ATTRACTIONS

Umbria | Tuscany | Amalfi | Rome

ATTRACTIONS IN UMBRIA

ORVIETO — This Etruscan/Medieval town sits on its regal throne of tawny volcanic tufa surveying the Tiber Valley. The fabulous Cathedral features Luca Signorelli’s End of the World Renaissance frescoes.

Duomo of Orvieto
This grand church employs ploychromatic marble and incorporates sculptures and mosaics in its facade. Luca Signorelli's, series of frescoes, Last Judgement, are also located within.

Emilio Greco Museum
This museum is home to a collection of 32 bronze statues and graphic art donated by the museums namesake and artist Emilio Greco. This same artist designed the doors of the city's Duomo.
Address: Piazza Duomo Orvieto  TR  Italy  05018

LAKE TRASIMENO — this is 5 miles south of Cortona, Italy’s fourth largest lake. Go to Passignano, little village for a stroll along the lake, take the ferry to Maggiore Island, or just shop. Castiglione del lago is another lovely village on the lake, visit the Palazzo Ducale to see the frescoed rooms and medieval fortress studied by Da Vinci.  

PERUGIA — this is the most cosmopolitan town in Umbria. DON’T MISS THIS TOWN! It is difficult to park but once you are there there are great shops, a 13th century gothic fountain, 2 Etruscan gates and many chic cafés.

Corso Vannucci
Corso Vannucci is where Perugia's populace spends a majority of their time and money, in the upscale shops and great restaurants that line the streets. This considered the city's main street.

Priori Palace (Palazzo dei Priori)
Construction on this magnificant palace in the centre of the city began in 1298, and continued until 1353, during the height of the medieval age. From the entrance, on IV November Place, a large staircase raises up to the Sala dei Notari, a grand hall featuring colourful frescoes by Pietro Cavallini that once served as a gathering place for the city's influencial. Today, the building also hosts the National Gallery of Umbria.
Address: Corso Vannucci, 25 - Piazza IV Novembre Perugia  PG  Italy

Medieval Botanical Garden
This Medieval garden displays hundres of plants and flowers.
Address: Via Borgo XX Giugno, 74 Perugia  PG  Italy  06122

Capitolare Museum (Museo Capitolare)
Located in the S. Lorenzo Cathedral, this museum includes a collection of art ranging from paintings, sculpture and more, reflecting Perugia's thriving art scene dating back to the 1300s.
Address: IV Piazza Novembre Perugia  PG  Italy

GUBBIO is one of the most beautiful and best preserved medieval towns in Italy. It was built from the local stone and is one of the most famous images of medieval Umbria as it sits high on a hill overlooking the Umbrian countryside below. The gothic Palazzo dei Consoli is a must see with a museum and art gallery inside. There are also remains of the Roman city in the flat land below, complete with a Roman theater which once accommodated 6000 spectators.

Another interesting village to discover is Panicale.  This is a very cute town in Umbria, with an interesting church and one of the smallest theaters or opera houses. It is known for its hand embroidered tulle, another craft that is being kept alive. In the little church of San Sebastiano, you will find Perugino’s Martyrdom of St. Sebastian.   

ASSISI — Pink stone medieval town, made famous as the birthplace of St. Francis.  The Basilica houses the best pre-Renaissance frescoes there are by Giotto.  There is also the façade of a Roman temple in the main square.

CITTA’ DELLA PIEVE — This little brick town is a delightful surprise fairly unknown to all.  Houses several works by the famous Umbrian artist Perugino.

CIVITA’ DI BAGNOREGIO — This surrealistic town is perched on a tufa butte and is accessible only foot-bridge!  The narrow streets are alive with Italian life and the amazing views of the Calanchi (crater-like natural sculptures in the valley) are worth visiting this off-the-beaten track gem.

TODI — Another lovely Etrucan-medieval town sitting on a hill facing the Tiber River, this town has been voted one of the best places to live in the world!  Antique shops abound.

ATTRACTIONS IN TUSCANY

MONTEPULCIANO — Wine town famous for it production of Vino Nobile. Browse around the shops and duomo. Several famous labels have historic cellars right in town that receive walk-ins. The main drag here is Corso del Gracciano. There is a Renaissance temple outside of town, “San Biaggio”, completely in travertine.

PIENZA — This is an easy town to walk around and shop. The smells of the pecorino sheep cheese will overwhelm you. A town created specifically as the perfect Renaissance example.

BAGNO VIGNONI — Tiny village after Pienza with uncovered remains of the roman thermal bath. In the middle of town a huge Thermal pool built by the Medici.

MONTALCINO — Home of the famous wine, Brunello of Montalcino. You can go into town and wander the many wine bars to have a bite to eat and drink. The best thing lies 10 km south of the town, “Abbazia Sant’Antimo”  founded by Charlemagne.

AREZZO — This is a real Italian town, not many tourists, great shops. Lots of gold. There is a huge antique market the first weekend of every month. Arezzo is a rather small city, but sophisticated and pleasantly not touristy. Go see famous frescoe cycle “The true legend of the Cross” by Piero della Francesca, by reservation only, located in the Basilica of St. Francis.

CORTONA — This is the town made famous by Francis Mayes’ book and movie “Under the Tuscan Sun.”  Easy to walk around this Etruscan-Roman town. Good shopping and cute café’s for a sandwich or bruschetta. Outside the town is a MUST see; 13TH century convent, “Le Celle”

SIENA — Larger then the other Tuscan villages, smaller then Florence, Siena is a beautifully preserved gothic town. The Duomo is not to miss. Very unusual, carved pavement. Pay the few euro to get into the Pinturicchio library, it is fabulous, has 10 never restored Renaissance frescoes depicting the life of Silvio Piccolomoni, one of Siena’s famous sons. The main square is famous for it’s triangle shape with beautiful city hall. 

Branda Fountain (Fonte Branda)
This amazingly old fountain (12th century) was of extreme importance during Siena’s turbulent Middle Ages. Aqueducts brought water into the fortified city, which was key to citizens’ survival during times of war.
Address: Via di Fontebranda Siena  SI  Italy  53100

SAN GIMIGNANO — This is a small completely Medieval village famous for its towers. Pay the few euro to get into the Collegiata, the cathredral. It is worth it, old and new testament frescoes line the walls. Great renaissance frescoes in the St. Fina chapel. There is a very well documented torture museum. Before reaching San Gimignano, about 8 miles after Siena, heading west, you will see a round fortress town to your left. This is Monteriggioni, it was a military fortress built in the 1200’s. It was mentioned in Dante’s inferno. 

Continuing west from San Gimignano is an unbelievable drive to Volterra. This is one of the few towns in Tuscany that does not produce wine. They abound in alabaster. It is an Etruscan town. 

CHIANTI — This is the region south of Florence and north of Siena. Winding roads, woods and vineyards.  Casteles abound, Brolio and Verazzano are amoung the most famous.

ATTRACTIONS IN AMALFI

AMALFI — This Roman city was the first sea republic of Italy, it is the only town on the Amalfi Coast right on the water.  There is an incredible Duomo from the XI century. The small picturesque seaside resort is pleasant to stroll, browse the many shops or watch the boats and cruise ships. Port offers hydrofoil to Capri, Positano and Sorrento.

Cloister of Paradise (Chiostro del Paradiso)
To the left of Amalfi's Duomo lies the Cloister of Paradise, where Amalfi's elite reside in a city for the dead. The 800-year-old graveyard is characterized by fragments of Cosmatesque mosaics, a specialty of the region, scattered columns and statues marking sarcophagi and, an intriguing crypt for a faceless priest.
Address: Piazza del Duomo Amalfi  SA  Italy

Scala Castle
The castle of Scala, otherwise known as the Scala Maggiore, protected the Amalfi Coast to the north from the 12th century.

SORRENTO — Immersed amongst orange groves, parks and gardens, this small town is built on a cliff top with its sides dropping sheer into the blue sea. Port offers hydrofoil to Positano, Naples, Capri, Ischia and Amalfi. Train service to Naples or Pompeii.

Palazzo Correale
This stunning palace was built in the 14th century, but became the beauty it is today when its Rococo courtyard was added in 1772. The palace is an example of fine Campanian craftsmanship, and one of the region's highlights.
Address: Via Pietà 24 Sorrento  NA  Italy

RAVELLO — This small town is perched on a hill like a balcony overlooking the clear sea of the Gulf of Salerno. The Ravello Festival features nearly 2 months of orchestra, jazz, dance and other artistic events every summer. Ravello can be accessed by taxi, private car or pubic bus only.

Villa Rufolo
Built in the 13th century by the powerful Rufolo family, the Villa Rufolo has been home to several popes, Scottish botanist Francis Nevile Reid and German composer Wagner. Its humble beginnings have been embellished by its successive residents, and the surrounding gardens provide an inspirational atmosphere for several cultural events.
Address: Piazza Duomo Ravello  SA  Italy

POSITANO — Perhaps the most well known Amalfi Coast town, Positano is breathtaking with its many white houses and buildings clinging to the side of the mountain, showcasing brilliant colors of flowers used by residents to decorate their homes. Port offers service to Amalfi, Sorrento and Capri.

Palazzo Murat
The courtyard of the Palazzo Murat is one of the most expertly landscaped and well-maintained gardens in all of Italy. The palace is where Joachim Murat, designated King of Naples in 1808 by brother-in-law Napoleon, spent his summers relaxing, and he set the standard for style.
Address: Via dei Mulini 23 Positano  SA  Italy

CAPRI — This island has a balance between natural beauty, archeology and art. Playground to the jet-setters for decades and renowned for its Blue Grotto, Faraglioni Rocks and incomparable fauna and flora.  Hydrofoil service from Naples, Sorrento, Amalfi, Positano. 

POMPEII — The eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D. buried this vibrant town of 20,000 people, under a layer of pebbles, ash and mud. Step into history as you walk the ruins and observed perfectly preserved bodies and everyday items. Accessible by train from Naples or Sorrento.

VESUVIUS — This is the only active volcano in Europe, along with Mt Etna in Sicily, and is presently dormant after the eruption of 1944. Access is by car or by the Circumvesuviano train + shuttle bus that takes you up to almost to the crater. The last kilometer is on foot but a breathtaking view awaits you!

HERCULANEUM — Smaller then Pompeii, this town differs in that it was buried not by lava, but by volcanic mud which made the excavations much easier. Unlike Pompeii, furniture and other objects were preserved making the remains extremely detailed. Accessible by the Circumvesuviano train that runs from Naples to Sorrento with stops in Pompeii and Herculaneum.

PAESTUM — Found in the 6th century BC by Greek settlers, there are three fabulous Doric temples and painted tombs. Overlooked, it is worth a visit.

ATTRACTIONS IN ROME

St. Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro)
Constructed in the 17th century, Bernini's massive square, in front of St. Peter's Basilica, holds thousands of Christians every Sunday for the Popes's weekly address to the public.
Address: Vatican State Rome  RM  Italy

Trevi Fountain
Perhaps the most famous of all of Rome's fountains, this architectural and sculptural masterpeice finished construction in the mid-1700s by artist Nicola Salvi. The design of the fountain was inspired by an earlier attempt to build a fountain in the same place by designer Bernini. Legend has it, those who toss a coin over their shoulder into the fountain, will return to Rome.

Piazza della Rotonda
Situated right in front of the Pantheon, a beautiful and elegant fountain decorated with dolphins compliments this plaza.
Address: Pantheon, 00186 Rome  RM  Italy

Piazza Navona
This square boasts not just one, but three beautiful fountains, with what some deem as Bernini's masterpiece, la Fontana dei Fiumi, taking centre-stage.
Address: Piazza Navona Rome  RM  Italy

Piazza Barberini
Piazza Barberini is one of the busiest traffic centers in the city. Created in the 16th century, a number of classic fountains are situated here including Bernini's impressive Triton Fountain.
Address: Piazza Barberini Rome  RM  Italy

Arch of Titus
The Arch of Titus was dedicated in 81 AD to emperor Titus, perhaps best known for ensuring completion of the work on the Colosseum.
Address: Via dei Fori Imperiali Rome  RM  Italy

Via degli Annibaldi
Via degli Annibaldi is a street in Rome. Along it there is a small gate, which is the entrance to a nymphaeum that dates back to the ancient years of Augustus.
Address: Via degli Annibaldi Rome  RM  Italy

Temple of Saturn
The oldest sacred place in Rome, this temple was dedicated to Saturn in 498 BC. Later used as the Republic of Rome's first treasury, eight columns now mark the spot where the temple was located.
Address: Via dei Fori Imperiali Rome  RM  Italy

Municipal Gallery of Modern Art
The scope of artists' examples in the Municipal Museum of Modern Art ranges from the works of Van Gogh to Jackson Pollock.
Address: Via F. Crispi 24 Rome  RM  Italy

Vatican State
This sovereign state in the centre of Rome is the offical home of the Pope. At the end of 2003, the Vatican had a population of 552; 61 Cardinals, 346 clergy, 101 members of the Swiss Guard and 44 lay persons.
Address: Vatican City  Vatican State  Italy

Vatican Museums
It could take years to see all of the endless collection of paintings, sculptures and tapestries at the Vatican Museums. This massive building has been under construction since the 5th century, and covers 5.5 hectares of land.

Vatican Gardens
The Vatican Gardens began in 1279 when Pope Nicholas II enclosed a neighbouring orchard within the city walls. The maze of hedges also contain many impressive sculptures.
Address: Vatican City  Vatican  IT

Palazzo Braschi
This 18th century former palace now houses the Museo di Roma, containing a collection of more than 100,000 pieces of art.
Address: Via di San Pantaleo 10 Rome  RM  Italy  00186
Address: Vatican City  Vatican State  Italy

The Pantheon
Considered one of the best preserved buildings of its age in the world, the Pantheon is undoubtedly a stunning architectural masterpiece and therefore a popular sight in Rome. There is some dispute over who built the Pantheon, dating back to 27 BC. The height and the diameter equal each other at 43.3 metres, and each of the 16 columns is a single piece of stone.
Address: Piazza della Rotonda Rome  RM  Italy

Colosseum
Completed in 80 AD after eight years of construction, the Roman Colosseum has 80 entrances for its capacity of 55,000 spectators. Ancient emporers held games to entertain the public here, from chariot races to fights to the death between gladiators and wild animals.
Address: Piazzale del Colosseo Rome  RM  Italy

Basilica Julia
The ruins of the massive Basilica Julia, commissioned by Caesar himself in 54 BC, are among the jumble of great buildings that was once the bustling centre of Rome, the Roman Forum.
Address: Via dei Fori Imperiali Rome  RM  Italy

Michelangelo's Moses
This famous marble statue depicts The Biblical figure of Moses. Originally made for the tomb of Julius II, the statue is currently located in the San Pietro in Vincoli.
Address: 4/a Piazza San Pietro in Vincoli 00184

Villa Borghese
The Villa Borghese was once the home of the affluent Borghese family, who spent almost 300 years sculpting and developing the property. There are sculptures, gardens, temples, museums and even a small zoo.
Address: Villa Borghese Rome  RM  Italy

Villa D'Este
Once a stoic Benedictine convent, the grounds of the Villa D'Este were transformed in 1550 into a residence for relaxation, featuring lush gardens, shady terraces and a plethora of fountains, one that used to play the organ and another that imitated the calls of birds. The villa was occupied from 1865 to 1886 by artist Franz Liszt, who found great inspiration from its surroundings.
Address: Piazza Trento Tivoli  RM  Italy

Hadrian's Villa Tivoli
Once the summer residence of Emperor Hadrian, this 1,800-year-old complex has been named UNESCO Heritage Site of which much remains unexcavated. The palace once contained more than 30 buildings, including libraries, a theatre, baths and gardens.

Caelian Hill
Much of history has taken place on this hill, one of Rome's famous seven. To start, it features ruins of a temple, three ancient churches and a park in which to relax and take a stroll.
Address: Via Claudia Rome  RM  Italy