Are you an art lover traveling to Tuscany? This region of Italy has some of the world’s best cathedrals, art galleries, museums. Tuscany is celebrated for its Medieval (Gothic) and Renaissance art. Tuscany is even regarded as the birthplace of one of mankind’s greatest adventures, the Italian Renaissance Beginning in the middle ages, there were … Read more
Here’s my guide to visiting the Castle Sant’Angelo. The castle is a 2,000 year old landmark in Rome Italy. As a national museum, it’s official name is the Museo Nazionale di Castle Sant’Angelo. You might consider the distinctive round bulwark a sign that you’ve arrived at Vatican City. The castle is a former tomb of … Read more
Planning on visiting the Uffizi Gallery in Florence Italy? You’ll need some tips for visiting! Here’s my guide to everything you can do to prepare for a visit to the Uffizi including tips for how to get advance tickets to the uber popular museum. The art-rich Uffizi Gallery is one of the most famous museums … Read more
Here’s my guide to visiting the Palazzo Pubblico, the political and cultural center of Siena Italy. The magnificent palace sits proudly in one of Europe’s most beautiful medieval squares, the Piazza del Campo. The Palazzo Pubblico was built in 1297-1308 for the Council of Nine, the governing body of Siena. Beside the Gothic palace soars … Read more
Here’s my guide to visiting the National Museum of the Bargello in Florence. The august museum houses a world class collection of Renaissance sculptures. Despite that, and because Florence is so packed with treasures, the Bargello is a hidden gem in Florence. In this guide, I identify and describe the masterpieces of the Bargello and … Read more
Here’s my armchair travel guide to Venice Italy. Via 15 virtual tours, you can visit Venice’s famous landmarks, must see attractions, and world class museums from your couch or computer. You can feel like you’re in Venice even if you’re not. La Serrenissima is one of the world’s most beautiful and captivating cities. No other … Read more
“Without having seen the Sistine Chapel, one can form no appreciable idea of what one man is capable of achieving. ” — Goethe On my last trip to Rome, I learned that Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel fresco, The Last Judgment, got a makeover after his death. It was censored. Underpants were added to the nudity-filled fresco. … Read more
There’s only one place in the Roman Forum where you’ll find fresh flowers every day — at the grave of Rome’s most famous citizen, Julius Caesar. Here’s my guide to visiting, or going on a pilgrimage, to the Temple of Caesar in the Roman Forum. The temple was built to honor Caesar and safeguard the … Read more
Are you a fan of Michelanglo visiting Rome? If so, you need to visit St. Peter in Chains, or the Basilica de San Pietro in Vincoli. The off the beaten path church houses Michelangelo’s acclaimed Moses sculpture. The stirring sculpture is the central piece of the Tomb of Pope Julius II, who was an important … Read more
It started out innocently enough. Just over 2 weeks ago, I headed off for a blissy geographical cure in Rome. I have an unquenchable taste for ancient history and Roman ruins. Plus, I wanted to escape the impenetrable gray gloom of winter and the never-ending tasteless food, culture vacuums, and puerile political debates. When I … Read more