3-Week Culinary & Cultural Journey Through Italy

Explore the staterooms and masterpieces inside this famous Gothic-style Palace.

Important Note: Entry lines can be very long. We suggest taking advantage of skip the line entry. As the name suggests, the Palace was the official residence of the Venetian rulers, the Doges, and the chief magistrates. The building was founded in the 9th century, but the present one dates from the 14th century. Tour its elaborate staterooms, grand halls and the 24-carat golden staircase before seeking out its collection of priceless masterpieces by Venetian artists including Titan, Veronese and Tintoretto. Be sure to spend some time in the most incredible room of all, the Chamber of the Great Council, the assembly hall where all Venetian patricians gathered to participate in the running of the city - up to 2,500 at any one time. There you will find the Doge's throne and the world's longest canvas painting in the world, Tintoretto's Il Paradiso.

Explore the staterooms and masterpieces inside this famous Gothic-style Palace.

Important Note: Entry lines can be very long. We suggest taking advantage of skip the line entry. As the name suggests, the Palace was the official residence of the Venetian rulers, the Doges, and the chief magistrates. The building was founded in the 9th century, but the present one dates from the 14th century. Tour its elaborate staterooms, grand halls and the 24-carat golden staircase before seeking out its collection of priceless masterpieces by Venetian artists including Titan, Veronese and Tintoretto. Be sure to spend some time in the most incredible room of all, the Chamber of the Great Council, the assembly hall where all Venetian patricians gathered to participate in the running of the city - up to 2,500 at any one time. There you will find the Doge's throne and the world's longest canvas painting in the world, Tintoretto's Il Paradiso.

Explore the staterooms and masterpieces inside this famous Gothic-style Palace.

Important Note: Entry lines can be very long. We suggest taking advantage of skip the line entry. As the name suggests, the Palace was the official residence of the Venetian rulers, the Doges, and the chief magistrates. The building was founded in the 9th century, but the present one dates from the 14th century. Tour its elaborate staterooms, grand halls and the 24-carat golden staircase before seeking out its collection of priceless masterpieces by Venetian artists including Titan, Veronese and Tintoretto. Be sure to spend some time in the most incredible room of all, the Chamber of the Great Council, the assembly hall where all Venetian patricians gathered to participate in the running of the city - up to 2,500 at any one time. There you will find the Doge's throne and the world's longest canvas painting in the world, Tintoretto's Il Paradiso.

Explore the staterooms and masterpieces inside this famous Gothic-style Palace.

Important Note: Entry lines can be very long. We suggest taking advantage of skip the line entry. As the name suggests, the Palace was the official residence of the Venetian rulers, the Doges, and the chief magistrates. The building was founded in the 9th century, but the present one dates from the 14th century. Tour its elaborate staterooms, grand halls and the 24-carat golden staircase before seeking out its collection of priceless masterpieces by Venetian artists including Titan, Veronese and Tintoretto. Be sure to spend some time in the most incredible room of all, the Chamber of the Great Council, the assembly hall where all Venetian patricians gathered to participate in the running of the city - up to 2,500 at any one time. There you will find the Doge's throne and the world's longest canvas painting in the world, Tintoretto's Il Paradiso.

Visit one of the oldest university buildings in the world and admire its incredible library.

Bologna's University is amongst one of the oldest in the world. The Archiginnasio (Greek for “first school”), was built in 1563 and was once the ancient seat of the University of Bologna, established as a school of Law and Arts. It houses one of the most incredible libraries in Italy, containing over one million pieces. Its anatomical theatre is by far the highlight, a place where corpses were dissected for the first scientific studies of the human body.

Climb to the top of the Asinelli Tower for great vistas over the city of Bologna below.

Symbols of the city and its most popular and notable landmarks, the two towers (Due Torri) are sat in the heart of the city. They were built during the Middle Ages as noble and wealthy families competed against each other for dominance over Bologna's politics, a competition that often become violent. There was once 180 towers, but these are the only two that remain. At 319 feet (97m), The Torre degli Asinelli is the tallest leaning medieval tower in the world and the only one open to the public. Ascend the 498 steps for a panoramic view of the city. 

Admire this monumental restored marble & bronze fountain in the heart of Piazza del Nettuno.

Commissioned by Pope Pius IV, the Fountain of Neptune is one of Bologna's most famous landmarks and a popular meeting point. He was originally destined for the larger Piazza Maggiore but instead, he sits proudly on the Piazza del Nettuno as a symbol of the city. Standing at almost thirteen feet (4m) high and weighing in at nearly 5000 lbs (2,200 kg), the fountain is hard to miss.  

Visit one of the oldest university buildings in the world and admire its incredible library.

Bologna's University is amongst one of the oldest in the world. The Archiginnasio (Greek for “first school”), was built in 1563 and was once the ancient seat of the University of Bologna, established as a school of Law and Arts. It houses one of the most incredible libraries in Italy, containing over one million pieces. Its anatomical theatre is by far the highlight, a place where corpses were dissected for the first scientific studies of the human body.

Book early if you want to see the Vatican Museum's monumental works of art from the greatest Italian artists of the Renaissance.

The Vatican Museum is actually 26 different museums, which include not only exhibitions but chapels, apartments, and other rooms of the Vatican palace, covering a huge range of fine and applied arts patronized by the popes. There's also an outstanding collection of ancient antiquities (including even the Emperor Nero's red stone bathtub), a gallery of hand-painted maps, and whole rooms turned into works of art. In addition to ancient and medieval works of art, you'll see masterpieces by the "who's who" of the Italian Renaissance, including Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, and Caravaggio. Other highlights include panels by the brilliant monk-artist Fra Angelico, works from the Venetian school, including Vavarini, and much, much more.  Booking in advance is highly recommended as otherwise you can wait for hours or not even be able to get in at all.

Explore the gigantic and incredibly beautiful church known as "the greatest of all churches of Christendom".

The basilica is one of the chief pilgrimage sites in the Christian world, and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Rome. The basilica is the symbolic center of the church not only because the Pope frequently celebrates Mass there, but because it is believed that the apostle St. Peter is buried beneath it. Catholics consider Peter as the first Bishop of Rome and "the rock" upon which the Catholic Church was built, in accordance with Christ's instructions. Inside you can admire sculptures by Bernini as well as Michelangelo's famous sculpture of the Virgin Mary holding the crucified Jesus, known as The Pietà. The church's elaborate and impressive golden interior is a sight to behold. Other sights include St Peter's tomb, the Papal crypts in the necropolis under the basilica, as well as the dome, which rewards visitors with views over Rome.  Entry is free, but queues to visit the Basilica can be lengthy, so it is highly advised to either get there early or to purchase a skip the line entrance. The dome is also paid entry. 

Gaze up at the world's most famous ceiling, the masterpiece of Michelangelo.

This famous chapel inside the Vatican Museums is best known for Michelangelo's 16th-century painted ceiling of "The Creation of Adam" and "The Last Judgement" fresco that covers the whole altar wall of the chapel. The jaw-dropping sight is not to be missed, considered one of the top highlights of visiting the Vatican Museums and one of the top artistic wonders of the world. 

Book early if you want to see the Vatican Museum's monumental works of art from the greatest Italian artists of the Renaissance.

The Vatican Museum is actually 26 different museums, which include not only exhibitions but chapels, apartments, and other rooms of the Vatican palace, covering a huge range of fine and applied arts patronized by the popes. There's also an outstanding collection of ancient antiquities (including even the Emperor Nero's red stone bathtub), a gallery of hand-painted maps, and whole rooms turned into works of art. In addition to ancient and medieval works of art, you'll see masterpieces by the "who's who" of the Italian Renaissance, including Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, and Caravaggio. Other highlights include panels by the brilliant monk-artist Fra Angelico, works from the Venetian school, including Vavarini, and much, much more.  Booking in advance is highly recommended as otherwise you can wait for hours or not even be able to get in at all.

See a Michelangelo-designed church built within the former Baths of Diocletian.

In 1561, almost 1000 years after the baths of Diocletian fell into disuse, Pope Pius IV decided to build a basilica consecrated to Our Lady of the Angels within the baths. He commisioned the 86-year-old Michelangelo to plan the church, making use of some of the existing structures of the baths. Today a visit to the basilica gives you an idea of the enormous size of the baths. The church was constructed at the site of the former frigidarium (a large cold pool which would be used to close the pores after using the hot baths) and incorporates several elements of the former thermae. The vestibule occupies the former tepidarium (a Roman-style relaxation room) and the imposing entrance is an exedra of the caldarium (a room with a hot plunge bath). Other highlights include the meridian solar line running across the floor, which still accurately calculates the length of the year and the summer and winter solstices. There is also an impressive organ with 5,400 tubes. It is capable of leaving those visitors lucky enough to hear it spellbound.

Visit one of Rome's greatest but most unheralded museums of antiquity.

This light-filled museum holds one of the best classical art collections in the world. The ground and first-floor feature famous Greek and Roman sculptures, mosaics and statues, as well as impressive sarcophagi and high reliefs. The second floor showcases the best preserved Roman frescoes in the world, which are considered the highlight of the museum. Originally located in Villa of Livia (the wife of Augustus) and Villa Farnesina, these colourful frescoes, sometimes covering an entire room, offer a unique view into life in ancient Rome and the critical importance of gardens, nature, and the villa atmosphere to upper echelon Romans. A must visit room is the painted garden room of Villa Livia. There is also a cinema room with a video showing a 3D reconstruction of the Villa Farnesina as it would have been, showing the layout of the rooms in the villa and the frescoes you had seen just moments before. 

Walk the ruins of what was once the largest themal baths in the ancient Roman world.

Covering an area of more than 13 hectares (some 32 acres), the bath complex was commissioned by Emperor Diocletian in 298 AD, with a capacity to host over 3,000 people (twice as many as the Baths of Caracalla). The baths were made of bricks, coated in marble and decorated with mosaics and sculptures. The complex included a gymnasium, a library, a large outdoor swimming pool and cold, hot, and tepid public baths. They remained open until 537 when the Goths cut off the aqueducts in an attempt to conquer Rome. After they fell into disrepair and were left abandoned. Even though only a small part of the public bath complex can be seen and visited, it is extremely impressive, with the possibility to see at some points the high ceilings the baths possessed. The interior includes part of the National Museum of Rome and a permanent exhibition on pre-historic populations of the area. In the outdoor part of the baths, it is possible to stroll through a sixteenth-century garden with nearly 400 works of art, including statues, sarcophagi and reliefs. 

See a Michelangelo-designed church built within the former Baths of Diocletian.

In 1561, almost 1000 years after the baths of Diocletian fell into disuse, Pope Pius IV decided to build a basilica consecrated to Our Lady of the Angels within the baths. He commisioned the 86-year-old Michelangelo to plan the church, making use of some of the existing structures of the baths. Today a visit to the basilica gives you an idea of the enormous size of the baths. The church was constructed at the site of the former frigidarium (a large cold pool which would be used to close the pores after using the hot baths) and incorporates several elements of the former thermae. The vestibule occupies the former tepidarium (a Roman-style relaxation room) and the imposing entrance is an exedra of the caldarium (a room with a hot plunge bath). Other highlights include the meridian solar line running across the floor, which still accurately calculates the length of the year and the summer and winter solstices. There is also an impressive organ with 5,400 tubes. It is capable of leaving those visitors lucky enough to hear it spellbound.

Stare down at the theater stage as the audience did two milennia ago.

Originally built during the reign of Emperor Augustus, it was later enlarged to seat up to 2,700 spectators. Most of the theater's structure remains visible, and you can climb to the top level (where women would have typically sat thanks to the gender division rules of Ancient Rome) to get a good overview. Musicians and typically performed in the ground floor semi-circle, while actors would have used the wooden stage. In ancient times, there would have been a large brick wall behind the stage where scenery would be hung.

Visit a museum filled with sculptures and artwork rescued from the ruins.

This splendid Renaissance building was originally built to store salt supplies from the nearby salt pans. Today, it is home to a rich collection of sculptures, busts, paintings and mosaics which have been discovered during the numerous excavations at Ostia. Among the museum's highlights are a large marble statue of Minerva that was probably from Porta Romana; a relief from the Temple of Hercules dating from between 80 and 65 BC; a statue of Perseus holding the head of Medusa found in a villa outside Porta Laurentina; and a portrait of Trajan, a rare masterpiece that was found in the theater.

Admire the mosaic floors of this once luxurious bath built for the people of Ostia.

Built by Emperor Hadrian in 139 AD, these luxurious bathhouses were a gift to the people of Ostia. Bathhouses were a very important aspect of Roman culture, a place where the common man could mingle with senators and centurions on a daily basis. Like most grand bathhouses, the floors of the Ostia bathhouse were adorned with beautiful mosaics. Many of the black and white mosaics have been relatively well preserved with the largest mosaic of Neptune riding four horses through the sea being the most impressive.

Take a peaceful stroll through a place which was once filled with the hubbub of business dealings.

This open-air market was essential for Rome, with merchants from foreign lands gathering here to sell anything from grain and shipping services to elephants and giraffes. The most notable detail of the Square of Guilds are the intricate black and white mosaics that lie in front and inside of each shop. These mosaics indicated the professional associations of each vendor as well as inspired a sense of nostalgia for the distant homes of each of the merchants. It is important to note that these shops did not have any merchandise in them (they were too small). Instead, they functioned more as offices where people could meet and create deals.

Enjoy some swimming or sunbathing on Monterosso's free public pebble beach.

Monterosso is the most popular Cinque Terre town for those wishing to enjoy some beach time, but not all of its beach is accessible without paying. This area of the beach (pebbly) next to the "old town" is free for public use although there are also umbrellas and sunbeds available for hire as well. You'll also find another free public beach further up after the train station in what is known as "Monterosso's New Town" and a paid beach with rented sunloungers in front of the train station. 

Spend a little cash on an umbrella, and you can enjoy the Cinque Terre's best beach.

Most of this long stretch of beach is for paying customers only, where you can hire a set of umbrellas costing around €20-25 for the day. Use of this section of the beach is prohibited unless you pay for an umbrella and security lifeguards are always on the watch and will ask you to leave if you do not wish to pay. There is also a beach restaurant and beach huts with toilets and showers available for paying customers.

Hike up to this statue of Saint Francis for a beautiful view overlooking Monteross and the sea.

Sculpted by Milanese sculptor Silvio Monfrini in 1962, the Statue of St Francis of Assisi and his dog (often referred to as a wolf or Lupo in Italian) occupies a gorgeous terrace high above the village near the Convent of the Capuchin Friars. While the steep stairs may tax your muscles, the view from the terrace over Monterosso and the bay below is breathtaking. Well worth the effort! Below the statue you will see the Torre Aurora, a former 16th-century watchtower built by the Republic of Genoa to defend the town from Saracen pirates. In the past, Monterosso was guarded very well, with thirteen towers keeping a watchful eye over the horizon. Torre Aurora is one of three remaining towers. Looming over the town it now holds no purpose other than being used as a private residence, but you will find a small restaurant called Ristorante L'Ancora della Tortuga at its base and a small bunker built in World War II as a defense against an Allied invasion.

Step inside this 14th-century church that sits in the heart of old Monterosso.

The Church of San Giovanni Battista (St John the Baptist) located just off the main piazza in Monterosso was constructed in the 1200s, in the Gothic-Genovese style. Inside, there is a fresco depicting the baptism of Christ and near the second side door, you'll find the high-water mark from a flood in October 1966 which was famous for also destroying the city of Florence. Nearby a second plaque marks the high-water from the devastating floods of 2011 that destroyed many of the towns in Cinque Terre.

Enjoy the laid back vibes or a refreshing drink in the town's small but charming main square.

The life and action of the town takes place at the main square where you'll find tables and chairs fill this small space, which is centered by a Memorial to the Fallen and the town's old well. This is the beating heart of the community and on a quiet afternoon (mostly in the off-season (April and October) you'll see the town's elderly sitting on the benches after mass catching up on the local gossip, reading the newspaper or enjoying a game of cards.

Walk to tip-top of Corniglia to admire the tremendous coastal views.

A small terrace at the western tip of the town provides a nice view of the coastline both to north and south, allowing you to see both the neighboring towns and the sea. Keep in mind though that this panoramic spot can be quite busy in the summer months. 

Enjoy the laid back vibes or a refreshing drink in the town's small but charming main square.

The life and action of the town takes place at the main square where you'll find tables and chairs fill this small space, which is centered by a Memorial to the Fallen and the town's old well. This is the beating heart of the community and on a quiet afternoon (mostly in the off-season (April and October) you'll see the town's elderly sitting on the benches after mass catching up on the local gossip, reading the newspaper or enjoying a game of cards.

Walk to tip-top of Corniglia to admire the tremendous coastal views.

A small terrace at the western tip of the town provides a nice view of the coastline both to north and south, allowing you to see both the neighboring towns and the sea. Keep in mind though that this panoramic spot can be quite busy in the summer months. 

Take a tour or experience an opera or ballet in this world-famous opera house.

Considered one of the most important and famous theatres in the world, known as the ‘Temple of Opera’, La Scala has hosted the most revered names in the world of music and theatre. Many famous operas have had their first production in La Scala, such as Othello, Nabucco by Verdi or Madame Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini. While seeing a performance is the best way to experience the theater, visiting the Theatre Museum or taking a guided tour which includes the museum are also great options. In addition to a large collection of paintings, busts, costumes, and other objects related to the world of opera and theater, you will get to see parts of La Scala which are otherwise off limits, like the boxes. Unless a rehearsal or show is in progress, visitors can even watch the set-moving machinery in action. 

A huge Medieval-Renaissance fortress with a number of interesting history and art museums

The Sforzesco Castle, one of the most popular monuments in Milan, has undergone various and complex transformations over the centuries; it has been defense fortress, military barracks, private residence and now a center of cultural institutions with several specialized museums and galleries that hold important fragments of Milan's cultural and civic history.

Take a stroll through this ornate covered shopping mall that was completed in 1877.

Known as the "drawing room" of Milan, due to its numerous shops and importance as a common Milanese meeting and dining place, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is Italy's oldest active shopping mall and a major landmark in the city. It is one of the most magnificent shopping arcades in the world, home to some of the most luxurious boutiques and brands including Prada, Armani, Gucci.

Take a tour or experience an opera or ballet in this world-famous opera house.

Considered one of the most important and famous theatres in the world, known as the ‘Temple of Opera’, La Scala has hosted the most revered names in the world of music and theatre. Many famous operas have had their first production in La Scala, such as Othello, Nabucco by Verdi or Madame Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini. While seeing a performance is the best way to experience the theater, visiting the Theatre Museum or taking a guided tour which includes the museum are also great options. In addition to a large collection of paintings, busts, costumes, and other objects related to the world of opera and theater, you will get to see parts of La Scala which are otherwise off limits, like the boxes. Unless a rehearsal or show is in progress, visitors can even watch the set-moving machinery in action. 

Explore the lush gardens surrounding this villa and enjoy stunning lake views from its terraces.

Just a short distance from Villa Monastero, you'll find the Villa Cirpressi, a grand villa built between the 15th and 19th century which offers great architectural elements of late Renaissance and fine Neoclassical features. Aside from the villa which is now a 4-star hotel, it is home to another manicured lakeside garden. Smaller in size, the centuries-old gardens are open to the public to visit, offering a journey of perfumes and magical sensations that go beyond a normal botanical garden. The terraced garden overlooking the lake deserves a visit, especially for anyone interested in nature. 

Ride a 19th Century funicular up the mountainside above Como to enjoy beautiful views over Lake Como.

Lake Como is surrounded by beautiful hills and mountains, and while it’s definitely possible to hike up the steep incline on foot, most people opt to ride on the Brunate Funicular, which brings riders to the small town of Brunate in just 7 minutes. The Funicular Railway has linked Lake Como and Brunate since 1894 and is still the quickest way of travelling between these two towns. A trip on the railway offers stunning views and an opportunity to see panoramic views of rural Como, all whilst having an enjoyable jaunt on a train!

Take a liesurely private sail, enjoy a lake cruise, or villa hop by ferry.

One good way to combine a lake cruise with visits to the best villas and prettiest towns is to use the lake ferries. Just take the train from Milan to Varenna and then when you're done there, catch a ferry across the lake to Bellagio. From Bellagio you can take another ferry to Como, where you can catch a train back to Milan. If you go straight to Como, from April to October there are leisure boats offering 30-minute journeys along the nearby shoreline. With a high number of tourists, boats leave quite frequently and are very affordable at around 5 Euros per person. The better boats will point out sites of interest along the way, including spots where famous movies were filmed. If you want a truly special experience, you can also hire a private tour on a sail boat or small motor yacht. You'll feel like a real movie star as the you glide across the blue waters of the lake and wave to your fellow celebrities in the passing boats.

Visit Lake Como's most famously beautiful lakeside town.

It is impossible not to be smitten by Bellagio's picturesque waterfront, bobbing boats and its maze of stone staircases, alleys, and cypress tree groves, and you may want to spend the most time during your day trip here. Bellagio has been a favored summertime resort since the Roman Times, and very little has changed, with Italians and tourists heading to the lakes for a cooler (but still incredibly warm) climate, away from the sweltering heat of the cities.

Admire the wonderful details of this grand Duomo which incorporates architectural styles from across five centuries.

The imposing cathedral (Duomo) is located in the heart of Como's medieval walled city. Built between 1300 and 1744, the cathedral brings together elements of several architectural styles, including the late Gothic structure, the Renaissance facade, and the imposing Baroque dome. The front façade boasts an abundance of ornate stonework and stone statues, and is topped with a series of small decorative towers. The interior is also lavishly decorated. The standout feature is a central dome covered with gold artwork and other beautiful decor.

Wander through the magnificent lakeside gardens which surround this beautiful white villa in Bellagio.

The town of Bellagio was fought over in wars between Como and Milan, but most of the time, it has been a destination of pleasure and leisure since late Roman times. For this reason, Napoleon decided to reward one of his generals, Francesco Melzi, with the white neo-Classical Villa Melzi. Located to the south of the Bellagio, it is visited primarily for its spectacular gardens, embellished with ancient artefacts such as an Etruscan urn that dates back to the 3rd Century BC and two ancient Egyptian sculptures.

Visit a villa that began as a peaceful lakeside convent and was later transformed into a luxurious residence.

Built-in various styles (Baroque, Classic and Moresque), the origins of the Villa Monastero in the town of Varenna stretch back to the 12th century, when it was founded as a Cistercian convent. The estate was purchased by Paolo Mornico in 1569, using his fortune amassed through iron mining. He then transformed it into a very elaborate aristocratic residence, while retaining some beautiful elements from the convent. These days the villa is now used as an international conference center and wedding venue. Luckily for visitors, the gardens are open to the public and there is also a House Museum, which features 14 lavish rooms filled with period furniture, refined decorations, and luxurious furnishings.

Explore the lush gardens surrounding this villa and enjoy stunning lake views from its terraces.

Just a short distance from Villa Monastero, you'll find the Villa Cirpressi, a grand villa built between the 15th and 19th century which offers great architectural elements of late Renaissance and fine Neoclassical features. Aside from the villa which is now a 4-star hotel, it is home to another manicured lakeside garden. Smaller in size, the centuries-old gardens are open to the public to visit, offering a journey of perfumes and magical sensations that go beyond a normal botanical garden. The terraced garden overlooking the lake deserves a visit, especially for anyone interested in nature.