Here’s my guide to visiting Nero’s Domus Aurea, or Golden House, in Rome. If you’re a history or archaeology buff like me, you’ll be smitten with this secret underground palace. I think it’s a must visit attraction in Rome. But, because it’s only been reopen on a limited basis since 2007, the Golden House is … Read more
Here’s my guide to visiting Villa Farnesina in Rome Italy. Designed by artist-architect Baldasarre Perruzi, Villa Farnesina is a magnificent off the beaten path museum, located in Rome’s lovely Trastevere neighborhood. It’s home to torrid love stories and secret Raphael paintings. If you know me, you know I hate crowds. Blissfully, this small museum on … Read more
Planning a trip to Rome Italy and want to get off the beaten path? Here’s my guide to discovering all the magnificent hidden gems and secret spots in Rome. Hidden gems in Rome, you say? Can there be any? In reality, they’re not that hard to come by. Rome has so many layers, it would … Read more
If you’re seeking to explore the works of Gian Lorenzo Bernini in Rome, look no further than my comprehensive guide to the Bernini Trail. As one of the most significant artists of 17th century Rome, Bernini worked under nine popes and left an indelible mark on the city’s cultural heritage. This guide provides an overview … Read more
Here’s my guide to visiting the ruins of the House of Augustus on Palatine Hill in Rome Italy. The House of Augustus was the home of Rome’s first emperor Augustus. It stands as a symbol of the transition of Rome from a republic to an imperial empire. The House of Augustus opened in 2014 after … Read more
Here’s my guide to visiting the beautiful art-filled Palazzo Colonna in Rome Italy. I give you an overview of the palace’s history and tell you everything to see inside. You’ve likely never heard of Palazzo Colonna. But if you’d like to have an aristocratic private palace all to yourself in Rome (who wouldn’t?), this is … Read more
If you’re an art lover seeking an affordable vacation in Rome, Italy, you’re in luck! This is the ultimate guide to experiencing the finest free art, sculpture, and architecture in the city. As it turns out, some of the best things to do in Rome won’t cost you a penny. Traveling in a bustling and … 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
“In the same way that illusions may cause small shapes to appear great, worldly matters held to be great may prove to be illusory and insignificant.” — Cardinal Spada Here’s my complete guide to visiting one of the true hidden gems in Rome, Palazzo Spada. While the rest of Rome is bursting at the seams, … 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