A public park overlooking Roman rooftops and domes, the Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci) was once part of a medieval fortress on the Aventine Hill. The peaceful garden is now known for its fragrant orange trees and romantic panoramas of Rome, with a terrace set above Trastevere and the Tiber River and a central lane of umbrella pines that perfectly frame the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica.
In a city filled with artistic masterpieces, the San Marco Museum (Museo di San Marco) has the distinction of being home to the world’s most important collection of paintings by Fra Angelico. The 15th-century former Dominican convent—restored by Michelozzo and a well-preserved example of Florentine Renaissance architecture—is also home to works by Fra Bartolomeo, Domenico Ghirlandaio, and Lorenzo Ghiberti, as well as a library containing a collection of historic illuminated manuscripts.
Campo San Luca is a lively square in the heart of Venice, situated between the Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) and St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco). Surrounded by cafés, shops, and historic buildings, it’s a favorite spot for locals to meet and for travelers to take a break between sightseeing excursions. The steady flow of people makes it an ideal place for people-watching and soaking up the city atmosphere.
A must for oenophiles, the rolling hills of Valpolicella are one of Italy’s most important wine-producing areas. With its temperate microclimate, this stretch of countryside just west of Venice has been home to vineyards since the time of the ancient Greeks, and today produces the most DOC-classified wine in Italy after Chianti.
The Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale) in Genoa (Genova) is one of the city’s Palazzi dei Rolli, magnificent residences built by the Genoese aristocracy during the Republic of Genoa’s height of wealth and power. Get a glimpse into the city’s opulent baroque period by touring the sumptuous interiors and art collection of this palace museum.
If your kids are overwhelmed by the crowds and culture in Rome, take a break at the 42-acre (17-hectare) Bioparco di Roma. Home to around 200 species of animals, including tigers, giraffes, chameleons, penguins, and Komodo dragons, this historic zoo is a highlight of Villa Borghese park.
Prosecco has become one of the world’s most popular wines, and fans of this crisp bubbly will enjoy visiting the scenic hills just north of Venice where it has been produced from the glera grape for a millennium. Stop in a winery for a tasting and tour, and visit the pretty towns of Valdobbiadene, Conegliano, and Asolo.
Villa Foscari, also known as La Malcontenta, is a waterfront mansion by acclaimed Venetian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. Built in the 1550s on a pristine green space along the Brenta Riviera, this temple-like villa is an architectural jewel. You can tour the UNESCO World Heritage Site to admire its perfectly symmetrical design, floor-to-ceiling frescoes, and sweeping gardens with views of the waterway.
Despite being repeatedly ravaged by Mount Etna’s eruptions since its founding, Catania retains traces of its long Greek and Roman history, most notably the ancient theaters of the Catania Archaeological Park (Parco Archeologico Greco-Romano di Catania). The most important ruins in the city, these remarkably preserved theaters are a must-visit for archaeology buffs.
Palazzo Gucci showcases more than a century of Gucci history in Piazza della Signoria. Get to know the story of the fashion house—born in Florence in 1921—in the Gucci Galleria exhibits, which display everything from luxe evening gowns to leather accessories. The site’s shop sells fashion books and ready-to-wear Gucci couture, while two restaurants are destinations in their own right: the high-end Gucci Osteria and Gucci Giardino, an all-day café and cocktail bar.
More than 100 towers stood guard over Bologna in the Middle Ages, but only 20 survive today. One of the few left standing is Torre Prendiparte, the second-highest in the city, soaring almost 200 feet (60 meters) above street level. Climb the internal staircase to the panoramic rooftop for bird’s-eye views over the historic center.
Just outside the resort town of Peschiera del Garda on the shores of Lake Garda, the 19th-century English-style Parco Giardino Sigurtà, or Sigurtà Park, is considered among the most beautiful gardens in Europe, with a Great Lawn, large hedgerow maze, Avenue of the Roses, and Water Gardens.
The 13th-century Torre delle Ore is Lucca’s tallest clock tower, soaring above the historic center and marking the time each quarter hour. Originally a medieval tower house, or private defensive residence, the structure was later acquired by the city and you can now climb its 200 steps for views across the rooftops of Lucca.
Home to one of the most sublime historic centers in Sicily, Noto is a baroque treasure and the Chiesa di Santa Chiara, officially known as the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, one of its many gems. The church’s refined exterior is just an amuse-bouche to the glory of its interiors, a triumph of decorative stucco and gilding.
The elegant 16th-century Madama Palace (Palazzo Madama), seat of the Italian Senate since 1871, has a long and colorful history. The main draw of this landmark in the heart of Rome is its baroque facade. Senate proceedings generally limit opportunities to see the gilded ceilings and friezes inside the palace and learn about the building’s ties to the famous Medici family and its connection to the illegitimate daughter of Emperor Charles V.
This award-winning skyscraper is one of the most important examples of contemporary architecture in Italy, and a highlight of the Porta Nuova neighborhood in Milan. Completed in 2010, the building was the tallest in Italy at the time and the winner of the 2012 International Architecture Award for the best new global design.
The 17th-century San Carlo ai Catinari Church (Chiesa di San Carlo ai Catinari) is known for its sumptuous baroque interiors in the core of Rome’s historical center. The church’s large dome, which can easily be spotted among the rooftops, is covered inside with three-dimensional depictions of the cardinal virtues. Additional frescoes and paintings throughout its chapels help make this an important attraction for fans of baroque art.
A dramatic hilltop perch and imposing watchtowers make this 13th-century fortress one of the most remarkable sights in the UNESCO-listed Le Langhe-Roero countryside. Just outside the town of Alba, the castle is home to the Enoteca Regionale, a shop stocked with local specialties, including the region’s prestigious wines.
Set just off Tuscany’s coast, Giglio Island (Isola del Giglio) has long attracted visitors to its idyllic beaches, quiet coves, and scenic hiking trails. The island, which covers 9 square miles (24 square kilometers), has three small towns and a serene countryside that offers respite from the crowds on the mainland.
Located just inland from the port of Pozzuoli, the 1st-century ruins of the Macellum of Pozzuoli, also known as the Temple of Serapis, are a delight for archaeology buffs. This ancient Roman market is located in the Phlegraean Fields and its columns rise directly from a brackish pool of water, as the site has sunk below sea level.
Set on the eastern coast of Sicily, Aci Castello (also known as Acicastello) is famous for its 11th-century Norman castle, which towers above the town and overlooks the dramatic lava-rock coastline. With beautiful beaches, excellent restaurants, and a resort-town atmosphere, Aci Castello is a popular day trip from nearby Catania.
Discover a 700-year history of artistic glassmaking at the Museo del Vetro (Museum of Glass), located on the island of Murano, just north of Venice. Master craftsmen still create exquisite pieces of glass art on the island today, and the museum, housed in a 15th-century palace, showcases the world’s largest collection of Venetian glass.
On the outskirts of Agrigento—a lovely hilltop town on Sicily's southwest shore—the Agrigento Archaeological Museum contains some of the best-preserved Greek art and architecture outside Greece, including hundreds of ancient artifacts from the prehistoric era to the Hellenic period dug out from the once illustrious Greek colony of Akragas.
Mocenigo Palace (Palazzo Mocenigo) once served as the palatial residence of the rich and influential Mocenigo family. Between the 15th and the 18th centuries, seven members of the family became Doges, leaders of the Venetian Republic. After the palace was bequeathed to the city, its elegant rooms were converted into a museum showcasing aristocratic fashions and textiles, and, more recently, perfumes.
Get a taste of Savoy wealth and power by visiting the Royal Church of San Lorenzo (Real Chiesa di San Lorenzo), adjacent to the Royal Palace in Turin. Dating from the 17th century, this baroque jewel has ornate interiors covered in art, gilt, and marble—all topped by a soaring dome. The high altar is considered among the most exquisite in Italy.
Vicolo dei Lavandai, a narrow lane that was the public wash house from the Middle Ages until the 1950s, is a most charming corner in Milan’s trendy Navigli District. Where previously washerwomen scrubbed laundry from the stone stalls and brellins (wooden stools) along the central canal, hip restaurants and cafes beckon.
A highlight of the Roman Forum, the House of the Vestal Virgins was once home to the six high priestesses of the Temple of Vesta, one of the most powerful cults in ancient Rome. Dating from the sixth century BC, the 50-room complex stood next to the circular temple where the priestesses were tasked with keeping the sacred flame alight—the symbol of Rome’s eternal life. Today, it offers important insights into the city’s ancient culture.
Milan is Italy’s capital of fashion, and the wide boulevard of Corso Buenos Aires is one of the city’s main shopping thoroughfares. Said to have Europe’s densest collection of clothing stores, this bustling street offers an endless array of ready-to-wear brands to browse, elbow to elbow with Milanese fashionistas.
The Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology is the largest of its kind in Italy and a must-see for science lovers of all ages. The museum holds more than 20,000 objects displayed in themed sections—one dedicated to the Renaissance genius, plus others covering areas such as transportation, energy, and communication. Admire models of da Vinci’s inventions, conduct your own experiments in interactive workshops, and check out a historical aircraft and steam train.
Fontanelle Cemetery (Cimitero delle Fontanelle) is one of the most unusual sights in Naples, and a unique glimpse into the city’s culture. This ossuary has been used for burials since the 16th century; in the late 19th century, a cult flourished here, in which locals adopted the skull of a deceased person and prayed for their soul.
