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Galleria RegionaleCity/Region: Sicily
Resort Name: Palermo
Palermo's largest art museum, devoted to medieval works, is housed in the Gothic Palazzo Abbatellis, built in 1488. The collection includes several particularly interesting works. The Bust of Eleanor of Aragon by Francesco Laurana, for example, dates from 1471 and is considered to be the epitome of Renaissance Sicilian sculpture, while the beautiful masterpiece painting Our Lady of the Annunciation is considered Antonello da Messina's greatest work. Also renowned
is the chilling Triumph of Death fresco by an unknown 15th-century artist that covers an entire wall.
Address: Via Alloro 4
Phone Number: (091) 623 0011
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday 9am to 1.30pm; Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9am to 1.30pm and 3pm to 7.30pm; and Sunday 9am to 12.30pm
Admission: EUR4.50
Capitoline HillCity/Region: Rome
Capitoline Hill was the original capitol of the ancient city and continues to serve as the seat of the city's government. The main feature of the area is Michelangelo's Piazza del Campidoglio, a testimony to the superiority of Renaissance town planning. The piazza is bordered by three palaces: the Palazzo dei Conservatori and the twin structures of the Palazzo dei Senatori and Palazzo Nuovo which house the Musei Capitolini, containing the largest collection of classical statues in the world. Among the notable statues found here are the Dying Gaul and the Satyr, the Capitoline Wolf with Romulus and Remus and the Spinario. Paths cut along the side of the hill from the Campidoglio giving way to panoramic views of the ancient sites of the Forum and Colosseum.
Address: Piazza del Campidoglio, Rome
Postal Code: 1 - 00186
Phone Number: Tel: 06 820 59127
Email Address: info.museicapitolini@comune.roma.it
Website: www.museicapitolini.org/en/index_msie.htm
Hours: Museums open Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 7.30pm
Admission: EUR6.50, concessions available, Free to EU citizens under 18 and over 65.
Roman Forum (Foro Romano)City/Region: Rome
The site of ancient Rome's commercial, political and religious center retires in the valley between the Capitoline and Palatine hills. The Forum's main thoroughfare, Via Sacra, slices through the old market square and former civic center. To make sense of the ruins and relics of the old Republic it is helpful to consult a map of the area. Some of the best preserved and most notable monuments include the impressive Arch of Septimus Severus - a construction designed to celebrate Roman victory over the Parthinians - and the former atrium of the House of the Vestal Virgins and Temple of Vesta. Also of note are the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, and the Arch of Titus, built to celebrate Titus' destruction of Jerusalem in AD70. To the right of the arch are stairs snaking up the Palatine hill through a series of terraces to the Farnese gardens. The scented avenue festooned with roses and orange trees gives way to a vista over the Forum.
Address: Via dei Fori Imperiali
Phone Number: (06) 3996 7700
Hours: Daily 9am to 7.30pm (April to September) and 9am to 4.30pm (October to March)
Admission: Free
The ColosseumCity/Region: Rome
This enduring symbol of ancient Rome tenaciously clings to its foundations as the site of former gladiatorial conquests. Its architecture boasts an impressive array of Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns and an underground network of cells, corridors, ramps and elevators that were used to transport animals from their cages to the arena. The magnificence of the original structure has been eroded through the years of pillaging and earthquakes so that only a skeletal framework remains.
Address: Piazza del Colosseo
Phone Number: (06) 700 4261
Transport: B line metro to Colosseo station; bus 60, 75, 85, 87, 175, 810 or 850; electric minibus 117; tram 3 or 8
Hours: 8.30am to 7.30pm (April to August), 8.30am to 7pm (September), 8.30am to 6.30pm (October), 8.30am to 4.30pm (November to 15 February), 8.30am to 5pm (16 February to 15 March), 8.30am to 5.30pm (16 March to end March)
Admission: EUR9
PantheonCity/Region: Rome
The stately Pantheon is one of the world's most inspiring architectural designs. Fittingly built as a temple to the Gods by Hadrian in 120AD, its perfectly proportioned floating dome rests seductively on sturdy marble columns. The only light source flowing through the central oculus was used by the Romans to measure time (with the aid of a sundial) and the dates of equinoxes and solstices. The south transept houses the Carafa Chapel and the tomb of Fra Angelico rests under the left side of the altar.
Address: Piazza della Rotonda
Phone Number: (06) 6830 0230
Hours: Monday to Saturday between 8.30am and 7.30pm and Sunday from 9am to 6pm
Admission: Free
The Spanish Steps and Piazza di SpagnaCity/Region: Rome
The graceful steps built in 1725, elegantly curve their way from the Piazza di Spagna to the Church of Santa Trinit dei Monti, a pastel tinted neoclassical building. The shopper's paradise of Via Condotti leads back from the Spanish steps to Via del Corso, and during spring the steps are decorated with pink azaleas. At the foot of the steps lies Bernini's boat-shaped Barcaccia fountain and to the right is the unassuming Keats-Shelley Memorial House.
Transport: Take Metro Linea A to the Spagna stop; bus 60 and 492 to Piazza Barberini or 117 to Piazza di Spagna
Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi)City/Region: Rome
The tiny Piazza di Trevi has been immortalized through this fountain built for Pope Clement XII. The statues adorning this watery display represent Abundance, Agrippa, Salubrity, the Virgin and Neptune guided by two tritons. Tossing a coin into the fountain is supposed to guarantee a return trip to Rome.
Transport: Take the bus to Piazza San Silvestro
St Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro)City/Region: Rome
Resort Name: Vatican City
The Basilica lies above the reputed site of St. Peter's tomb. It is an overwhelming interior containing notable sculptures including Michelangelo's Pieta, which is protected by bullet-proof glass since the damaging attack on it in 1972. In the central aisle stands Arnolfo da Cambio's bronze statue of St Peter, its foot worn down by the constant flow of pilgrims' kisses. Proudly resting above the papal altar is Bernini's Throne of St Peter. The Vatican Grottoes, containing papal tombs, can be reached by steps from the statue of St Longinus. The Necropolis is located one level below the grottoes. This is the legendary site of St Peter's tomb and advance permission has to be obtained to view it. A strict dress code is in place for the Basilica and no shorts, bare shoulders or miniskirts are allowed (for men and women).
Address: Piazza San Pietro
Phone Number: (06) 6988 1662
Email Address: stpetersbasilica@gmail.com
Website: www.stpetersbasilica.org
Transport: Metro Ottaviano or bus to Piazza del Risorgimento
Hours: Daily between 7am and 7pm (April to September) and 7am to 6pm (October to March). Dome: 8am to 6pm (until 5pm in winter). Necropolis: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Admission: Free. Dome: EUR4 (EUR5 with lift); Necropolis: EUR10
The Sistine Chapel & Vatican MuseumsCity/Region: Rome
Resort Name: Vatican City
The Sistine Chapel's famous ceiling painted by Michelangelo looms above the frescoes on the side walls that were painted by an illustrious team of artists that included Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Roselli, Pinturicchio, Signorelli and della Gatta. The altar wall is covered by Michelangelo's Last Supper, revealing the figure of Christ hovering above center and flanked by Mary and other saintly figures. The Vatican Museums provide an inspiring visit to one of the world's greatest collections of art. The galleries stretch over four miles (6km) and include the magnificent Raphael rooms, the Etruscan Museum and the Pio-Clementino Museum, which boasts the world's largest collection of Classical statues.
Address: Viale Vaticano
Phone Number: (06) 6988 4947
Email Address: musei@scv.va
Website: www.vatican.va
Transport: Metro to Musei Vaticani or Ottaviano station; tram 19 or bus 32, 81 or 98 to Piazza del Risorgimento
Hours: Monday to Friday 8.45am to 4.45pm, Saturday 8.45am to 1.45pm (8 March to 29 October and 27 December to 6 January); daily 8.45am to 1.45pm, last entry at 12.20pm (7 January to 6 March and 2 November to 24 December) Closed Sundays except the last Sunday of every month
Admission: EUR13, concessions EUR8. Special EUR4. Free on the last Sunday of every month
The Uffizi (Gallerie degli Uffizi)City/Region: Florence
The Uffizi is one of the world's greatest art galleries with a collection of Renaissance paintings that include the works of Giotto, Masaccio, Paolo Ucello, Sandro Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Titian and Caravaggio. The collection is housed on the top floor of a building designed as the offices (uffizi) of the Medici, commissioned by Duke Cosimo I. From 1581, Cosimo's heirs used the upper story to display the Medici art treasures. Ancient Greek and Roman sculptures line the inner corridors of the gallery and a series of rooms jut off from here, showcasing the chronological development of Florentine art from Gothic to High Renaissance and beyond. The scale and magnitude of the collection may need to be enjoyed over two visits. Rooms 1-15 (Florentine Renaissance) could be explored more thoroughly on the first trip and on the next visit one could concentrate on rooms 16 to 45 (from High Renaissance to later Italian and European painting).
Address: Loggiato degli Uffizi 6
Phone Number: (055) 238 8651
Email Address: direzione.uffizi@tin.it
Website: www.polomuseale.firenze.it/english/musei/uffizi
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 8.15am to 6.50pm. Closed on Mondays, 1 January, 1 May and 25 December
Admission: EUR6.50, concessions available
The Accademia GalleryCity/Region: Florence
Michelangelo's David stands self-assured above the crowds that flock to admire him. In the hallway leading up to the famous sculpture are further examples of Michelangelo's genius in the figures of the four Prisoners. The statues were deliberately left unfinished revealing the marble in its unfashioned state.
Address: Via Ricasoli, 58-60
Phone Number: (055) 238 8609
Email Address: GalleriaAccademia@polomuseale.firenze.it
Website: www.polomuseale.firenze.it/english/musei/accademia
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 8.15am to 6.50pm
Admission: EUR6.50, concession available
Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square)City/Region: Florence
Santa Maria del Fiore, the Duomo or Cathedral of Florence, is set in the heart of the city and perches above the metropolis like an emperor before his subjects. Its most distinctive feature is the enormous dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and built between 1420 and 1436. Visitors can climb between the two shells of the cupola for an unrivalled panorama of the city. The original Gothic exterior was destroyed in 1587 so that it could be replaced by the styling of the High Renaissance. This vision however died prematurely with its patron, the Grand Duke Francesco de Medici and the funding to build the neo-Gothic façade that we see today was not found until the 19th century. The Campanile (bell tower) was built according to Giotto's designs in 1334 and is an elegant prop to Brunelleschi's stout Cathedral. The tower is decorated with two garlands of bas-reliefs, strung around its pink, white and green marble façade. Above, sculptures of the Prophets and Sybils, carved by Donatello, look down upon the city below. The Campanile can also be climbed for the magnificent views over the square and the adjacent cathedral. The neighboring Baptistry, with its famous doors designed by Lorenzo Ghiberti, is one of Florence's oldest buildings, and was originally a pagan temple. The gilded brass doors, dubbed the 'Gates of Paradise' were commissioned in 1401 to mark Florence's deliverance from the plague. The original panels are in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo (the Duomo Works Museum) that exists largely to safeguard the sculptures removed from the doors and niches around the Piazza del Duomo. The museum also contains the machines used in the construction of the cathedral's dome and has displays devoted to the problematic construction of the cathedral's façade. A room containing Ghiberti's baptistery doors provides an opportunity to closely examine the stiacciato relief technique used. Other noteworthy artifacts found in the museum include Michelangelo's Pieta, the carved figures of Donatello's Prophets as well as his Magdalene sculpture. In the anteroom are Andrea Pisano's panels from the first few levels of the bell tower.
Address: Piazza Duomo
Phone Number: (055) 215 380
Email Address: info@duomofirenze.it
Website: www.duomofirenze.it/index-eng.htm
Hours: Cathedral: Daily 10am to 5pm (Thursdays until 3.30pm, Saturdays until 4.45pm); Sunday 1.30pm to 4.45pm. Museum: Daily 9am to 7.30pm, Sunday 9am to 1.40pm
Admission: Cathedral entry is free, but there is a fee to the baptistery (EUR3), the cupola (EUR6) and museum (EUR6)
The Bargello (Museo Nazionale del Bargello)City/Region: Florence
This Gothic Palazzo shelters a treasured national collection of Renaissance sculpture. Before its renovation to become Italy's first national museum, the building, constructed in 1255, functioned as a town hall, private residence and prison. An extensive collection of decorative arts is on display in addition to the magnificent sculptures of Michelangelo, Donatello, Giambologna and Cellini. The Palazzo's inner courtyard is ornamented with numerous coats of arms and the grand stairwell leading to the second-story loggia overflows with bronze birds created for the Medici's gardens. Other notable displays include an Islamic collection, an assortment of ivories (the largest collection in the world) and 16th-century majolica porcelain from Urbino, Faenza and Florence.
Address: Via del Proconsolo 4
Phone Number: (055) 238 8606. Reserve tickets on (055) 294 883
Email Address: museobargello@libero.it
Website: www.firenzemusei.it/00_english/bargello/index.html
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 8.15am to 2pm. Closed 2nd and 4th Monday, and 1st, 3rd and 5th Sunday of each month
Admission: EUR4, concessions available
Sante CroceCity/Region: Florence
This magnificent Gothic church built in 1294 contains the tombs of many celebrated Florentines such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Ghiberti and Machiavelli. The Gothic interior is graced by the radiant frescoes of Giotto and his pupil Taddeo Gaddi and integrated into the cloister next to the church is Brunelleschi's Pazzi Chapel (Cappella de' Pazzi). When Lord Byron first laid eyes on the church he declared himself 'drunk with beauty'.
Phone Number: (055) 244 619
Hours: Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 5.30pm, Sunday 1pm to 5.30pm
Admission: EUR4
Ponte VecchioCity/Region: Florence
The Ponte Vecchio's status as the oldest bridge in Florence saved it from destruction during the Nazi retreat from Italy in 1944. They defied orders to blow up the stately bridge straddling the Arno River and bombed the ancient buildings on either side of it instead. The Arno flood of 1966 also tested the bridge's resilience and swept parts of it away in its powerful current. The most affected sections were the overhanging shops belonging to the gold and silversmiths. In 1593 the original tenants - butchers, tanners and blacksmiths - were evicted from the workshops because of the noise and stench they created. To one side of the bridge is the majestic bust of the most famous Florentine goldsmith, Benvenuto Cellini. Perched above the shops is a secret passageway, the Vasari Corridor, providing an elevated link to the Palazzo Pitti via the Uffizi. It was the private walkway of the Medici's who could move between the various residences without having to rub shoulders with the riff raff.
Address: Via Por Santa Maria/Via Guicciardini
Palazzo Pitti and Giardino BoboliCity/Region: Florence
Originally owned by wealthy banker, Luca Pitti, the Palazzo later became the property of the Medici family. It is a grand structure that now boasts no less than seven museums. Amongst these are the Medici treasures that are showcased in the Museo degli Argenti, the Museum of Costumes and the Porcelain Museum. The Galleria d'Arte Moderna provides a fascinating display of works from the Macchiaioli school - early 19th century proto-impressionist paintings - as well as a collection of Neoclassical and Romantic art. Extending behind the palace are the elaborately landscaped and beautifully maintained Giardino Boboli (Boboli Gardens). The most celebrated aspects of the gardens include the Grotta del Buontalenti located close the entrance. In the deepest recess of the cave is Venus Emerging from her Bath attended by curious imps. Another notable structure is the enormous amphitheater designed on a scale to serve the Medici's tastes.
Address: Piazza Pitti 1
Phone Number: (055) 294 883
Hours: Each museum has its own opening hours, but most are closed on Mondays
Admission: Each museum has its own admission fee ranging from EUR4 to EUR8.50, but a ticket for all museums is EUR10.50. Gardens: EUR4
Etruscan TourCity/Region: Tuscany
Resort Name: Siena
Attracted by the mineral wealth found in the regions of Tuscany, Lazio and Umbria, the Etruscans made their way to Italy around 900 BC. Traces of Etruscan civilization can be found in their burial sites and in the artifacts found in their tombs. They were preoccupied with the afterlife and dedicated much effort in building burial sites carved into rock or constructed from stone slab and reached by dedicated rock-cut roads. For an exploration of Etruscan artifacts start at Grosseto. The Museo Civico Archeologico in Grosseto contains a selection of Etruscan artifacts that were found in tombs nearby. Head north from here to Roselle, the most important excavated Etruscan and Roman remains in Tuscany. From here follow the road leading east for 34 miles (54km) to the Etruscan village of Saturnia to explore its rock-cut tombs and on to Sovanato the famous Ildebranda Tomb. The town of Pitigliano is peppered with Etruscan tombs and tunnels. The town itself is a spectacular vista of houses jutting out over soft limestone cliffs and caves bordering the River Lente. The cliffs contain numerous caves that have been used to store local wines and olive oils and the town itself is a labyrinth of medieval streets that have carried the passage of many a traveller. From this quaint town, head west to the extensive necropolis on the outskirts of Marsiliana. Complete the trip with a stop at Talamone and Maremma for a visit to the Etruscan temple, Roman villa and baths.
Chianti RegionCity/Region: Tuscany
Resort Name: Siena
A circular route from Siena through the Chianti hills is a scenic and sensory experience. The route covers the villages of the Chianti Classico wine region garnished with ancient castles and rambling farmhouses. The vineyards and wooded hills of the Chianti are best explored along its winding back roads or from within its sleepy hamlets. By car, visitors would keep a lookout for signs marked 'vendita diretta'. The first stop is at Castello di Brolio, a magnificent vineyard owned by the Ricasoli family since 1167. The SS484 will take you south of Brolio and north past the hamlets of San Gusme, Campi and Linari before rejoining the road for a diversion to the Meleto castle. Another worthwhile stop is at Badia a Coltibuono for its restaurant and Romanesque church. The winding road west to Radda in Chianti is especially picturesque. A further nine miles (15km) from here north to the hamlet of Volapia is a delightful travel back in time as is a visit to Castellina in Chianti. Within the ramparts of this walled village is the Bottega del Vino Galla Nero at Via della Rocca 13, showcasing the region's delectable wines and olive oils.
MontepulcianoCity/Region: Tuscany
Resort Name: Siena
Montepulciano is Tuscany's highest hilltop town, built along a narrow limestone ridge at 1,950ft (605m) above sea level. Sheltered within the town's fortified walls are charming streets packed with Renaissance-style palaces and churches. Its most celebrated achievement is its Vino Nobile wines. Also of interest is the Madonna di San Biagio, a delightful pilgrimage church on the outskirts of the town. For a dip into Etruscan reliefs and funerary urns collected by Pietro Bucelli, visit his Palazzo on Via di Gracciano del Corso 73. For splendid views, take a stroll to the Palazzo Communale and climb the tower, which is open between 9am and 2pm Monday to Saturday.
Museo Archeologico NazionaleCity/Region: Naples
This world-class museum houses the Farnese collection of antiquities from Lazio and Campania and the incredible treasures of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Notable among these collections are the Farnese Hercules and the Farnese Bull, the largest known ancient sculpture. On the mezzanine level is The Alexander Mosaic and at the furthest end of the mezzanine floor is the Secret Room (Gabinetto Segreto). The fascinating collection contained here reveals the erotic material found in the brothels, baths, houses and taverns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The top section of the museum houses the Campanian wall paintings, well preserved creations attesting to a mysterious past world. These are supported by the artifacts in the form of glass, silver, ceramics, rope and even foodstuffs surviving from the Campanian cities.
Address: Piazza Museo Nazionale 18-19
Phone Number: (081) 440 166
Transport: Metropolitan line to Museum or Cavour Square
Hours: Daily 9am to 7pm, Sundays 9am to 8pm (closed Tuesdays)
Admission: EUR6.50, concessions EUR3.25
Duomo San GennaroCity/Region: Naples
The Chapel of San Gennaro is accessed from the south aisle of the Cathedral of Naples and this 13th-century Gothic building is dedicated to the patron saint of the city. Tradition tells the story of how two phials of San Gennaro's blood liquefied in the bishop's hand after his martyred body was transported to the church. Legend has it that disaster will strike if the blood fails to liquefy on specific festival days - the first Saturday in May, on September 19 and December 16. The liquefaction ceremony takes place during a special Mass in full view of the congregation. The first chapel on the right on entry into the cathedral is dedicated to San Gennaro and holds the famous phials of blood and a sliver reliquary containing his skull. Beneath the Duomo are the excavations of well-preserved Greek and Roman roads that stretch beneath the modern city. Special tours of the excavations can be arranged.
Address: Via del Duomo 147
Phone Number: 081 449 097
Hours: Monday to Friday between 9am and 12pm and 4.30pm to 7pm
Admission: Cathedral: Free Archeaological site: EUR3
Museo e Gallerie di CapodimonteCity/Region: Naples
The museum occupies a restored 18th century palace perched on the city's hills and its artworks are arranged by collections and not chronology. The Farnese and Bourbon rulers amassed impressive collections of Renaissance paintings and Flemish masterpieces that can be viewed along with other great works. Notable amongst these are Masaccio's Crucifixion, Filipino Lippi's Annunciation and Saints, Raphael's Leo X, Bellini's Transfiguration, Michelangelo's Three Soldiers and Breughel's The Allegory of the Blind.
Address: Via Milano 2, Capodimonte Park
Phone Number: (081) 749 9111
Hours: Tuesday to Sundays 8.30am to 7.30pm
Admission: EUR8
PompeiiCity/Region: Naples
Mount Vesuvius' fiery temper erupted in the volcanic lava that buried the Roman city of Pompeii. The most evocative testimony to its victims is the 'frozen people', plaster casts of the victims' whose anguished contortions and facial expressions reveal the horror of their untimely deaths. Excavation of Pompeii is an ongoing process and every decade has brought to light new finds that provide insight into daily Roman life. A comprehensive tour of Pompeii's attractions will take approximately five hours. Guided tours are available but are pricier alternatives to doing it alone. There is an informative 'How to Visit Pompeii' guidebook for sale outside all the site entrances.
Phone Number: (081) 857 5111
Email Address: info@pompeiisites.org
Website: www.pompeiisites.org
Transport: SITA bus to Piazza Esedra in Pompeii, or Circumvesuviana train line from Central Station to Pompeii Scavi station
Hours: Daily 8.30am to 6pm (April to October), 8.30am to 5pm (November to March)
Admission: EUR10
PaestumCity/Region: Naples
The well-preserved Greek temples of Paestum are the best of their kind in the world, rivaling those of Sicily and Athens. The city was founded by its Greek colonists in the 7th century BC and later fell under Roman rule until it was no longer commercially viable and its inhabitants finally left for greener pastures. The north-south axis of the city is marked by the paved Via Sacra and most guided tours begin at its southern end. A guide to the excavations and Archaeological Museum can be bought at any of the roadside shops. Notable amongst the remains are three Doric temples, the best preserved in the world. Built without the use of cement or mortar these remarkable structures comprise the basilica, Temple of Poseidon and Temple of Ceres. Heading north along Via Sacra will take one to the Roman Forum gymnasium and amphitheater. Paestum's museum contains a fascinating collection of pottery and paintings found in the tombs of the area.
Transport: Train from Naples
Hours: Site: daily from 9am to one hour before sunset. Museum: daily 9am to 7pm (closed first and third Monday each month)
Admission: Museum: EUR6 (EUR8.50 including the site visit)
The Grand Canal (Canalazzo)City/Region: Venice
Venice's main waterway splits the city in half with sestieri in equal parts to the west and east of it. It is the hub around which much activity in Venice is concentrated and is encircled with elegant facades of the palazzi, which testify to the city's past opulence. The best way to explore the architectural splendor of these Renaissance buildings is on board a vaporetta. Pedestrian access across the canal is only provided along three bridges situated at the station, Rialto and Academia. Gondolas cross the canal at regular intervals and provide a romantic interlude to the sightseeing itinerary. The Grand Canal palaces and buildings to look out for include the Ca da Mosto, with its rounded arches in low relief. The 'House of Gold' (Ca d'Ora) is a beautiful Gothic building constructed between 1424 and 1430. Palazzo Corner-Spinelli and Palazzo Vendramin Calergi combine classical and Byzantine elements designed by Mauro Codussi. Architect Jacopo Sansovino was inspired by Codussi's style and infused this in his creation of the Palazzo Corner (Ca Granda). Another notable Palazzo is the Grimani di San Luca, designed by Michele Sanmicheli.
St Mark's SquareCity/Region: Venice
St Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) has always been the nucleus of Venice. The first citadel and church were erected on its stony foundations, the Palazzo Ducale and the Basilica di San Marco respectively. The Basilica di San Marco is a unique juxtaposition of Byzantine, western European and Islamic architectural styles. The Basilica's most precious relic is the Pala d'Or, a Venetian-Byzantine gold relief adorned with precious gems. Travelers and pigeons flock to the Piazza with equal zeal. It is the tourists however who pay dearly to eat or drink at the elegant cafes that spill onto the pavements. Designer shops line the streets that radiate from the square. There are worthwhile places of interest to explore beyond the square that include the Museo Correr, the Archaeological Museum and the Museo del Risorgimento, which are housed within the Procuratie Nuova. Attached to the Procuratie Vecchie is the triumphal Torre dell'Orologio. The adjoining archway guides one through to the Mercerie, Venice's main commercial street that stretches to the Rialto.
RialtoCity/Region: Venice
The Rialto has long been the commercial core of Venice and is famed as the place where the first bridge over the Grand Canal was built. The original wooden bridge collapsed under the strain of the crowds gathered here to admire a wedding procession. It was replaced by the sturdier single stone arch design of Antonio da Ponte, built in 1588. Today the area still resembles the bustling fruit and vegetable market of former times but is additionally swamped with tourists and the accoutrements geared towards them.
Basilica dei FrariCity/Region: Venice
This great Gothic Franciscan church was constructed in the 14th century and is primarily known as the burial place of Titian and the Venetian sculptor, Antonio Canova. Titian's tomb in the south aisle watches over large marble pyramid created for Canova. The interior of the church is adorned with the works of famous artists. These include Donatello's St John the Baptist, Giovanni Bellini's triptych of the Madonna and Saints, Titian's famous Assumption of the Virgin and his Madonna of Case Pesaro.
Address: San Polo 3003
Phone Number: (041) 222 637
Website: www.basilicadeifrari.it
Hours: Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm, and Sunday 1pm to 6pm. Closed to visitors during services
Admission: EUR2.50
School of St Roch (Scuola di San Rocco)City/Region: Venice
A Scuola in Venice was a mixture of guild and religious fraternity where members paid annual fees to support fellow members and to decorate the school's premises. The School of St Roch is known for the canvasses of Jacopo Tintoretto that adorn its interior. Tintoretto was commissioned to decorate the School in 1564 and dedicated 23 years to this task. The paintings are arranged in chronological order that can be followed by beginning on the second floor in the Sala dell'Albergo. Notable amongst his works are the scenes from the Life of the Virgin and the Crucifixion.
Address: Campo San Rocco, San Polo 3054
Phone Number: (041) 523 4864
Website: www.scuolagrandesanrocco.it
Hours: Daily 10am to 5pm (3 November to 27 March) and 9am to 5.30pm (28 March to 2 November)
Admission: EUR7
AcademiaCity/Region: Venice
The Gallerie dell'Academia houses one of Europe's finest art collections. Its display follows the progression of Venetian art from the 14th to 18th centuries. Notable works in the gallery include Paolo Veneziano's Coronation of Mary, Carpaccio's Crucifixion and Apotheosis, Giovanni Bellini's Madonna with Child between Saints Catherine and Mary Magdalen, Giorgione's Tempest, Lorenzo Lotto's Portrait of a Young Gentleman in His Studio, Paolo Veronese's Feast in the House of Levi, and Tintoretto's Theft of St Mark's Body and Crucifixion.
Address: Dorsoduro 1055
Phone Number: (041) 522 2247 or (041) 520 0345
Website: www.gallerieaccademia.org
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 8.15am to 7.15pm, Monday 8.15am to 2pm
Admission: EUR6.50
Peggy Guggenheim CollectionCity/Region: Venice
The Guggenheim collection is housed in the former Palazzo of the wealthy American heiress and has become one of the most illustrious collections of Modern Art in Italy. It spans the artistic movements of Cubism, European Abstraction and Surrealism with notable works by Brancusi, Marino Marini, Kandinsky, Picasso, Magritte, Rothko, Max Ernst, Dali and Jackson Pollock. Peggy Guggenheim built up her collection between 1938 and 1947 and bought the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni in 1948 where she lived until her death in 1979.
Address: Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, 701 Dorsoduro
Phone Number: (041) 240 5411
Email Address: info@guggenheim-venice.it
Website: www.guggenheim-venice.it
Transport: Ferry boat to Academia stop
Hours: Daily except Tuesdays 10am to 6pm
Admission: EUR10; concessions available
Duomo (Cathedral)City/Region: Milan
The looming Duomo, the world's largest Gothic cathedral, presides over the Piazza that bears its name. Its construction began in 1386 and continued sporadically until Napoleon ordered its completion in 1809. Its lengthy creation bestowed on it 3,400 statues, 135 spires and 96 gargoyles. It is best visited in full sunshine when the interior is illuminated by the colorful mosaic of its stained glass windows. The church is a five-aisled cruciform seating 40,000 worshippers. The 16th-century marble tomb of Giacomo de Medici lies in the south transept and lying buried at its heart is St Charles Borromeo, the cathedral's most important benefactor. Every year in May and September a nail from the cross of Christ is displayed to worshippers and is retrieved from its resting place by the bishop who is hoisted to the nivola to reach it. Across the piazza in the Palazzo Reale is the Museo del Duomo that displays the treasures from the cathedral. It also houses the Museo d'Arte Contomporanea, showcasing a collection of Italian Futurist art.
Address: Piazza del Duomo 18
Phone Number: (02) 8646 3456
Hours: Daily 7am to 7pm. The dome is open from 9am daily, closing between 5pm and 6.30pm depending on the season. Treasury: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm (Saturday until 5pm), Sunday 1.30pm to 4pm
Admission: Free (Cathedral); EUR1 (Treasury); EUR6 (terrace by lifts); EUR4 (terrace by stairs); admission including the museum is EUR8
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele IICity/Region: Milan
This four-story, glass-domed arcade is entered from the Piazza in front of the Cathedral and extends to the Piazza della Scala. It was originally built as a link to the opera house but has become a fashionable place to hang out, sip coffee or camparis, or take a stroll through its many exclusive shops. Milanese gather in this conservatory to escape the winter rains or to socialise after a busy working day.
Address: Piazza del Duomo
Theater Museum at La Scala (Museo Teatrale alla Scala)City/Region: Milan
This world famous opera house rests on the site of the Church of Santa Maria alla Scala, its namesake. The Museum provides a wealth of mementos from the opera house dedicated to the nation's beloved composers and performers. These include Rossini, Puccini and Toscanini. Two halls are devoted to Verdi alone and contain memorabilia such as the spinet on which he learnt to play, hand-written scores and the baton given to him after the momentous reception of Aida.
Address: Largo Ghiringhelli 1, Piazza della Scala
Phone Number: (02) 8879 2473
Website: www.lascala.milano.it
Transport: Bus 61, tram 1 or 2, or subway to Duomo or Montenapoleone
Hours: Daily 9am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 5.30pm
Admission: EUR5, concessions available
Santa Maria delle GrazieCity/Region: Milan
Located next to the church in the former monastery's refectory is Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting, The Last Supper (Cenacolo Vinciano). The fresco depicts the moment of Christ's revelation of the betrayal. Judas hovers to the right of the painting with his hand placed protectively on the bag of silver. Scaffolding covers the bottom of the painting (an ongoing restoration project), leaving the rest in full view. Controversy has erupted over the removal of layers of corrective over-painting completed in the 18th and 19th centuries. The painting has endured more than hot debate however as it escaped the bombing during WWII that destroyed the roof of the refectory.
Address: Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie 2, Corso Magenta
Phone Number: (02) 8942 1146
Website: www.cenacolovinciano.it/html/eng/smgrazie.htm
Transport: Tram 24, subway to Conciliazione or Cadorna
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 8.15am to 7.30pm. Reservations are essential and visitors must arrive 15 minutes before allocated time of visit
Admission: EUR6.50, concessions available. Audioguide: EUR2.50 (per person)
Museo Poldi-PezzoliCity/Region: Milan
The Museo Poldi-Pezzoli contains a spectacular private collection that was bequeathed by its namesake Poldi Pezzoli to the city in 1879. Numerous masterpieces hang from the walls of the Golden Room with its vista onto a picturesque garden. Antonio Pollaiolo's Portrait of a Lady has become the symbol for Milan's own style and elegance and depicts the profile of an elegant woman. Other famous paintings include a Virgin and Child by Andrea Mantegna, Bellini's Ecco Homo, Piero della Francesca's St Nicholas and Guardi's Gray Lagoon.
Address: Via Manzoni 12
Phone Number: (02) 796 334
Email Address: info@museopoldipezzoli.org
Website: www.museopoldipezzoli.it
Transport: Subway to Duomo, Cordusio, S. Babila or Montenapoleone; bus 94 or 61; tram 1 or 2
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm
Admission: EUR8, concessions EUR5.50 Free audioguides in English, Italian and Japanese available
Museum of Historic Art of the Sforzesco CastleCity/Region: Milan
The gargantuan Sforzesco Castle built in the 15th century is one of Milan's foremost monuments. It was restored after being bombed in 1943. The vast interior, which is broken here and there by smaller courtyards, contains three museums, the most notable of which is Museum of Historic Art (Museo d'Arte Antica del Castello Sforzesco). Within its collection of sculptures is the famous Pieta Rondanini, Michelangelo's final work. The picture gallery features paintings by Mantegna, Bellini, da Vinci and Fra Filippo Lippi. The two other museums within the Castle's ramparts are the Museum of Applied Arts and the Archaeological Museum.
Address: Piazza Castello
Phone Number: (02) 8846 3700
Website: www.milanocastello.it
Transport: Subway to Cadorna, Lanza or Cairoli. Bus 43, 50, 57, 58, 61, 70 or 94. Tram 1, 3, 4, 12, 14, 20 or 27
Hours: Castle: Daily 7am to 6pm (winter), closing at 7pm in summer. Closed 25 December, 1 January and 1 May, Easter Monday. Museums are closed on Mondays
Admission: Castle: free. Museums: EUR3, concessions available. Free admittance daily from 4.30pm to 5.30pm (admittance until 5pm), Fridays from 2pm to 5.30pm
Leonardo da Vinci National Science & Technology MuseumCity/Region: Milan
Within the Leonardo Gallery of the museum is a collection of Leonardo's ingenious designs from war machines to architectural visions. Applied physics is the focus of another room in keeping with the museum's tribute to the history of science.
Address: Via San Vittore 21
Phone Number: (02) 485 551
Email Address: info@museoscienza.it
Website: www.museoscienza.org
Transport: Underground to St Ambrogio or Cadorna, or bus 50, 54, 58 or 94
Hours: Tuesday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm. Holidays and weekends 9.30am to 6.30pm
Admission: EUR8 (adults), concessions EUR6
The Gallery of Modern ArtCity/Region: Milan
The Gallery of Modern Art (Civica Galleria d'Arte Moderna) is housed in the building, which once served at Napoleon's summer palace and was occupied by the famous statesman and Josephine between 1805 and 1814. It is now recognized for its collection of modern art with works by Picasso, Matisse, Renoir, Gaugin and Cézanne.
Address: Villa Reale, Via Palestro 16
Phone Number: (02) 7600 2819
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9.30am to 5.30pm
Admission: Free
PortofinoCity/Region: Milan
Nestled in a sheltered inlet within the stretch of the Italian Mediterranean is the coastal village of Portofino. It has long been the playground for the rich and famous, attracting the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Sophia Loren, Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor and Princess Grace. It is not surprising therefore that its exclusivity and prices rose to match its holidaymakers. The scenic surrounds can be explored from the outlying nature reserve graced with cypress and olive slopes. Set off from here on a 90-minute trek to San Fruttuoso or a 2½-hour hike to Santa Margherita. Other sights around Portofino include its castle and the lighthouse (faro) with its breathtaking view of the coastline.
Phone Number: (0185) 269 024 (tourist office)
Cinque TerreCity/Region: Milan
Cinque Terre means 'Five Lands'. These are the five related fishing villages that nestle precariously on the cliffs overlooking the azure ocean of the Italian Riviera, off the country's northwestern coast. It is a picture postcard dream of sparkling clear waters and dramatic vistas contained within the tranquil embrace of the villages that are connected to one another by a scenic pathway that curves through the hillside among olive groves and vineyards. Monterosso is the largest of the towns and is recognizable through the huge statues carved into the rocks facing its shores. The village of Riomaggiore is quickly identified through the myriad fishing boats festooning its shores and is linked by the 'lovers lane' to the charming town of Manarola. Corniglia perches precariously onto the mountainside and is accessed through a steep climb and Vernazza's promenade and piazza have beautiful sea vistas.
Marionette MuseumCity/Region: Sicily
Resort Name: Palermo
One of Palermo's most unique attractions is the engaging Museo delle Marionette, a museum dedicated to the art of puppetry, which is an age-old traditional Sicilian entertainment. Free shows are often put on in summer, but the museum collection itself, the greatest of its kind in the world, is entertainment enough. Most of the antique puppets on display evoke Norman Sicily, representing chivalrous heroes and Saracen pirates, knights, ladies and troubadours. The collection includes puppets from the Far East and even some English 'Punch and Judy' dolls.
Address: Via Butera 1 (around the corner from the Palazzo Chiaramonte)
Phone Number: (091) 328 060
Email Address: mimap@museomarionettepalermo.it
Hours: Monday to Friday 10am to 1pm and 3.30pm to 6.30pm
Admission: EUR5 (adults), concessions available
The Citadel of MuseumsCity/Region: Sardinia
Resort Name: Cagliari
Sardinia's history and culture is conveniently packaged in the Citadel of Museums complex in the center of the capital, Cagliari. Here is sited the National Archaeological Museum, the National Picture Gallery, the Cardu Siamese Museum and a collection of anatomical waxes by Florentine sculptor, Clemente Susini, all administered by the University. The Archaeological Museum houses artifacts from all the ancient cultures of the island, including ceramics from Phoenician tombs, Punic jewelry and Nuragic bronzes. The Picture Gallery contains a collection of contemporary art and sculpture, while the Siamese museum exhibits fascinating items from the east. The unique Collection of Waxes consists of 23 models of parts of the human body created by Clemente Susini, from waxes, resin, tallow, pitch and balsam.
Address: Piazza Arsenale
Phone Number: (070) 662 837. Archaeological Museum: (070) 655 911; Picture Gallery: (070) 674 054; Collection of Waxes: (070) 664 783
Hours: Archaeological Museum: 9am to 7.30pm (closed Mondays); Picture Gallery: 8.30am to 7.30pm (11.30pm in summer); Collection of Waxes: Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm and 5pm to 9pm
NuragheCity/Region: Sardinia
Resort Name: Cagliari
The mysterious Nuragic people who arrived in Sardinia around 1500 BC festooned the island with about 30,000 circular fortified structures. Today about 7,000 of these remain standing to be marvelled at by tourists. The complex of Nuraghe in Barumini has been added to UNESCO's World Heritage List and is the finest and most complete example of this prehistoric architecture. The Barumini site can be reached from Oristano or Cagliari on route 131 and turning off onto route 197. Other well-preserved nuraghe can be seen at Sant Antine. At Nora on the very southern tip of the island are the remains of an extensive Nuragic village including an amphitheater, forum, baths, temple and Kasbah. Other good Nuragic sites are near Villanovaforru, Alghero, and Abbasanta.
Hours: Most Nuraghe are closed afternoons and Sundays
Admission: Most Nuraghe are free
Trenino VerdeCity/Region: Sardinia
Resort Name: Cagliari
Sardinia has an unforgettable coastline, but the interior of the island is equally beautiful. A fun way to explore it is aboard the Trenino Verde (Little Green Train), a vintage steam locomotive that puffs its way through forests, over bridges and through tunnels into some of the island's most scenic mountain areas. The narrow gauge train tracks were laid in 1888 to serve the more isolated areas of Sardinia, and the picturesque restored train and locomotive is just as old. The train runs on scheduled routes, connecting Nuoro and Bosa, Sassari and Alghero, Sassari and Palau, and Cagliari and Arbatax. Most popular is the Cagliari to Arbatax route, which departs each morning at 6.45am.
Phone Number: (079) 245 740 (schedules and routes)
Hours: Daily between 30 June and 1 September
Neptune's GrottoCity/Region: Sardinia
Resort Name: Alghero
A popular sightseeing expedition from Alghero is a boat ride to Neptune's Grotto, an impressive deep marine cave in the sheer cliffs at Capo Caccia. The boat ride takes 45 minutes past the bay of Porto Conte. At the cave visitors can take a 45-minute tour entering through the long snaking passage that delves into the rock, to view dramatically lit, fantastic stalagmites and stalactites. The cave can also be reached by bus from the main terminal in Alghero, or by car, which on arrival necessitates climbing down 650 steps to the cave entrance.
Hours: Daily 9am to 7pm (April to September); 10am to 5pm (October); 9am to 2pm (November to March)
Admission: EUR8
Garibaldi's HouseCity/Region: Sardinia
Resort Name: Costa Smeralda
Famous revolutionary, Giuseppe Garibaldi, lived the last third of his life on the woody, undeveloped island of Caprera, a short ferry-ride from Palau on Sardinia. The trip to view Garibaldi's house and museum is very popular in season, with visitors queuing to catch one of the regular ferries to Caprera. Garibaldi came to live in Caprera in 1855 after a 20-year exile from Italy. He led his famous 1,000 Red Shirts on his campaign to conquer Sicily and Naples from here in 1861. The elegant homestead has been preserved as he left it. Tours of the property end with his tomb in the garden.
Transport: Regular ferries from Palau to La Maddalena, main island in the Maddalena archipelago, from where it is possible to reach Caprera by a connecting bridge
Hours: Daily 9am to 1pm and 3pm to 6pm
Monreale CathedralCity/Region: Sicily
Resort Name: Palermo
Of all the many architecturally beautiful and fascinating places of worship in Palermo, probably the most renowned is the 12th-century cathedral in the suburb of Monreale, high on the mountain slope about five miles (eight km) from the city center. The dazzling cathedral is a mixture of Arab, Byzantine and Norman artistic styles, a blend of medieval Christian and Muslim architecture. The magnificent mosaics that cover 68,243 square feet (6,340 sq meters) of the cathedral's dome and all of the walls on the interior are unsurpassed. The adjacent Benedictine abbey features a cloister with 228 carved stone columns, many inlaid with mosaics, depicting scenes from Sicily's Norman history.
Transport: Monreale can be reached on bus 389 from the Piazza Indipendenza in Palermo, taking about 20 minutes to reach the cathedral
Hours: Daily 8am to 12pm and 3.30pm to 6pm
Capuchin CatacombsCity/Region: Sicily
Resort Name: Palermo
The subterranean catacombs that contain the mummified remains of about 8,000 ancient inhabitants of Palermo may be macabre, but are fascinating to visit. The Capuchin friars began mummifying and embalming the bodies of the city's nobles back in 1533, and the tradition continued for centuries with the last body (a seven-year-old girl named Rosalia) being embalmed in 1920. After embalming, the corpses were hung along the walls of the catacombs, dressed in their best, which they still wear proudly, like the military officer in an 18th-century uniform complete with tricorn.
Address: Piazza Cappuccini 1
Phone Number: (091) 212 117
Hours: Daily 9am to 12pm and 3pm to 5pm (until 7pm in summer)
Admission: EUR1.50
Palazzo MirtoCity/Region: Sicily
Resort Name: Palermo
The excessive opulence of Baroque is nowhere better demonstrated than in the magnificent Palazzo Mirto, one of the few aristocratic homes of Palermo that is open to the public, offering visitors a glimpse into the lifestyle of Sicily's noble 19th-century families. The Palace was the residence of the Lanza Filangeri family whose last heir left the estate to the Ministry of Cultural Assets in 1982. Most of the princely rooms and salons are furnished with original items that belonged to the family.
Address: Via Merlo 2, off the Piazza Marina
Phone Number: (091) 616 4751
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 9am to 1.30pm; Tuesday, Thursday 9am to 1.30pm and 3pm to 6pm
Admission: EUR2
Regional Archaeological MuseumCity/Region: Sicily
Resort Name: Palermo
Some of Europe's greatest archaeological treasures are tucked away in Palermo's somewhat musty museum, which is well worth visiting even though it is rather shabby. The collection is housed in several old convent buildings, dating back to the 13th century, and includes artifacts from the Phoenician, Punic, Greek, Roman and Saracen periods found on the island. Highlights include two Phoenician sarcophagi dating from 5 BC, and the Pietra di Palermo, a black slab discovered in Egypt containing hieroglyphics that is known as the 'Rosetta Stone' of Sicily. One room is devoted to the marvelous finds unearthed at the temples of Selinunte. There is also an interesting section devoted to underwater archaeology.
Address: Piazza Olivella 24
Phone Number: (091) 611 6805
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 8.30am to 6.15pm, Sundays 9am to 1pm
Admission: EUR4.50 (adults), EUR2 (children)
UsticaCity/Region: Sicily
Resort Name: Palermo
An underwater city and a landscape of petrified black lava are the characteristics of the unusual little island of Ustica in the Tyrrhenian Sea just a short ferry ride 36 miles (57km) north west of Palermo. The ancient volcanic island was originally inhabited by the Phoenicians and fell prey to pirate raids often during the Middle Ages. In the 20th century Ustica became a penal colony. Today the island is a designated national marine park and its crystal clear waters and undersea treasures, particularly the submerged ancient city of Osteodes, attract divers from all over the world. Every year in July the island is the venue for an International Underwater Activity Show.
Transport: Ferry from Palermo
SoluntoCity/Region: Sicily
Resort Name: Palermo
The Roman ruins at Solunto are 10 miles (16km) east of Palermo overlooking the coast near Santa Flavia, on the slopes of Mount Catalfamo. The site was originally a Phoenician village that was expanded by the Greeks who conquered it in 396 BC. By 255 BC it had fallen to the Romans, who rebuilt much of the original town. No complete structures remain and the ruins consist mainly of floors and the lower portions of walls and columns. Portions of mosaics and paintings are still visible. An impressive view of the Gulf of Palermo can be had from the hilltop above Solunto, and there is a small archaeological museum at the site, although most of the artifacts from Solunto are in the Palermo's Regional Archaeological Museum.
OrtygiaCity/Region: Sicily
Resort Name: Syracuse
The Ponte Nuova ('New Bridge') connects the mainland city of Syracuse to the island of Ortygia, where most of the worthy sights are located. The remains of the Temple of Apollo are sited in the Piazza Pancali; this is the oldest Greek temple in Sicily, built in the Doric style in around 565 BC. The cathedral in the nearby Piazza Duomo is uniquely made up of the original walls of a 5th-century BC Greek temple known as the Athenaion and near the sea, reached along Via Capodieci, which is the mythical Spring of Arethusa. There are medieval relics on the island too, including Maniaces Castle dating from the 11th century. Apart from the many historic sights, the island of Ortygia also offers numerous boutiques and craft shops, as well as restaurants and cafes galore. Several hours are required to explore the island fully.
Paolo Orsi Regional Archaeological MuseumCity/Region: Sicily
Resort Name: Syracuse
Syracuse's archaeological museum is one of the most extensive in all of Italy, preserving relics and remains from the Greek, Roman and early Christian eras of Sicily's history. The museum building itself is ultra-modern, consisting of glass and steel exhibition halls connected in a hexagonal shape. The exhibits cover a vast range, from the skeletons of prehistoric animals to the renowned Landolina Venus statue.
Address: Viale Teocrito 66
Phone Number: (0931) 464 022
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 1pm; Monday and Wednesday 3.30pm to 6.30pm
Admission: EUR4.50
Parco Archeologico della NeapolisCity/Region: Sicily
Resort Name: Syracuse
The archaeological park on the western edge of the city of Syracuse contains the celebrated rock-hewn Greek amphitheater, capable of holding about 15,000 people, where Euripides and Aeschylus' works were performed in antiquity. Today Greek dramas are still played here on occasion. Inside a leafy quarry at the site near the theater is the ear-shaped cavern, the Orecchio di Dionigi, reputedly used by Dionysius as a prison. Nearby is the Roman Amphitheater, built in the time of Augustus, where gladiators fought each other and wild animals in gory contests.
Address: Via Del Teatro
Phone Number: (0931) 66206
Hours: Daily 9am to 6pm (April to October), 9am to 3pm (November to March)
Admission: EUR4.50
CataniaCity/Region: Sicily
Resort Name: Syracuse
The second-largest city in Sicily, Catania sits in the shadow of Europe's highest volcano, Mount Etna, on the east of Sicily between Syracuse and Taormina. Ugly, decayed and crime-ridden today, it was once called the 'city of black and white' because of the use of white marble and black lava to construct its elegant buildings, many of which have since fallen into ruins or been destroyed by war, earthquakes and lava flows. In summer Catania sizzles; it is regarded as the hottest city in Italy with temperatures often soaring to 104°F (40°C). Despite its unattractive aspects, Catania is an ancient city, founded in 729 BC, and boasts some interesting historical relics. There are two Roman amphitheaters, one reminiscent of Rome's Colosseum, and a 13th-century fortress, Ursino Castle, which is now a museum. The city's cathedral contains some royal tombs and was built in the 11th century.
Mount EtnaCity/Region: Sicily
Resort Name: Syracuse
Sicily's greatest natural attraction is the very active volcano, Mount Etna, which has been spewing lava and shaking the earth for centuries, most recently in 2002. About 20 miles (32km) from Catania the craters below the summit can be reached from the town of Piano Provenzana at the base by mountain bus or on foot. This town also serves as a ski resort in winter, and during summer is a base camp for hikers intent on enjoying the wooded scenery and exploring the interesting caverns in the area. Various species of oak and stone pine, birch and beech trees cover the lower mountain slopes, while frogs, toads, tortoise and Sicily's ubiquitous lizards hide in the forest streams. Foxes, weasels, squirrels and other small mammals stalk the forests and a plethora of bird species fill the trees and the Gurrida Lake area.
CapriCity/Region: Naples
Capri's beauty captured the imagination of the Roman Emperor Augustus in 29 BC and continues to draw admiring crowds to its picturesque banks. Ferries and hydrofoils transport travelers from Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Naples to its embarkation point at Marina Grande. From here a funicular runs to the town's Piazza Umberto. The island's main attraction is the Blue Grotto. The cave is illuminated by a fantastic neon blue, created through the interplay of light and water. The ruins of Villa Tiberio can be explored through a 45-minute trek up the hill. Legend has it that Tiberius tossed those unfortunate enough to anger him off the precipice; walking down is luckily an option nowadays. On the descent along the path one can take a short detour to the Arco Naturale. The weathered stone arch on the island's eastern cliffs provides the perfect perspective from which to contemplate the vista that stretches to Paestum. Another interesting villa to explore is the Villa San Michele (in Anacapri), the magnum opus of Swedish author and physician Axel Munthe. Henry James described it as 'the most fantastic beauty, poetry, and inutility that I have ever seen clustered together.' It is open in summer between 9am and 6pm, and winter 10am to 3pm. Still in Anacapri, take the 12-minute chairlift to the summit of Monte Solaro to experience the breathtaking views stretching to the distant Apennines and Calabria mountains.
Phone Number: 081 837 5308.
Email Address: information@capri.it
Website: www.capritourism.com
Transport: Ferries (80 minutes) and hydrofoils (40 minutes) depart from the port of Mergellina or Molo Beverello; Molo Beverello has more frequent departures
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