All Roads Lead To Rome
The Vatican City - The Vatican city is not only a truly spiritual place but is impressive for its grandeur, art and of course
The Vatican Museums – a magnificent collection of paintings, sculptures, old maps, statues, tapestries. A must is the Sistine Chapel, whose ceiling is home to Michelangelo’s mural masterpiece.
St Peters – the biggest church in the World.
Colosseum - Known to the Ancient Romans as the “Flavian Amphitheatre” this symbol of the Roman Empire was host to 450 years of gladiators, lion feedings and “games”.
Trevi Fountain - A beautiful rococo design, the Trevi Fountain is the place to stir romance. Legend has it by throwing a coin over your shoulder, into the fountain, you will return to Rome....
Pantheon - Nearly 1900 years after its construction this 2nd century AD pagan temple to the gods is remarkably still intact....
Spanish Steps – Nicknamed Rome’s living room, the Spanish Steps are the perfect place to sit and people watch...
Symbol of Beauty and Decay
St Mark’s Basilica - One of the most spectacular churches in the world the Basilica is adorned with Byzantine domes and gilded mosaics. Built in honour of St. Mark the city’s patron saint, after his bones were kidnapped from Egypt in the 9th Century.
St Mark's Square - Filled with café’s, restaurants, pigeons and music - it’s no wonder Napoleon dubbed this central gathering place as the 'finest drawing room in Europe'.
Palazzo Ducale - The Palace of the Doges housed Venice's rulers for more than six centuries. It connects to the adjacent Prigioni Nuove ("New Prisons") via the Bridge of Sighs made famous by Lord Byron.
Grand Canale - Venice is connected by 150-canals and 400-bridges. The Grand Canale is the most beautiful “street” in Venice and flows between opulent architecture - a gondola ride is a must do in this unique city.
La Scala, the Fashion and the Business
Castello Sforzesco - Once a fort, the remodeled castle was designed by Leonardo Sa Vinci himself. Inside there is an impressive collection of modern museums carrying antiquities, paintings and Egyptian artifacts.
Cenacolo Vinaciano - The place to see Da Vinci's Last Supper at the refectory of the Convento di Santa Maria delle Grazie - a very popular spot with tourists.
Duomo - The Duomo in Milan is the 4th largest church in the world. The view from the roof is fantastic and above the alter is said to be a nail from Christ's cross.
Teatro Alla Scala - Milan's world famous world opera house was finished in 1778 and despite being virtually destroyed in WWll, it has been restored to its fabulous former glory.
Urban Life in a Mediaeval City
The Piazza del Campo is the city's main public space, constructed in an amphitheatrical semi-circle at the meeting point of the three hills on which Siena is built. The Palio horse race is run here.
Il Duomo (Cathedral) is a superb example of Italian romanesque architecture.
The Sala della Pace (the Hall of the Nine) in the Palazzo Pubblico houses Sienese maestro Ambrogio Lorenzetti's series of frescos Allegory of Good Government and Allegory of Bad Government and its Effects on Town and Country, painted in the early 12th Century. Next to the Palazzo Publico is the brick Torre del Mangia, 88 meters and 400 steps high, that affords a breathtaking view of the city and countryside.
Campo dei Miracoli
The square Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles) is flanked by Pisa's most famous monuments, the Duomo, the Baptistery (famous for its incredible acoustics), the Camposanto cemetery (known as 'the most beautiful cemetery in the world') and the iconic leaning Tower. The latter is in fact the Cathedral's campanile (bell tower) - construction began in 1173 and the original architect remains unknown.
The Museo Nazionale di S. Matteo, located in a Benedictine monastery, houses sculptures and paintings from the 12th - 15th centuries, including works by Pisano and Masaccio.
Pisa isn't just about ancient art; American artist Keith Haring painted a gigantic (180m square!) mural on the south wall of the Church of S. Antonio, entitled "Tuttomondo".






