Italy - One City For 2-3 days

If you only have time to see 1 place in all of Italy choose Venice. There's no city like it anywhere.

I second the vote for Venice. It's beautiful, charming...my favorite city on Earth (so far)!

Florence, might work for u.
Relax, historic and very interesting. Gd place to walk, also.

I love Venice but would add my vote for Florence when you have only a couple of days.

From your interests listed on another thread, Venice. That makes the most sense based on your other stops. Venice is truly unlike any other place on earth. Food wise, seafood and liver-and-onions.

Liver and onions? Really? I was hoping for a little more traditional Italian food.

Yeh, fegato alla veneziana. "Traditional Italian Food" is a bit of a difficult construct, since it is a country of regions, each with their own traditional cooking. Venice was a part of Austria until 1866. What we Americans refer to as traditional Italian cuisine is probably closest to the cuisine of Naples. But not to worry, they do have pasta in Venice. And pizza of course.

I guess I should have specified food I was looking for. Not interested in liver/onions, don't care how good it is, hated it growing up and don't want any on vacation. I don't mind seafood, but I'll have just spent 2 weeks in the Yucatan eating mostly seafood. Really just looking for cities that are known for pasta/meat/veggies/desert. Don't care if it's a smaller/out of the way city.

You look interested mainly in food, and from your description I would say Parma fits the bill.

Easier to get to than Parma is Bologna, the food capital of Italy. Tagliatelle alla Bolognese, yum.

How can "good food" or place to "walk around" be a distinguishing factor among Italian cities? Doesn't that apply to just about any city in Italy? I could find both in any place I've been to in Italy south of Rome. But I am surprised that Venice and "reasonably priced food" are in the same sentence - as a caveat, I have not been to Venice but have read over and over again what an overpriced tourist zone it is and how restauranteurs take full advantage of all the visitors (even expecting tips in many places which would not be the case anywhere else except other highly-touristed spots). I'm sure one can find a great down-to-earth place in Venice but I would think those are overshadowed by not so reasonable and not so great restaurants due to the captive audience. Of course this is relative to other cities that are not as blockbuster as Venice is.

First choice is Venice. Second is Florence. If there is any way to steal a few days from somewhere else you might want to consider doing a few days in each.

Another vote for Venice! Lots of walking around, especially among all the little side streets. Food can be reasonable, too, as long as you stay away from the tourist traps. Wander around the more residential areas. There is more than just seafood, which I don't eat. Pizzas, pastas, etc...

And there's all different kinds of food to be found in Venice. I've been there more times than I can count and have never had liver & onions :-)

Bologna sounds like a good option. I'll look at Parma too.

Yes, Bologna is great for food! Meats, cheeses, and pastas--tagliatelle bolognese and tortellini :)

Bologna would get my vote. Great food and lots to see walking around. Lots of covered walkways. Bologna is known for its food and RS doesn't cover it in his books so it is not awash in tourists. Has a large university and a vibrant nightlife. Climb a tower for a great view of the city. See Neptune's fountain and the meridian line inside the church (San Petrino). If you decide on Bologna, I can provide hotel and restaurant recommendations. Just message me.

If I had to pick one, my top 3 would be in this order Siena, Alba, Parma.