Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Chris Yunker

Florence

This medieval Italian city features beautiful flower gardens, ancient buildings constructed with various colors of marble, and many of Michelangelo’s masterpieces. See the Boboli Gardens at the Pitti Palace and the Rose Garden near Michelangelo Square. One of the Renaissance artist’s most recognized pieces includes the Statue of David, which stands 17 feet (5.2 meters) tall and is on display at the Accademia Galleria. Visitors also find the tombs of Michelangelo and famed scientist Galileo in Florence. The amazing artwork throughout city also features works created by medieval artists Ammannati and Cellini.

Rome

This ancient Italian city features a number of iconic landmarks that include the Coliseum, the Forum and the Pantheon. Vatican City also attracts millions of visitors who admire the fountains, statues and dome of St. Peter’s Cathedral. See original masterpieces created by Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael in the Vatican museum. The building is also the site of the famous Sistine Chapel.

Photo by admin

Venice

The dozens of interconnected waterways and romantic gondola rides are but some of the attractions of this popular tourist destination. The city also features Byzantine to Neoclassic architecture, which spans from the 13th to the 18th century. One of the popular buildings that guests visit is the Doge’s Palace. Filled with carvings and amazing wall-sized frescoes, the palace once imprisoned famous con artist Casanova. The Bridge of Sighs is another well-known structure that connects the Doge’s Palace with a more modern prison.

Pisa

This city contains the famous tilting, freestanding bell tower of the Pisa Cathedral. Construction began on the tower in 1173 and sinking initiated only five years later. When construction resumed 100 years later, contractors compensated for the tilt by building floors higher on one side than the other. The tower stands 183 feet (56 meters) tall on the low side and 186 feet (57 meters) tall on the high side. Now stabilized by using lead counterweights and excavated soil displacement, visitors climb the 296 stairs to the top.

Photo by admin

Pompeii

In 79 A.D., Mount Vesuvius violently erupted, covering the nearby ancient Roman city of Pompeii with 13 to 20 feet (4 to 6 meters) of ash. Though all 20,000 residents lost their lives on that fateful day, the ash protected and preserved all of the city’s structures. Since the community’s discovery and excavation in 1749, Pompeii attracts millions of visitors annually. Besides architectural features, buildings display complete mosaic tiles and frescoes depicting mythological figures and legends.

Have you considered a luxury apartment for your next holiday to Italy? Worldwide Accom has a huge selection of Rome apartment rentals available. Each apartment is personally inspected so you can be sure you’ll be staying in quality, safe accommodation.

View Top 5 Tourist Destinations in Italy in a larger map

The post Top 5 Tourist Destinations in Italy appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Luciano

Exploring Naples, Vesuvius, and Pompeii would be in the itinerary. What’s so special about sightseeing here is that you don’t just view the sights and attractions. You will actually get to explore these natural and historic places. One of the most memorable family activity holidays in Italy that you will probably have is exploring the various Roman ruins of Herculaneum or the preserved ancient city of Vesuvius. The past and present atmospheres mix so well in these ancient sites that you can’t help but wonder how it is to live during those times. If the weather permits, you can actually arrange to climb Mount Vesuvius.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by ivana

During the trip, you can choose to have your accommodations at a Agriturismo or working farm that accepts visitors. Here, everyone will get to experience first hand the typical life in rural Italy. While this is exciting itself, the fun part for everyone perhaps is when the whole family attends pizza-making lessons held by a local pizza chef. With this type of family activity holidays in Italy where you get to experience history, nature, and local culture, every moment of the trip will be exciting. And, once you are in Naples, do not forget to visit an island of Capri, which is a favourite place of celebrities. So you and your kids can have more fun when meet some of them.

View Family activity holidays in Italy – Exploring the Bay of Naples in a larger map

The post Family activity holidays in Italy – Exploring the Bay of Naples appeared first on Europe Explored.

It is the most important architectural monument of Greek art on the Italian mainland. Greek colonists lived in Paestum already in the 7th century BC and called the town Poseidonia. Archeological discoveries confirm that the city was an important center of learning, full of temples, roads and rich buildings. It was founded by the Romans around the year 40 BC. At this time Paestum belonged to the prosperous cities of the Roman Empire.

In the Middle Ages Paestum (or Capaccio – as it was called) was abandoned for unknown reasons (historians are leaning toward the theory that it was due to malaria). The archaeological work that was carried out in 18th century (for an initial focus of Pompeii and Herculaneum) again showed this glory to the world and the city has enjoyed rediscovery. On 9th September 1943 the beach at Paestum became a landing place for the 36th American Division. Heavy fighting took place in the city nine days before the German were pushed to the north.

Thanks to archaeological discoveries, Paestum became a frequent tourist destination. Visitors can enjoy history together with a great opportunity to swim in the sea. The real tourist boom occurred after World War II, even though the city has undergone a difficult period of war. The city began to develop a robust tourism industry, which attracted visitors from all over the world. But not only the sea and monuments attracted to Paestum. It is also delicious cuisine and Nature (Paestum is located in the middle of the Cilento National Park).

Paestum has its own atmosphere and charm. You can sit in the numerous restaurants offering fish specialties in pizzerias and cafes. Come to Paestum and see that you will be very nice surprised!

You can also visit nearby Napoli, Pompeii or Capri island.

View Paestum – major Graeco-Roman city in Italy in a larger map

The post Paestum – major Graeco-Roman city in Italy appeared first on Europe Explored.

Already on the way to Vesuvio you can see the places where nothing grows. In 1944 there was the last eruption of lava flowed through here. From the car park you can walk to the top of a very busy sidewalk. Hike is pretty tough and definitely not suitable for older people. There are stalls selling refreshments and souvenirs on the top.

During the beautiful weather it really worth to look at the Gulf of Naples, the sea and also to the crater of a volcano.

View Monte Vesuvio – destruction of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy in a larger map

The post Monte Vesuvio – destruction of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy appeared first on Europe Explored.

There is still a large area awaiting excavation and this is forested with mimosa, pine and eucalyptus trees.

The archeological site is the most spectacular in the island because the ruins are very extensive and are in a wonderful state of preservation. For more than a 1000 years, the Ancient Salamis lay buried in sands which saved the site from wanton destruction in the Middle Ages. It must be remembered that all the ancient ruins in Europe were -free for all- quarries for the builders of the medieval castles. It was not until the late 19th century that various governments formed departments of antiquities which began keeping a watchful eye on ruins. In a similar way, Pompeii lay buried in volcanic ash, and was also saved from vandalism. As Pompeii is to Italy, so is Salamis to Cyprus.

View Salamis – Ancient Roman City in Cyprus in a larger map

The post Salamis – Ancient Roman City in Cyprus appeared first on Europe Explored.

Theatrum in Ostia Antica, Italy by Oliver-Bonjoch

As a result of thousands of years of silting at the mouth of the Tiber River, the shoreline has slowly moved 3 kilometers away from Ostia Antica. Originally founded back in the 7th century B.C., Ostia Antica has been known as the fourth kingdom of the Roman Empire. The ruins of Ostia Antica which can be seen today however, only date back to the 3rd and 4th centuries B.C.

The most notable and one of the best preserved structures in Ostia Antica is the Castrum which dates back to the 3rd century B.C. There are many well-preserved buildings located throughout Ostia Antica. You will find some of the finest frescoes and mosaics of the Roman Era in Ostia Antica. There is also a Temple of Jupiter in the site which has become known as the Capitolium.

Ostia Antica is most noted as having been attacked by pirates back in 68 B.C. During the sacking of Ostia Antica, the entire port area was set ablaze and two senators had been kidnapped by the pirates. As a result of this attack on the Roman Empire, Pompey the Great built an army that would seek out and destroy the pirates in less than a years’ time.

Today, Ostia Antica is one of the most popular destinations in Italy outside of Rome itself. While countless visitors make their way to the Roman monuments only, those who chose to venture out to Ostia Antica are amazed at how well-preserved the site actually is.

The post Ostia Antica – the harbour city of an ancient Rome | Italy appeared first on Europe Explored.