Italy is one of the best tourist destinations in the world. Its lush countryside includes a dazzling combination of panoramic mountains and gorgeous Mediterranean beaches. The food and wine aren’t too shabby, either. If you’re visiting Italy, here are four cities you must tour during your stay.
Turin
This city recently hosted the Winter Olympics, and all the new guests relished their surroundings.The place Americans know as Torino has enjoyed a bit of a tourism boom in the interim. You’ll want to visit several places while you’re there. River Po Park features benches from which you can appreciate the surrounding waters and hill, while Palazzo Madama, formerly the home of the queen, provides guests with a tour of restored Baroque architecture. Finally, while in the city, you must tour The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist to examine the vaunted Shroud of Turin.
Florence
Florence is the birthplace of the Italian renaissance, and every aspect of the city is steeped in culture. Due to its rich history, there are no fewer than seven major museums in Florence.
The most famous museum in Florence is Galleria degli Uffizi. It is one of the oldest museums in the world. Many legendary paintings and other works of art reside here, but the most significant one is “The Birth of Venus.” Any patron of the arts will discover a veritable treasure trove of inimitable works at any of the major museums, though. You’ll never feel more cultured than while visiting Florence.
Rome
While Florence’s history is wonderful, it cannot compete with Rome’s since many storied buildings in Italy’s capital are more than 2,000 years old. While in Rome, you’ll have a wealth of options for your free time.
At a minimum, you should take the time to visit the ancient Flavian Amphitheatre, also known as the Colosseum, where gladiators once engaged in epic fights to the death. After you’re done admiring the Old World’s answer to the Astro Dome, head over to the Roman Forum to see the place where modern politics began. It’s always the Ides of March there as far as the tour guides are concerned.
Finally, leave Rome by heading to a different part of town, Vatican City. Technically its own country, this area offers more pageantry than anywhere else in the area. If you choose to stay at a nearby hotel in Rome, you are only minutes away from The Pope’s architecturally stunning residence.
Venice
Visit for the romantic boat rides, stay for the inimitable ambience. Venice is the dream destination for many tourists due to its reputation as one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world. Since so much of the city is located by the water, residents use gondolas to move around as much as they use cars. The result is a spectacular city full of Renaissance wonders such as Gallerie dell’Accademia meshed with the glory of the opera at La Fenice Theatre and some of the finest food and wine in the world.
Visiting Italy is on everyone’s bucket list. As long as you visit these four cities, you’ll have the time of your life.
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Image credits (Creative Common) by order: Igor, Rob, Paolo Margari