Palazzo Colonna was built between 1650 and 1700 to house the Colonna family’s art collection. It’s a Baroque masterpiece stuffed full of art and frescos. 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 the place. The noble … Read more
Need some destination inspiration for a trip to Italy? You’ve come to the right place. This is the ultimate Italy bucket list. It covers the 130+ best things to do, see, and experience in Italy. I created it based on my many vacations in this dreamy country. Indeed, Italy is one of my favorite countries … Read more
Curious about Rome’s SUPER ticket? This guide simplifies the process, detailing how to buy and use this exclusive pass. I also provide a glimpse into the incredible attractions accessible with it. The SUPER ticket is your key to extraordinary, often restricted archaeological wonders on Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. Many of these sites are … Read more
Looking for some interesting facts about Rome to prepare for a visit? I’m an inveterate reader and history buff. I always do massive prep for a trip and I’ve been to Rome many times. Rome can be akin to experiencing magic. But to properly walk through antiquity, it helps to unlock the background of Rome’s … Read more
Centro Storico is the most picturesque part of Rome. It’s a tangle of cobbled alleyways, Renaissance and Baroque monuments, ancient ruins, and pretty piazzas. This is the historic Rome that so many visitors come to see. My walking tour of central Rome starts at the Vittorio Emmanuel II Monument in Piazza Venezia and ends at … Read more
Scoping out some day trips from Rome? Here’s my guide to the 25 best day trips from Rome. I give you an overview of each day trip destination and tips for getting there. Rome is one of Europe’s most beautiful and popular cities. There are so many things to do in Rome, you could move … Read more
Here’s my guide to visiting the Vatican Pinacoteca, which is the Vatican’s picture gallery. It’s one of the world’s best small museums. In this guide, I identify 18 must see masterpieces in the Vatican Pinacoteca and give you tips for visiting the renowned, but largely secret, art gallery. More than 7 million people visit the … Read more
Are you looking for a quick overview of the history of Ancient Rome? The Roman civilization lasted from around 753 BC to 476 AD, encompassing the founding of Rome, the Roman Republic, and the Roman Empire. While it’s tough to condense so much history into a short summary, I’ve done my best to provide a … Read more
Are you a fan of ancient sculpture visiting Vatican City? If you want to know what to see, here’s my guide to 20+ must see sculptures in the Vatican Museums. The Vatican holds one of the world’s greatest art collections in 26 museums. Some of the most famous art works on the planet are there, … Read more
Are you a repeat visitor to the Vatican looking for some more unusual things to see? If so, here’s my guide to 21 hidden gems in the Vatican Museums. The Vatican Museums are an expansive and famous collection of 26 separate museums, with over 70,000 art works adorning their walls. Even with multiple visits, it’s … Read more