Leslie Livingston 
What’s it like to visit Rome in December? Sublime, if you can handle a few crowds. In December, Rome is particularly magical. It’s like a month long festival. The city sparkles under a canopy of festive lights, with streets and squares like Via del Corso and Piazza Navona illuminated in holiday splendor. There are grand … Read more
The Gallery of the Maps is one of the most spectacular spaces in the Vatican Museums. It’s beautiful, colorful, and a remarkable achievement of art and science. The gallery is a long extended corridor about 400 feet long, over a football field in length. It houses the largest cycle of geographical pictures every painted. Overview … Read more
Venice is a canal-crossed city rising, somewhat improbably, from the Venetian Lagoon. It’s one of the most singular cities on planet earth. Not only is Venice visually stunning, but it’s home to some of the most important monuments in Italy. I could spend weeks writing about them. But I’ve winnowed my list down to the … Read more
Trajan’s Markets in Rome is a remarkably well preserved archaeological gem. Dating from 110 AD, it’s considered the world’s first shopping mall. Emperor Trajan built the markets after a victory over ancient Dacia. They were designed by his favorite architect, Apollodorus of Damascus. It was an extravagant public space and commercial complex. The bustling markets … Read more
Of all the marvelous architecture built by ancient Romans, the city’s baths were among the grandest. Inaugurated in 306 AD, Diocletian’s Baths was the granddaddy of them all. It was once the largest public bathing complex in Rome, sprawling over 30 acres. The baths were meant to surpass the Baths of Caracalla and could accommodate up … Read more
The Burgtheater in Vienna is one of the largest and oldest theaters in the world. It’s certainly the most prestigious German-language theater. Inaugurated in 1888, “die Burg,” as the Austrians call it, is housed in a beautiful Neo-Renaissance building. It’s a prime example of historicism architecture, with an imposing facade on the Ringstrasse. Inside, the … Read more
The Austrian National Library is an absolute must visit in Vienna. It’s simply gorgeous, one of the Hapsburg’s most opulent confections and one of the world’s most beautiful libraries. Emperor Charles VI founded the library, the Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, in the 1739s. It used to be the court library, but is now a museum. In both … Read more
Tuscany is renowned for its simple yet delicious cuisine. Its variety of wines is as good as any in Italy. Eating is a passion for Tuscans. And you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to eat your way through this decadent region. In fact, lunch or dinner on a vine-covered terrace or under a starry Mediterranean sky … Read more
The Italian summer aesthetic is a blend of la dolce vita – the sweet life – and effortless style set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean’s sun-drenched charm. It’s a picturesque world where each day is lived with leisurely grace, where you savor life’s joys at a slower, more mindful pace. This aesthetic isn’t just … Read more
If you’re wondering whether you should visit Puglia, the answer is yes! Puglia is a region of art, beauty, and tradition. Its charm lies in its mosaic of vivid landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture and cuisine. Puglia is home to a stunning coastline with pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. The region’s countryside is dotted … Read more