Here’s another tip, you might be accustomed to being asked whether you want a thin crust or pan, but here in Italy, don’t be surprised when you are asked to buy your pizza by the weight instead of the slice!

Piazzas

The piazzas in Italy are not just examples of brilliant architecture; they are also symbolic of Italian history, and the local way of life. Piazzas, or public squares, have been venues of historical events and today, mark a convenient place where the Italians meet, chat, and spend a day of love and laughter. With so many marvels, it would be grossly unfair to pick the best. But I have two personal favourites. The first, predictably, is Piazza San Pietro more popularly known as St. Peter’s Square, right in front of St. Peter’s Basilica. It’s grand, it’s gorgeous, and at the risk of sounding cliché, it’s divine. At the heart of the Vatican City, it’s no wonder that this beauty was created by the famous architect-artist, Bernini.

Next in line is a slightly lesser known gem of Florence, named after none other than the master sculptor-architect himself – Michelangelo. Perched on a hill, Piazzale Michelangelo offers breathtaking panoramic views of Florence and an incredible bronze replica of the famous statue of David. Stunning by the day, the square twinkles with romance at night.

Palazzos

Palazzos or palaces are structures of historical significance, a number of which are now famous museums and galleries. Going back in time, these palazzos contain a wealth of history and bygone mysteries. For instance, Palazzo Vecchio in Florence has been the symbol of civic power for more than seven centuries. Now a museum, the Tower of Palazzo Vecchio is still a potent political symbol. Similarly, one of the major landmarks of Venice, Palazzo Ducale or The Doge’s Palace, is a spectacular example of Venetian Gothic architecture and an emblem of the Republic of Venice.

But this is only the tip of the iceberg. The three P's aside, the list of things to see in Italy is endless. Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, I could go on and on – about the Colosseum by night, the vineyards of Tuscany, the best day trips from Florence, the perfect itinerary for a honeymoon in Italy, and the eternal question, are the gondola rides in Venice really that romantic? Watch this space for more details from my trip to Italy...