ITALY
Roman Forum & The Colosseum
Let’s face it, there could only be one winner in the list of Italy’s top ten tourist attractions. Well, alright…two. The Roman Forum and the Colosseum are probably the most famous and most frequented tourist sights in Italy and with millions of visitors every year the ancient heart of the Roman world is a must-see for any tourist. While the Forum itself is far from its glorious best and requires a little imagination, the Colosseum remains as a magnificent ancient stadium which can still be explored top to bottom. Despite their popularity however, the truth is that the throngs of tourists and cheap-looking ‘legionaries’ take something away from the majesty of these ancient buildings – but then perhaps that adequately reflects what they would have actually been like in their prime - noisy, bustling and anarchic - the ironic beating heart of an Empire whose mission was to bring order from chaos.
St Peter’s Basilica & The Vatican Museums
One of the most recognisable buildings on the planet, St Peter’s Basilica is among the largest churches in the world and has operated at the very centre of the Catholic faith for centuries. Today it retains its religious role but, along with the Vatican Museums, St Peter’s has also become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy. Inside St Peter’s visitors can see the beautiful interiors, a wealth of renaissance art and even view the tombs of some of history’s most influential Popes. Likewise the museums contain artistic masterpieces from illustrious artists such as Raphael and Leonardo Da Vinci, as well as Michelangelo’s world renowned Sistine Chapel.
Pompeii & Herculaneum
The ruins of this doomed ancient town, buried by lava and ashes from the erupting Vesuvius volcano, are a marvel to explore. Indeed, there’s no doubt that Pompeii ranks among the most famous tourist attractions of Italy, and rightly so. With so much to see, it can take several hours to wander the old Roman streets and explore the amphitheatre and Forum, the shops and brothels and even view 2,000 year-old graffiti on the walls. Less well known, and certainly less crowded, nearby Herculaneum arguably contains better preserved ruins than its grander neighbour and is certainly worth making the time to visit.
Ostia Antica
Curiously this is both one of the very best and yet least frequented tourist attractions in Italy. The truth is that Ostia Antica should be a staple part of anyone’s trip to this hugely popular travel destination. It contains the extremely well preserved remains of Rome’s ancient port, including intact high streets, temples, theatres and more. It’s truly astounding. Any yet as few people are prepared to take the short train trip from Rome to get there, it remains both one of the very best attractions in Italy and one of the most hidden.
Catacombs of the Capuchins
For an experience which combines the macabre with the surreal, the Catacombs of the Capuchins in Palermo, Sicily, is one tourist attraction that is entirely unique. People were originally laid to rest here in the late 16th century and, when it was observed that these bodies remained in a remarkable state of preservation, the catacombs became utilised as a burial place for nobles, clerics and local families. By the time it closed in the early 20th century it contained thousands of burials – a huge number of which remain ominously well-preserved. Today visitors can wander through the complex and discover its grisly interior, but keep in mind that this is one experience which is not for the faint-hearted.
Let’s face it, there could only be one winner in the list of Italy’s top ten tourist attractions. Well, alright…two. The Roman Forum and the Colosseum are probably the most famous and most frequented tourist sights in Italy and with millions of visitors every year the ancient heart of the Roman world is a must-see for any tourist. While the Forum itself is far from its glorious best and requires a little imagination, the Colosseum remains as a magnificent ancient stadium which can still be explored top to bottom. Despite their popularity however, the truth is that the throngs of tourists and cheap-looking ‘legionaries’ take something away from the majesty of these ancient buildings – but then perhaps that adequately reflects what they would have actually been like in their prime - noisy, bustling and anarchic - the ironic beating heart of an Empire whose mission was to bring order from chaos.
St Peter’s Basilica & The Vatican Museums
One of the most recognisable buildings on the planet, St Peter’s Basilica is among the largest churches in the world and has operated at the very centre of the Catholic faith for centuries. Today it retains its religious role but, along with the Vatican Museums, St Peter’s has also become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy. Inside St Peter’s visitors can see the beautiful interiors, a wealth of renaissance art and even view the tombs of some of history’s most influential Popes. Likewise the museums contain artistic masterpieces from illustrious artists such as Raphael and Leonardo Da Vinci, as well as Michelangelo’s world renowned Sistine Chapel.
Pompeii & Herculaneum
The ruins of this doomed ancient town, buried by lava and ashes from the erupting Vesuvius volcano, are a marvel to explore. Indeed, there’s no doubt that Pompeii ranks among the most famous tourist attractions of Italy, and rightly so. With so much to see, it can take several hours to wander the old Roman streets and explore the amphitheatre and Forum, the shops and brothels and even view 2,000 year-old graffiti on the walls. Less well known, and certainly less crowded, nearby Herculaneum arguably contains better preserved ruins than its grander neighbour and is certainly worth making the time to visit.
Ostia Antica
Curiously this is both one of the very best and yet least frequented tourist attractions in Italy. The truth is that Ostia Antica should be a staple part of anyone’s trip to this hugely popular travel destination. It contains the extremely well preserved remains of Rome’s ancient port, including intact high streets, temples, theatres and more. It’s truly astounding. Any yet as few people are prepared to take the short train trip from Rome to get there, it remains both one of the very best attractions in Italy and one of the most hidden.
Catacombs of the Capuchins
For an experience which combines the macabre with the surreal, the Catacombs of the Capuchins in Palermo, Sicily, is one tourist attraction that is entirely unique. People were originally laid to rest here in the late 16th century and, when it was observed that these bodies remained in a remarkable state of preservation, the catacombs became utilised as a burial place for nobles, clerics and local families. By the time it closed in the early 20th century it contained thousands of burials – a huge number of which remain ominously well-preserved. Today visitors can wander through the complex and discover its grisly interior, but keep in mind that this is one experience which is not for the faint-hearted.