Odd question

Of course it smells different. Each city has a unique scent. Off the top of my head, I think Venice, which has a smell that changes depending on the month. I also think of Southern Tuscany. Many folks have tried to bottle that delicious smell. Some manufacturers come close. It really is something to behold in person.

Yes. Lots of Jasmine.

Depends on where and when. Naples during a garbage strike is pretty rank. OTOH, streets with a lot of restaurants, around the dinner hours, can set my taste buds into overdrive. Not sure that's any different than any other country though.

Lemons in Sorrento, myrtle in Sardinia, diesel in Rome

Considering they just put a tank of cow slurry on the field next to my house, I sure hope Italy smells better.

My wife has traveled there many times. The smell of diesel fumes always makes her think of Rome.

And a bit of cigarette smoke outside, now and then. Many cities sound different, too, if you're not used to motor scooters buzzing about.

The smell of diesel fumes always makes her think of Rome.

That's it - smell of diesel always reminds me of Europe. Its not all romantic.

I wasn't quite sure about this question, but will add a few thoughts.

In my experience the answer is "No". All countries have the same air but the smell can be influenced by local factors which are unique to that area.

For example, if I'm standing in a grassy field in Tuscany after a rain, the air smells much the same as it does at home in the same situation. The exhaust smell in Italian cities is a bit heavier as there's considerably more traffic than in my home area.

Regardless of the smell, just enjoy being in Italy.

As long as we're talking smells here, I gotta few...

...what about that indescribable 'old' smell around ancient places that haven't been altered aroma-wise? I remember being struck at St. Sulpice in Paris, 'only' 400 years of age, but cavernous, musty, a little moldy I suppose, that made the Sunday Mass there a five-sense experience. Incredible.

...contrasted with Rome's St. Peter's Cathedral, which is squeaky-clean for something that aged, always with a whiff of incense. A regal, money-laden smell.

...on the other side of the coin, death has its own aroma. We visited underground catacombs in Savoca, Sicily, outside Taormina, where the mummified corpses (supposedly the town's hierarchy over the last 200 years) are painted, dressed & propped up standing in little alcoves. Walk around a corner and a real 'hi, how are you?!' HA! The smell was a bit putrefied, but more earthy, rocky with little oxygen. Not exactly unpleasant, but I was happy to get the heck out of there after a few minutes.

...is it only me that can't stand the smell of cooked truffles? At almost every Florence restaurant on a previous trip, the air was redolent of it. At first it reminded me of overcooked & spoiled broccoli or cauliflower, but I was set straight.

...speaking of Florence, the Mercato Centrale--specifically the first floor--has an intoxicating olfactory mix of cheese, cured meats, olive brine, boiled organ meats (for the lampredotto) and a little Florentian sewer funk to boot. One of my favorite places!

If you ever have a chance to walk and get lost in narrow caruggi in Genova, you will come across all sorts of smells- urine, mold, freshly backed focaccia , old and barely lit churches have their distinct smell of candles; coffee, fish, small fruit markets, leather shops.

You all made it sound wonderful...thank you for the descriptions....I sat here at my desk, head in hands, staring at my computer and grinning like a fool. I loved what each one of you captured!