Italy Travelers Recommend

Of the global cultural wonders which have been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, only one represents an entire country: Vatican City. The world’s smallest sovereign state is – as well as being the spiritual home of the world’s billion or so Catholics – an incomparable storehouse of artistic treasures. It’s also one of the world’s most popular tourist attractions, so a pre-booked ticket which takes you to the head of the line is a must. Once you’ve mounted the remarkable double helix stairs at the entrance to the Vatican Museums, a unique overview of the origins and development of Western art awaits you. It’s a journey which takes you from fine Greek and Roman statuary to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes, the undisputed masterpiece of the Renaissance, and on to contemporary ecclesiastical works. And that’s before you’ve even stepped inside the colossal house of worship that is St Peter’s Basilica, with Michelangelo’s Pietà and countless other sacred works.

No trip is complete without taking a gondola tour in Venice. A Gondola Serenade on the Canals of Venice is the ultimate romantic experience. Complete with music and sweet melodies, you will glide along the Grand Canal and the minor canals of Venice. From low on the water of the narrow canals the palazzos look really magnificent. A real treat for the passionate photographer in you. You can also take a cruise along the Grand Canal in a luxurious motor boat complete with a guided tour of the world's finest liquid street - the Venice Grand Canal. This unique city is best explored on foot to fully experience the city's past and present. An absolute must for the first time visitor is a tour of St. Mark's Square, the Basilica and its Byzantine heritage, the Doge's Palace and much more. If you only have one day to explore Venice, combine seeing these cultural sites with a canal boat tour. Just out of Venice emerges a land of towering peaks and spires that is the Dolomite Mountains.

Michelangelo is considered one of Tuscany’s most famous sons, but many of the masterpieces for which is he is best known are not found in Tuscany. In fact, Michelangelo spent much of his life in what is now the Italian capital of Rome, and you can see much of his artistic legacy in Rome today. In his artistic youth, Michelangelo was held in local esteem by the ruling Medici family of Florence, but he was by no means an artistic legend by the time he arrived in Rome in 1496 at age 21. But the following year, he began work on a commissioned piece that would become one of his most celebrated sculptural works - the stunning Pieta, which now sits near the entry of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. The other Michelangelo masterpieces in Vatican City are his enormous frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. The ceiling was painted from 1508–1512, and the Last Judgement fresco behind the altar was painted from 1534–1541.

From picturesque farmhouses to auburn sunsets, Tuscany is one of the most romantic and visually seductive areas of the world. The pomp surrounding this region isn't pomp, but rather well earned admiration. The rolling hills, the amber grasslands, the sunny vineyards; they all make for splendid living - and boy, do the Italians know how to drink full from these rich waters of life. An easy day trip from Florence is all it takes to see them yourself. Gourmands and sommeliers from around the world gather to this illustrious region to sharpen their palettes and indulge in a little gastronomic extravagance. A small group tour of Chianti and the surrounding areas is a good way to stay intimate, and appreciate more. Scenic sunsets and drives through the hillsides are another romantic foray into Tuscany, but perhaps the most personal route is Tuscany on horseback. Can there be a better way to see the countryside?

Pompeii has attracted tourists from all over the world since its ruins were properly discovered in the 19th century. Once a vibrant port, full of wealthy Romans, Pompeii became a city lost in time after Mount Vesuvius exploded in 79 AD, covering the city and preserving its remains. Pompeii was a large town, with 15,000 residents, so there is a lot to see when walking around the ruins. Even to this day they’re still excavating undiscovered features of the town. 28 kilometers from Naples, Pompeii can be accessed by local train, which runs every 30 minutes. However, the best way to see Pompeii is by taking one of the guided tours, which offer hotel collection. Be sure to pay a visit to the large theatre, the numerous temples and the markets. As the biggest excavation site in the world, Pompeii is bound to amaze and inform you.