I can’t believe anyone could be disappointed with Rome but you do need to take your time there to soak it up and feel out the moods of the city.
Florence is beautiful with fabulous museums and galleries. Worth visiting just for the art... but it’s super-touristy so you need to go back three or four streets from tourist places to find the real life there.
Small places, less on the radar, are, to me, more genuine. But I’m not a quick weekend in a city person, I need time to chat to locals and feel the pulse of a place.
Some towns, such as Rieti, are warm and welcoming. Not “marvels” of any kind but still attractive. They aren’t so special as Florence but the relationships we formed there in just a few weeks felt genuine. We were invited into people’s homes, saw how they lived, took their advice about restaurants, found our own truffles with them, and shopped and ate in places we would never have discovered in the big cities.
We all have very different ideas as to what draws us to a place. For me, I love the architecture and the sense of a place well trodden. I love warm-hearted people and simple pleasures. Don’t misunderstand me, I still like some warm sun and a good pool but other things bring so much satisfaction.
Good luck on your hunt for the perfect (for you) places.
