Sightseeing in Italy
Italy is a breath-taking combination of history, multitudes of different architecture, award-winning food, and fashionable locals. Whether you’re just visiting Rome for a city break, Milan for a whistle-stop shopping weekend, or are planning to explore the small hillside villages too, there’ll always be something to see and do in Italy.
You can explore the well-preserved Roman architecture left behind from this Ancient civilisation, enjoy a home cooked meal in a Tuscan village, or “shop ‘til you drop” in the fashion capital of Milan. You could take an island break in Sicily, or cruise the medieval winding waterways of Venice.
Historic Architecture
Colosseum
The Ancient Colosseum in Rome is a must-see attraction when in Italy. Since its foundation in 80 AD gladiators armed with swords and shields would fight slaves, and men armed with spears would battle against lions. The Ancient ruins have been very well preserved, and visitors can easily imagine what it must have been like to sit amongst the crowds, cheering as the Emperor decided the fate of warriors. In the gardens surrounding the Colosseum there are numerous temple and Roman villa ruins
Vatican City
The world’s smallest independent state, at the heart of Rome, comprises some of the world’s most historic and influential buildings. The Pope and the Roman Catholic Church are based here, and everyday thousands of worshippers fill St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican grounds, trying to catch a glimpse of the Pope. A highlight of a visit to the Vatican is gazing up at the ornately painted ‘The Last Supper’ on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, painted by artist Michelangelo in 1508.
Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower, also known as Florence Cathedral, dominates the skyline of Florence, with its red dome amongst the whites and yellows of the city. Building of the cathedral began in 1296, but was only completed in 1436 when the technology to build the dome was invented. The building pays homage to the city’s tumultuous history and capital of the Kingdom of Rome.
Milan Cathedral
Officially the Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of St Mary of the Nativity. Milan Cathedral is the major Gothic design building in Northern Italy. This Milanese monument stands at the centre of Milan, with all streets and boulevards circling or leading to the Cathedral. Milanese life circulates around the 108 metre tall building that stands out amongst the designer architecture found throughout Milan.
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Perhaps the most photographed monument in Italy, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, completed in 1372, is an unusual sight in the Northern city of Pisa. Standing beside Pisa Cathedral, the gleaming white monument is a favourite for unusual and unique holiday snaps.
Museums and Art Galleries
Italy has a vast number of world-class museums and art galleries showcasing Italian heritage and art throughout the centuries. The Uffizi Gallery in Florence is one of the world’s oldest museums, inside a grand 16th century palace at the heart of this historical city. The museum houses notable works such as Leonardo’s Annunciation, Botticelli’s Primavera, and work from Michelangelo, Raphael and Caravaggio. Visitors could spend more than a full day exploring all that the Uffizi has to offer.
Other notable and important museums in Italy include the Vatican museums with their many famous paintings, the National Archaeological Museum of Naples which houses treasures once traded between the Ancient Roman, Greek and Egyptian civilisations, and Turin’s Egyptian Museum; which has the world’s second largest collection of Ancient Egyptian mummies and artefacts.