Take advantage of the dark skies deep in the mountains above Aosta to observe the stars, planets, and more at this astronomical observatory. Set in the Saint-Barthélemy Valley—an ideal location due to low light pollution and clear skies—the educational site has a planetarium and observation areas with telescopes, laser pointers, and even special equipment to take a safe gander at the sun.
Of Italy’s many monumental cemeteries, Genoa’s grand Staglieno Cemetery just outside the center is one of the most beautiful. Opened in 1851, the cemetery is among the largest in Europe. Its wealth of exquisite statuary makes it an open-air museum as well as one of the most fascinating sights in this historic port city.
Coral workshops are common throughout Naples and the Amalfi Coast, both renowned for their traditions of cameo and jewelry making. Few, however, showcase pieces as exquisite as those in this small museum tucked behind an artisan shop. Visit to admire finely crafted coral jewelry and artifacts and to learn about the family of artisans who have been perfecting their craft for generations.
Get ready for a hands-on art adventure at this unique museum that encourages visitors to touch the art. The Museo Tattile Statale Omero (Omero Tactile State Museum) is a barrier-free cultural space for both sighted and sight-impaired art lovers. Run your hands over its 200 copies of classical masterpieces in plaster or resin, architectural and Italian design models, and original contemporary sculptures.
The Chiesa di Sant’Orso (or the Collegiate Church and Cloister of Saint Ursus) is one of Aosta’s most atmospheric religious complexes. Its understated facade and bell tower reflect the area’s Romanesque style, and an ornately carved choir was added inside during a major Renaissance restyling. The serene cloister adjacent to the church has remained largely untouched for almost 1,000 years.
Aosta is known as the “Little Rome of the Alps” thanks to its concentration of ancient ruins dating as far back as the 1st century BC. Most impressive is the city’s Roman Theater, with its intact southern wall soaring over 70 feet (22 meters) into the air, and semicircular rows of seats lined by the remains of elegant arches.
The Cattolica Aquarium is the largest on the Adriatic coast, with 400 species of fish and marine animals. Admire penguins, otters, chameleons, and jellyfish, among other creatures, housed in more than 100 tanks and in the interactive mangrove forest and deep-sea exhibit.
A family-friendly water park located an hour outside Venice, Aquafollie has pools, waterslides, and games for kids, plus high-adrenaline attractions such as the Kamikaze slide for thrill seekers. Adults appreciate the umbrella-dotted relaxation area, and parents of the youngest guests can spend time at the nursery pool.
With its square keep and imposing towers perched on the hilltop above the village of Serralunga, the 14th-century Serralunga d'Alba Castle draws the eye from miles around and boasts an idyllic location overlooking the UNESCO-listed landscape of Le Langhe-Roero, famous for its prestigious Barolo vineyards.
The small mountain town of Macerata is home to one of the most unique outdoor venues in Italy: the Sferisterio, a neoclassical stadium built at the beginning of the 19th century to host matches ofpallone col bracciale, Italy’s most popular sport for more than 500 years. Today, the stadium hosts the Sferisterio Opera Festival.
Along Alghero’s impressive 16th-century sea walls, Torre di San Giacomo is one of a few medieval watchtowers still standing vigil over the coastline. This octagonal stone tower is remarkable for its Catalan architectural details. It marks where the two stretches of ancient walls known as the Bastion of Cristoforo Colombo and the Bastion of Marco Polo meet, one of the liveliest areas along the city’s waterfront.
With its soft sand, cobalt water, and a full array of services from a sea-view restaurant to furnished private gazebos, Lido Mediterraneo Beach is the ideal spot for sun and fun on the waterfront. Located minutes from Paestum’s ancient Greek temples, the beach club is easy to pair with an archaeological site tour.
With narrow streets, quaint houses, and relatively quiet beaches facing the main road through town, Sant’Ambrogio is an off-the-beaten-path gem—but it does draw high-season tourists searching for undeveloped beaches and proximity to the Madonie Regional Natural Park. It's a small but worthy stop in northern Sicily.
Via San Lorenzo is a historic street that runs from the Porto Antico to the stately San Lorenzo Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Lorenzo) in Genoa’s city center. The lovely street is named for the 12th-century black-and-white striped cathedral of the same name, which is home to holy relics and a beautifully frescoed interior.
Some of the most popular churches in Italy are clad in marble from Ornavasso, found deep inside the mountains near Lake Maggiore. The Antica Cava di Ornavasso offers a glimpse into the history of quarrying marble, from open-air trenches to massive modern tunnels.
Built in the 1530s for the Grimaldi family, Palazzo Bianco stands in the historical heart of Genoa. The mansion later came into the possession of the wealthy Brignole-Sale family, owners of nearby Palazzo Rosso. Today both homes are part of the Strada Nuova Museums, with Palazzo Bianco featuring European paintings from the 12th to 18th century.
The Port of Savona—one of Italy's largest—is a modern cruise port located in Savona’s historic center. While there's little to do in Savona proper, the port serves as the ideal jumping-off point from which to explore the Italian Riviera’s coastal towns and Mediterranean beaches, including the nearby city of Genoa.
Best visited in conjunction with the nearby Su Nuraxi archaeological site, this center is dedicated to Sardinian culture and civilization from the Bronze Age to now. Check out historic photographs and a scale model of Su Nuraxi to see what the neolithic structures once looked like, and learn about the island’s artisan traditions.
A highlight of Cefalù’s UNESCO-listed 12th-century cathedral, the cloister is a dazzling example of Norman architecture and is the oldest cloister of its type in Sicily. Admire its original capitals carved with scenes of the Old and New Testaments lining three sides (the eastern side was destroyed in a 19th-century fire) and its garden, divided into four parts to reference four books of the Bible.
Originally built in the fifth century as part of a Roman military complex, this site was later converted into a Benedictine convent. Now part of a UNESCO-listed collection of buildings connected to the early medieval Lombard kingdom, the monastery features rare Byzantinesque frescoes believed to date back to the eighth or ninth century.
Nineteenth-century Italian painter Edoardo Chiossone spent more than 20 years in Japan, where he amassed a significant collection of Japanese art. Bequeathed to the Ligurian Academy of Fine Arts, his collection formed the basis of the Chiossone Museum of Oriental Art (Museo d'Arte Orientale Edoardo Chiossone).
Footwear fanatics especially enjoy visiting the Rossimoda Shoe Museum (Museo della Calzatura), housed in the magnificent Villa Foscarini Rossi. Come to see the museum's 1,500-plus shoes on display, including examples of historic Venetian footwear and iconic styles from some of the biggest names in fashion.
A showcase of Rococo architecture, the 16th-century Villa Della Porta Bozzolo has sumptuous interiors decorated with spectacular trompe l’oeil elements and frescoes and 18th-century furnishings. There's also an Italian-style garden with ornate fountains, grand monumental staircase, and a cypress-lined avenue.
One of the premier megalithic sites in northern Sardinia, the Lu Brandali Nuragic Complex (Complesso Nuragico di Lu Brandali) was discovered in the 1960s. Comprising a group of nuraghi—limestone dwellings dating from between the Bronze and Iron ages—the site offers some insight into the mysterious Nuragic culture.
For family-friendly fun in the sun, Beach Village in the resort town of Riccione fits the bill. Cool off with four waterslides, two pools, and several play areas, or join the kids’ club and other splashy activities. A snack bar, sundecks, and hot tubs make this small beachfront water park the ideal spot for a relaxing break.
Originally built in the 14th century, this imposing medieval fortress saw plenty of military action before it was transformed into a country home in the 16th century. The town of Bevilacqua sprung up around the castle, again renovated in the 1990s, which now functions as a hotel and events venue.
One of the most important vestiges of Aosta’s Roman history, Porta Praetoria is a must-see for ancient architecture fans. Erected in 25 BC, this monumental city gate was the main entrance to the city of Augusta Praetoria from the east through the ancient city walls. Its three arches—a central opening for carriages flanked by two pedestrian passages—and central courtyard are still visible today.
There’s something for every fun-loving family member at the eclectic Leolandia park, with attractions from impressive models of some of Italy’s most iconic monuments to lighthearted water rides and an exotic bird sanctuary with live shows. If your kids need a break from the bustle of Milan, take a day trip to this unique amusement park.
Walk toward the west end of Trapani’s scimitar-shaped bay, and this 15th-century fortification strikes the eye with its sandstone colors and strategic position over the sea. It’s reachable via the pedestrian-friendly Mura di Tramontana—all that remains of the ancient walls along the coastline—and with an ample terrace facing the setting sun, it's probably the best place to catch a sunset in Trapani.
Situated on the Punta Falcone, between the bay of Santa Teresa Gallura and the postcard-perfect Rena Bianca beach, this 16th-century tower is one of the most striking sights on the Sardinian coast. Climb to the rooftop observation deck to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the pristine coastline and turquoise water.
