Strategically set 50 meters above the Tiber, the Palatine Hill shows evidence of Rome’s earliest settlement: rock-cuttings found in front of the Temple of Cybele show human activity as long ago as the ninth century BC. Later, this was the site chosen by the emperors and great aristocratic families for …
Built in honour of Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy, this bombastic monument may appear to be solid white marble but actually contains many rooms inside. It was designed by Giuseppe Sacconi in 1885 and completed in 1925. There are two permanent museums, one on Italian Reunification …
Castel Sant’Angelo was built to be a mausoleum for the Emperor Hadrian and his family. Built in 123 BC, it later was turned into a fortress and castle by the popes. It was once Rome’s tallest building. The ashes of other emperors were buried there, but scattered when the Visigoths …
The Vatican Museums began in the 16th century with a collection of sculptures by Pope Julius II. Today, they encompass several museums inside the Vatican City and include some of the world’s most important relics. Attractions of the museums include the spiral staircase, the Raphael Rooms and the exquisitely decorated …
Pisa has ancient origins in history, which are thought to have begun around the 8th century BC as a small Etruscan settlement. From around 30 BC, the settlement grew into a Roman colony known as Pisae. As a Roman city, it enjoyed much success, mainly because of its strategic location …
The hillside town of Montecatini is perfectly situated between Lucca, and its massive city walls, and the splendor of Florence with its many museums and monumental sites, the enchanting town has its origins long before the Lorraine family, rulers of Florence establisheditself on the lofty heights and tried to reclaim the wetlands …
Florence was founded as a Roman military colony about the 1st century BCE, and during its long history it has been a republic, a seat of the duchy of Tuscany, and a capital (1865–70) of Italy. During the 14th–16th century Florence achieved preeminence in commerce and finance, learning, and especially the …
La Spezia is an important port city on the western coast of Italy not far from Pisa, Genoa and Florence. This city is a major stop for Mediterranean cruise ships and passengers often stop at La Spezia before travelling to other cities in the Liguria region. Aside from its commercial …
Cinque Terre is a world renowned stretch of coast not far from La Spezia and contains some absolutely phenomenal landscapes and gorgeous villages that hug the coastline and cliffs. A trip to this region of Italy would not be complete without experiencing the idyllic scenery you can find here. Notable …
Italy’s largest sea, Genoa, is a gateway to the Riviera for many travellers today, but a weighty architectural heritage speaks of its former glory – the Most Serene Republic of Genoa ruled over the Mediterranean waves during the 12th to the 13th centuries – and history feels alive in Genoa. …