In the church-heavy city of Rome, St Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro) in Vatican City outshines them all. The world's largest church is an opulent spectacle of religious architecture with origins dating back to 349AD when Emperor Constantine commissioned a church over the tomb of St Peter, the first... more »
Rome's most famous fountain has had a starring role in several films, including an iconic scene in 'La Dolce Vita', and draws countless visitors daily all keen to partake in the legend of Fontana di Trevi and soak up the ambience of the piazza. The magnificent Baroque monument encompasses almost... more »
While the most well-known occupant of the Vatican City is the Pope, whose predecessors have lived in the Vatican Palace since 1377, the site is also home to an eye-popping array of exquisite artworks and antiquities. The Pope and his household reside in a small area of the palace and... more »
Pause for a moment to consider the spectacle of gladiators battling it out in the arena or ancient crowds watching prisoners meet their fate against prowling wild animals at Rome's most popular attraction, the Colosseum. This ancient monument has captured the imaginations of countless artists, scribes and filmmakers for centuries... more »
The Roman Forum was to Rome what the Acropolis was to Greece – the political, religious, social and commercial epicentre of the empire. Centuries of plunder and neglect have reduced this impressive archaeological site to little more than building ruins and dilapidated columns but it still hints at the glory... more »
Boasting the world's most famous ceiling, Rome's Sistine Chapel within the Vatican City is the popes' sacred and private place of worship. Capella Sistina is the most well-known chapel of the Apostolic Palace where the Pope resides in Vatican City. It is famed for its Renaissance architecture and the artworks... more »
Galleria Borghese is an exquisite villa housing an abundance of beautiful Renaissance and Baroque art including works by such masters as Caravaggio, Bernini, Botticelli, Rubens, Raphael and Titian. The villa was built in 1612 and has undergone many changes including a redecoration in a neoclassical style in the late 18th... more »
Considered the most beautiful Renaissance-era palace in Rome, Palazzo Farnese is now the French Embassy in Italy and, while the tour time is limited, it's well worth the effort. The palace is renowned for the Galleria Carracci and its exquisitely executed ceiling which is said to rival that of the... more »
One of the most recognisable sights in the world, Rome's Pantheon is a marvel of ancient architecture and the city's best preserved monument. The hulking greying exterior reveals the interior beauty of the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome, marble floors and Corinthian columns through the imposing Roman bronze doors. Rebuilt... more »
The Basilica di San Clemente is a multilayered architectural gem – a 12th-century basilica built over a 4th-century church, which in turn, conceals a 2nd-century pagan temple and 1st-century Roman house. This medieval church is more than a historic religious site as it also provides a scintillating insight into Rome's... more »
The Spanish Steps, or the more poetic Scalinata della Trinita dei Monti in Italian, is Rome’s most famous staircase – a set of 135 steps climbing the slope between the Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Trinita dei Monti and the Trinita dei Monti church at the top. La Scalinata has... more »
Wine not, am I right? The streets of Trastevere in Rome. Image: Vicki Fletcher1. It’s beautifulWhere rolling hills blanketed in crops of barley are interrupted by villages atop rocky bluffs, it’s hard not to feel like life here would be infinitely better than at home. The coastlines of Italy are famed for crystal blue waters and colourful villages like Cinque Terre, and the white washed clifftop towns in Puglia. [...]
The twinkling sun on a deep blue lake, a hazy afternoon in the Tuscan hills, the dazzling seaside with its colourful umbrellas, aquamarine water – and all those people. It may seem like the entire world goes on holiday to Italy during summer, but there is a way to enjoy the intoxicating beauty of the country and avoid some of the buzzing crowds.Choosing to embark on your own road trip is a good solution. [...]
