Mini Travel Guides

It’s the rare visitor to Rome who doesn’t make his or her way to the Vatican. Visiting St. Peter’s and the Vatican Museum are highlights of any visit to the Eternal City, as Heather has described in her post “Be a religious tourist in Rome“. As most visitors know, Vatican City is actually its own state, separate from Italy, with its own Head of State  – the Pope.

Vatican City also mints its own coins (it is within the euro zone) , maintains its own postal service (since 1929) and issues its own postage stamps.

On your next visit to the Vatican, stop by at the post office (just next to the Visitor’s office, to the left of the main entrance to Saint Peter’s) to see the special issues of stamps and to mail your postcards, franked by the Vatican City postal service.

One of my children has just started collecting stamps and I have other friends who collect franked Vatican stamps, so I am often passing through the Vatican post office to purchase postage stamps or mail out letters.

It’s fun to see tourists from all over writing post cards, affixing their Vatican stamps and sending them off to all corners of the world. With the rich collection of art at the Vatican – and within the Catholic church - the Vatican-issued stamps can be quite striking, including recently issued stamps from works by Caravaggio and Botticelli. For serious collectors, there’s even a helpful on-line catalogue of issues from 1929 to the present.

So on your next visit to Rome, be sure to stop by at the Vatican post office to buy postage stamps or mail out your postcards. Your stamp collecting friends will thank you and you couldn’t find presents easier to pack than these.

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When in Rome: Vatican stamp collecting

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

The Italian region of Tuscany is very popular with visitors and for good reasons.  There are lots of beautiful, historic cities, towns and villages steeped in tradition, set in lovely rolling countryside. Here are our tips for some of the best things to do in Tuscany.

Florence skyline

Five of the Best Things to do in Tuscany Podcast

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Soak Up the Atmosphere in Piazza del Campo in Siena

The Piazza del Campo is the historic heart of Siena. It has to be a contender for the most beautiful square in Italy and is one of the finest medieval squares in Europe. Amanda wrote about “Ten Things to Do in Siena” and she recommends a visit to Siena during the Palio Horse Race which takes place in the Piazza del Campo biannually, on 2 July and 16 August.

Piazza del Campo , Siena

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Walk along the Riverside in Pisa

I’ve visited Pisa a couple of times and never been up to the Leaning Tower, it’s too expensive with a 15 Euro admission fee and the queue’s too long. Your time in Pisa would be better spent walking along the riverside. Here are some other tips from Europe a la Carte readers on things to see in Pisa.

The bank of the River Arno in Pisa

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Admire Florence from the Piazzale Michelangelo

In my opinion, the best views of Florence are from Piazzale Michelangelo.  It’s one of my three favourite piazzas in Florence.  Just behind Piazzale Michelangelo is the Iris Garden. You can get some other ideas on things to see in Florence in our readers’ tips post.

View of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo

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Cycle Round the Town Walls in Lucca

Lucca is a lovely walled city and I managed to fulfil my ambition of cycling the town walls, despite the wet weather. We also visited a Tuscan market in the Real Collegio and had a delicious meal at Trattoria da Sergio. You can get more ideas of things to see in Lucca in our “Tips ‘n’ Tweets” post.

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Marvel at the Inflorata in Fucecchio during Corpus Domini

If you happen to be in Tuscany sixty days after Easter, look out for the amazing pictures made from flower petals (inflorata) that adorn the streets for the Corpus Domini Communion Procession.  By sheer coincidence we drove into the village of Fucecchio after getting lost while out touring, just at the right time to admire this floral artwork.

Inflorata in the village of Fucecchio

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Your Tips for Things to Do in Tuscany

If you have any recommendations for things to do in Tuscany, please leave a comment.

Five of the Best Things to Do in Tuscany

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

Travellers who think with their stomach (like I do) might consider Bologna to be the ideal destination for a plate of spaghetti bolognese, but in fact this northern Italian city is home to many more things to do than simply eat! Bologna is a relatively small and very historical city, capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, and considered by many Italians to be one of their country’s most beautiful cities. If you are planning a short break to the city, here are some suggestions on things to do in Bologna during your stay.

Piazza Maggiore

The heart of Bologna is its Piazza Maggiore, the main square in the old town, which has plenty of famous buildings surrounding it, including the Basilica of San Petronio, the City Hall Building, the Portico dei Banchi and the Palazzo del Podestà. Scenic, historical and a good meeting and cafe place all at once, it’s a good place to centre your Bologna explorations.

Piazza Maggiore by night by Alessandro Capotondi

Tower of the Asinelli and Tower of the Garisenda

These two towers are often the main symbols of the town when you see Bologna in pictures. They both date back to the twelfth century and it’s possible to climb the Tower of the Asinelli.

View from the Tower of Asinelli by arj03

National Picture Gallery

Bologna’s National Picture Gallery is home to the most important local art and masterpieces from other parts of Italy too, and includes works by Raffaello, Giotto and Parmigianino. Do note that it’s usually closed on Mondays.

Fontana di Nettuno

The Fontana di Nettuno or Fountain of Neptune is another frequently-seen symbol of Bologna, and was built back in 1563. It’s an almost over-the-top representation of King Neptune surrounded by angels and fish.

Towering Neptune statue by Enrico Maioli

University Quarter

As a major university town, Bologna’s University Quarter is usually buzzing. With plenty of young people around there are numerous trendy cafes, bars and nightclubs to enjoy. But on the more intellectual side – after all, the University of Bologna is the oldest university in Europe – there are also some interesting museums within the campus, including the Naval Museum, the Museum of European Students, the Obstetric Museum and the Museum of Military Architecture – pretty much something for all tastes!

Statues at the University of Bologna by Meanest Indian

Basilica di San Domenico

The Basilica di San Domenico is one of Bologna’s most famous churches, and you can also visit the attached convent. Tourist guides will keenly tell you that Mozart played the organ here on a few occasions!

Bologna Museum of Modern Art

The Bologna Museum of Modern Art, also known by its trendy Italian abbreviation of MAMbo, has existed as an independent museum only since the 1980s and recently moved to brand new premises. Featuring art quite different from Bologna’s traditional galleries, it also offers performances and multimedia events.

Archaeological Museum

Bologna’s Archaeological Museum, or Museo Civico Archeologico, includes artifacts from both ancient Egypt and the Roman era and is housed in an old hospital – what’s more, entry is free.

Artifact at the Archaeological Museum by Mike Knell

Ducati, Lamborghini and Ferrari Museums

Within Bologna or nearby, there are three very important stops for car and motorbike obsessed travellers: the Ducati Museum, the Lamborghini Museum and the Ferrari Museum; there’s also the Bologna Motorshow if you time your trip correctly. The Ferrari Museum includes a special Formula One exhibition.

Gold Lamborghini at the museum by Blosterblu

Cooking Schools and Food Factory Tours

Given our obsession with spaghetti bolognese, it is hardly surprising that food-related tourist attractions are widespread in Bologna. There are numerous cooking schools where you can learn to make great pasta and sauces, and also tours of various factories producing Italian wine, vinegar, cheese and of course pasta. Incidentally, I’m told that spaghetti bolognese is not a traditional food of Bologna – they use the bolognese sauce on tagliatelle or in lasagne!

Tagliatelle al ragu by WordRidden

Things to Do in Bologna Podcast

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Your Bologna Tips

Do you have some more useful tips for things to do in Bologna? Please let us know in the comments.

Where to stay in Bologna

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Ten Things to Do in Bologna, Italy

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I’ve already written about Gargano’s beautiful beaches . Visiting these beaches south of Vieste also provides a nice excuse for a drive through the Gargano’s most stunning coastline.

The road is high up and curving, but road conditions are pretty good. There are places to stop and park the car to allow you to get out and admire the views over the rugged coastlines.

There are pretty rock formations and numerous ancient watchtowers dotting the coastline. These used to be an important line of defense for the local population – watching for Saracen or Ottoman invaders. Today, they serve as panoramic viewing points over the dramatic coastline.

Enjoy your drive along Gargano’s picturesque coastline.

The Gargano peninsula’s stunning coastline – Puglia, Italy

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A Tuscan holiday is on many people’s want-to lists, and the lovely medieval town of Siena is one of the key destinations within this region. Just arriving in Siena is incredible enough, with its beautiful old buildings making it quite postcard-like. But of course most people want to do more, and this list of things to do in Siena should help you plan a very enjoyable stay.

Siena Skyline by James Temple

The Palio Horse Race

Held twice each summer on 2 July and 16 August, the Palio horse race is one of Siena’s most famous attractions – we even have a poster of it on our bedroom wall! It has a grand tradition stretching back for a milennium and obviously, Siena is pretty crowded at Palio time – but the atmosphere is electric.

Preparations for the Palio by One for RM

Piazza del Campo

The Piazza del Campo square in central Siena is not only the venue for the twice-annual Palio Horse Race, but also a beautiful square which provides an orientation point for all your strolls around Siena; it’s also famous for being uniquely built in a shell-like shape.

Piazza del Campo by benleto

Duomo

The Duomo is Siena’s large cathedral, and easily one of the most beautiful churches you’ll find in Italy. Dating back to the thirteenth century, it’s built in a Gothic style and features distinctive (and photogenic) black and white marble on the outside and a very detailed mosaic floor inside. Within the Duomo’s complex you’ll find the Baptistery and the Museo dell’Opera but unfortunately you have to pay separate entrance fees for each of these.

Siena’s Duomo by dottorpeni

Palazzo Pubblico

The  or town hall is located on the Piazza del Campo and is a medieval stone and brick building. You can climb up the tower (Torre del Mangia) for great views over the square and of Siena in general.

Looking up at the Torre del Mangia by Paulo Bertinetto

Casa di Santa Caterina

The Casa di Santa Caterina is the birthplace of Saint Catherine, one of the two patron saints of Italy (the other is Saint Francis of Assisi), and it’s a convenient short stroll from the Duomo. It is set up to demonstrate Saint Catherine’s early life with the family kitchen and bedroom.

Pinacoteca Nazionale

The Pinacoteca Nazionale or National Picture Gallery is the place for art-lovers to head to, with paintings from Siena masters from the twelfth century through to the seventeenth century.  Many of the famous artists from the Sienese School of painting are represented.

Your Siena Recommendations

Do you have any tips for things to do in Siena? Let us know in the comments.

Where to Stay in Siena

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Things to Do in Siena, Italy

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Rome is my favourite European city. I love walking around and seeing all the layers of its long history. Although most visitors concentrate on Rome’s Ancient, Renaissance and Baroque splendours, medieval Rome is also fascinating to explore.

One of my favourite corners of Rome starts at the tiny, cobblestoned street of Via San Paolo della Croce, which leads over the Celian hill. If you come here in the silence of early morning, you would be forgiven for thinking you’ve been transported back in time to medieval Rome, particularly as you near the lovely Basilica of SS Giovanni e Paolo (Saints John and Paul).

This church was built in 410 AD and restructured in the 11^th century by Pope Pascal II, who also erected the lovely bell tower typical of medieval Italian churches. Major renovations to the interior were carried out in the 18^th century, but the pretty exterior remained untouched.

This perfect Roman spot has been admired by countless generations of Romans and tourists alike. The following observations about the church and its idyllic position were recorded by Henry James in his Italian Hours:

No spot in Rome can show a cluster of more charming accidents. The ancient brick apse of the church peeps down into the trees of the little wooded walk before the neighbouring church of San Gregorio… and a series of heavy brick buttresses, flying across to an opposite wall, overarches the short, steep, paved passage which leads into the small square. This is flanked on one side by the long mediaeval portico of the church of the two saints, sustained by eight time-blackened columns of granite and marble. … The place always seem to me the perfection of an out-of-the-way corner – a place you would think twice before telling people about, lest you should find them there the next time you were to go.

I love James’ description of  this “out-of-the-way-corner”. That’s exactly how I feel when I have this little slice of Rome to myself, before the crowds and the cars. Here are the heavy brick buttresses he describes.

If Henry James’ description can’t coax you to SS Giovanni e Paolo, then perhaps what lies beneath might do the trick. Underneath these dramatic buttresses are the Case romane , the Ancient Roman houses, which opened to the public in 2002, following extensive excavations.

These are the homes where John and Paul, officers under Emperor Constantine, were said to have lived. They were martyred in 361 and the basilica that takes their names was built over their former dwelling place.

Excavations began in 1887, uncovering a site of more than 20 rooms, some with vivid, well-preserved frescoes.

Photo courtesy of the Case romane web site

These homes are a wonderful glimpse into Roman life between the 2^nd and 4^th century. A small but interesting museum displays objects excavated from the homes. Check the museum’s web site for opening hours and ticket information

Enjoy your visit to medieval and Ancient Rome at the Basilica of SS Giovanni e Paolo. For more of medieval Rome, see the Shrine to Pope Joan and the beautiful mosaics of Santa Prassede.

If you’re planning a visit to the Italian capital, you can find the best deals at Rome hotels using the HotelsCombined price comparison site.

When in Rome: SS Giovanni e Paolo and the Ancient Roman houses

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Those of you visiting the Eternal City during the Christmas season will be certain to notice the Christmas trees that now grace the city. Christmas trees are a relatively recent import – a northern European tradition. To get a real flavour of Italian Christmas traditions, visitors in should visit the many Roman churches that host a traditional presepio – a nativity scene.

The nativity scene is said to have originated in Italy. It is Saint Francis of Assisi who is credited with having constructed the first  nativity scene in a cave in the town of Greccio, outside Assisi, way back in 1223.

Nativity scenes from Naples are the most famous and even today its craftsman are renowned for carrying on this ancient tradition.

My favourite among the many on offer in Rome’s churches during the holiday season is a Neapolitan nativity scene from 1700 on display is at the Basilica dei Santi Cosma e Damiano (Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian) in the Roman Forum, just off the Via dei Fori Imperiali.

The Basilica dei Santi Cosma e Damiano  was built in the early 6th century AD and it is the oldest church in the Imperial Forum.  The church features original early Christian mosaics in the apse.

Each year at during the Christmas season, tourists and Romans flock here to see the stunning details of Neapolitan craftsmen in this lovely nativity scene. Jesus, Mary and Joseph are surrounded by hundreds of figures and animals, all set amongst Roman ruins. The details are marvellous and, even after numerous viewings, I find myself admiring scenes I hadn’t noticed on earlier visits.

A visit to see this historic nativity scene in Basilica dei Santi Cosma e Damiano  is my European travel tip if your holiday travels take you through Rome. Be sure to also stop off at the Christmas market on Rome’s lovely Piazza Navona.

When in Rome: Nativity scene tourism

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Rome’s Piazza Navona has to be one of the most beautiful squares in the world. In a recent post, Arwa called it her favourite piazza in Rome . Each December, continuing on through January 6^th,  there’s a Piazza Navona Christmas market.

Although it can’t compete with the elegant Christmas markets of Vienna and Nürnberg, this Rome Christmas Market offers a stunning backdrop and makes a visit here worth it.

On January 6^th, Italian children celebrate the Epiphany with the tradition of  La befana . La befana is an old witch who leaves good children a stocking filled with candies on the morning of January 6^th. Walking through the market stalls, you will see many of these witches on display.

There are carnival games and a carousel on the square, gifts for sale at the stalls and lots of sugary treats.

Parents beware: it’s almost impossible to avoid the ubiquitous stands selling monster-sized cotton candy.

Enjoy wandering Rome’s Christmas market during your holiday visit to the Eternal City!

If you’re planning a trip to Rome during the festive season, you can find the best deals at Rome hotels using the HotelsCombined price comparison site.

When in Rome: Piazza Navona’s Christmas Market

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Italy is a very popular holiday destination but as Andy has written, the gorgeous island of Sicily is sometimes overlooked. Overlook it no more! Here is a collection of things to do in Sicily which should convince you to add it to your holiday wish list. One big tip though – unless you’re a real sun-lover, Sicily can often get really hot in high summer so try pretty much any other time of year.

Mount Etna

Europe’s tallest active volcano is located on Sicily, and a visit to (or at least near to!) Mount Etna is an essential part of a Sicily trip. It’s very active so don’t expect to go hiking up around its rim or anything too adventurous, but Mount Etna and surrounds are part of an attractive national park.

Mount Etna by ascii

Palermo: Sicily’s capital city

You might think Palermo is famous for housing many mafia members (and you might be right), but it’s also a pleasant city to explore. It features the Capuchin Catacombs, the Palermo Cathedral, La Martorana Church and the Gesu Church, among other key sights. Most of these are within walking distance from each other in the city’s centre. You can find the best deals at Palermo hotels using the HotelsCombined price comparison site.

Cathedral in Palermo by ImNotQuiteJack

Catania: Sicily’s second city

Catania is somewhat unique in that after the 1669 eruption of Mount Etna which destroyed the city, it was rebuilt out of the lava – it’s really a volcano city. Catania has great nightlife if you’re looking to get out of your hotel in the evening and during the day, you can admire the World Heritage-listed baroque architecture of its centre.  You can find great prices on hotels in Catania on the HotelsCombined price comparison site.

Collegiata Church in Catania by ciccioetneo

Erice

Sian has written about the hidden gem of Erice before, a small medieval town atop Mt Erice. The fairy tale Pepoli Castle is the most well-known attraction but Sian suggests that simply strolling around is also a great way to spend a day in Erice.  If you want to spend a night in Eirice, HotelsCombined quickly finds the lowest hotel prices.

Shopping in Erice by Pelodia

Archaeological sites

Sicily is home to numerous archaeological sites and you can view many artefacts at Palermo’s Archaeological Museum. There is also a Greek amphitheatre in Taormina and near Agrigento, the Valley of the Temples is also well worth a visit.

The Temple of Gemini near Agrigento by Alun Salt

Aeolian Islands

Just off Sicily, the Aeolian Islands are a string of seven islands including Lipari, Salina, Panarea and Stromboli and they’re the place to visit for nature lovers and anyone looking for gorgeous landscapes. Boat tours including several islands are readily available or just pick one for a longer stay. You can find compare hotel prices in Lipari and Stromboli on the HotelsCombined price comparison site.

View from Lipari by tore_urnes

Vendicari Reserve

Vendicari Reserve is a long stretch of wild beach on the south-east side of Sicily and a great place for a long walk and to get away from the daily bustle.

Vendicari Reserve by Gabriele Iuvara

Your Sicily travel tips

What parts of Sicily can you recommend? Please leave any tips in the comments – thanks!

Seven Things to Do in Sicily

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Venice is one of those fairytale cities that a huge number of people dream of visiting. In my opinion, despite being a massive tourist magnet and often a bit too crowded, Venice still does live up to the hype, and that’s mostly because as a canal city it’s pretty unique. Like Paris or London or Berlin, I consider Venice a city that everyone should try out at least once, and if you do, here is my list of the top ten things to do in Venice.

Piazza San Marco/St Mark’s Square

Arguably the most photographed Venice attraction, and certainly the place with the highest concentration of pigeons!, St Mark’s Square is a must-see. Venetian authorities have been trying to crack down on inappropriate tourist behaviour in recent years (no bare chests, no feeding the pigeons) to make it a more glamorous place, but it’s still a mix of every kind of tourist imaginable and a crowded one at that. Just the same, you can’t miss it.

San Marco Piazza at dusk by Rmonty119

Basilica San Marco/St Mark’s Basilica

While you’re there, check out St Mark’s Basilica as well, as another must-see Venice sight. If you want to go inside, the queue can sometimes be interminably long, so plan ahead (you can book online to cut down waiting time). It’s a simply beautiful church inside, plus you can get good views over Venice from the roof.

Basilica San Marco by alag_pl

Doge’s Palace

Next door to the Basilica is Doge’s Palace, an impressive Gothic building dating back to the 1300s which used to house the city administration. These days it’s full of priceless artwork and has the special feature of the Bridge of Sighs – touring Doge’s Palace is the only way to have a chance to walk over this famous bridge.

Courtyard view of Doge’s Palace by Szilveszter Farkas

Campanile di San Marco/Bell Tower of St Mark’s

The Campanile is by far the best place to go for views over Venice – not being a city full of tall buildings, opportunities like this are rare. The tower is not the original as the first one collapsed, but I think it’s more about the view than what you’re climbing, anyway!

View from Campanile di San Marco by HarshLight

Rialto Bridge and Accademia Bridge

Hop in the #1 vaporetto (you don’t need a canal tour – just utilise Venice’s public transport) down the Grand Canal and you’ll get great views of some of the most famous Venetian bridges like the Rialto Bridge and Accademia Bridge. There’s also heaps of shopping to be done in the Rialto Bridge area.

Rialto Bridge from a gondola by Lorkan

Glass-blowing on Murano

Venetian glass is definitely one of the most popular souvenirs to take away from Venice, and seeing how its made is one of the most popular tourist outings. On the island of Murano there are numerous large and small glass factories, most of which are adept at providing tourists with demonstrations of glass-blowing techniques (and then doing a good job of selling you the finished products!). Try to find a less crowded factory, but it really is interesting to see these masters in action.

Glass blowing on Murano by LunaMoth116

Britt-Arnhild also has an interesting tip about a glass-blower on the mainland side of Venice who sounds worth checking out, too.

Stroll around Burano

Like a small companion island to Murano, the lesser-known Burano is the next stop and is well worth a visit. Its houses and cottages are colourfully painted and it’s great to take a stroll around Burano with your camera at the ready. There are also some small shops with interesting gifts and the island is famous for its lace-making.

Colourful houses on Burano by o_palsson

Gondola rides

I know that riding in a gondola is an absolutely touristy thing to do; I know it’s usually not too cheap. I knocked it before I actually jumped in a gondola too. But afterwards, I can only say that it’s a quintessential Venice experience that is easy to enjoy (as long as you don’t dwell on the cost!).

Gondola ride by ell brown

Peggy Guggenheim Museum

I floated past the Guggenheim Museum on a boat but never had the chance to get inside this Venice attraction. It’s home to a sculpture garden plus art from Picasso, Pollock and Dali among many others.

Guggenheim Collection entrance by isapisa

Lido

Another island and a short ferry ride from Venice, Lido is famous for its annual film festival but it also a relaxing place to visit during your Venice trip, for a meal or a stroll or to hang out at the beach.

Lido beach by mlsj1_99

Your Venice Tips

We’re always keen to get some insider knowledge from other travellers so please let us know your tips for a trip to Venice in the comments.

If reading this post has inspired you to visit Venice, you can find best deals on Venice hotels using the HotelsCombined price comparison site.

Ten Things to Do in Venice

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.