Attractions
Venice
Once you arrive and are stunned by all the architectural wonders and riches of Venice, its vivid colors and unique people, you will understand that Venice is one of the greatest cities ever conceived.
Basilica di San Marco (St. Mark’s Basilica) Through the centuries (much of what you see was constructed in the 11th c.), wealthy Venetian merchants and politicians alike vied with one another in donating gifts to expand and embellish this church, the saint's final resting place and, with the adjacent Palazzo Ducale, a symbol of Venetian wealth and power. Exotic and mysterious, it is unlike any other Roman Catholic church.
Canal Grande (Grand Canal) A leisurely cruise along the "Canalazzo" from Piazza San Marco to the Ferrovia (train station), or the reverse, is one of Venice's (and life's) must-do experiences. Hop on the no. 1 vaporetto in the late afternoon (try to get one of the coveted outdoor seats in the prow.)
Torre dell’ Orologio (Clock Tower) Finally, in 2005, the Clock Tower has been reopened to the public after a lengthy restoration project, As you enter the magnificent Piazza San Marco, it is one of the first things you see, standing on the north side.
Palazzo Ducale and Ponte dei Sospiri (Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs) The pink-and-white marble Gothic-Renaissance Palazzo Ducale, residence and government center of the doges ("dukes," elected for life) who ruled Venice for more than 1,000 years, stands between the Basilica di San Marco and St. Mark's Basin. A symbol of prosperity and power.
Florence
Florence has an attractive historic center, with some amazing architecture, including fine Renaissance palaces and the famous shop-covered bridge, the Ponte Vecchio. Home to some of the world's finest art and the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is the perfect place to see some of Italy’s most iconic attractions, sights and views. Whereas Venice is ideal for relaxing, Florence is made to be seen and heard.
The Ponte Vecchio The Ponte Vecchio is the most beautiful of the bridges that cross the River Arno as it flows through the city of Florence. Its original structure dates from Roman Times, and both sides of the bridge are lined with gold and silversmiths shops. It's a popular tourist attraction because of the views it offers from its central porticoes. On the far side of the Ponte Vecchio you'll see the Medieval Mannelli Tower.
Uffizi Museum The Uffizi Museum is probably Florence's most visited tourist attraction and features works by all the great Renaissance artists of Florence—such as Michelangelo, Della Robbia, Botticelli and Andrea del Sarto—as well as masterpieces by other world-renowned artists. The oldest museum in Europe, it was created from the core of the Medici art collections dating from the late 16th century. The museum features over 1,600 pieces of art that are exhibited in 45 rooms of the previous Palace of the Medici’s. Reservations are strongly recommended to avoid the long lines.
Accademia Gallery One of the major sightseeing attractions of Florence, the Accademia Gallery is home to a very important collection of Florentine paintings, dating from the 13th to the 18th centuries. Today it's more famous for being the home of Michelangelo's David, which was moved here in 1873. For many visitors to Florence, this statue is the symbol of the Renaissance movement. Like the Uffizi museum, reservations are strongly recommended.
Boboli Gardens The Boboli Gardens (Giardino di Boboli) are rich and extravagant pleasure-gardens with large expanses to explore, and photogenic views over Florence. The garden is dotted with statuary, fountains and a variety of features commissioned specially, or taken from the fabulous Medici art collections. The Boboli Gardens spread over the steep hillside behind the vast Pitti Palace, across the Arno from central Florence. Ideal for visiting if your tour takes place in the warmer months. The gardens are extremely vast, so be prepared to walk.
Il Duomo Located in the Piazza Duomo, right in the heart of the city, this ancient cathedral stands adjacent to its bell tower, both available to climb; and if you don’t mind stairs, the view is worth the climb. You will be able to overlook the city and snap pictures that look like postcards from the highest building in Florence.
Rome
Colosseum The Roman Colosseum is a tremendous amphitheater, the embodiment of both the grandeur and cruelty of the great Roman Empire. Capable of seating 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum hosted spectacular games that included gladiator exhibitions, fights between animals, prisoner executions and—strangely enough—naval battles.
Roman Forum Towering Ionic columns stretch proud and fragmented into the Italian sky and ancient porticoes stand guard over the empty shells of buildings that were once the centers of commerce, justice and worship for the city.
Pantheon Of all the great buildings constructed during the crest of the Roman Empire, only this one still stands. Pantheon history states that the interior of the roof is intended to symbolize the heavens, and the giant hole above is supposedly the eye of the gods.
Trevi Fountain The Trevi Fountain dominates a small square in the heart of the city near the Spanish Steps. The fountain entered pop culture thanks to the nighttime bathing scene in the film "La Dolce Vita" by Fellini, or for many Americans, the popular 1954 film “Three Coins in A Fountain.” This huge Baroque construction, inspired by sea mythology, took 30 years to build.
The Sistine Chapel The piece de resistance of the Vatican museum, the Sistine Chapel is the culmination of Michelangelo's finest work. Frescos detailing the life and times of both Jesus and Moses line the walls beneath the benevolent portraits of former popes.
The Vatican Museum Deep in the holy center of Vatican City, the Vatican Museum houses an enormous collection of art collected through its centuries of history, from Egyptian pieces to Etruscan ruins to Renaissance paintings and, of course, the legendary Sistine Chapel. Of all of the museums, not just in Italy but the world over, this one is not to be missed.
