Must See Sights and Landmarks in Italy Area

"No visit to Rome is complete without briefly leaving Italy to light a candle in St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Almost all of the great Renaissance architects and artists had a hand in its design and it can be visited for free. There is a papal audience every Wednesday morning while on Sundays at noon the pope imparts his blessing on crowds for the Angelus."

"A breakfast buffet with Italian delicacies was served daily on the rooftop restaurant, that enjoys views of St Peter’s Basilica. The neighborhood was lovely with the Vatican and a metro stop just steps away. There was also a great choice of restaurants, bars, and shops nearby."

"It is a showcase of ancient Western civilization, with marvels such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Pantheon. It takes days and days to truly explore Rome. The city is enormous and it is filled with enough churches, Roman ruins, and exceptional restaurants that you could spend weeks here and never get bored. But most people don’t have weeks to spend in Rome."

"Witness a mysterious and ancient marvel of Rome, the Pantheon. Tour the pagan-temple-turned-church to learn how this historic monument has remained preserved despite raids and regime changes. Be sure to head to the most fascinating section of the monument’s interior¬ – the center of the Pantheon¬ – and raise your gaze to see the giant “eye” or oculus."

"At the time of its creation, this was the largest amphitheater of its day, having been able to hold 50,000 to 80,000 spectators!. Built as a giant centerpiece right in the heart of the ancient city of Rome, Emperor Vespasian saw to the construction of the Colosseum, which was built somewhere between 70- 80 A.D…. Though partly in ruin, much of the structure is available to visit and take in."

"After ducking into a bar (aka coffeeshop) for a traditional Italian breakfast of a cappuccino and a pastry, head directly to the Colosseum to soak in some incredible history! It’s impossible to get lost heading here–take the metro to the stop marked “Colosseum”, and it will practically smack you in the face as you walk out of the station."

"The most famous sight in all of Rome is its ancient gladiatorial arena, the Colosseum. Also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, the 2,000-year-old structure once held up to 50,000 spectators. As the site of epic gladiator battles, roaring crowds and jeering emperors, the historic atmosphere of this bloody arena is palpable."

"The incredibly ornate Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) is the most famous fountain in Rome, and perhaps all of Italy. Centered around the Greek sea god Oceanus—as well as Tritons, seahorses, and other mythological figures—the baroque Trevi Fountain has made cameos on the silver screen and is a popular spot of superstition; throw in a coin and make a wish.More"

"The Trevi fountain was completed in 1762, and today stands as one of Rome’s most popular tourist attractions. It’s not as popular as the Colosseum, or the Vatican, but still attracts large crowds. The statues of the fountain make excellent backdrops for portrait photos."

"Rome's world-famous Trevi Fountain depicts the mythological Neptune, backed by two Tritons. A fun place to grab a gelato, throw a coin in the fountain, and people-watch."

"It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful Roman attractions, built on the ashes of the Stadium of Domitian, was used in ancient times for athletic competitions. Today the Piazza Navona hosts street artists and painters and is a meeting point for tourist and Romans people. Do not miss the church of Sant’Agnese in Agone and the Fountain of the Rivers, where four statues are representing the four rivers considered at the time the most important: the Nile, the Danube, the Ganges and the Rio de la Plata."

"Yes the Trevi Fountain is famous and it certainly is one of the top Rome Tourist Attractions. But I am partial to this fountain and this piazza."

"Although established in the 1st century A.D., Piazza Navona was defined officially as a public space in the late 1400s."

"San Silvestro in Capite is located in Piazza San Silvestro, which, on an uncrowded day, is a five-minute walk northeast of the Trevi Fountain. Simply exit the Piazza di Trevi and head north on Via Poli, take a left on Via del Pozzetto, and you’ll find Piazza San Silvestro on your right. Piazza San Silvestro is a bit drab, and the church is nothing special from the outside, but the good stuff is to be found inside."

"If you know only one thing about Emperor Nero, know this: the man was famed for incredible acts of self-indulgence. Domus Aurea is his golden imperial estate, the most aesthetically overwhelming buildings at the time and a testament to his gaudy reputation. Now an active archaeological site, digital re-creations of what the estate would have looked like in its heyday (think intricate mosaics, resplendent artificial lakes and colourful frescoes) allow you to catch a glimpse into the mind of the opulent Emperor Nero."

"The Domus Aurea was the urban villa built by the Roman emperor Nero after the great fire that devastated Rome in 64 AD. The surviving part of the Domus Aurea was included in the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1980. Nowadays it’s possible to visit the villa, and the virtual reality of the villa allows you to see the rooms, especially the Hall from the golden vault, as they were in the days of Nero."

"Nero had his Domus Aurea constructed after the fire of AD 64 (which he is rumoured to have started to clear the area). Named after the gold that lined its facade and interiors, it was a huge complex covering..."

"Villa Borghese is one of the most famous parks in Rome and one that tourists have discovered a long time ago. Indeed, it deserves its fame: the park is wonderful!. Located right in the city centre (one of its entrances is just beside Piazza del Popolo), Villa Borghese is vast and has something for everyone."

"Among the most important Rome parks, there is Villa Borghese. It is probably the most famous Roman villa, due to its very central location near the Spanish Steps and Via Veneto, once the very heart of the “Dolce Vita”. It has an area of roughly 80 hectares."

"Towering over green fields, this 2nd-century villa is one of Rome's unsung splendours. It was the luxurious abode of two consuls, the Quintili brothers, but its splendour was in fact their downfall. The emperor Commodus had them both killed, taking over the villa for himself. The emperor added to the complex and the ruins are fabulously impressive. The highlight is the well-preserved baths complex with a pool, caldarium (hot bath) and frigidarium (cold bath). There's also a small museum with good exhibits."

"Found near the Forum, in Piazza del Campidoglio, the museums consist of two imposing buildings: the Palazzo dei Conservatori and the Palazzo Nuovo, linked by the Galleria Lapidaria tunnel. The museums were born when Pope Sixtus IV bequeathed bronze statues to the citizens of Rome in 1471, making these the oldest museums in the world. Amongst paintings and sculptures by the greatest artists, you’ll find a few unique treasures, such as the original sculpture of the Capitoline Wolf, the 1277 Ritratto di Carlo I d’Angiò di Cambio, the first sculpture of a living person, and the enormous equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius."

"Step back in time at the Capitoline Museums, found in the Colosseo district just outside the Colosseum, in order to explore some of the best Greek and Roman artifacts in the city. The Museo Capitolino is housed in a 17th century structure based on a sketch by Michelangelo, and it is home to works like the Dying Gaul and the enormous statue of the emperor Marcus Aurelius on horseback, both of which are made from bronze. Its most famous work however is probably Lupa Capitolina, a sculpture of Romulus and Remus under a wolf."

"The Capitoline Museums in Rome is actually a single museum that houses a collection dedicated to both art and archaeology. The museum's origins date back to the 15th century and Pope Sixtus IV, who donated ancient bronzes and set them upon Capitoline Hill, which is how the museum came to be. The Capitoline Museums were opened to the public in 1734 by Clement XII. As a result, the Capitoline Museums now own the honor of being the world's first-ever museum."

"The Hadrianeum—the circular construction designed and commissioned by the emperor Hadrian in 130 as his personal mausoleum—was completed by Antoninus Pius a year after Hadrian’s death. The adjoining bridge, Pons Aelius, another of the emperor’s projects, was begun in 136. In 270–75, Aurelian incorporated the tomb within the inner city by means of the fortified walls bearing his name."

"I love the Castel at many different times of day, but mid-morning (like the first few pics below), sunset, and nighttime are my favorites. To be fair, I’ve never been there at sunrise, so it could also be amazing then…. Part of what I love about it is how many different angles you have to play with:"

"Not many tourists make it to the Parioli side of town, but those who do are pleasantly surprised by a Roman neighbourhood like none other. Associated with Rome’s upper middle classes, Parioli is a tantalising mix of elegant townhouses and cool eateries, although you have to know where to go as its sprawling boulevards can get confusing pretty quickly. Enter Palmerie Parioli, a multi-storey house of tropical vibes, secret gardens and DJ sets serving much better food than you might expect."

"The trend for fusion cooking certainly isn’t new to Roman retaurants, but Le Asiatique really stands out. Located inside a palazzo from the 700s, the typically Roman aristocratic space is decorated with pieces of Asian art. The restaurant opened in December 2016 and the menu focuses on Japanese dishes (ramen, soba and udon) but also Chinese and Thai food."