While you’re thinking about traveling to Italy, you will have to remember that no matter if your travel involves going to incredibly beautiful cities/sites, eating amazing food or even just going for work, a couple things in a suitcase are not an option regardless. So as you start to come up with your travel plans for Italy, the main thing to keep in mind is if you’re traveling with an Indian passport you will need to be mindful of what visa, if any, you need. You want to make a checklist for making sure you are in the best possible circumstances for your application process that can be as smooth, hassle free, and successful as possible for your Italy Visa for Indians.

This Ultimate Guide has a full checklist for leisure and business travel, some tips and hints for you to take advantage of it to make the most out of your travel and successful process.

1. Identify the Right Visa Category

The very first question you are likely to ask yourself when making your travel plans is what is the correct visa type? Since Italy is part of the Schengen Area, Indian nationals need to apply for a Schengen visa to enter Italy.

• Tourist Visa: This is the visa for leisure purposes, sightseeing, visiting family and friends.
• Business Visa: A business visa is for attending conferences, business meetings, meetings, trade fairs or possibly other engagements you are participating in professionally.

When you are aware that you are applying for the correct visa, you will be sending the correct documents which helps push against the unwanted delays.

2. The Application Form

• You need to complete the official Schengen visa application form for Italy. You need to also be aware of a number of things.
• You have completed all of your details, ensuring that is correct and matches any supporting documents.
• You have signed the form before submitting it.

If there is any mismatch on the application and documents then you will be at risk of having your visa application rejected.

3. Valid Passport

• Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your anticipated date of departing Italy.
• Your passport must have at least two blank pages for visa stamp entry purposes.
• Most importantly, the passport cannot be older than 10 years.

4. Passport size photographs

• Two current passport size photographs (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm) should be attached to each application form. Photos must be recent for Schengen Visa application/requirements.
• White background.
• Neutral expression.
• Photographs must have been taken within the last 6 months.

5. Cover Letter

A cover letter is a key part of a Italy Visa for Indians application. In the cover letter they have to identify your reasons:

• Identify the reason for the travel (business or leisure).
• Identify travel dates and itinerary.
• If applicable, identify any financial sponsorship.

6. Evidence of Travel Arrangements

You want to provide evidence of your travel arrangements:

• Round trip flight reservation.
• Complete hotel reservation or invitation letter from your host.
• If you are going to more than one city in Italy- internal travel reservations.

7. Evidence of Financial Means

You will want to provide evidence that you are able to fund your travel to Italy:

• Bank statement for 3-6 prior months.
• Income tax returns (ITR) or pay slips.
• If another person is sponsoring the trip- all sponsorship documents.

8. Travel Medical Insurance

You must have a valid travel medical insurance that includes:

• At least €30,000 in medical costs.
• Coverage in the Full Schengen Area.
• The duration of insurance from travel date to travel date.

9. Employment or Business Documentation

To be provided according to your Purpose of Travel.

• For Employees: The letter you provide should be written from the employer or company, identify the type of job titles you have, state that you (the employee) are leaving and when you are expected to return.
• For Self Employed: Business registration, GST information, and recent bank statements for the business account.
• For Business Visitors: letter of invitation from the Italian company, details of meetings you plan to attend, evidence of any prior professional correspondence.

10. Other Additional Documentation for your application

• Proof of civil status (ex. marriage certificate, children’s birth certificates).
• Previous passports that include any prior visa stamps, if applicable.
• Your entitlements to attend the events/conferences if applicable.

Hints for a seamless Process of Italy Visa for Indians

• Apply Early– Ideally you should apply a minimum of 15-30 days in advance.
• Check Your Documentation – One of the more common reasons that delays occur is during the results process due to missing documentation.
• Be honest – Always provide honest and truthful information or you could be banned and/or denied permission later.
• Be aware of the possibility of an Interview – Consulates do like to ask a few questions related to your travel.

Time and Costs

Across the board, for applying for an Italy visa for Indians, processing time will take on average 15 to 20 working days. The fees will change based on the applicant’s age, visa type, and whether you apply directly for the visa, or through a service with an agency to assist you in your visa application.

Conclusion

No matter how you are experiencing Italy’s vibrant culture for leisure or making a transition to improve your business life, having an organized visa application process is the first thing to help you have a wonderful trip. Make a checklist, follow the requirements correctly or follow-up with the consulate to find out the most current requirements. If you are a traveller and want help with application processes, documents checks, and making appointments, professional visa facilitators like OneVasco will assist you when making the application process.

Milan… The original fashion capital of the world. The place where shopping is unprecedented. A city you can’t fully explore in a short holiday. A place any trip to Europe would be incomplete without. There are so many places to visit and things to do in Milan when visiting for the first time. And you will always be wanting more. The second-largest city in beautiful Italy boasts some incredible historical and cultural places. History is everywhere around you in this millennia-old city, and you can feel it in the air. At the same time, Milan is a modern place with edgy and innovative architectural designs. It masterfully combines the old and the new as images seamlessly transition from historically significant structures such as the Milan Cathedral to Bosco Verticale, a pair of residential towers whose magnificence is impossible to capture with words.

If you are planning your first visit to Milan, you should prepare. Begin by placing your valuables in storage. Milan is not a short bus drive away. Also, you will have a lot of exploring to do, and you don’t want to be distracted by worries about your possessions back home. Ensure their safety while away so you can be relaxed while soaking the beauty of one of the greatest European cities. Milan has so much to offer, and this one visit will not be enough. So, you want to make the most of it. I will help you with a list of things to do in this majestic Italian city.

Go and See Duomo

The first of the things to do in Milan when visiting for the first time is to go and see the Duomo.

The Duomo di Milano, the Cathedral mentioned before, is the symbol of the city and the place you can’t skip. There is something special about Gothic architecture that is just so captivating. The stunning beauty and incredible intricacy of the facade are bound to leave you breathless. Right on top of it, reigning the city is the golden statue of the Virgin Mary.

The Cathedral and Piazza Duomo, the square in front of it, are at the very heart of the city. It is an amazing place to begin your exploration of the city because wherever you head from there, you will arrive at someplace incredible.

Like so many other tourists, I took some impressive pictures there. I try to steer clear of cliches, but sometimes, cliches exist for a reason. And when it comes to Duomo, no amount of photos of the same will ever be enough to capture the true beauty of this structure.

Also, make sure to go inside. No matter how long the line, it will be worth it. Climb to the terrace as well, especially if the day is nice. The ticket may be on the pricy side, but it’s worth every cent.

Check Out Some More Churches

Duomo is not the only church in Milan, although it is the most notable. Since your visit will probably limit you to a few other churches, here are some you absolutely have to see:

• Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio – one of the oldest churches in Milan.
• Chiesa di San Maurizio – aka the “Sistine Chapel of Milan” due to its spectacular frescoes covering the entire ceiling.
• Santa Maria delle Grazie – The Last Supper, Leonardo’s masterpiece, and more incredible art is here, so you absolutely must see it.

No Visit Is Complete Without a Few Museums

There are so many fantastic museums in Milan that it’s hard to pick just a few. Alas, here are my favorite picks:

• The Pinacoteca di Brera – This museum is home to an impressive collection of paintings by Italian masters, including Raphael, Caravaggio, and Mantegna. What is more, it is located in an artsy part of Milan. You will love a leisurely stroll down cobbled streets, a cup of coffee in one of the charming cafes, and an opportunity to take a romantic photo at every step.
• The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana – An art gallery any art lover should visit. It is the first art gallery in the world open to the public.
• The Museo del Novecento – A new museum that opened in 2010 and is dedicated to the twentieth-century art
• The Museo Poldi Pezzoli – The museum originated in the 19th century as a private collection of Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli. The exhibition includes a wide range of pieces, such as weaponry, glassworks, ceramics, jewelry, and furnishings.
• Museo delle Culture – This museum is dedicated to foreign cultures and exhibits artifacts from the entire world.
• Triennale di Milano – The museum of design and art; a place true design connoisseurs must visit. I found it incredibly engaging, and the exhibitions do a fantastic job at making you ponder the meaning of the displays.
• The Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia – It is a great place if you are traveling with kids because there are many activities and interactive labs designed specifically with children in mind.

What’s a Visit to Milan Without Some Shopping?

Shopping in Milan… There is nothing better!

Not everyone can afford a shopping spree in Milan. But if there is a place in the world where you should treat yourself to something special, it’s Milan. It had been my biggest wish to go shopping in Milan, so you can imagine my thrill when I finally got there. Sure, my wallet took some beating, but I will not lie – it was well worth it! So, shopping, or at least window-shopping, is one of the things to do in Milan when visiting for the first time.

The high-end shops are mesmerizing. The affluence that the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II exudes is intoxicating. Even if you don’t plan to buy anything, just walking around this place that looks like a veritable piece of art is a tremendous experience. Also, take a walk in Quadrilatero d’Oro, aka Quadrilatero della Moda. It is one of the most exclusive shopping districts in the whole world and where Milan’s fashion week takes place.

This area consists of four famous streets: Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga, Via Sant’Andrea, and Via Manzoni.

Of course, shopping on a budget is possible in Milan, too. The Highline Outlet, right there in the heart of Milan, offers a plethora of fantastic brands at discounted prices.

Experience the Local Life

Roam and experience life in this city.

Something I always love to do when I travel is to take some time to just walk around, without visiting any landmarks, and with no specific plan. I always like to see what it’s like to be there as a local. All the places in the world are a lot more than famous monuments, museums, or restaurants. Thus, one of the things to do in Milan when visiting for the first time is to walk around its many different neighborhoods without a definite purpose. Get on the Metro to one of the areas, and start exploring and looking around. You don’t need a goal or a final destination. Just experience the area.

About the author:

Anita Atkins is a travel blogger and a true lover of art. She has visited all seven continents and made it her mission to travel to as many countries in the world as possible. Anita loves to bring a souvenir from her trips, and she has a massive collection of magnets and cookbooks from all over the world.

About the photos:

1. Aerial View of City Buildings
2. People Walking Near White Concrete Building
3. People Inside Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II Shopping Mall In Italy
4. People Walking in a Park
   

by Alice McGinnis 

How can I unwrap the gift of time in Italy given to me by my sons? I was a newcomer here, in this adventure in wonderland. Bundled in this cradle of history and antiquity I felt younger.

Our first stop was Naples, birthplace of pizza, the song Santa Lucia, the actress Sophia Loren and the oldest opera house in Europe. There we were, standing in the Piazza Dante where the taxi had dropped us off after a wild ride from the airport. Dwarfed by Dante’s raise statue, we wheel our suitcases over the piazza, cross the street in the direction Dante is pointing and walk through an arch to our B&B. A funny little elevator on the outside of an old building carries us two-at-a-time up to the third floor. After settling into our rooms we take time to rest then off we go to Bellini’s Restaurant to taste their famous pizza before setting off on our Naples Walk.

Greeting the locals with “buonjiorno” on our walk to the Palace Museum soon became automatic even though most Italians speak English. The floors of the Museums are paved with magnificent marble. We descend into the catacombs, those underground burial places that were both sanctuary and refuge for Christians during the early centuries of Roman persecutions. After touring the Museum, we ascend the hill to the Castle Nuovo with its impressive views from the terraces. Later we ride up a funicular and watch the sun set over Napoli and the harbour then make the short walk to the Archaeological Museum. Here we see the larger-than-life statues excavated from Rome’s Baths of Caracalla in the 1540s. There are also treasures from Pompeii and Herculaneum that were buried under thirty feet of hot volcanic ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79.

We say goodbye to Napoli and shuttle south to Minori, the smallest of fourteen towns on the Amalfi Coast. The road winds back and forth in switch-back after switch-back from sea eve up the hilltops and villages that cling on the very edge.

There were seventy-seven steps up to our hotel rooms so for us North Americans who depend on elevators this was quite a workout. The generations of Italians who live on the hillside towns climb up and down the stairs daily.

Later we went to explore the town.

“I’d like to get you a chocolate croissant,” my son Ray says as we pass a large bakery. The smell of warm pastries and the sight of counters full of desserts and gelato had earned this place an international reputation. I couldn’t resist.

It’s easy to take short ferry trips to these hilltop towns of Minori, Amalfi, Ravello and Positano. Each has their own “oh-my-God!” views and cobblestone streets where pedestrians stroll, window shop and explore.

My son guided us through each day’s itinerary. Sometimes we entered a cathodal or museum, an ancient Greek amphitheatre or a Roman coliseum, often enjoying a pasta lunch along the way

Memories of my mother playing the piano ad singing ’Twas on the Isle of Capri were fresh in my mind when we visited the island. Oscar Wilde, D.H. Lawrence and other writers and artists once gathered here where they could be open about their sexual orientation without being arrested and jailed.

We travelled from the mainland to Messina, Sicily by ferry then boarded a train to Taormina, that wonderful city of 11,000 where we stayed for five days, ending our last evening at a concert of familiar operatic arias. The last number was the rousing Funiculi, Funicula with the pianist, tenor and soprano inviting the audience to clap out the rhythm. This is another one of the wonderful gifts of Italy that will always remain in my memories.

If You Go:

9-Day Tour of Italy: Rome Naples Amalfi Florence Pisa Venice

Grand Tour of Italy

Discover Italy

Naples

Messina

Minori

Naples Shore Excursion: Mt Vesuvius and Pompeii Day Trip from Naples

About the author:

Alice grew up going to a country school where the teacher read to them on Friday afternoons. Her mother read bedtime stories to her and her grandmother loved reciting poetry. Alice composed her own poems too. Not having a TV to distract her, reading and telling stories was a way of life that

NAPLES PRIVATE WALKING TOUR

Photo credits:

Castle Nuovo by Sergio Parrella / CC BY-SA

Minori by Daria / CC BY

by Francesco Pandi

Who doesn’t know Rome? Who doesn’t know its most iconic landmarks? The Colosseum, the Vatican, the Pantheon, Piazza di Spagna and the Trevi Fountain are famous all over the world and are visited by millions of tourists all year long.

Nonetheless the capital of Italy has a few hidden gems to offer: unusual corners, often not widely known to Romans themselves. Quieter, more intimate places which will enrich your idea of the Eternal City.

Here is a careful and fun selection of the 14 most charming yet little known places in Rome:

1. Sciarra Gallery

Built in 1880 by prince Matteo Sciarra, it is the finest Art Nouveau building in Rome today. The Gallery is located in a side street of Via del Corso (the main street of the city) and almost manages to hide its beauty.

The leading role in the decorations is played by the Woman, portrayed in various scenes of daily life in her roles of bride, mother and “angel at the hearth”.

The upper layer shows more figures of women, representing the feminine virtues of fidelity, humility and justness. You’ll be left staring up at this jaw-dropping wonder for quite some time.

2. Magic Door

[TOP PHOTO] In Rome (the very capital of Christianity) you can find one of the few monuments in the world dedicated to medieval magic: the “Magic Door” is all that remains of the ancient Villa Palombara. The marquis of Pietraforte, an alchemy and esotericism enthusiast, had the villa built in the second half of the 17th century.

In origin the monument was one among five external entryways to the Villa.

Legend has it that a mysterious pilgrim, hosted in the marquis’ villa, tried to transmute various materials into gold.

One day he was seen disappearing through the door, leaving behind a speck of gold and some magic formulas, which are now engraved on the perimeter of the door.

3. Casina delle Civette

Between 1910 and 1925, at the height of the Art Nouveau artistic movement (known in Italy as Stile Liberty), a small group of artists turned an ancient chalet into the current Museo della Vetrata Liberty (Art Nouveau Stained Glass Museum).

Its peculiar shape, peaked roofs and its huge and colorful stained glasses confer to the place an almost magical atmosphere. Like a real life rendition of Hansel and Gretel’s house!

4. Casino Nobile

Only a short walk away from Casina delle Civette you can find the Casino Nobile, Mussolini’s residence between 1925 and 1943; he also had a gas-proof bunker and a bomb shelter be built here. Inside, beside the collection of statues, you can see the majestic ballroom, a beautiful garden and the wonderful terrace.

5. Biblioteca Angelica

Inaugurated in 1604, Biblioteca Angelica is the oldest public library in Italy and the second in Europe after Oxford. The library houses more than 200,000 volumes, with 2,700 ancient manuscripts dating from Greek and Latin times among them.

Its position makes it even more fascinating, as it is located in downtown Rome and it represents one of the few corners of calm and quiet in the popular and chaotic Italian capital.

6.  District Coppedè

District Coppedè is an amazing mixture of Art Nouveau and Art Deco with flashes of other art styles, such as Greek, Gothic, Baroque and even medieval. The district, built between 1913 and 1926, consists of 26 apartment houses and 17 villas and owes its name to its designer, Gino Coppedè.

In the center of the district is a small square in which stands the “Fountain of the Frogs” (“Fontana delle Rane”); the Beatles once dove fully dressed in the fountain after a concert held at the nearby disco Piper, making the monument famous worldwide.

7. Borghese gallery

Located inside Villa Borghese, the Romans’ favorite public park, it represents a true treasure chest, housing the collection of Cardinal Scipione Borghese. The man had the villa built in 1600 for this specific purpose.

The most famous works kept here are Lorenzo Bernini’s sculptures and Caravaggio’s masterpieces. Thanks to its position and its works of art it can be considered among the world’s finest museums.

NOTE: If you want enter the gallery we recommend you to book your visit about three months in advance.

8. The Catacombs of Rome

Experts deem the six Catacombs of Rome to be among the finest in the world; the best-known and most visited of them is the Catacomb of St. Callixtus, which stands out as the most beautiful and imposing. It represents the first burial site of early Christians and it houses the graves of the first sixteen popes and various saints.

9. The Jewish Ghetto

Built in 1555, the Jewish Ghetto of Rome is one of the oldest in the world. Strolling through the small streets of the district it will look like time has frozen in the ’40s: as a matter of fact the Ghetto holds its authenticity intact, despite the influence of mass tourism. The majestic Synagogue and the Portico of Octavia are landmarks of major importance to be found in the district.

10. The Janiculum

The Janiculum (Gianicolo) is one of the best observation points of Rome, with Monte Mario and the Pincian Hill (Pincio), offering a wonderful view over the roofs, ancient ruins and baroque cupolas of the city.

Fun fact: from 1847, as ordered by Pope Pius IX, a cannon fires blanks daily at midday sharp. In doing so the Pope wanted to set a standard for all the churches in Rome to ring their bells in unison.

11. The Japanese Garden

As odd as it may sound, in the center of Rome, the very cradle of Christianity and the heart of the western world, we can find a small Japanese garden designed by famous architect Ken Nakajima.

Regardless of its small area, the Garden contains all the elements of a traditional Japanese garden: a pond, a waterfall, rocks, small islands, a small bridge and the stone lantern called tōrō.

12. Roseto sull’Aventino

At the foot of the Aventine Hill (Aventino), one of the famous Seven Hills of Rome, lies one of the most romantic locations of the city: the Rose Garden. Already blessed by the beauty of nature and its position, granting a wonderful viewpoint over the Circo Massimo and the Palatine Hill at a safe distance from the city traffic, the Garden gets even more amazing in May, when 1100 species of roses blossom in a triumph of colors and fragrances. Such a wonderful place will leave you with your mouth wide open!

13. Little London

Inside one of the historic districts of Rome we can find a pleasant architectonic oddity: Little London. It consists of a pedestrian-only private street with the typical London-style small houses in bright colors, the same you’d expect to find in Notting Hill.

Mayor Ernesto Nathan, of English origin, fathered the idea of an “English” district in 1907. His intent was to build less expensive houses away from downtown in behalf of the common people. Nowadays, as one could easily expect, these houses have extremely high costs, exactly as in London.

14. Dolls’ Hospital

Walking through downtown Rome, near Piazza del Popolo, it is hard to miss the unique window of the ancient workshop Restauri Artistici Squatriti, also known as the Dolls’ Hospital.

The small workshop is crowded with heads, limbs and bodies of ancient dolls, waiting to be accurately “cured” by the expert artisans of the shop.

If You Go:

As you can see Rome is amazing, we tried to make a list of the 14 secret places but, if you go to Rome, I recommend you to wandering around and speak with the locals because every angle and every history is unique.

If you can’t go to Rome (or Sicily, New York, London etc. ) we can do that for you. We have created blinktravel.guide, a site (and an iphone app) through which you can discover the authentic spots of the most beautiful city in the world.

About the author:
Francesco Prandi is an Italian boy who loves traveling around many beautiful places in the word. He’s co-founder of Blink, an amazing app to make your travel an epic experience. He has an Instagram and a Facebook account where he shares the best Rome’s image.

Photo credits:
Piazza vittorio emanuele II, porta magica by Sailko / CC BY-SA
All other photos by Francesco Prandi

by Sarah Humphreys

Pistoia, an almost forgotten corner of Tuscany, has only recently begun to feature on the tourist trail. Thanks to Pistoia’s status as Italian Capital of Culture 2017, and being on Lonely Planet’s top ten list of places to visit in 2017, the city has finally begun to receive the recognition it deserves.

The origin of the name Pistoia seems to originate from the Latin “Pistoria”, which refers to an oven for baking bread. Situated on a major road junction between Florence, Lucca and the Apennine Mountains, travellers and pilgrims often stopped to stock up on supplies. Due to its strategic position, Pistoia still makes an ideal, and economical, base to explore the local area. Many tourists come for day trips, but the city has plenty to offer, without the hustle and bustle of more famous Tuscan destinations.

Pistoia has an extremely well-preserved historical centre, which can be easily explored on foot, and is full of splendid buildings dating back to Roman times. Piazza dell’Duomo, one of the most impressive squares in Italy, is home to the 12th century Romanesque Cathedral of San Zeno, which contains the magnificent solid silver altar of St James. Worked on by Filippo Brunelleschi, it features 628 figures depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments and the life of the saint. For spectacular views, the 200 steps of the 67m bell-tower can be climbed by the energetic. The octagonal 14th century gothic style Baptistery, built from Carrara and Serpentine marble in a simple green and white pattern, sits opposite the Cathedral looking like a beautifully decorated cake. From within the historical centre, it can almost be easy to miss the Basilica of La Madonna dell’Umilità, topped by a 59 meter high dome, the third largest in Italy.

The real heart of the city is the bustling Piazza della Sala, which dates from the 12th century. The characteristic well, “Il Pozzo del Leoncino” (Well of the Little Lion), makes an impressive centre piece to this charming square, which hosts a daily fruit and vegetable market and is surrounded by tiny shops brimming with Tuscan delicacies such as cheese, fresh pasta, delicious bread and a variety of meat products. Lining the square are numerous bars and restaurants, which form the hub of the “movida Pistoiese” and attract hundreds of people of all ages in the evenings, particularly in summer.

Apart from typical Tuscan attractions including splendid striped churches, ancient city walls and the fortress of Santa Barbara, built by the Florentines in 1331, Pistoia also has some more unusual monuments. The ancient hospital, dating form the 13th century, features an unmissable glazed ceramic frieze created by various artists, including Giovanni Della Robbia, which depicts the seven works of mercy. Underneath the hospital itself, you can follow a fascinating itinerary where you can see artefacts used by plague victims, an ancient laundry and olive oil mill and finally end up in the smallest anatomical theatre in the world.

Fans of contemporary art will find plenty to see, including Palazzo Fabroni, a well-stocked museum, a museum dedicated to Marino Marini, and on the outskirts of the city, Fattoria Celle, an open-air site specific collection displaying works by artists such as Sol Lewitt, Daniel Buran and Dennis Oppenheim.

If all this isn’t enough, you can visit the lively street market on Wednesdays and Saturdays, take a trip to the local, well-kept zoo or just relax with a glass of wine and try some of the local delicacies.

Pistoia really comes to life in the summer and hosts The Pistoia Blues Festival in July, where artists such as B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Bob Dylan, Lou Reed and David Bowie have played. The 25th July is the feast of the town’s patron St James, and the streets fill up with a medieval procession displaying stunning costumes, flag waving and music, which culminates in a jousting tournament in Piazza del’ Duomo.

There is a local saying “Pistoia fa conca”, which means Pistoia is a hollow, implying it is difficult to leave. You may just find this is true and you want to extend your visit, mine has unintentionally lasted twenty years.

If You Go:

By Air: The nearest airports are Amerigo Vespucci Airport, Florence and Galileo Galilei, Pisa.

By Train: Pistoia is on the Florence-Lucca-Viareggio line. The journey from Florence is about 40minutes. For more information see: www.trenitalia.it

By Bus: Buses from Pistoia to Florence leave from outside the main stations and are run by BluBus.

By Car: Pistoia is on the A11 “Firenze-Mare” Highway.

Photographs by Sarah Humphreys
Piazza dell’Duomo
Piazza della Sala
Detail of Ceramic Frieze, Ospedale del Ceppo
Sant’Andrea Church

About the author:
Sarah Humphreys is originally from near Liverpool, UK and has lived in Canada, The USA, The Czech Republic, Greece and Italy. She currently lives in Pistoia, near Florence, where she teaches English, writes freelance and is a part-time poet. She has been writing since she could hold a pencil and her passions include Literature, poetry, music and travel. Follow her on twitter: Sarah Humphreys@frizeytriton.

by Ron Ellege

What do some of Italy’s finest artists of the day, Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, Donatello, Pinturicchio, Lorenzo Ghiberti, and Bernini, have in common? They all contributed to one of the finest displays of Gothic architecture in Italy. Siena’s Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is filled with treasures by Pisano, Donatello and Michelangelo, as well as frescoes by Pinturicchio.

The Beginning

Begun in 1229, and the dome completed in 1264, Siena’s Cathedral is a spectacular edifice inside and out. With a vision of hosting the largest cathedral in Europe, the existing structure was to become the transept of a new cathedral more than 100 meters long. Tragically, their dream of an imposing cathedral died in 1348 when, within a few months, 60 percent of Siena’s inhabitants were struck down by the Black Plague.

The remnants of the outer walls remain today and bring perspective to the vision they had undertaken.

The west facade was begun in 1285 under the watchful eye of Giovanni Pisano. In 1296 Pisano hastily left the city over a creative dispute with the governing council and his work was completed 100 years later by Giovanni di Cecco.

In the 19th century, the Cathedral was extensively restored and the golden mosaics in the upper gables were made by Venetian artists in the late 1870’s. The large central mosaic, the Coronation of the Virgin, is the work of Luigi Mussini. The Nativity of Jesus and Presentation of Mary in the Temple, were made by Alessandro Franchi. The large rose window is surrounded by busts of 36 patriarchs and a statue of the Madonna and Child.

Inside The Cathedral

Prepare to be amazed as the Wow Factor will captivate your senses the moment you enter the doors of this historic Gothic Cathedral. The black and white marble stripes on the walls and columns immediately captivate the eye. Black and white is seen throughout Siena and are the city’s symbolic colors.

Stop at the visitor’s desk directly across from the entrance where you can pick up an audio tour which will take you on an informational journey through the highlights of the Cathedral.

While standing in the short line for your tour radio, glance up at the cornice that runs the length of the nave. It is decorated with busts of popes fashioned in the workshop of Giovanni di Stefano who began his work in 1495. Below are 36 busts of Roman and Byzantine emperors from Constantine to Theodosiu.

Located over the main doors in the west façade is one of two rose windows not to be missed. This beautiful oculus depicts the Last Supper and was created by Pastorino de’ Pastorini in 1549.

The Central Nave

Venturing into the Cathedral we observe the central nave.

Here we view the high altar flanked by columns topped by our first glimpse of the hexagonal dome which is topped with Bernini’s gilded lantern.

Under the dome are gold-plated stucco statues of Patron Saints of Siena sculpted by Ventura di Giuliano and Bastiano di Francesco in 1490.

The Duccio Oculus, the round stained-glass window over the apse is one of the earliest existing examples of Italian stained glass.

It depicts the assumption, burial and coronation of the Virgin Mary and was crafted by Duccio di Buoninsegna in 1288.

The Floors

As you stroll through this art filled Cathedral with astonishing sculptures, frescos, and relics on display in every quadrant, pay close attention to the floors. This composite of marble inlays which were crafted over six centuries (from the fourteenth to the nineteenth century), are covered for protection during much of the year. Plan on arriving between mid-August and late October if you wish to view them.

Of all the mosaic marble panels, I have two favorites. The large panel in the transept “The Slaughter of the Innocents”.

This is thought to be the work of Matteo di Giovanni in 1481. It is the only story coming from a Gospel, Matthew 2:13-23, all the other illustrations are based on the Old Testament and classical sources.

The earliest floor panel in the Cathedral is the Wheel of Fortune and the Sienese Wolf.

This panel, located close to the entrance, dates to sometime between 1369 and 1373.

Self-Portraits

Above the entrance to the Piccolomini Library is this fresco of the papal coronation of Pius III by Bernardino di Betto (Pinturicchio).

I love this fresco as it captures the nature of many of the artists of the time. Pinturicchio, as he often did during this period in his career, included a portrait of himself. Pinturicchio is standing facing us, he is the one in front of the crowd on your right while viewing this fresco.

Another self-portrait is an addition by Michelangelo to the Piccolomini Altarpiece.

This complex altarpiece was commissioned by cardinal Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini and built between 1481 and 1485 by Andrea Bregno. However, its prominence is more for the four sculptures in the lower niches. Saint Peter, Saint Paul, Saint Gregory, and Saint Pius were sculpted by Michelangelo between 1501 and 1504. The statue of St. Paul is a self-portrait of the young Michelangelo.

The Last Glimpse

As you proceed from the cathedral, south toward Piazza del Campo, be sure to look back for a view of the dome and bell tower through the arch in the south wall of Duomo Nuovo.

The dome rises from a hexagonal base with supporting columns. The lantern atop the dome was later added by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

If You Go:

You can drive, but it may not be the best choice.

By Car:

Siena is one of Italy’s prominent hilltop-towns and is located a mere 76 kilometers south of the beautiful city of Florence. The drive takes only 45 minutes via the Autostrada, however, once you arrive in Siena you will find that you cannot enter the old town unless you are booked in a local hotel. Parking is difficult to find and will often be located beyond any reasonable walking distance.

Our favorite car rental in much of Europe and the world. www.rentalcars.com.

Train or bus may be your best option if you are not taking one of the many tours offered in Florence.

Our favorite tour company is Walks of Italy.

By Train:

Siena is about 90 minutes by train, and they are scheduled frequently throughout the day. The train station is located close to Siena’s many tourist attractions and is about one-and-a-half kilometers from the Cathedral.

When traveling by rail I have two sites I check with: Trainline and Vacations By Rail.

The SITA Bus provides numerous links from the city of Florence to Chianti, and is the best way to get easily to Siena. Using the Rapide (express) Bus it will take about an hour from Florence, and you gain the added advantage of being taken to the historic center of town, close to the Cathedral.

Be Aware:

As is the case in all of Italy, to enter a place of worship you must dress accordingly (women’s shoulders should be covered, shorts are not appropriate, and men must wear shirts). Food and drink is not allowed in the Cathedral so take advantage of one of the many cafes and restaurants located a few steps away.

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend weekday and Sunday masses, but no sightseeing is permitted during these events.

Cost and Hours:

Tickets are €6 per person while the marble pavement is uncovered, usually from mid-August to late October. The rest of the year, entrance is €3 per person.

Siena Cathedral (Santa Maria Assunta, or Most Holy Mary of the Assumption) is open from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, and from 9:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.

About the author:
Ron Elledge is a Freelance Photographer/Writer who splits his time between Phoenix, Arizona and Albuquerque, New Mexico when not on a photo shoot or world adventure. Ron’s photography can be viewed at www.RonElledgePhotography.com. His love of travel is shared by his wife, Shelli, with whom he travels the globe and together they document their journeys.

All photos by Ron Elledge

by Kanykei Tursunbaeva

Venice has been a tremendous attraction and mystery for innumerable adventurers and scientists fascinated by elegance and nonconformity of Venetian way of life. The architecture and even geographic location (just imagine living your life on a ship, which constantly sways on water, that’s the way it is in Venice!) make it a compelling destination.

An expeditionary group, under the guidance of Malzev Oleg, held its first journey to Venice in 2015. There was filming all around, looking into every scrap of architecture along the way. We drove from Munich to Venice. On the road, all the way to Venice there are castles which are built from as fortifications.

The castles are fascinating. It is not possible to build fortifications as such with our modern technologies. The first conclusion made by Malzev Oleg is that technologies of 18th century were much more advanced than what we have now. Besides, it is a known fact that Bavaria has very fertile ground, all the way from Venice to Munich through Italy. Austria was a perfect place to build one- it was fully protected, and approximately every 1.5 kilometers there is a castle with few number of people. It should be pointed out, that we are not talking about one or two castles. The six hour long road has many fortification systems.

It was hard to rob or occupy them, as from both sides there are massive mountain chains and a fortification system. Supposedly, if one decided to attack those villages he would be trapped in the middle of several fortification castles. One who has resided on Bavarian land knows that crime is quite low there. One of the main reasons is that there is nowhere to run – it is a closed place, so running away to mountains is not an option. Besides, people in Bavaria have distinctive characteristics from other parts of Germany; Bavarians love hunting and almost all men carry guns with the. They do care about safety on their territory. Correspondingly, there are very few cases when someone tries trespass.

Finally we arrive at Venice. The First thing that catches our attention is that you do not use car there. We parked car and took a private boat which brought us to San Marco Central square. Speaking of architecture, interestingly, the paramount symbol of Venice which you see everywhere is a lion with angel wings. Taken into account that the symbol of Bavaria is also a lion but without wings, means that there is a somewhat historic connection between these two places.

The second thing which catches the eye, is that there are very few crosses over cathedrals in Venice. Instead, there are figures of people, animals – the same distinctive feature of cathedrals we observed in Bavaria. We may assume that the architects of Bavaria and Venice were the same persons.

As a result of this expedition to Venice, a Venetian mask system was deciphered by Malzev Oleg. Sixteen Venetian masks are used at the Venetian carnivals, a practical system which could be used in everyday life (eight horizontal masks and eight vertical ones).

If You Go:

The Jewish ghetto is a must place to visit. Some sources say that it was a “hot spot” of prominent doctors, philosophers, lawyers of this times. Hundreds of books were burned as Jews were persecuted. Now there are five synagogues that can be visited with a guide. And for sure, don’t forget to get some shots of the lion with a book, symbol of Venice.

Jewish Ghetto And Cannareggio: Private Tour Of Venice – $56.83
from: Viator

About the author:
Traveling compels Kanykei a lot, moreover it means so much for her to see ancient architecture, to look into the culture of different regions of countries. As an assistant of scientist Maltsev Oleg she grasps that there is so much more behind architecture than what we see.

All photos by Oleg Maltsev

by Anne Harrison

By the time we left the hotel, it was already late afternoon, and our plane left at dawn. The buildings shimmered with a golden glow particular to Italian cities of stone and marble.

After fortifying ourselves with an espresso, we strolled to the stylish Via Veneto. Lively and fashionable back when Rome was ruled by the Caesars, just on a century ago this ancient quarter consisted of terraced gardens and vineyards. Then the Prince of Piombino sold part of his country estate to develop a luxurious neighbourhood of piazzas and palazzos. (The design proved so successful the Prince could no longer afford to live here.)

The Via Veneto opens onto the Piazza Barbarini. Here stand two of Bernini’s fountains; his first -The Triton – and The Fountain of the Bees. He designed the latter around the Barbarini’s family emblem, in deference to his patron, Pope Urban VIII.

From here, narrow streets wind to the top of the Spanish Steps.(On the Via Sistine is the convent Nostra Signora di Lourdes, one of the many throughout Italy to take paying guests.) At the top stands the Trinita De Monti, a twin-towered Gothic church built in 1495 by Charles VIII of France. As we arrived a bride and groom left to the accompaniment of peeling bells. The church contains two works by Daniele da Volterra, a pupil of Michelangelo, (who was later ordered by Pope Pius IV to paint clothes over the nude figures of the Sistine Chapel).

Immortalized by Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday, the Spanish Steps offer an unforgettable view across the roofline of Rome. Bronze domes glimmered under the setting sun; Keats looked onto them as he lay dying in a house in the Piazza di Spagna below.

At the bottom of the stairs is an unusual fountain, La Barcaccia. Designed by Bernini’s father, it resembles a leaking ship. Tradition holds he chose such a shape after the flooding of the Tiber on Christmas Day in 1958, which left a boat in the piazza. Pieces of travertine at either end of the fountain serve as stepping stones for anyone wishing to use the water; La Barcaccia is one of the many drinking fountains scattered across Rome.

The evening promenade filled the piazza, spilling into the Via Condotti with its lining of expensive boutiques. Yet despite the crowds, the nearby Via Margutta remained relatively empty. This street belongs to artists, and connoisseurs of art. A few small shops, unchanged in appearance for hundreds of years, simply but elegantly display a single old print or painting in their window.

After tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain, our path wended towards the Tiber. Near the Ponte Cavour is one of the most significant monuments of Ancient Rome. Commissioned by the Senate in 13BC, the Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Augustus’ Peace) it is a three-dimensional record of 4th July, 43BC, when Augustus was given a hero’s parade after his victorious campaigns in Gaul and Spain. The Emperor can be seen leading the procession with his family and friends, with the next emperor, Tiberius, beside him.

Preserved under glass, this work is so exquisite some believe it executed by Greek artists. Drenched in spotlights, at night the Ara Pacis Augustae is more than a ghost of days long gone; it’s a dramatic reminder of the power and cultural achievements of Imperial Rome.

We crossed the Tiber on the Ponte Sant’ Angelo. Closed to traffic, this bridge is a quiet place to gaze over the city and river. Built by Hadrian in 134 AD, it connects the city to his future tomb, the Castel Sant’ Angelo. In the 17th century, Bernini adorned the bridge with ten ethereal angels who stand in a perpetual gale, their draperies tossed by a stone tempest.

The Leonine Wall runs along back streets from the Castel Sant Angelo to the Vatican, behind shops selling rosary beads and cardinals’ socks. These streets are often empty, as most tourist approach St Peter’s along the grand Via della Conciliazione. Like Florence’s Vasari Corridor, the Leonine Wall houses a secret passage which connects the Vatican to the Castel. More than one pontiff has beaten a hasty retreat along this ‘passageway of popes’.

By moonlight, St Peter’s Square has a magic magnified by the stillness. Even the pigeons have gone. Bernini likened the marble colonnade stretching around the square to the embracing arms of the mother church. The Basilica was closed, watched over by Swiss Guards in their colourful uniforms and long capes. Yet in a nearby building an open bronze door offered a glimpse of endless corridors, with a few officials strutting importantly past.

We crossed back over the Tiber near the Isola Tiberina. This boat-shaped island has been associated with healing for over 2000 years, having been dedicated to Aesculapius in 293BC. The islands hospital, run by The Brother’s of John of God, still administer to the needs of ill Romans.

Walking along the dimly lit Via del Gonfalone, the sound of clinking cutlery led us to an unmarked door. Inside, a fire blazed, and metre-thick walls of medieval brick supported a roof of exposed timber beams. A charming waiter deciphered the menu for us, stopping only at veal castrata. Perhaps it was the magic of the night which made this one of the best meals we had in Italy: Tuscan wine, antipasto, fresh bread, minestrone, veal staccota and lemon cakes.

Our route home took us past the only perfectly preserved ancient building in Rome. The Pantheon, in the Piazza della Rotonda, was designed by the Emperor Hadrian in 125AD. Hadrian made the unique design of a Roman dome on a circular base, in the form of a Greek temple, all in perfect proportion and symmetry. The dome is higher than St Peter’s, and its consecration in 609AD prevented the plundering which destroyed so much of Ancient Rome following the Empire’s protracted fall.

Next time I will return during a thunderstorm, when the rain splatters through the roof’s circular opening onto the marble floor, and lightening illuminates the tomb of Raphael.

The Piazza di Sant’ Eustachio is reached from the Pantheon via the narrow Via Palobella. This small piazza was filled with locals making a detour on the way home for Rome’s best coffee. The tiny Sant’ Eustachio Cafe was filled to overflowing, with people spilling out into the piazza with their coffees. By this time of night the coffee was served heavily laced with aniseed, giving it an almost mystical quality.

It may border on sacrilegious to spend only one night in Rome, but a traveler adapts to what is available. We’d touched on the spirit of the city, and there is always next time. There has to be, else we could never leave.

Browse Rome Tours Now Available

If You Go:

Ever considered staying in a convent or monastery? There are numerous websites to help, such as: www.bookingmonastery.com or http://www.monasterystays.com.

The official Rome Tourism Website

For ideas on what’s on in Rome

About the author:
Anne Harrison lives with her husband, two children and numerous pets in regional Australia. She discovered travel at the age of ten, then the world of history and philosophy. Her jobs include wife, mother, doctor, farmer, cheese-maker and local witch doctor, and her ambition is to be 80 and happy. Read more at anneharrison.com.au and http://hubpages.com/@anneharrison.

All photos by Anne Harrison
A view towards St Peter’s from the Tiber
The ever popular Spanish Steps
A detail of the Trevi Fountain
The Castel Sant Angelo
Raphael’s tomb, the Pantheon

Well, my window
looked out on the Square where Ogni Santi
meets San Trovaso
things have ends and beginnings
-Ezra Pound Cantos

When Ezra Pound arrived in Venice, he took rooms near a walled garden on the Rio San Trovaso, opposite a squero (or gondola building yard). Only a few squeri now remain in Venice, although at the height of her powers some ten thousand gondolas served the city. The gondoliers’ knowledge of the canals is legendary, and legend holds they are born with webbed feet, to help them walk on water.

I crossed the Grand Canal into the area of Venice called the Dorsoduro by the Ponte dell’Accademia. Because of its charm, this wooden bridge remains despite being built as a temporary measure in 1932. It leads to the Accademia, a set of galleries housing the world’s finest collection of Venetian art. As I walked bells chimed the hour from a handful of churches, each sounding a few minutes apart (for churches all over Italy run to their own time).

It took but a few minute to leaves the noise and bustle behind, for I’d entered a maze of alleyways and pretty piazzas where cafes spill onto the streets and picturesque residences stand dotted along the quiet canals. Small shops burst with flowers and vegetable seedlings, supplying courtyards and gardens hidden from view of the passerby. At the top of the Ponte dei Pugni – a small bridge spanning the Rio San Barnaba – are two sets of footprints, marking the starting positions for traditional fist fights. (Ultimately, these became so violent they were banned in 1705.) The Fondamenta Gherardini, which runs beside the Rio San Barnaba, is claimed by many to be the prettiest canal in Venice.

Built in the 17th century, the Squero di San Trovaso is the oldest of the remaining squeri in Venice. It sits beside a small canal, the Rio San Trovaso, allowing easy access for the gondolas. Although closed to the public, as the canal is only a few meters wide all the activity can be easily seen from the far side. On the day I passed some half-dozen gondolas rested upside down in the outside square in various stages of repair. A few were being covered with black lacquer; seven coats are needed to give the boats their famous gloss. Inside the shed another was being built. (Less than a dozen new gondolas are made annually, each taking up to six months to complete.)

Unusual for Venice, the boat-house and adjoining buildings are made of wood, and adorned with geraniums. They are Tyrolean in style, for most squeraroli, (the artisans who work on the gondolas), originally came from this area in the Dolomites, where the best boat-building wood is still to be found. Nine types of wood are used (elm, fir, walnut, oak, mahogany, larch, lime cherry and beech) and in constructing a gondola the squeraroli use some 280 separate pieces, with much of the work still done by hand.

The first record of a gondola is in 1094, when Doge Vito Falier issued a charter allowing Venetian citizens to build their own gondolas. The word is possibly derived from the Latin ‘cuncula’ (shell) or cymbula (little boat). Gondolas appear in paintings of the late 15th and early 16th centuries, in works by Bellini, Carpaccio and Mansueti. Although the design has changed since it first appeared, the manner of steering the gondola is the same: the gondolier faces the bow and propels the boat with a forward stoke, followed by a compensating backward stroke. Originally, some gondolas had two oarsmen; one at the front and one at the stern, and occasionally this method is employed in the backwaters of Venice, as a novice is taught his craft.

The oars, (made of beech), complete with a ribbed blade for greater control, are built by the remeri, (which is derived from the Italian remo, or oar), and are held in place by a rowlock, or focole. The focole’s complicated design allows for up to eight different positions of the oar, depending upon speed and direction the gondolier requires. (Regardless of speed, the gondoliers continue their songs and banter amongst themselves and all they pass.) Unlike a punt, the gondola is never poled, for most of the canals are too deep.

The only metal used in the construction is the risso of the stern and the ferro at the head of the gondola, which counter-balances the gondolier’s weight. It is made from six metal strips, called pettini, representing the six sestieri (or sections) of Venice. Another strip shaped in the form of a double S represents the Grand Canal, with a doge’s cap at its top, and a lunette representing the Rialto Bridge inscribed below. The only other decoration on the gondola is a brass hippocampus (or sea horse), which adorns either side.

Gondolas were originally made watertight by coatings of black pitch. During the 1500’s, owners decorated their gondolas with fancy ironwork, bright carpets and rich colours. An increasing number boasted a felze; a small cabin complete with louvered windows, allowing privacy for passengers, and protection from the elements. (These remained common until the early 20th century, when tourist demand for better views led to their removal.) Sumptuary laws passed in 1562, however, decreed all gondolas to be black to prevent ostentatious displays of wealth.

Around this time the stability of the gondola improved with the development of a wider base, and there are even reports of the boats being used in battle in the Adriatic Sea. When bridges were built over the Venetian canals, they were designed to allow a standing gondolier to pass under their arch. The only other change occurred around the end of the 19th century, when the design became asymmetrical. The left side of the gondola is now 24cm longer than the right, (the gondolier stands on the left, with the oar on the right) to correct the tendency of the gondola to turn to the left which each forward stroke.

From the Squero San Trovaso it is a short walk to the Zattere, a long quayside which looks across the Venetian lagoon to the island of Giudecca. The breeze carries the smell of the sea, the call of gulls fills the air, and once more tourists are everywhere. Outside the Santa Maria della Visitazione there is a bocca di leone, a letterbox where anonymous denunciations were once made to The Great Council.

As I sat sipping a glass of prosecco, I could see all manner of craft plying the waters of Venice, from vegetable barges to garbage trucks and even ambulances. Enormous ocean liners often pass through the lagoon, their wash flooding into the canals. Yet gondolas and their striped-shirted gondoliers remain part of the city’s mythology, having been part of Venetian life for over one thousand years.

Private Venice Gondola Ride

If You Go:

Official website of the City of Venice
A useful guide to museums, galleries, hotels etc.
For those who are interested in a convent stay
Vaporetti (water buses) are the public transport of Venice. Vaporetto no.1 travels the length of the Grand Canal, offering spectacular view of this city.

About the author:
Anne Harrison lives with her husband, two children and numerous pets on the Central Coast, NSW. Her jobs include wife, mother, doctor, farmer and local witch doctor – covering anything from delivering alpacas to treating kids who have fallen head first into the washing machine. Her fiction has been published in Australian literary magazines, and has been placed in regional literary competitions. Her non-fiction has been published in medical and travel journals. Her ambition is to be 80 and happy. Her writings are available at anneharrison.com.au and anneharrison.hubpages.com

All photos are by Anne Harrison

Spain, Italy & Greece

by Matthew Adams 

The Mediterranean has a variety of intriguing historic destinations in Spain, Italy and Greece. One way you can visit some of those fascinating historical sites is via a cruise. Cruise ships usually stop at ports in Italy, Spain, France and Greece from which you visit some of the world’s greatest museums and historical architecture. This is a Crown Princess cruise I did to see some of the finest historic destinations.

Barcelona

Barcelona, in Catalonia, was the first stopping port. This is a historically significant city in its own right that includes some astonishing architecture. Its most notable architectural landmark is the Sagrada Familia, designed by Gaudi, that includes eight spires which will increase to 18 when construction of the church is complete.

I never went in the Sagrada Familia on my trip, but instead went to the Montserrat Monastery. This is a Benedictine abbey at the summit of the Montserrat mountain. As the mountain rises about 1,200 meters, it’s worth a trip just for the magnificent views alone. There you can also hike the Montserrat nature park that includes numerous hiking trails.

Pisa and Florence

On another stop I visited Pisa with a coach excursion. There I visited the Cathedral Square, a UNESCO heritage site, that is one of the greatest architectural complexes in Europe. That is largely due to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which is a 183 foot tower with a slight lean of about four degrees. I briefly went in the Duomo cathedral, a masterpiece of Romesque architecture, before returning to the coach. However, the tour gave me little more than 30 minutes in Pisa.

Florence was the next stop on the tour. The historical significance of Florence lies in the Renaissance era, otherwise a cultural rebirth, that inspired a new breed of art and architecture in the city. So it’s not surprising that the Historic Center of Florence is another UNESCO heritage site.

I got a little more time in Florence than Pisa. So I went inside Florence Cathedral that is an effective blend of Italian Gothic, Renaissance and Gothic Revival architecture. The most striking aspect of this cathedral is its huge dome, which is the largest masonry dome ever constructed. I also visited the Ponte Vecchio bridge across the River Arno, which is another of Florence’s landmarks. The bridge retains some of its towers originally built as defensive structures.

Rome

As the capital of an empire that once dominated Europe, Rome has obvious historical significance. The city has preserved some of the finest buildings from the former empire. I took some snapshots of the Colosseum on my trip. I also went to the Pantheon, a remarkably preserved temple that has intriguing architecture. The temple has a coffered concrete dome with an oculus, or central opening, at its summit through which sunlight beams through. With that the Pantheon might have effectively been one giant sundial.

The next stop for the coach was the Vatican. The Vatican has been a separate city-state since fascist Italy established the Lateran Treaty. The Vatican Museums are among the largest in the world, and they include some of the most priceless Renaissance art. The museums showcase a multitude of sculptures, paintings, stone tablets and archeological relics dug up from excavations. Furthermore, visitors can also check out the St. Peter’s Basilica church at St Peter’s Square that also has fabulous Renaissance architecture.

I had a ticket specifically for the Sistine Chapel. That is another masterpiece of Renaissance art with its finely painted ceiling and numerous frescoes that decorate the interior. Finding the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Museums is not easy, and you can get lost within the maze of corridors. A day at the Vatican would never be enough to effectively explore the immense museum collections. Nevertheless, I eventually found the chapel that was something to behold.

Gibraltar

Finally, the Crown Princess stopped at Gibraltar. This U.K. overseas territory is most notable for the Rock of Gibraltar, which is a limestone rock that rises about 1,398 feet. As the gateway to the Mediterranean, Gibraltar was a strategically vital outpost of the British Empire. Consequently, the British army dug a series of tunnels through the rock where it could store armaments and munitions. The tunnels also protected troops from coastal and aerial bombardments. Britain dug the most extensive Gibraltar tunnels during the 1940s that were expansive enough to accommodate a garrison of 16,000 troops.

I made the trip up the rock for the terrific Mediterranean views. I also entered the entrance of the tunnels of Gibraltar, which are otherwise the Great Siege Tunnels. In addition, I stopped at St. Michael’s Cave, which is a network of limestone caves. There I went inside the Cathedral Cave that includes an auditorium for concerts and drama productions.

Thereafter, I returned to Blighty. What better way to ‘travel through history’ than a European cruise? You can visit many of Europe’s finest historic venues in Italy, Spain or Greece with coach excursions from cruise ports. The only disadvantage is that some coach trips might only give you a very limited time period at a destination.

If You Go:

Pantheon
Vatican Museums
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Great Siege Tunnels
St. Michael’s Cave
Montserrat

Pisa and Florence Private Day Trip from Livorno

About the author:
Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles for various publications and websites such as Swing Golf Magazine, TripAdvisor, Naval History, Artilleryman, dotTech, Bright Hub, Coed Magazine the Washington Post and Vagabundo Travel. Matthew is also the author of Battles of the Pacific War 1941 – 1945. Check out the book’s blog at battlesofthepacificwar.blogspot.co.uk.

All photos are by Matthew Adams:
The Benedictine abbey at Montserrat
The Duomo and Leaning Tower of Pisa at Pisa
The Pantheon in Rome
A snapshot of the Rock of Gibraltar at Gibraltar