Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the regional states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist dictatorship. His alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War II. A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy was a charter member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC). It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification, joining the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent problems include illegal immigration, organized crime, corruption, high unemployment, sluggish economic growth, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared with the prosperous north.

Rome (Roma) — the capital, both of Italy and, in the past, of the Roman Empire until 285 AD; home of the Roman Catholic Church (the Vatican).

Italians are very fond of their landmarks; in order to make them accessible to everyone one week a year there is no charge for admittance to all publicly owned landmarks and historical sites. This week, known as "La settimana dei beni culturali", typically occurs in mid-May and for those 7 to 10 days every landmark, archaeological site and museum belonging to government (including the Quirinale presidential palace and gardens, the Colosseum and all of the ancient Forum) are accessible and free of charge.

You are able to buy full day passes for €10,or a standard Colosseum + Palatine ticket at €11, better still, a 3-day pass for €23. This pass gets you in to the Colosseum (Colosseo), Palatine Hill (Palatino Hill), the Baths of Caracalla (Terme di Caracalla), and the catacombs as well as the Terme di Diocleziano, Palazza Massimo alle Terme, Crypta Balbi, Palazzo Altemps, Villa dei Quintili, Tomba di Cecilia Metella. If you don't want to cram it all into one day, get the pass. Plus, it is nice to buy a slice of pizza and eat in the gardens of Palatine Hill.

The main area for exploring the ruins of ancient Rome is in Rome/Colosseo either side of Via dei Fori Imperiali, which connects the Colosseum and Piazza Venezia. Constructed between 1931 and 1933, at the time of Mussolini, this road destroyed a large area of Renaissance and medieval buildings constructed on top of ruins of the ancient forums and ended forever plans for an archeological park stretching all the way to the Appian Way. Heading towards the Colosseum from Piazza Venezia, you see the Roman Forum on your right and Trajan's Forum and Market on the left. To the right of the Colosseum is the Arch of Constantine and the beginning of the Palatine Hill, which will eventually lead you to ruins of the Flavian Palace and a view of the Circus Maximus (see Rome/Aventino-Testaccio). To the left, after the Colosseum is a wide, tree-lined path that climbs through the Colle Oppio park. Underneath this park is the Golden House of Nero (Domus Aurea), an enormous and spectacular underground complex restored and then closed again due to damage caused by heavy rain. Further to the left on the Esquiline Hill are ruins of Trajan's baths.

In Old Rome you must see the Pantheon, which is amazingly well preserved considering it dates back to 125 AD. There is a hole on the ceiling so it is an interesting experience to be there when it is raining. If you are heading to the Pantheon from Piazza Venezia you first reach Largo di Torre Argentina on your left. Until 1926 this was covered in narrow streets and small houses, which were razed to the ground when ruins of Roman temples were discovered. Moving along Corso Vittorio Emmanuelle and crossing the Tiber river into the Vatican area you see the imposing Castel Sant' Angelo, built as a Mausoleum for the Emperor Hadrian. This is connected by a covered fortified corridor to the Vatican and served as a refuge for Popes in times of trouble.

South of the Colosseum are the Baths of Caracalla (Aventino-Testaccio). You can then head South-East on the old Appian Way, passing through a stretch of very well-preserved city wall. For the adventurous, continuing along the Appian Way (Rome/South) will bring you to a whole host of Roman ruins, including the Circus of Maxentius, the tomb of Cecilia Metella, the Villa dei Quintili and, nearby, several long stretches of Roman aqueduct.

Returning to the Modern Center, the Baths of Diocletian are opposite the entrance to the main railway station, Termini. The National Museum of Rome stands in the South-West corner of the Baths complex and has an enormous collection of Roman scultures and other artifacts. But this is just one of numerous museums devoted to ancient Rome, including those of the Capitoline Hill. It is really amazing how much there is.

If you aren't familiar with Roman Catholic churches, take a look inside of any one of these. You'll find the richness and range of decor astonishing, from fine classical art to tacky electric candles. Please note that some churches in Rome deny admission to people who are dressed inappropriately. You will find "fashion police" at Rome's most visited churches. ("Knees and shoulders" are the main problem - especially female ones.) Bare shoulders, short skirts, and shorts are officially not allowed, but long shorts and skirts reaching just above the knee should generally be no problem. However, it's always safer to wear longer pants or skirts that go below the knee; St. Peter's in particular is known for rejecting tourists for uncovered knees, shoulders, midriffs, etc. (You also generally won't be told until right before you enter the church, so you will have made the trek to the Vatican and stood in a long security line for nothing.) The stricter churches usually have vendors just outside selling inexpensive scarves and sometimes plastic pants. Few other churches in Rome enforce dress codes. You can wander into lesser known churches like Sant'Ivo and Sta Maria in Trastevere wearing shorts, sleeveless shirts, or pretty much anything without problems. It is, however, good to keep one's dress tasteful, as these are still churches and houses of prayer for many people. (Older Romans might comment on attire and perhaps harass you if it is particularly revealing.)

To the modern visitor, the Seven Hills of Rome can be rather difficult to identify. In the first place generations of buildings constructed on top of each other and the construction of tall buildings in the valleys have tended to make the hills less pronounced than they originally were. Secondly, there are clearly more than seven hills. In Roman days many of these were outside the city boundaries.

The seven hills were first occupied by small settlements and not recognized as a city for some time. Rome came into being as these settlements acted together to drain the marshy valleys between them and turn them into markets and fora. The Roman Forum used to be a swamp.

The Palatine Hill looms over Circus Maximus and is accessed near the Colosseum . Legend has it that this was occupied by Romulus when he fell out with his brother, Remus, who occupied the Aventine Hill on the other side of the Circus. Also clearly recognisable as hills are the Caelian, to the southeast of Circus Maximus and the Capitoline, which overlooks the Forum and now hosts the Municipality of Rome. East and northeast of the Roman Forum are the Esquiline, Viminal, and Quirinal hills. These are less easy to distinguish as separate hills these days and from a distance look like one.

Among other hills of Rome, not included in the seven, are that overlooking the Vatican; the Janiculum overlooking Trastevere, which provides excellent views of Rome; the Pincio on the edge of the Borghese Gardens, which gives good views of the Vatican and the Monte Mario to the north.

If you are in Rome for the Arts there are several world class museums in the city, the natural starting point is a visit to Villa Borghese in Campo Marzio, where there is a cluster of art museums, Galleria Borghese houses a previously private art collection of the Borghese family, Museo Nazionale di Villa Giulia is home of the worlds largest Etruscan art collection, and Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna is both home of some national master pieces, and international blockbusters like Cézanne, Degas, Monet and Van Gogh. The Capitoline Museums in the Colosseo district opens its doors to city's most important collection of antique Roman and Greek art and sculptures. Visit the Galleria d'Arte Antica, housed in the Barberini palace in the Modern center, for Italian Renaissance and Baroque art.

Rome's National Museum at the Baths of Diocletian in the Modern Center has a vast archaeological collection as does the national museum at Palazzo Altemps, close to Piazza Navona. Further afield, the Museo di Civilta Romana (Museum of Rome's Civilization), in EUR is most famous for a large model of Imperial Rome, but also has a large display of plaster casts, models and reconstructions of statues and Roman stonework.

If you have plenty of time there is absolutely no shortage of other museums covering a wide variety of interests. Examples include the Museum of the Walls (see Rome/South), the Musical Instrument Museum and a museum devoted to the liberation of Rome from German occupation in the Second World War (Rome/Esquilino-San Giovanni)

Check museum opening hours before heading there. Government museums are invariably closed on Mondays, so that is a good day for other activities.

Much of the attraction of Rome is in just wandering around the old city. You can quickly escape from the major tourist routes and feel as if you are in a small medieval village, not a capital city. Keep your eyes pointing upwards. There are some amazing roof gardens and all sorts of sculptures, paintings and religious icons attached to exterior walls. Look through 2nd and 3rd floor windows to see some oak-beamed ceilings in the old houses. Look through the archway entrances of larger Palazzos to see incredible courtyards, complete with sculptures, fountains and gardens. Take a stroll in the area between Piazza Navona and the Tiber river in Old Rome where artisans continue to ply their trade from small shops. Also in Old Rome, take a 1km stroll down Via Giulia, which is lined with many old palaces. Film enthusiasts will want to visit Via Veneto (Via Vittorio Veneto) in the Modern Center, scene for much of Fellini's La Dolce Vita.

The narrow streets frequently broaden out into small or large squares (piazzas), which usually have one or more churches and a fountain or two. Apart from Piazza Navona and Piazza della Rotonda (in front of the Pantheon), take in Piazza della Minerva, with its unique elephant statue by Bernini and Piazza Colonna with the column of Marcus Aurelius and Palazzo Chigi, meeting place of the Italian Government. On the other side of Corso Vittorio Emanuele are Piazza Farnese with the Palazzo of the same name (now the French Embassy) and two interesting fountains and the flower sellers at Campo dei Fiori, scene of Rome's executions in the old days. All of these squares are a short distance from each other in Old Rome. The enormous Piazza del Popolo in the North Center, which provided an imposing entrance to the city when it represented the northern boundary of Rome, is well worth a visit. A short walk back towards the center brings you to Piazza di Spagna at the foot of the Spanish Steps. Yet another fascinating fountain here. On the other side of the river is, of course, the magnificent square of St Peter's at the Vatican. Further south, in Trastevere is Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere, a great place to watch the world go by, either from one of the restaurants or bars that line two sides of the square or, if that is too expensive, from the steps of the central fountain. The square attracts many street entertainers.

Moving back to the Modern Center you have to see the Trevi Fountain, surely a part of everyone's Roman holiday. Visitors are always amazed that such a big and famous fountain is tucked away in a small piazza in the middle of side streets. Take extra-special care of your possessions here. Further up the Via del Tritone we come to Piazza Barberini, now full of traffic but the lovely Bernini fountain is not to be missed.

With no tall buildings in Rome, views of the city come from climbing the many hills, either the original seven hills of Rome or others that surround them. The two most popular views of Rome are from the Janiculum hill overlooking Trastevere and the Pincio at the edge of the Borghese Gardens. The former, best reached by car, has sweeping views of the center of Rome, as long as the authorities remember to prune the trees on the hillside in front of the viewpoint. Cross over the piazza for an excellent view of the dome of St Peter's. The Vatican is the main sight from the Pincio (metro Line A, Piazza del Popolo, and then a good climb). Less popular, but just as nice, is the orange grove at Parco Savello on the Aventine Hill.

Children's Museum

Via Flaminia 82. Just north of Piazza del Popolo. Controlled entrance at 10.00, 12,00, 15.00 and 17.00 for visits lasting 1 hour 45 minutes. Closed Mondays and for much of August. Best to check the web site for up-to-date info and to book in advance. Hands-on science, mainly for pre-teens, housed in a former tram-car depot.

3d-Rewind

Via Capo D'Africa 5 (just behind the Colosseum). 9.00-19.00. provides a three-dimensional look at what the Colosseum and the Forum were like in the days of the Romans. Kids really like it but parents beware that you have to brave a large "merchandising" area after leaving the show, with overpriced souvenirs. €15 for adults and €8 for kids.

Bioparco

The renamed Rome Zoo. On the edge of the Borghese Gardens. From 09.30 to 17.00 or 18.00 depending on the month. They try hard, but San Diego this isn't. If you are a regular zoo-goer you will be disappointed.

The Time Elevator

Via dei Santi Apostoli, 20 on a side street between Piazza Venezia and the Trevi Fountain. Daily 10.30 to 19.30. "Five-dimensional" shows on the Origins of Life and on the History of Rome, plus "The House of Horrors". Not for the faint-hearted: your seats move all over the place. Kids love it.

Rome's Wax Museum

67 Piazza di Santi Apostoli, next to Piazza Venezia. Few good reports about this museum. Comments invited.

Planetarium at EUR

This also has an excellent astronomy museum and is conveniently next to the Museum of Rome's Civilization.

The Vatican

The Vatican is, by and large, not a great idea for kids although they often enjoy is the Sistine Chapel and are impressed by the beauty and the fact that it was all done in just four years. However, the Sistine Chapel is very crowded and getting there through the corridors of the Vatican Museum is even worse. It is easy for families to get separated so determine a meeting point. The best part of St. Peters Basilica is that kids can go to the top of the dome. It is 500 steps but you can take the elevator up to the third floor. From there there are another 323 exhausting steps. So it is fun for older kids who can both climb up all the stairs and walk down as there is a huge line for the elevator.

Zoomarine

Dolphins, sea lions, exotic birds, splashy rides and swimming pools, some 20km south of Rome near Pomezia. A good day out, but is this really why you came to Rome? Free transport from EUR and Pomezia railway station. Check web site for details.

Bologna — home of the first university in the western world. This city is filled with history, culture, and technology. Bologna is well known for its food. One of the world's great university cities.

Archaeological Museum (Museo Civico Archeologico)

Via dell'Archiginnasio 2. Tu-F 9AM-3PM, Sa-Su and holidays 10AM-6:30PM. This building, an old hospital, houses a comprehensive collection of antiquities including Egyptian civilization (mummies and sarcophagi), iron age Villanova culture, artifacts from Etruscan Velzna, funerary art, terracotta urns, ancient vases and items from Roman times. Do not miss the bronze Certosa jar which is over 1,500 years old. Free.

Jewish Museum

Via Valdonica 1/5. Located in the area of the former ghetto, this museum covers the history of Bologna's Jewish population. Museum hours: Sunday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Friday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Tickets sold until 5:15 PM (3:15 PM Friday); Closed Saturdays and on Jewish holidays.

Gallery of Modern Art of Bologna

Via Don Giovanni Minzoni 14. Open 10:00-18:00 Tuesday–Sunday, Thursday 10 am - 10 pm, closed on Mondays. A nice collection of modern art, if you want a break from the more classical pieces that abound in Italy.

National Picture Gallery (Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna)

Via Belle Arti 56. Containing the city's most important art, it offers an interesting panorama of the Emilian and Venetian painting from the XIII to the XVIII century. A must: the works by Giotto, Raffaello, Parmigianino (Madonna col Bambino/Virgin Mary with Baby and the Saints Margaret, Girolamo and Petronio), Perugino, Tiziano and Tintoretto (Visitazione/Visitation and Saints Joseph and Zacharias). Open: Tuesday to Sunday – 09:00 to 19:00 free for children under 18.

The University Museums

Via Zamboni. There are a number of interesting, small museums at the University in the Palazzo Poggi.

The Museo Navale (Naval Museum)

18th-century model warships (some very large) and collections of early maps 8.30-17.30 - closed Sat. and Sun. Admission free

The Museum of Military Architechture

Models of Bologna's fortifications Mon. to Fri. 8.30-17.30 - closed Sat. and Sun. Admission free

Museo Ostetrico (Obstetric Museum)

The Museo Aldovrandi

The collections of the Renaissance naturalist Ulisse Aldovrandi

Museo della Specola

Occupies the Specola, the astronomical tower built in the beginning of XVIII-century over Palazzo Poggi. The material exposed illustrates the evolution of the astronomic instrumentation through the centuries. Tours begins at the following hours for groups of 15 people maximum. June 24 till July 31 and from August 22 till September 18 from Monday to Sunday: 10:00; 11:30; 14:00 closed August 1 to 21; Sep.19-Dec.31 from Monday to Sunday: 10:00; 11:30; 14:30; 16:00. Free admission.

Museo di Antropologia

Via Selme 3, B. Bones, and artifacts of prehistoric Italians. Open: Monday to Friday – 09:00 to 13:00. Closed: Saturday and Sunday, and all week in July and August. Free admission.

Museo di Mineralogia

Piazza di Porta San Donato. Rocks, precious stones, rare minerals and meteorites. Open: Monday to Saturday – 09:00 to 13:00 Closed: Sunday

Museo di Anatomia Patologica

Via Massarenti. Studies of human and animal deformities. Open: Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00, Saturday 09:00 to 13:00. Closed: Sunday. Free admission.

Museum of Giorgio Morandi

Piazza Maggiore 6 (in the city hall). Tu-F, 09.00 - 15.00, Saturday and Sunday 10,00 - 18,30. Full price entrance €4, discounts available. Opened in 1993, the museum houses most of the works by the Bolognese painter Giorgio Morandi.

Communal Collection of Fine Arts (Collezioni Comunali d'Arte)

Piazza Maggiore 6 (In the city hall). Tu-F 9-15 Sa,Su, and holidays 10-18,30. Closed mondays. The painting collection offers works belonging to various historical periods. Special attention should be given to the paintings by Giuseppe Maria Crespi (Ritratto del cardinale Lambertini- Portrait of Cardinal Lambertini), Ludovico Carracci (S. Caterina in Carcere – S. Catherine in Prison), Guido Cagnacci (Cleopatra e Lucrezia), Francesco Hayez (Ruth).

Museo Internazionale e Biblioteca della Musica di Bologna

Museo Internazionale e Biblioteca della Musica di Bologna Strada Maggiore, 34 - Palazzo Aldini Sanguinetti. The international museum and library of music of Bologna. From Jan 1 to May 31: Tu-Su 10am-5pm; From June 1 to July 14: Tu-Th 10am-1:30pm, F-Su 10am-5pm; From July 15 to September 15: Mo-We+Fr 9:30am-4pm, Th 9:30am-10pm, Sa-Su 10am-6:30pm; From Sept 16 to Dec 31: Tues-Thurs 10am-1:30pm, Friday-Sun 10am-5pm; CLOSED Mondays, Jan 1, May 1, Dec 25.

Philharmonic Academy (Accademia Filarmonica)

Via Guerrazzi 13. The Philarmonic Academy of Bologna was established in 1666. Since then it has become a reference point for the city musical life and its fame has spread throughout Europe. Here are preserved the works of many illustrious students, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s (1770) and autographed documents by Puccini, Verdi and Beethoven.

Modern Art Gallery «Raccolta Lercaro»

Via Riva di Reno 57. Opening/Closing Time: W-Sa 4AM-7PM; Su 10AM-1PM, 4PM-PM. It houses about 2000 works by Italian and foreign artists with special attention to the sculptures by Manzù, Messina, Rodin and Giacometti.

Ducati Museum

Via Cavalieri Ducati, Opening/Closing Time: M-F guided tours at 11AM and 4PM; Saturday 9AM-1PM. Closed during Easter and Christmas holidays and in August. It represents the evolution of the Bolognese motorcycle firm. An exposition of motorcycles, period materials, projects, mechanical components, pictures and videos.

Museo Civico Medievale Via Manzoni

Museo Di Fisica Via Irnerio

Pinacoteca Nazionale Via Belle Arti

Museo Dello Studio dell'Ottavo

Museo Degli Studenti E Della Goliardia Via Zamboni

Museo Marsili Via Zamboni

Museo Indiano Via Zamboni

Collezione Cospi Via Zamboni

Museo Delle Cere Anatomiche Via Zamboni

Museo Delle Navi

Piazza Maggiore

Large pedestrian square located in the monumental center of the old part of the city, surrounded by the Basilica of San Petronio, the City Hall Building, the portico dei Banchi and the Palazzo del Podestà.

Via Rizzoli

One of the main streets of Bologna. It is a meeting point and strolling area. It opens up to Piazza di porta Ravegnana, where the two towers rise.

Fontana di Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune)

Piazza del Nettuno. A fountain built in 1563 by Tommaso Laureti of Palermo later embellished by Jean de Boulogne (called Giambologna). It is considered to be one of Bologna’s symbols.

Corte de' Galluzzi

It can be accessed through a vault from Piazza Galvani, in front of the Archiginnasio. An area with strong Medieval tones.

Portico Walk to San Luca

Walk through the historic 666 Porticos, leaving from the Porta Saragozza at the end of Via Saragozza.

University Quarter

Via Zamboni. Full of bars and cafés. The University of Bologna is Europe's oldest university, founded over 900 years ago.

Torre degli Asinelli (Tower of the Asinelli) and Torre dei Garisenda (Tower of the Garisenda)

Piazza di Porta Ravegnana. The main symbols of Bologna. Torre degli Asinelli (built between 1109 and 1119) is 97.20 metres tall (330 feet), with 498 steps and an incline of 1.3 meters (4 feet). Torre dei Garisenda (closed to the public)is 47 m (162 feet) tall and has a lean of over 3m (10 feet). Both were built in the 12th century. Open: daily, 09:00 to 18:00 €3 to climb Torre degli Asinelli.

Palazzo Comunale

Piazza Maggiore 6. Bologna's city hall, with a very rich collection of Renaissance paintings, sculptures and antique furniture, is a 14th-century palace. Don't miss its enormous main staircase, which was designed to be used by horse drawn carriages. Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 18:00 children under 14 get free admission.

Tombe dei Glossatori (The Glossatori tombs)

Piazza San Domenico e Piazza Malpighi. Named for the lawyers who used to add glosses (notes) to documents. The tombs, which date from the end of the 13th century, are home to many of Bologna's famous scholars.

Santuario della Madonna di San Luca (St. Luke's Basilica)

Colle della Guardia (Guardia hill). Built in mid-18th century, offers a panoramic view of the City, and can be reached by walking along] the 666 arches of its unique portico. It has a peculiar layout, being of a round shape. A widely city-known icon, the Madonna di San Luca, is held there.

I Portici (The Arcades)

Visitors can walk under the typical arcades of Bologna for a total of 38 km. The Portici were originally built by order of the town authorities to house temporary visitors. They had to be wide enough that a man could lie down under them to sleep.

Basilica of San Petronio

Piazza Maggiore Bologne. Opening/Closing Time: Weekdays 9.30AM-12.30PM, 2.30PM-5.30PM; Holidays 2.30PM-5PM. The Basilica houses an invaluable number of treasures such as the sundial by Cassini and Guglielmini, which indicates the exact period of the current year at all times, the "S. Rocco" by Parmigianino and the marvelous Bolognini Chapel. From the left nave of the basilica, the visitor can gain access to the Museum where many bas-reliefs are collected.

Basilica of San Dominico

Basilica of San Dominico, 13 Piazza di San Dominico

Santa Maria della Vita

10 Via Clavature, Open: M-Sa, 07:30-19:30, Su, 16:30-19:00. This Church contains "The Lamentation", a life-size terracotta group sculpture, Renaissance masterpiece by Niccolò Dell'Arca.

The Lamborghini Museum

The Lamborghini Museum , this famous car maker in Italy has been producing some of the most sought-after luxury sports cars in the world for decades. There is a bus you can take from Bologna to the center of Sant’Agata Bolognese, which is a five minute walk from the museum location. The ATB 576 bus (direction Crevalcore) departs from the main bus station in Bologna and takes roughly 50 minutes to get to the “S. Agata Bolognese Chiesa Frati” stop in Sant’Agata Bolognese, which is five minutes on foot from the museum.

Giardini Margherita (Margherita Gardens)

Viale Gozzadini. Bologna's main park created in 1875. The chalet converts to a nightclub in the summer evenings. Open: daily 06:00 to midnight.

Parco Montagnola

Piazza VIII Agosto. Public park since the 17th century. Much of the current landscaping dates from the early 19th century. The pond in the center of the park was added in 1888. Open: daily 07:00 to midnight.

Orto Botanico (Botanical Gardens)

Via Irnerio, 42. Created in the mid-16th century for medicinal herbs. Currently the second largest park in the city the Botanical gardens are home to over 5,000 plant species. Some of the highlights include a full-grown sequoia, and a greenhouse for cacti and carnivorous plants. Open: Monday to Friday - 08:30 to 15:00, Saturday 08:00 to 13:00.

Villa delle Rose

Via Saragozza, 228/230. Donated to the city in 1916, the gardens were originally owned by the Cella family. The 18th-century Villa delle Rose, which was the Cella's residence, hosts art exhibitions throughout the year. Open: Tuesday to Sunday 15:00 to 19:00.

Villa Guastavillani

Via degli Scalini, 18 Tel: 051 239 660. Designed and built by Tomasso Martelli in the 16th century. Open: Monday to Saturday - 08:00 to 14:00.

Villa Spada

Via Casaglia, 1. On the grounds of the Palazzo Ravone an 18th century villa, it was opened to the public in 1970. Open: April to September - Tuesday to Sunday 07:30 to 22:00; October to March - Tuesday to Sunday 07:30 to 18:00.

Parco Cavaioni

Via di Casaglia. A large park featuring meadows, fields, wooded areas, and a lake. Open: April to September - 06:00 to midnight, October to March - 07:00 to 18:00.

Certosa

Via della Certosa, 18. Bologna's main cemetery, with beautifully carved tombstones, built over the ruins of an ancient Etrusan necropolis. Open: daily 07:00 to 18:00.

Florence (Firenze) — city of "rebirth". This city is known for its architecture and art and for the impact it has had throughout the world. Florence is also home to Michelangelo's famous statue of David. Home to many other well-known museums of art.

Galleria degli Uffizi

Piazzale degli Uffizi. Tu-Su 8:15AM-6:50PM. Justly one of the world's most famous fine art museums. The collections of Renaissance paintings and sculptures from classical antiquity are superb. Included is The Birth of Venus by Sandro Boticelli. There are often long lines (several hours' wait is common) since even before the doors are open. Useful tip: You can call (+39 055 294883) to make a reservation in advance and walk right in, which is strongly recommended if you can spare the extra €4. The phone operator will give you an extension number which you quote at Gate 3 to pay (cash only) and get the tickets. Online booking is available but is much less convenient because it costs more, has a 24 hour waiting period, your specified time may change and you need to print an email. The restaurant/caffè has a large balcony overlooking the main piazza with good views of the Palazzo Vecchio. It is a great place to take a break for art lovers making a non-rushed visit to this fantastic collection. This cafe is rather expensive however. Street performers are often seen outside the Uffizi. Admission €6.50 (Mar 2009) (Phone booking: €4 extra; Online booking: €7.25 extra). 

Bargello (Officially The National Museu of Bargello)

Via de Proconsolo 4. 8:15AM-6PM Tuesday - Sunday and the 1st, 3rd & 5th Monday of each month. Closed the 2nd & 4th Monday of each moth as well as May 1st.. This museum houses one of the best examples of Renaissance and Mannerist sculpture. The works of many great Renaissance sculptors are on display here, including Michelangelo, Donatello, Ammannati, Bandinelli, Andrea and Jacopo Sansovino, Desiderio da Settignano, Giambologna, and Antonio Rossellino. The museum is located near Piazza della Signoria and can be seen in a few hours. Admission is €4.

Accademia Gallery

Via Ricasoli 58-60. Tuesday - Sunday 8:15AM - 6:50PM. Highlights are Michelangelo's David and the unfinished Slaves. The David was recently cleaned in a controversial project. No photography is allowed inside. Wait times can be under one hour in the off-season. It is possible to reserve at the academia in advance and save yourself the long line. If you only interested in see David and Rape of the Sabines,and are short on cash you can see similar replicas in Palazzo Vecchino where you can also take picutres. Please note that while restoring or repairing art the gallery often showcases the replicas (you can tell because the toenail is intact for David, for example), €6.50 (advance booking: €4).

Pitti Palace

On the quieter south bank of the Arno. The former Medici family palace contains galleries of their art and treasures. The Boboli gardens behind the palazzo offer wonderful walks and excellent views of the city and the countryside south of the city.

Museo dell'Opera del Duomo

Piazza de Doumo 9 (Directly behind the dome end of the cathedral). The Cathedral Museum, with artworks formerly in the Duomo and surrounding religious buildings, including sculptures by Donatello, another version of the Pietà (different from that one of Saint Peter's Basilica, in Vatican, Rome) by Michelangelo, and the losing entries in the famous contest held in 1401 to design the doors of the Baptistery. Models and drawings of the Cathedral. Worthy. €6 Children under 6 free.

Institute and Museum of the History of Science

This museum shows the evolution of the instruments used in various scientific fields such as Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Astronomy. The room of Galileo Galilei shows some of his original instruments as well as models from his drawings. The room of Spheres and Globes houses an excellent cartographic collection. In a rather macabre twist the museum also has the middle finger of Galileo's right hand on display.

Santa Maria del Fiore

Also known as the Duomo di Firenze is the city's beautiful cathedral, the symbol of the city. Brunelleschi's huge dome was an engineering feat of the rennaissance. A statue of Brunelleschi is sited in the piazza, with his figure looking upwards towards his dome. It is possible to climb the Dome (entrance on the side of the church), which has 464 steps. €6 entrance fee, and usually has a long lineup.

Giotto's Tower

Adjacent to the Duomo, you can climb the tower for a magnificent 360-degree view of the Duomo, Florence, and the surrounding area.€6 entrance fee, and requires some tenacity to climb 414 steps.

Baptistery

Famous for the Paradise door and beautiful interior.

Palazzo Vecchio

Old city palace/city hall, adorned with fine art. The replica of Michelangelo's "David" is placed outside the main door in the original location of the statue, which is a symbol of the Comune of Florence. The site displays an important collection of Renaissance sculptures and paintings, including the Putto, by Verrochio, and the series of murals by Giorgio Vasari at the Salone dei Cinquecento (Hall of the Five Houndreds) - the hall which used to display the now lost Renaissance masterpiece, that is, the so-called Battaglia di Anghiari, by Leonardo da Vinci.

Ponte Vecchio

The oldest and most famous bridge over the Arno; the only Florentine bridge to survive WW2. The Ponte Vecchio (literally "old bridge") is lined with shops, traditionally mostly jewellers since the days of the Medici. Vasari's elevated walkway crosses the Arno over the Ponte Vecchio, connecting the Uffizi to the old Medici palace.

Santa Croce

Santa Croce church contains the monumental tombs of Galileo, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Dante, and many other notables in addition to artistic decorations. There is also great artwork in the church. And when you're done seeing that, a separate charge will gain you admission to the Museo dell'Opera di Santa Croce, where you can see a flood-damaged but still beautiful Crucifix by Cimabue (Giotto's teacher), which has become both the symbol of the flooding of Firenze in 1966 and of its recovery from that disaster. The Pazzi Chapel, a perfectly symmetrical example of sublime neo-Classic Renaissance architecture is also worth visiting.

Santa Maria Novella

Near the train station, is a beautiful church and contains great artwork, including a recently restored Trinity by Masaccio. Also, the Chiostre Verde, to your left when facing the front entrance of the church, contains frescos by Paolo Uccello which are quite unusual in style and well worth seeing, if the separate entrance is open. Off of the church's cloister is the wonderful Spanish Chapel which is covered in early Renaissance frescoes.

Orsanmichele

Orsanmichele the beautiful old church of the Medici, converted from it's original purpose as a grainery.

San Lorenzo

San Lorenzo the facade of this church was never completed, giving it a striking, rustic appearence. Inside the church is pure Renaissance neo-classical splendor. If you go around the back of the church, there is a separate entrance to the Medici chapels. Be sure to check out the stunning burial chapel of the princes and the sacristy down the corridor. The small sacristy is blessed with the presence of nine Michelangelo sculptures.

San Marco Convent

San Marco Convent (1436) houses frescoes by Fra Angelico and Fra Bartolomeo in a series of dormitory cells in which the Dominican monks lived.

Boboli Gardens

Elaborately landscaped and with many interesting sculptures, behind the Pitti Palace. Wonderful city views. Don't miss the Bardini gardens. Entrance to that is included in the combination ticket price for the Boboli, and it's a short walk from the Boboli Gardens. There are great views of the Duomo from the Bardini gardens.

Santa Maria del Carmine

Santa Maria del Carmine has famous frescos (Masaccio’s Adam and Eve Banished From the Garden and others by Lippi and Masolino) in the Brancacci Chapel

Piazzale Michelangelo

Piazzale Michelangelo (Michelangelo square) plaza on a hilltop with a great view of the city (go there by bus) or climb the stairs and paths from the Lungarno della Zecca.

San Miniato al Monte

Uphill from Piazzale Michelangelo, contains a chapel with frescoes by Spinello Aretino. On the cemetry near this church there are graves of famous people of Florence, including Carlo Lorenzi (Collodi) - author of the famous Pinocchio.

Santa Trinita

On the Oltrarno side of the Ponte Vecchio, contains frescos by the brilliant and weird mannerist painter, Pontormo, which are to your immediate right when entering.

Genoa (Genova) — it was one of the most important medieval maritime republic. Very wealthy and diverse city. Its port brings in tourism and trade, along with art and architecture. Genoa is birthplace of Columbus and jeans.

The Aquarium 

The biggest in Europe!

The Sea Museum and the Naval Museum

Ethnographical Museum

Museum of Modern Art - Wolfson

Museum of Modern Art - Villa Croce

Museums of Fine Arts - Strada Nuova

Palazzo Bianco (White Palace) and Palazzo Rosso (Red Palace)

Chiossone Museum of Oriental Art

The biggest European collection of oriental art.

Doria Museum of Natural History

The Cathedral Museum

Museum of St. Augustine

A convent displaying various medievil works of art.

Ligurian Archeological Museum

Luxoro Museum

A private collection which houses various works of art and furniture.

Raccolte Frugone

The Nervi's former private art collection.

Wolfsoniana

A museum of modern applied arts.

Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace)

Owns a historical picture gallery.

National Ligurian Gallery at the Spinola Palace

Museum of the Ligurian Art Academy

Museum at the Prince's Palace

Another Genovese historical art collection.

Ippolito National Ligurian Museum

Cathedral of San Lorenzo

palazzi dei rolli

The palazzi dei rolli present on World Heritage List of UNESCO

The historical centre

Santa Maria di Castello

The cloister of the domenican order, the museum and the summer cathedral offer a lot of treasures and exploring them is free during the opening hours of the church

The natal house of Cristoforo Colombo. In piazza Dante you will find what is said to be the natal house of Columbus

The impressive fortification belt built on the hills surrounding the city, originating in the 16th Century

There is a funicular railway servicing Monte Righi, where one can have pleasant walks on the surrounding hills and to the fortifications (see above), or just admire the spectacular view of the city and the Mediterranean Sea.

Spianata Castelletto is a nice belvedere where one can have a pleasant view of the city and of the seaport. It can be reached by public lift from Piazza della Nunziata or on foot from that very same square.

Via Garibaldi (also known as Via Aurea and Strada Nuova, Golden Street and New Street) with very impressive baroque buildings. Some similar buildings are also found in Via Balbi.

The Old Harbour (Porto Antico), next to the Aquarium, is an entertainment area with museums, cinemas, cafés and also a beautiful promenade along the sea.

The Lanterna - the oldest European lighthouse and a prominent Genovese symbol

A lot of beautiful churches, some of which date back to the Romanesque time (San Giovanni di Pre', San Donato, Santa Maria del Castello)

Corso Italia - Genoa's promenade

Boccadasse - a picturesque fishermen quarter

Castello d'Albertis

Palazzo Ducale Where the Dukes of Genoa used to live.

Milan (Milano) — known as one of the main fashion cities of the world, it's also the most important centre of trade and business in all the country.

Pinacoteca di Brera

Via Brera. Reach by subway MM2 Lanza - Piccolo Teatro Station, MM3 Montenapoleone Station, streetcar lines 1, 4, 8, 12, 14, 27 or buses 61 and 97. One of Italy's most important art collections and one of the foremost collections of Italian paintings.

Pinacoteca Ambrosiana

Piazza Pio XI, 2, 02 80692 1. Historical library that also houses the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana art gallery.

Poldi Pezzoli Museum

Manzoni St. Reach by subway, MM3 Montenapoleone Station, or with many buses and streetcars. One of the world's richest private art collections.

Bagatti Valsecchi Museum

A late 19th century aristocratic mansion with Italian Renaissance art collections located in via Gesù 5, between via della Spiga and via Montenapoleone; subway MM3 Montenapoleone Station, MM1 San Babila Station, streetcar lines 1 and 2, Montenapoleone stop.

Societa' per le Belle Arti ed Esposizione Permanente

Changing exhibitions of contemporary art. Walking distance to MM1 and MM2 Cadorna Station.

The Sforzesco Castle

Reach by subway, MM1 Cairoli - Castello Station and MM2 Lanza - Piccolo Teatro Station, or with many buses and streetcars. Houses several of the city's musuems and art gallery collections. Home to the museums of applied arts, ancient art, historical musical instruments, prehistory, Egyptian art and fine arts.

Civico Museo Archeologico

Roman antiques from Milan and the surrounding area.

Contemporary Arts Pavillion (PAC)

Palestro Street near Porta Venezia Gardens. Reachable by subway, line MM1, Palestro Station, or with many buses and streetcars.

Museo del Duomo (Museum of the Cathedral)

Subway: MM1 and MM3 Duomo Station. Displays the 700 year old history of construction of the cathedral, with impressive walk-in wooden models, façade designs originating from several centuries, sculptures and more.

Museo d'Arte Paolo Pini

Contemporary art gallery collection.

Galleria d'Arte Moderna

Mainly features 19th Century Italian art.

Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology

S.Vittore Street, [30]. Reachable by bus or subway, line MM2 Sant'Ambrogio Station.

Natural Science Museum

At 55, Corso Venezia, inside Porta Venezia Gardens. Subway: Line MM1, Porta Venezia or Palestro Stations. Has reduced and free entry (depends on person) after 4:30PM most days or 2:30PM Fridays.

The Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace)

Located opposite the South side of Duomo, always hosts many exhibitions, usually very interesting. Subway: MM1 and MM3 Duomo Station.

Triennale di Milano

Alemagna St. Museum of Design and Architecture, always has 4-6 exhibits on the subject of design, photography or modern art, at least 1-2 of which are always free entry. Reach by bus 61 or subway, line MM2 Cadorna-Triennale Station, or by walking through Parco Sempione from Castello Sforzesco.

Museo Teatrale alla Scala

A museum dedicated to the world's most famous opera house. Subway: MM1 and MM3 Duomo Station.

The Duomo

In Duomo Square. Milan's main cathedral, a massive late Gothic church (started in 1386) in white marble, with hundreds of spires and thousands of statues on its exterior and a famous façade. Don't miss the chance to climb up onto the roof and enjoy the spectacular views of the city between the Gothic spires. Reachable by subway, lines MM1 or MM3, Duomo Station, or with many buses and streetcars. Roof open daily 9 AM - 5:30 PM.

Saint Mary of the Graces ('Santa Maria delle Grazie')

Houses the famous Last Supper ('Cenacolo Vinciano') by Leonardo da Vinci. It is best to reserve tickets a few months before the visit. Canceled reservations are sold from 8:15AM every morning (if there are any). Tickets can be be reserved by phone (02.8942.1146) or online. Reachable by streetcars 20-24-29-30 or by subway, lines MM1 and MM2 Cadorna Station.

Saint Ambrose

In Piazza San Ambrogio. A beautiful and huge Byzantic/Romanic church which was almost destroyed by allied bombing in World War 2, although some of its Byzantic mosaics are well preserved. Reachable by subway: MM2 Sant'Ambrogio.

Saint Maurice

A must-see! A stunning fully frescoed Renaissance church. Most of the paintings are the work of Bernardino Luini.

The Castello Sforzesco

Where the Sforza-Visconti ruling families of Milan resided. Later it was the Austrian governor's residence, when Lombardy was part of the Hapsburg empire. It houses several museums. Reachable by subway: MM1 Cairoli - castello Station.

La Scala Theatre

Via Filodrammatici 2. One of the most renowned opera houses in the world. It first opened in 1778 and re-opened in 2004 after extensive renovation. Reachable by subway: MM1 and MM3 Duomo Station.

Cimitero Monumentale

Milan's old cemetery in Neoclassical style. It is filled with lavish sculptures and monuments. Well worth a visit!

Old Hospital

A Renaissance complex which now serves the university.

La Rotonda della Besana

An 18th Century Neoclassical complex. It is now an exhibition space.

Chiaravalle Abbey

A beautifully-preserved medieval abbey still run by monks today, 7 kms South of Milan (get off at MM3 subway line Rogoredo Station and take a local bus for 3 stops; another option is to get off at MM3 subway line Corvetto Station and take local bus number 77 for 8 stops).

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele

The mother of all shopping malls: upscale shops in a splendid 19th century palace of a mall. For real Milanese cheap food, go to Luini for a Panzerotti on nearby Via San Radegonda.

Biblioteca Ambrosiana

Historical library with treasures such as Leonardo Atlantic Codex.

Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense

A library established in 1770 by the Austrian governor. It has since acquired other historical collections and the archives of RAI (Italy's state television). It is very active in organising workshops and debates on new media and new technologies.

Via della Spiga

Via della Spiga and its neighborhood is the center of high-class shopping, where almost every luxury brand can be found.

Porta Ticinese

Porta Ticinese and the surrounding area is a very old-fashioned quarter nearly untouched by WWII bombings. At night Milanese people like to have a walk near Colonne di San Lorenzo (S.Lawrence's columns).

Piazza Della Scala

The location of the Statue of Leonardo Da Vinci and La Scala theatre. Great place for a photograph and right next to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. Ticket office is underground in the Duomo Metropolitana stop.

I Navigli

The location where many night spots are open until late. I Navigli (or The Canals) consist of Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese. On the last Sunday of every month there is an antiques market along the Naviglio Grande.

San Siro Stadium

The famous stadium of Milan, home to AC Milan and Internazionale, two of the most famous and successful football(soccer) clubs in Italy. Terminal point of streetcar 16.

Leonardo's Horse

A bronze sculpture realised according to an original project of Leonardo da Vinci. It is on the courtyard of the race-track of San Siro, just behind the Stadium. The race-track is open on race days but the horse is visible also from outside.

Naples (Napoli) — beside Venice, Taranto and Genoa, one of the most important port cities in Italy. Naples is filled with life, and sun. Here you will find the best pizza in Italy, because it was born here. Naples is also near to the famous volcano Vesuvius and the ruins of the ancient Roman towns of Pompeii and Ercolano.

Castel dell'Ovo

Castel dell'Ovo at Porto Santa Lucia Naples' known port with the Egg Castle on a small peninsula. The castle currently houses the Museum of Prehistory.

Castelnuovo (Maschio Angionino)

A huge medieval castle at the shore which houses the main city museum featuring various collections, but most importantly a picture gallery (with focus on 19th Century Italian painting).

Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte

Napolitan National Gallery, a must-see! Displays the Burgia, Farnese and Borbon collections with mainly Renaissance and Baroque Italian painting. Among the famous artists on display: Tizian, Giovanni Bellini, Annibale Caracci, de Ribera and Giordano. A beautiful park surrounds the museum.

Museo Archeologico Nazionale

Naples Archeological Museum houses wall paintings and different objects removed from Pompeii, Herculaneum, and other excavation sites in the area. In addition, you can admire the Farnese collection of Roman sculptures (including the famous sculptures of the Caracala Baths). E9.00 for admission. Guidebook in English must be purchased from the gift shop because the item descriptions are in Italian only.

View of Margellina (from via Orazio or via Petrarca)

Certosa di San Martino

A Carthusian monastery at the top of a hill near the city centre. It houses the Museum of City History.

Parco Virgiliano

A nice park with a stunning view of the surrounding area. It is about half an hour off the city centre, but certainly worth the effort! Not to be confused with the Park in which Virgil's Tomb is found.

Piazza del Gesù and Piazza S.Domenico Maggiore

The New Jesuite Church is among the most extravagant Baroque churches in the world! Across the street you will find the Santa Chiara Monastery [19]. It is worth a visit for its beautiful garden decorated with frescos and coulorful columns. If you continue towards S. Domenico Square you will pass by the St Angelo on the Nile Church with its Donatello's altar. The Sansevero Chapel nearby is also well known for its marble sculptures of veiled figures.

Napoli Sotterranea

Underneath San Lorenzo Maggiore medieval church.You can witness the remains of the Roman city. The tunnels served as shelters during WWII.

Castel Capuano

Castel Sant'Elmo

Catacombe di San Gennaro

Catacombe di San Gennaro Medievil catacombs on Capodimonte hill.

Quadreria dei Girolamini

A beautiful small picture gallery mainly of Italian Baroque painting and some works of famous De Ribera. Free of charge and just across the street from the Duomo.

Duomo

Duomo Naples' main church with two luxurious chapels. Underneath it you can find excavation of a Roman site. Near the duomo you can find the St. Gennaro Treasury Museum, with arts exhibits from the duomo and another heavily frescoed chappel.

Pio Monte della Misericordia

A church and a picture gallery both belonging to an old charity organisation. The gallery mainly displays Napolitan Baroque paintings.

Teatro San Carlo

Teatro San Carlo Naples' famous opera house.

Piazza del Plebiscito

Piazza del Plebiscito Naples' main square. Surrounding it you will find the Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale - open to tourists), the San Carlo Theatre and the Galleria Umberto.

Acquario

Villa Comunale A park near the shore with Europe's first public aquarium in its centre. Nearby is the Cortes Museum of Applied Arts. La Casina Pompeiana in the park is home to changing exhibitions focusing on photography.

Galleria Umberto

A shopping passage from the 19th Century.

Villa Floridiana

Seat of Duca di Martina Museum of Ceramics and Marchese di Civitanova Museum of Carriages.

Museo Civico Filanghieri

Used to be a private collection mainly of applied arts.

Citta' della Scienza

Museo d'Arte Contemporanea Donna Regina

Pinacoteca della Accademia di Belle Arte

PAN - Palazzo delle Arti di Napoli

Raccolta Mura - Museum of the Napolitan Song

Museo del Mare (Naval Museum)

Fondazione Pagliara

Piomonte di Pieta' in Palazzo Carafa

A Manierist church and a picture gallery. Open only on weekends.

Textil and Clothing Museum Elena Aldorandini

Museum of Music History

Museum of Music History at the San Pietro a Maiella Conservatory. Exhibits important manuscripts of the Scarlatti family.

Grotta di Seiano

An artificial cave underneath Posillipo. It leads to an ancient Greek theatre.

Pisa — one the medieval maritime republic, is home to the unmistakable image of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Very touristy city. Streets are filled with vendors who will try to sell you anything. Famous too for the University "La Normale".

Torre Pendente (Leaning Tower)

The structure was originally conceived as the cathedral's bell tower. Construction began in 1173 and the tower started leaning soon afterwards due to subsidence of the ground underneath its base. A project to keep the tower from leaning more and tipping over finally reached a successful conclusion in 2001, and the tower is again open to those wishing to climb it. Climbing the tower requires a reservation-based ticket for 15 Euro. Expect 45 minutes to 2 hours wait, but there is a lot to see while you wait. It is better if you buy tickets online for €17 well in advance at [4]. Warning, the tickets are non-exchangeable, effectively non-refundable, and only good for the Torre, so they're a bit of a risk to purchase in advance. Make the effort to climb, though, and you'll be rewarded by the view.

Duomo di Pisa

Duomo di Pisa, (Cathedral of Pisa) the splendid cathedral, contains artwork by Giambologna, Della Robbia, and other major artists. Fine Romanesque style with double aisles and a cupola, a huge apse mosaic partly by Cimabue, and a fine pulpit by Giovanni Pisano in late Gothic / early Renaissance style.

Battistero

Battistero (Baptistry) large round Romanesque dome with many sculptured decorations and a fine view up top; climb this if you want a great view with the Leaning Tower visible in your photos. Arabic-style pavement, pulpit by Nicola Pisano (father of Giovanni), and fine octagonal font. At regular intervals, the ticket-checker-guard at the entrance comes into the baptistery and gives an audio-treat of echo-effect. The guard shouts out few sounds which when echoed sound like pure beautiful music. Do not miss it. You can also cast your inhibitions to the wind, stand by the wall, and sing long notes that turn into chords by yourself, as the echoes go round and round the dome of the building.

Campo Santo Monumentale

Campo Santo Monumentale (Cemetery) a huge cemetery building with lots of interesting art, including a collection of ancient Roman sarcophagi and splendid medieval frescoes by the "Master of the Triumph of Death".

Museo del Opera del Duomo

Museo del Opera del Duomo has sculptures and paintings formerly preserved in the Cathedral and the cemetery. Some of the more unusual are bronze griffins from Syria captured by the Crusaders.

Museo delle Sinopie

Museo delle Sinopie Skipped over by many visitors, this museum is a treat for art lovers. After WWII many of the surviving murals and pieces of murals from Pisa's Campo Santo were detached from the walls to try to preserve them. It was unexpectedly discovered that the artist sketches underneath survived. These were moved to this museum.

Piazza dei Cavalieri

Piazza dei Cavalieri a small town square with many historical buildings that hosted the political powers of the city in the middle ages and Renaissance, but most of them are not accessible to tourists, as they are now property of the University of Pisa or Scuola Normale Superiore (a prestigious elitary school).

Palazzo della Carovana

Palazzo della Carovana, the main Scuola Normale Superiore building, with an elaborate façade, by the important Italian Renaissance artist and architect Giorgio Vasari - who is also said to be the first historian of art.

Palazzo dell'Orologio

Palazzo dell'Orologio (Clock Palace), a XIV century building that has replaced the Torre della Fame (tower of hunger), where the Conte Ugolino della Gherardesca was imprisoned and left to die of hunger with his sons, as cited in the Dante's Divina Commedia

Chiesa di Santo Stefano

Chiesa di Santo Stefano, designed by Giorgio Vasari in the XVI century for the Ordine dei Cavalieri di Santo Stefano (Order of Chivalry of Saint Stephan), a chivalry order founded to fight piracy in 1561.

Lungarno Mediceo and Lungarno Pacinotti

Lungarno Mediceo and Lungarno Pacinotti on the north side of Arno river, Lungarno Galilei and Lungarno Gambacorti on the south side: these riverside streets give a distinctive character to Pisa, especially at night when the lamplight reflects on the Arno river.

Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza XX Settembre

Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza XX Settembre, two opposing town square, one at each end of Ponte di Mezzo (middle bridge), and are considered the center of the city. From Piazza Garibaldi starts Borgo Stretto, an old street with lots of shops that, together with Corso Italia starting in the opposite direction from Piazza XX Settembre, create a pedestrian area (interrupted only by the bridge) that is considered the center of the city. In Piazza XX Settembre you can find the Logge dei Banchi, a building created to host textile market in 1600, and the town hall, in the Palazzo del Comune.

Museo di San Matteo

Museo di San Matteo, on Lungarno Mediceo, a small history and art museum, but one of the biggest for Tuscan Renaissance art, hosted in the rooms of the San Matteo monastery.

Santo Sepolcro

Santo Sepolcro, on Lungarno Galilei, a Romanesque octagonal church with conical spire by Diotisalvi, who also built the baptistry - a Templar church, striking and forceful. Usually is not open to the public.

Ussero Café founded on 1775

Ussero Café founded on 1775, lungarno Pacinotti 27. A monument to Italian culture in the 1400's Palazzo Agostini, on Lungarno. In 1839, it was seat of the meetings of the first Italian Congress of Scientists.

Santa Maria della Spina

Santa Maria della Spina, on Lungarno Gambacorti, a very small Gothic church built in 1230 to house a thorn from Jesus's crown, it's considered one of the best expressions of Italian gothic. It is so small it moved from the river of the Arno, in 1800, to a place some meters above, one stone at time, to protect it from flooding. Usually it's not open to the public.

Giardino Scotto

Giardino Scotto, on Lungarno Fibonacci at the end of Lungarno Galilei, is a fortress converted to a public park which opens in summer for open air cinema, music shows and other events.

La Cittadella

La Cittadella, at the end of Lungarno Simonelli, is a fortress built to guard the access by the river Arno and the shipyard in the middle age, when the sea was closer to the city.

University botanical garden

Via Luca Ghini 5, is the first university botanical garden of Europe, created by the will of Cosimo de Medici in 1544. It is open weekday mornings and is free to the public.

Fine Romanesque churches

San Paolo a Ripa d'Arno, San Michele in Borgo, San Paolo with a sculpture gallery inside, Sant'Andrea - not all are open every day; double-check the hours if you want to visit.

Tuttomondo

Tuttomondo, Keith Haring mural. Keith Haring visited Pisa and fell in love with the town, so he decided to paint this amazing mural as a gift to Pisa. Though extremely large, it is easy to miss so look out for it; it is located between the train station and Corso Italia.

Turin (Torino) — first capital of Italy, after being the capital of Kingdom of Sardinia (actually Piedmont-centred), what had promoted national reunification. Home of the FIAT, the most important industry in Italy,. Turin is a well known industrial city, based on the aerospace industry and, of course, automobile industry. Home of the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Mole Antonelliana

Turin's landmark building was completed in 1888 as a synagogue. The 167.5-meter tower is the highest work of masonry in Europe and it now contain one of the finest cinema museum of Europe.

The National Cinema Museum

The museum opened in July 2000 in the building that has come to symbolize Turin. The exhibition space covers 3,200 square meters and spans five floors. The themes of the floors are the Archaeology of Cinema, the Video Camera, a collection of cinema posters, video installations (including a number of small rooms screening clips on themes such as Turin in the movies, love stories and experimental film), and The Great Temple (where you recline in comfortable red chairs and watch classic Italian films projected on giant screens overhead). In a spectacular setting the museum offers artifacts from the collection of the Maria Adrianna Prolo Foundation including magic lanterns, optical illusions, photographs, drawings, models and other curious items. Amongst a fascinating array of other movie memorabilia, be sure to check out the original cape worn by Christopher Reeve in Superman. If you're a certain age, that's incredibly exciting!

Museo dell'Automobile

Museo dell'Automobile (Also Carlo Biscaretti di Ruffia, Biscaretti for short.), Corso Unità d’Italia 40. Some may place this above the Uffizi as a showcase of Italian art. The collection houses over 170 vehicles, from 18th-century carriages to Formula 1 racers, and lots of gorgeous red sports cars. The museum is under restructuring and the re-opening is scheduled for 2011. Part of the collection is currently shown at Torino Esposizioni venue (two kilometres from Museo dell'automobile).

The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist

Duomo di San Giovanni. The Cathedral's Chapel of the Shroud houses the controversial Shroud of Turin, which is stored in a vault below the Duomo. It is only displayed by papal decree, and the last time it was shown was during the Jubilee Year of 2000. The next time it is slated to be shown is between 10 April - 23 May 2010.

Egyptian Museum

Via Accademia delle Scienze, 6. Houses the most important collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts outside Cairo. Founded in 1824 by King Carlo Felice after acquiring archeologist Drovetti's collection, the museum contains 30,000 exhibits. It documents the history and civilization of Egypt from the paleolithic to the Coptic era through unique exhibits and collections of objects d'art, articles of daily use and funeral furnishings (including the Altar of Isis, the canvas painted by Gebelein, the intact tombs of Kha and Merit, and the exceptional cliff temple to Ellesjia). It is also intelligently laid out and the exhibits are lovingly preserved. €7.50.

Palazzo Madama

Piazza Castello. Recently re-opened after a long refurbishment, it is attracting many tourists. It was home of the Queen, and is a mix of medieval and baroque rooms. There's a room with red sofas to take a rest after the visit, with a magnificient chandelier, and a cafeteria in one of the rooms. Contains plenty of art depicting Christ in various stages of life (and death) and some fascinating scenes of life in Torino in times gone by.

Palazzo Carignano

Via Accademia delle Scienze 5 (close to Piazza Castello).

Quadrilatero Romano

Full of restaurants, it is the old Roman town, northwest of Piazza Castello.

Via Garibaldi

Pedestrian-only shopping zone between Piazza Castello and Piazza Statuto.

Galleria Subalpina

A pedestrian passage from Piazza Castello and Piazza Carlo Alberto. One of the most elegant place of the city.

Valentino Park

The biggest park in Turin central area. This park is situated along the Po river and in its area you can find the Valentino Castle, and the Medieval Village (Borgo Medievale).

Cathedral of Superga

On top of the hill near Turin, this cathedral was built in thanksgiving for a victorious battle against French. Today, it houses the tombs of the House of Savoy. In 1949 a plane carrying the entire Turin FC team crashed near the cathedral, killing one of the greatest football teams ever. At the crash site a plate memorializes the dead. The top of the hill offers the best view of Turin, with the magnificent Alps in the background. You can reach the top by car but also by a little chain-train. Ask for the Trenino per Superga.

Castello di Rivoli

In the small town of Rivoli, east of Turin. Houses one of Europe's most important Contemporary Art Museums. The Castle of Rivoli is a unfinished XVIII castle that stands on top of Rivoli hills. Corso Francia (France Road) is one of the world's longest streets and was built because of the desire of the House of Savoy to connect Royal Palace in the center of Turin with Rivoli Castle. You can reach it by bus or taxi.

La Venaria Reale

La Venaria Reale outside the town of Venaria, 10 kilometres north east of Turin. Restored to the baroque magnificence that inspired it when it was built in the mid 17th century for duke Carlo Emanuele II di Savoia, the Reggia of Venaria Reale was inaugurated in October 2007, after two centuries of abandon and decay, and eight years of intense restoration. In the first year since it opened to the public, Venaria Reale has welcomed approximately 1.000.000 visitors becoming one of the most popular spot in Italy. The enormous palace, which has a surface area of over 80,000 square metres, contains some of the most outstanding examples of European baroque architecture: the enchanting Salone di Diana, designed by Amedeo di Castellamonte, the solemnity of the Galleria Grande and the chapel of Sant’Uberto, and the immense complex of the Scuderie, designed by the 17th century genius, Filippo Juvarra. The Gardens now represent a close combination of ancient and modern. Venaria Reale, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is at the centre of the circuit of Royal Residences in Piedmont. To get there: Venaria Express” shuttle bus operated by GTT (freephone number: 800 019152 www.comune.torino.it/gtt Bus: routes 72, 11 (freephone number: 800 019152 - www.comune.torino.it/gtt) Train: Turin-Ceres line (freephone number: 800 019152 - www.comune.torino.it/gtt) Car: Torino Nord orbital road, Venaria or Savonera/Venaria exit

Venice (Venezia) — known for its history (the most important, beside Genoa and Pisa, of the medieval maritime republics), art, and world famous canals. One of the most beautiful cities in Italy; it is home to Island of Murano, which is famous for its hand-blown glass. St. Mark's Square is where most of the tourists are and can get very crowded in the summertime.

Saint Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)

Piazza San Marco (Water lines # 1, 52, and 82 will take you from Santa Lucia (the train station) or Piazzale Roma to Piazza San Lucia. Walking is another option but will require a map and lots of time and energy.) (procuratorial phone number),. 1st October to 31st March: 9:45AM-4:45PM; 1st April to 30 September: 9:45AM-5PM. Saint Mark's Basilica is on the Piazza San Marco and is one of the highlights of a visit to Venice. As with most churches in Italy, you must be dressed appropriately to be allowed in; this means no short skirts or bare shoulders. You are not allowed to carry large bags or rucksacks inside. You must deposit them just round the corner from the main entrance. Filming and photography is forbidden so be prepared in advance. The visit within the basilica lasts ten minutes. Waiting for entry into the basilica can last up to five or so hours and it may be wise to use alata.it to reserve your visit. Reserving is free of charge. Once you have a reservation you can take the group entrance on the left, where you give in the printout of your reservation. Admission to the basilica is free, however, the museum upstairs costs €3 and to view the high altar and treasury costs €2.

San Giovanni e Paolo

San Giovanni e Paolo (San Zanipolo in Venetian dialect). A fine, huge Dominican church with the tombs of many Doges. It shares its piazza with the fine Renaissance facade of the Scuola San Marco and an equestrian statue of the mercenary (condottiere) captain Colleone. Look out for the testicles (coglioni in Italian - it's a lousy pun) on his coat of arms!

Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

The big friary church, with fine monuments and paintings.

Santa Maria dei Miracoli

A perfect jewel box church, simple in form but ornamented with fine exterior marble facings.

Correr Museum

San Marco 52 (on San Marco Square). Interesting collection of globes, starting from the 16th century. There is also an only library hall, an archeological museum of Roman antiques and an important picture gallery. At the end of your visit, don't miss the museum art cafe, with their tables on the San Marco square.

Doge's Palace

Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale), (San Marco square). Don't miss the guided tour named Secret Itinerary (€16), which will let you discover the part of the palace where the city's administration worked, as well as Casanova's jail and the wonderful five hundred year old roof structure.

La Fenice Theater

La Fenice Theater (Teatro La Fenice), (300 m west of San Marco square). Visit this historic theater with an audioguide (good explanations in several languages). The theater is an identical reconstruction (rebuilt in 2003) of the previous theater building that burned down in 1996. €7.

Jewish Ghetto of Venice

Jewish Ghetto of Venice. While racial and ethnic neighborhoods had existed prior to the Venetian Ghetto, Venice's ghetto was the first "ghetto" (coming from a Venetian word for the Iron Foundry that was on the site previously) and "ghetto" eventually came to mean any neighborhood that was made up of a single ethnic/racial group. Today, Jewish life is still very active in the ghetto, and elsewhere in Venice, and is home to five synagogues. Visiting on Saturdays (the Jewish Sabbath) will prove very fruitless because all shops, restaurants, and other Jewish places will be closed.

The Jewish Museum

The Jewish Museum (Museo Ebraico), Cannaregio 2902/b. Hours:1 June - 30 September: 10AM-7PM 1 October- 31 : 10AM-6PM The Museum is closed on Saturday (Shabbat), during Jewish festivities, on December 25th , on 1st January and on 1 May. Entrance to the Museum: Full price: € 3.00, Reduced price: € 2.00. Entrance to the Museum and Guided Tours to Synagogues: Full price: € 8.50, Reduced price: € 7.00.

Mocenigo Palace

Mocenigo Palace (Palazzo Mocenigo), (vaporetto San Stae). Closed on Mondays. A collection of clothes dating from the 18th century. €4.

The Peggy Guggenheim Museum

Palazzo Venier dei Leoni (Located on the Dorsoduro region of Venice, to the east of the Accademia bridge, on the southern side of the Grand Canal). Hours: W-M: 10AM-6PM. Closed on Tuesdays and on 25 December. Open on national holidays (including Tuesdays). The Peggy Guggenheim Museum offers a personal collection of modern art collected by Peggy Guggenheim. Peggy was an American married to modern artist Max Ernst, and funded a number of his contemporaries. The gallery includes a sculpture garden and works by Picasso, Kandinsky, Tanguy, Duchamp, Pollock, Dali, and Mondrian. Admission: Adults: €10, Seniors (over 65 years): €8, Students (18 years and under or holders of valid student ID): €5.

Ca' Pesaro

Beautiful palace housing the gallery of modern art focusing on Italian art in the 19th Century as well as the Marco Pollo Museum, a rich collection mainly of Asian exhibits.

Ca' Rezzonico

Museum of the 18th Century in Venice - attempts to revive the domestic atmosphere of Venetian nobilities.

Bell tower of St. Mark's (Campanile di San Marco)

The current tower dates from 1912; an exact replica of the previous tower which collapsed in 1902. The top of the tower offers great views of Venice and the lagoon.

Clock tower (Torre dell'Orologio)

Having been closed for restoration for many years, the restored astronomical clock is now visible. The fascinating tour of the clock mechanism (and rooftop bell) can only be visited on a guided tour.

Scuola grande di San Rocco

A masterpiece of Tintoretto, this guild house is an exquisite example of Manierist art in its best. In order to allow a comfortable admiration of the detailed ceiling mirrors are offered to the visitors.

Galleria dell'Accademia di Venezia

Venice's most significant art museum which is also one of Italy's best. A must see! Regular tickets: €6,50, Reduced-price tickets: €3,25, Advanced reservation fee: €1,00.

Glass Museum

Glass Museum (Museo del Vetro)*mdash; On Murano, the island so typical of its glasswork.

Goldoni's House

Goldoni's House (Casa Goldoni)— House of Venice' famous playwright.

Lace Museum

Lace Museum (Museo del Merletto).

Museo Fortuny

Museum of Greek Icons

Natural History Museum

Naval History Museum

Palazzo Grassi

Scala Contarini del Bovaro

Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci in the Chiesa di San Barnaba shows machines reproduced from Leonardo's codices. Some of the exhibits are interactive and copies of the codices are available for further reading. Campo San Barnaba, opening hours 9:30 - 19:30, just until 30th December 2009.

Rialto

Don't miss the Rialto market and the Rialto Bridge (Italian: Ponte di Rialto) on San Polo, the smallest sestiere. The Rialto market is for shoppers. To the east os a neighborhood of small shops and restaurants; the the west is the Rialto farmers' market. Shopping is slightly less expensive than in the tourist-filled Piazza San Marco. The bridge has become one of Venice's most recognizable icons and has a history that spans over 800 years. Today's Rialto Bridge was completed in 1591 and was used to replace a wooden bridge that collapsed in 1524.

Zattere

Zattere. It's a long and sunny walk along the Giudecca canal, protected during winter time from cold northerly winds for being exposed to south and shielded by buildings. You might find interesting to see how a gondola is made, stopping by the Squero (Venetian for small ship yard) across the canal near San Trovaso Church. It's one of the few still in business in town. With some luck, you'll see some gondole through various manifacturing steps (note that gondole are not straight to counter-balance the gondoliere push).