OMG! Italy is the Happiest Place for Us in 2026!

I have some huge news! I just saw that Italy was officially named the happiest place for Americans to travel in 2026. Can you believe it? I am so excited because you know I love Italy more than anything. It has the best food, the coolest buildings, and the people are so nice. We have to start planning your trip right now because it is going to be the best time of your life!

I wrote down everything you need to know. I’m talking about what to eat, where to take the best photos for your phone, and exactly how much money you need to bring. I didn’t use any of those boring travel words. This is just the good stuff! Let’s dive in!

First Stop: Rome (The Big City)

Rome is like a giant museum but with better snacks. You have to go to the Colosseum first. It is where the gladiators used to fight. Don’t just stand in the long line, though. Buy your ticket online before you go for $22. When you want a photo that looks like a movie, do not stand right in front of it with everyone else. Walk over to the “Arch of Constantine” nearby. Stand on the little hill there and point your camera up. You will get the whole building in the shot and no random people’s heads!

For lunch, you have to find a place that sells “Carbonara.” It is pasta with eggs, cheese, and crispy pork. It is so creamy and yummy. Order the “Rigatoni” version because the big tubes hold the sauce better. A big bowl will cost you $16. Also, don’t buy water at the cafes! Rome has these cool old fountains called “nasoni” all over the streets. The water is ice cold and free! Just bring a reusable bottle and save your $4 for extra gelato.

Next Up: Florence (The Art & Sandwich City)

Florence is much smaller than Rome and you can walk everywhere. You have to see the big church called the Duomo. It has a giant orange roof. It is free to look at the outside, but you should pay $18 to go inside the museum area. For the best photo, walk across the river to a place called “Piazzale Michelangelo.” It’s a bit of a hike up some stairs, but you can see the whole city from there. Go at sunset. It looks amazing!

Now, let’s talk about the best sandwich you will ever eat. Go to a shop called “All’Antico Vinaio.” There is usually a line, but it moves fast. Order the “La Paradiso.” It has mortadella, pistachio cream, and stracciatella cheese. It is massive and only costs $11. You will be full for the whole day! If you want to buy a souvenir, Florence is famous for leather. You can get a really nice leather wallet at the outdoor market for $25. Just make sure to tell them you want a discount, they love to wiggle on the price!

Third Stop: Venice (The Water City)

Venice is so weird and cool because there are no cars! Just boats! You will get lost, but that is the fun part. You have to go to the “Libreria Acqua Alta.” It is a bookstore where they keep the books in boats and bathtubs so they don’t get wet when the water rises. Walk to the back and there is a staircase made of old books. Stand on top of it for a photo! It’s free to go in, but buy a postcard for $2 to be nice.

Everyone wants to ride a Gondola, but they are pricey. A 30-minute ride costs $80. If you want to save money, take the “Traghetto.” It is a big gondola that just crosses the river. It only costs $2.50! It only lasts a minute, but you can say you did it. For food, try “Cicchetti.” These are tiny snacks like pieces of bread with meat or fish on top. They are only $2 each. You can buy five of them and have a whole dinner for $10!

Last Stop: Amalfi Coast (The Beach Part)

If you want to see the ocean, go to Positano. It is a town built on the side of a mountain. It is very steep, so your legs will get a workout! For the best photo, walk down to the main beach (Spiaggia Grande) and look back up at the colorful houses. It looks like a painting!

You have to try the lemons here. They are the size of footballs! Get a “Lemon Sorbet” served inside a real lemon. It is super sour and sweet. It costs $12 which is a lot for ice cream, but it’s totally worth it for the photo and the taste. For a cheap lunch, grab a slice of pizza from a small shop for $5 and sit on the beach walls to eat it.

How Much Money Do You Need?

I made this table for you so you can see the difference between saving your money and going all out. Italy can be cheap if you are smart, or very fancy if you want to feel like a movie star!

So, if you go the cheap way, you can totally do Italy for about $115 a day. If you want to spend more, you could easily spend $700 a day! I think doing a mix of both is the best way to go.

A Few More Tips!

Before you go, remember a few things. First, gelato should not be bright green or bright pink. If it is flat in the tub and a natural color, it is the real stuff. If it is piled high like a mountain and neon green, it’s fake! Real pistachio gelato looks kind of brownish. Also, don’t ask for pineapple on your pizza. They will think you are crazy! And finally, say “Ciao” (pronounced Chow) to everyone. It means hello and goodbye.

I am so happy for you! 2026 is going to be your year. You are going to have so much fun eating your weight in pasta and seeing all those old buildings. If you want to find more cheap flight deals or see photos from other people going to Italy, you HAVE to join our group!

Go here right now: https://www.facebook.com/CheaptravelVIP.FL

I’ll see you in the group! Let’s get your bags packed!