To drink authentic coffee, of course you have to go to Italy.

For Espresso espresso addicts like me, visiting Italy is like a pilgrimage to Mecca: caffeine-loving crusaders cross time, language and cultural barriers to the drink's homeland for answers. Even without sipping water from Islamic holy springs, this immortal drink does lift believers into the sky-as long as their nerves are not worn and numb.

Sacred places are scattered in Italy: each major city has its own coffee tradition, and being limited to one or two cities makes me feel as incomplete as tasting decaf. Just as barbecue enthusiasts are certainly active not only in North and South Carolina, but also in Missouri, Tennessee and Texas, I will not simply complete my pilgrimage by raiding a few places in Rome with Espresso espresso.

Italian coffee trip: where to go and what you need to know.

Go to

Lufthansa offers a connecting flight from Dulles, Washington to Venice, and round-trip fares usually start at $1350 in mid-June. During the peak tourist season, train journeys between cities need to be arranged in advance. Rail travel coupons and individual tickets are available through the Italian train website Trenitalia (www.trenitalia.com).

Venice

Residence: Centauro Hotel

Address: Calle de la Vida, Campo Manin 4297

Tel: 011-39-041-522-5832

Website: www.hotelcentauro.com

This is a small but elegant hotel with ancient charm, located in a quiet alley not far from St. Mark's Square. The room starts at 120 dollars, including breakfast.

A place to drink coffee

Florian Cafe

Address: new Executive Mansion, St. Mark's Square (Procuratie Nuove, Piazza San Marco)

Tel: 01139 041520 5641

Website: www.caffeflorian.com

It's probably the oldest coffee shop in Italy. Drinking Espresso espresso at the bar can avoid the price of the VIP table. A glass of Espresso is about $3.25.

Torrefazione Marchi

Address: 1337 Kanal District (Cannaregio 1337)

Tel: 011-39-041-716-371

Website: www.torrefazionemarchi.it

Right outside the historic Jewish neighborhood. The price of Espresso is about $1.30.

A place to eat.

Gam-Gam Hotel

Address: 1122 Kanal District (Cannaregio 1122)

Tel: 011-39-041-523-1495

A comfortable place near the main entrance to the Jewish settlement, serving traditional Jewish Italian dishes such as fried artichokes and "Jewish eggplant". The price of the main course starts at $10.

Florence.

Residence: Burchianti Hotel

Address: Via del Giglio 8, Church of the New Virgin Mary (Santa Maria Novella)

Tel: 011-39-055-212-796

Website: burchianti.hotelinfirenze.com

The hotel is next to Florence Cathedral, and each room has unique ceiling murals and antique furniture. The room price starts at 120 dollars.

A place to drink coffee

Scudieri Cafe

Address: 19 St. John's Square (Piazza San Giovanni 19)

Tel: 011-39-055-210-733

Sweet caramel coffee with nutty flavor and sweet coffee oil, about $1.45.

Giubbe Rosse

Address: 13Compact 14, Republic Plaza (Piazza della Repubblica 13Universe 14)

Tel: 011-39-055-212-280

Website: www.giubberosse.it

It has always been a meeting place for playwrights, poets, philosophers and politicians. The price of the Espresso is $1.30.

A place to eat.

Holy Church Inn (Osteria Santo Spirito)

Address: Saint Cathedral Plaza 16gamr (Piazza di Santo Spirito 16Uniqr)

Tel: 01139 055238 2383

Website: www.osteriasantospirito.it

The vibrant and always crowded Tuscan restaurant. The main course starts at $24.

Rome

Residence: The Beehive

Address: Via Marghera 8

Tel: 011,039-06-4470-4553

Website: www.the-beehive.com

Fashionable hostels offer dormitory rooms and single rooms. The room starts at $105.

A place to drink coffee

Sant'Eustachio il Cafe

Address: Piazza di Sant'Eustachio 82

Tel: 011-39-06-880-2048

Website: www.santeustachioilcaffe.it

The kiss of sugar is one of the reasons why Espresso coffee here is so legendary. About 3.25 dollars.

A place to eat.

'Gusto

Address: 9 Augustus Emperor Square (Piazza Augusto Imperatore 9)

Tel: 011-39-06-322-6273

Website: www.gusto.it

Part of the restaurant with a split personality is a restaurant, part is a jazz club, part is a bar, and part is a warm kitchen utensils store. The main course starts at about $21.

Naples

Residence: Correra 241Hotel

Address: Via Correra 241

Tel: 011-39-081-1956-2842

Website: www.correra241.hotelsinnapoli.com

A comfortable modern hotel located in the Centro Storico area. The room price starts at 120 dollars.

A place to drink coffee

Mexican Coffee (Caffe Mexico)

Address: 86 Dante Square

Tel: 011-39-081-549-9330

Coffee dispensers operate a large number of Espresso coffee machines to provide coffee for people, and there are always two or three people standing in front of the counter. About 1.20 dollars.

Gran Caffe Gambrinus

Address: Via Chiaia 1Universe 2

Tel: 011-39-081-417-582

Website: www.grancaffegambrinus.com

What if the coffee dispenser has a bad temper? In this small town, it seems that the most surly coffee dispenser makes the sweetest coffee. About 1.30 dollars.

A place to eat.

Brandi pizza (Pizzeria Brandi)

Address: Salita Sant'Anna di Palazzo 2

Tel: 011-39-081-416-928

Website: www.brandi.it

The shop began throwing pies in 1780 and reportedly invented Margherita as a royal sacrifice in 1889. The menu starts at $45.