Summer in Italy: What to Do in Rome, Venice, Florence and Beyond

From sun-bleached terrazzos overlooking the Mediterranean to cobbled piazzas lined with gelato shops, Italy does summer right. Many visitors flock to the country's most notable sights -- the Colosseum in Rome, the Leaning Tower in Pisa, the Duomo in Florence and the Grand Canal in Venice. Others head away from the city, sampling food and wine in the Tuscan countryside, hopping from village to village in the Cinque Terre or paying homage to art in historic churches.

Summer is the best time to tour grand villas and their spectacular gardens; it's also host to slew of Italy's festivals, from horse races like the famous Siena Palio to smaller fetes of flowers, art, religion and music.