Italy Trip recommendations

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Sounds like a marvellous trip! We went to Rome, Florence, and Siena a couple of years ago and loved it.

Our favorite restaurant in Rome was Jeliel, located on the Vicolo di Montevecchio in the Old City, to the west of the Piazza Navona. It's hard to find because the Old City is confoundingly labyrinthine, so ask the locals for directions. Jeliel has great food and wine, and if you're lucky they'll still have spring lamb (abbacchio) on their menu in May. Rome has tons to do and see, but try to visit the splendid Santa Maria Maggiore.

In Florence, our favorite restaurants were Ostaria Macci and Caffe Macci (on the Via del Macci, about 3/4 mile east of the duomo, in a less touristy area). Both have splendid regional cuisine, including boar dishes and duck specials. The wine selection is great. Another good restaurant is Boccanegra, also to the east of the Duomo. It's pricier, but the food and wine are impeccable.

We didn't spend too much time in Siena, but be sure to try some panforte, the local confection. And enjoy the beautiful black-and-white of the cathedral.