Castel San’Angelo (Lungotevere Castello 50, Rome) – this fortress, with the Tiber River behind it, was originally built as a mausoleum for the Roman emperor Hadrian (AD130-139). It later became a prison and even served as a papal residence (which was useful for the Pope during times of danger and warfare). The National Museum of […]
Capitoline Museums (Piazza del Campidoglio 1, Rome) – these are art and archeological museums located at the Piazza del Campidoglio (on top of Rome’s Capitoline Hills in this city). They are presently located in two buildings: Palazzo Nuovo (containing fine selections of Greek and Roman sculptures), and Palazzo dei Conservatori (once the seat of the […]
Venice – located in northeast Italy, on a group of 118 small islands separated by canals (often linked by bridges), Venice is another Italian city which rose in prominence during the medieval period, when it was the capital of the Republic of Venice (a major maritime power during those days). Much of the local architecture […]
Rome — located in Lazio in central Italy and facing the Tyrrhenian Sea, the province (and city) of Rome boasts a Mediterranean climate both on the coast and further inland. The coast stretches from north to south, from the area including Fiumicino (where the international airport is) and the towns overlooking Lake Bracciano, the […]
Palermo – known as the capital of the autonomous region of the island of Sicily and the province of Palermo, this city goes back even further than the Roman Empire – having been first established by the Phoenicians in 734 BC. Palermo and the rest of Sicily had the distinction of having been invaded […]
Naples – this is Italy’s third-largest city, located within the Campania region just two hours south of Rome. Its Italian name (Napoli) originally came from the Greek word Neapolis (which means “new city”). Unlike Milan (which is the de facto center of modern Italy), Naples’ history goes back to Ancient Greece – when it […]
Milan – located in the heart of the Lombardia region, Milan is the country’s second largest city, and earned its reputation as Italy’s commercial & banking capital going back to the Middle Ages. More recently, during the early 20th century, Milan led the country’s industrialization efforts. The end of World War II reinforced this, with […]
Florence – located in Italy’s fabled Tuscany region, travelers the world over are attracted to this city to celebrate its cultural heritage, which came to rise during the Renaissance period. Florence’s museums, palaces, and churches house some of the greatest artistic treasures in the world. The most popular and important sites in Florence include […]
Italy — the Italian Republic — is a boot-shaped peninsula extending from the southern edge of Europe into the Mediterranean Sea. It includes the two large Mediterranean islands of Sicily and Sardinia, as well as the independent enclaves of San Marino and the Vatican City. Acknowledged for its vital place in the development of […]
Barberino Designer Outlet (Via Meucci snc, Barberino di Mugello) –– owned by the London-based shopping center chain McArthur Glen Designer Outlets, and located 30 km north of Florence (via Autostrada A1), this is a more upscale shopping experience, for both locals and visitors, offering discounts (of as much as 70%) for much of the merchandise […]