Sights other than art/churches

Hi Teena. In Orvieto, I'd suggest taking the hour-long underground tour; it's very interesting. I'd also suggest climbing to the top of the Torre del Moro; the views are nice. Perhaps also St. Patrick's Well although I personally did not go to the bottom of it. In Rome, I'd suggest visiting Trajan's Market; it's interesting & not crowded. I also suggest taking the elevator to the top of the Vittorio Emmanuel Monument; the views are really nice from the top & you get a nice idea of how Rome is laid out. Definitely visit Piazza Navona at night; there are street performers and it's fun to walk around with a gelato in hand.

Take the vaporetto to one or more of the laguna islands Murano, Burano, Torcello from Venice. Be sure to buy a pass as you'll save a lot of $. Do you hike? We are 58 and 67 and hiked the Rupe around the base of Orvieto. Fabulous way to work off wine and pasta. Not difficult at all. There's a recent post about this hike here http://orvietoorbust.com/2011/05/22/anello-della-rupe-ring-of-rock/. Lot's of good walking on the Amalfi Coast, too. Rick Steves mentions some easy hikes in his Italy Guide. The top of the Vittorio is a great idea, too, in Rome. In Venice, instead of the Campanile in Piazza San Marco, cross over to San Giorgio Maggiore and ascend that bell tower for the amazing view across the laguna.

Teena, something a little different in Rome are the various underground Rome tours. I took a good one with Context Rome. They typically take in 4th C basilicas/houses/pre-Christian cult sites under medieval or Renaissance churches, other house sites, and/or Nero's Domus Aurea (when it is open, and I don't know if it's open now). (And FYI, I would have found it difficult to appreciate the Domus Aurea without a guide.)

My suggestion for Venice would not include the other islands, with the possible exception of Murano because it's so close. The beauty of Venice is to be found by wandering away from the main areas, where you will often find yourself to be the only tourists. Specifically, check out the Dorsoduro, Canareggio and Sant'Elena neighborhoods. Eyewitness Travel guide to Venice has some outstanding walking tours you can do. You can see what I mean from some pics that I've posted earlier on here: Venice 2011 and some I haven't posted before: Venice 2008

This may not be the kind of suggestion you're asking for, but . . .
When I visited Venice, Florence and Rome this spring a real treat was to get out very early at first light. Walking through the streets, around the famous old relics, or down by the river, one gets a completely different sense of these cities than when crowded with noisy tour groups. It is, also, the best time for photographs.

I love Robert's suggestion. I'd forgotten - one of the best best things I did in Venice was to get on a vaporetto at first light, well before sunrise, and go to St. Mark's Square to watch the sunrise over the lagoon. It's a different world then, only the mailmen, street cleaners, and a few photographers, perhaps a painter. Then I went back to the hotel for a shower and breakfast :-) Take the elevator up the bell tower to get a beautiful view of Venice (sans stairs). Really good if you get there a bit before sunset and stay till the lights go on in the Piazza. And ride the vaporetto in bustling daytime and after dark - Rick has a nice audio tour of the grand canal. The vaporetto ride along the Canale della Giudecca from the Dorsoduro area (San Basilio or Zattere) to San Marco is also scenic. I must admit I was completely underwhelmed by Burano and Torcello. But the vaporetto ride across the lagoon to Burano was nice. Time your visit to the basilica so you are there between 11.30 am and 12.30 pm, when the mosaics are floodlit. Another thing I really enjoyed in Venice was the Doge's Palace Secret Itineraries Tour. Lots of history, no art. You see the upper reaches of the Palace that are not otherwise open to the public. After dark, these places all take on a different atmosphere. Watch sunset over the Arno in Florence (from the bridge south of the Ponte Vecchio). Also in Florence, take a bus up to Fiesole and wander around.ovely view and quaint town. Sit down often to eat gelato and/or drink coffee and people-watch, daytime and evening.

One thing we did in Venice was to take a water taxi over to the Lido, rent bikes, and then spend a few hours cruising around the island - including lunch at a cozy cafe. It was a very fun day. When we were there, there was a bike rental shop right near the water taxi stop.

Thanks for the suggestions. Fiesole is definitely on the schedule. The view of Florence is spectacular. At night the lights from the city and Ponte Vecchio reflect on the river is not to be missed. I was also debating about the doge's palace tour so I'm really glad to hear that it's worthwhile. I love the idea of getting up early to see San Marco. It's beautiful at night when the fog rolls in but I've never gotten up to see it early in the morning. Our hotel is right off the square so it is only a short walk. I haven't taken the hike around the Rupe in Orvieto nor did I see St. Patrick's well. I really appreciate all the ideas everyone has posted. It will make my job of tour guide easier for sure. Venice is a beautiful place but my least favorite of the big 3 in Italy so I was having a harder time thinking of things to see. We'll be going to Murano, Burano (thanks for the heads up on Burano) but have never been to the Lido so, again, so many great suggestions.Thanks!

Here is what I did one time in Rome: I got to the Mouth of Truth and then walked up the Aventine Hill (the hill is not too steep) past the Rose Garden to see the sweeping view of the city from the orange grove next to Santa Sabina. A few blocks further, I looked through "The Keyhole" view of St. Peter's though the keyhole in the Knights of Malta building http://www.flickr.com/photos/21504394@N05/2292176214/. Then, I walked downhill to Testaccio, bought some picnic food at the excellent Gastronomia E. Volpetti deli (perhaps the best in Rome www.volpetti.com). I walked through the large market area nearby http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuBEsHa-2kA, and then had a picnic in the quiet little park a few blocks away http://www.panoramio.com/photo/22194125.

Teena, Take them into the piazzas at night, a lot usually going on, chestnuts being roasted, sold and eaten, alot of good food and vino, also in Rome a "must do" is Trevi Fountain and make sure they toss their coins. Ciao!

I second the Malta keyhole suggestion - it was a fun surprise! I would also suggest at least walking by the Ara Pacis - it was very interesting to see such an ancient piece inside a completely modern "glass box". In conjunction with the early morning stroll in Venice, I would include the Rialto Market - it is nice to see it setting up and before it gets too crowded (although that might not be a problem in November).

Teena - Remember, just because you are in cities full of tourist sites does not mean you have to "see" something every day you are there. Take the time to find a local hangout/pub or piazza. Venice has lots of these, as does Florence and Rome. This is how you actually get a feel for the people and often have a chance to talk with them - experiences I guarantee will be the ones your brother will remember best. In Florence, for instance, have at least one dinner at I Latini just to enjoy the company of other diners there, with whom you share a table. Suggest they shop for ceramics while in Orvieto and ship them home. Plan to eat over in the Trestevere while in Rome. Find a neighborhood in Venice that you can get lost in.

Check out this website: italyheaven.com lots of info about italy. enjoy miss pupule

May seem like an odd suggestion but get lost in each city. Like the poster who suggested early morning strolls (before the hordes amass) simply taking a wrong turn might be the best thing for finding a hidden gem. Lord knows it's easy to do in Venice and Rome and I did just that. In Venice I came across a small church where a children's choir was practicing. Went in, sat down and thoroughly enjoyed watching their rehearsal. Even got an invitation from one of the parents to the actual performance. Great travel memory. For something completely different take a picnic lunch to the nature reserve on Torcello Island or simply walk to the east end of Venice and enjoy the Park of Remembrance. It's a lovely walk away from the masses in St. Mark's square. In Florence you could take them to hear Gregorian chanting at San Minato Al Monte. San Minato also has a fabulous cemetery to wander about. Lastly, check out the Ron in Rome website. Always informative.
Have a lovely trip.

You probably know about Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence but be sure to visit it again! I really loved the views from there.

Two things I really enjoyed were : In Florence-walking across the the river and up the hill to San Miniato to hear the Gregorian Chants at the 5:30 PM mass (you don't have to participate, but the sound is great) the the Piazzale Michelangelo at dusk and In Rome- the world famous cat sanctuary at Largo Argentina. We really enjoyed the cats -we even went back the next day to buy more of their gift offerings to support the cats. LA isn't that big, but the sanctuary may be hard to find. In one corner, there are steps going down-as you start down, the entrance is to your right, down more steps and through some vines. Here's their website:http://www.italylogue.com/things-to-do/torre-argentina-roman-cat-sanctuary.html Can you tell we like cats?

Here is an another idea for Venice. I came across this quite by accident. Very often there are evening concerts at Chiesa San Vidal, a church right near the north end of the Accademia Bridge. A string ensemble called Interpreti Veneziani played Vivaldi, Albinoni and Bach, and it was just wonderful. Is there anything more appropriate to Venice than Vivaldi? Here is their website with a schedule of upcoming performances: http://www.interpretiveneziani.com/index.php?page=26&lang=en
There you can also listen to samples of their music. All this reminds me to buy some of their CDs.