Need some destination inspiration for a trip to Italy? Here’s my guide to spending one week in Italy, with 12 sample itineraries. One week in Italy might not seem like much time. But, with some advance planning and ambition, you can definitely have a bucket list adventure. There’s nowhere more romantic (or popular) than Italy. … Read more
Want to know here to find the best art in Italy? Look no further! This is the definitive guide to the best artworks and masterpieces in Italy. This guide includes famous paintings, sculpture, and frescos from ancient Rome to the Renaissance (even a bit of Modern art). I describe the art works and tell you … Read more
Wondering how many days to spend in Rome? I have some tips for you in this ultimate Rome trip planning guide. I first went to Rome as a college student. That trip sparked a longstanding fascination with all things Rome. And no matter how much I think I know about the Eternal City, there’s always … Read more
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
Mamertine Prison is a place inextricably liked to pagan Rome’s quest for empire. The prison is located in an evocative corner of Rome, at the foot of Capitoline Hill and opposite the Arch of Septimius Severus. It’s underneath the humble Church of San Giuseppi dei Falegnami. While prisons weren’t a common feature in classical Rome, … Read more
If you’re a history buff, you’ll definitely want to check out my guide to 30 must-see Roman ruins, archaeological sites, and historic landmarks in Rome, Italy. These attractions are some of the best ways to experience the city’s rich history. Rome is a city filled with magnificent ancient sites and can be overwhelming to navigate. … Read more
Planning to check out the beautiful Piazza Navona in Rome? For nearly 400 years, the elegant Renaissance square has been an artistic jewel at the heart of Rome’s centro storico. It’s sometimes called the Square of Fountains and is the very symbol of Rome. Piazza Navona is a long rectangle flanked by sublime palaces, statues, … Read more
Palazzo Barberini is an art lover’s art gallery. It holds some of Europe’s greatest masterpieces. The museum is housed in a luxurious 17th century Baroque palace. It’s fully renovated and unapologetically grand. The palace is a magnificent backdrop for the Barberini’s stunning art collection. And you can see them without the usual crowds in Rome. … Read more
The Baths of Caracalla were inaugurated by Emperor Caracalla in 216. They were the most luxurious thermae of Rome. The grandeur was not conveyed just with sheer size, but with magnificent decoration of polychrome marble and mosaics. Happily, you can visit these magnificent ruins without the ruinous crowds of most of Rome’s historic sites. And … 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