Things to do Italy

Rome is the capital of Italy, located in the Lazio region, on the Tiber river. It is the famed city of the Seven Hills, La Dolce Vita, the Vatican City. The appeal of Rome’s architectural and cultural assets is perfectly mixed with  its exquisite wine and food, and thus embodies the Dolce vita. Henceforth, the typical meals in the roman gastronomy are the bruschetta (bread, garlic and olive oil), the “bucatini all’amatriciana”, as well as “the spaghetti alla carbonara” or “the abbacchio (spring lamb) with artichokes” which are a part of the traditional culture. In addition, one of Rome’s most famous landmarks is the Roman Coliseum that was built during the reign of Emperor Vespasiano around 70 AD and was at that time, the largest building of its kind in the ancient world. Moreover, there were several forums in Rome among which is the Roman Forum. This latter is the site of the city’s most fundamental public buildings insofar as it highlights the spectacular showcase of the Empire filled with beautiful statues and architecture. It is also important to evoke the Villa Borghese which contains a number of buildings and museums as well as fabulous gardens. In a nutshell, spectacular scenery, a glorious weather and a plethora of everlasting art make Rome an incomparable destination for business or pleasure.

The Colosseum
The Colosseumis the greatest amphitheatre of the antiquity and it was built in Rome about 1920 years ago. It is considered an architectural and engineering wonder and remains as a standing proof of the grandeur of the Roman World. The elliptical building is immense, measuring 188m by 156m and reaching a height of more than 48 meter (159 ft). The Colosseum could accommodate some 55,000 spectators who could enter the building through no less than 80 entrances. Above the ground are four storeys, the upper storey contained seating for lower classes and women. The lowest storey was preserved for prominent citizens. After the splendor of imperial times, the Colosseum was abandoned, and became a fortress for the medieval clans of the city, a source of building materials, a picturesque panorama for painters and a place of Christian worship. Today it is a challenge for the archaeologists and a scenario for events and shows.

The Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is one of the most famous landmarks in Rome. The fountain features a statue of Neptune which was completed in 1762. In fact, the central figure of the fountain, in front of a large niche, is Neptune who stands for God of the sea. He is riding a chariot in the shape of a shell, pulled by two sea horses. Each sea horse is guided by a Triton. One of the horses is calm and obedient, the other one restive. They symbolize the fluctuating moods of the sea. On the left hand side of Neptune is a statue representing Abundance. The crowded square on the right represents Celebrity. Above the sculptures are bas-reliefs, one of them shows Agrippa, the general who built the aqueduct that carries water to the fountain. The water at the bottom of the fountain represents the sea. The legend advocates that if you throw a coin into the water, you will return to Rome. You should toss it over your shoulder with your back to the fountain. From another perspective, it is noteworthy reminding the exceptional film ‘Dolce vita’ by Federico Fellini. This latter is continually seduced by the decadent life led by Rome’s pampered rich. The film covers a scene of drenching Anita Ekberg in the Trevi fountain which is an iconic scene in 20th century cinema. This scene has become an iconic moment, pitting an electrifying Ekberg. It is a fusion of eroticism, temptation and ultimately frustration and all encapsulated into one minute and 38 seconds of celluloid brilliance.

The Roman Forum
The Roman Forum is located in a valley between the Palatine hill and the Capitoline hill. Originally, it  was a marsh, but the Romans drained the area and turned it into a center of political and social activity . The Forum was the market place of Rome and also the business district and civic center. It was expanded to include temples, a senate house and law courts. Addingly, the importance of the Forum area is also indicated by the presence of many of the central political, religious and judicial buildings in Rome. The Regia was the residence of the kings, and later of the rex sacrorum and pontifex maximus; the Curia, was the meeting place of the Senate; and the Comitium and the Rostra, where public meetings were held. Major temples and sanctuaries in the Forum include the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Temple of Saturn and the Temple of Vesta. Commercial and judicial activities took place in the basilics, the two remaining are the Basilica Aemilia and the Basilica Julia. Due to the political importance of the area there were also numerous honorary monuments.

Florence, the capital city of the Tuscany region, is one of the most beautiful and ancient cities in Italy and the world. Founded by the Romans in 59 B.C, Florence is famous for its rich history and exceptional heritage, which were greatly influenced by the genius of the Medici, Michelangelo and Botticelli. The capital of Tuscany is an ideal destination for tourism, not only because of its numerous museums and monuments for which it is classified a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, but also because of the wide range of activities that it offers, its great wine and its unique gastronomy, the cordiality of its people, and quite simply its sunny and mild climate that can be classified as subtropical. "The City of the red lily" has a diversified economy and its industries range from local crafts such as jewellery and embroidery, to chemical and pharmaceutical, leather work, clothing and luxury furniture. However, its most important industry is tourism. In addition, thanks to the development and restoration of the convention centre in 1990, business tourism also plays an important role in the Florentine economy.

The Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery, built in 1581, was a property of one of the greatest Florentine families, and is now one of the oldest and most famous art museums in the western world. Located in downtown Florence, the museum is surrounded by the city's most popular cultural attractions and is served by several means of transport. After its construction the intended use of the building, which was to host offices and bureaucratic meetings for various magistrates, was abandoned, and it took on its current purpose as a centre of art and culture. The Uffizi Gallery houses the greatest Florentine masterpieces of Neoclassicism and Art Nouveau as well as other minor art works ranging in age from the XIIIth century to the present day.

Piazza della Signoria
Piazza Della Signoria is one of the largest squares in Florence, and is a focal point of the origin and the history of Florence. It has always been a meeting place for Florentines, serving as a site for their folk festivities, revolutions or even capital punishments. Piazza Della Signoria is surrounded by celebrated historical monuments, including the Uffizi Gallery, and is adorned by famous sculptures, but what makes it even more interesting is that it still maintains its reputation and importance as the political hub of the city. Named after the Palazzo della Signoria, commonly called Palazzo Vecchio, the square dates from the XIIth century and contains important remains of medieval and Romanesque houses.

Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, located in the heart of Florence, is one of the most important historic monuments in Florence. 153 meters tall, it is the fourth largest church in Europe after St. Peter's in Rome, St. Paul's in London and the Duomo of Milan. The cathedral possesses the largest dome ever built, in which one can admire narrative frescoes  painted by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccaro which cover an area of 3600m². The church was also decorated with the masterpieces of the greatest artists of Florence, including Donatello, Michelangelo, Nanni Di Banco, and many others.

Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge)
The Ponte Vecchio is a symbol of Florence and one of the most famous bridges in the world; it crosses the River Arno at its narrowest point, where there was once an old wooden bridge built in Roman times. Built in 1345 in order to connect the Palazzo Vecchio to the Palazzo Pitti, the bridge is characterized by the numerous stores built along it. The Ponte Vecchio is the only bridge in Italy that was not destroyed by Hitler in August 1944 during his invasion.

Piazzale Michelangelo
The Michelangelo esplanade in Florence was built in 1865 by the architect Giuseppe Poggi on a hill overlooking the historic centre of the city, and offers the most beautiful and famous view of the city.Dedicated to the great Renaissance artist Michelangelo, the Piazzale offers visitors with the chance to admire bronze copies of his most famous masterpieces.

Bologna is the capital and the largest city of Emilia-Romagna, a region in northern Italy. It is one of the oldest and most attractive cities in Italy, visited by millions of visitors each year. This thriving city is home to one of the oldest Universities in Europe, known for its beauty, its fine historic buildings and ruins, its exquisite cuisine, its impressive landscaped gardens and parks and its left-wing politics. In Bologna, everything starts in the central Piazza Maggiore, where visitors can admire the XIIIth century Palazzo del Podestà, the Church of San Petronio, and the Fountain of Neptune, which was built in 1566 and features beautiful erotic bronze figures. Bologna is home to various interesting museums, including the Archaeological Museum, the University Museums and the National Picture Gallery, which displays the city's most significant artwork. Bologna is also considered one of the gastronomical capitals of Italy and receives a fair amount of local tourism for its food alone. The city is renowned for its fully flavored pastas, lasagna, and meat dishes. In addition, Emilia's capital is an outstanding destination for business travelers. It boasts one of the country’s best hotels and convention centers, equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

Piazza Maggiore
Created in 1200, Piazza Maggiore is a huge pedestrian square in the heart of the oldest part of Bologna.  Known for its vibrancy and charm, it is one of the finest squares in all of Italy, and is surrounded by many of Bologna's medieval and Renaissance-era buildings and landmarks. Visitors will admire majestic, Romanesque- and Gothic-style buildings with palazzos, a basilica, an art gallery and a beautiful fountain. Nearby, there are many cafés, bars, musicians and street performers, creating a friendly and exciting atmosphere.

Basilica of San Petronio
The Basilica of San Petronio is the main church in Bologna and the fifth-largest basilica in the world. Located in the heart of the Piazza Maggiore, it is 132 meters in length and 60 meters in width. Construction began in 1390 and continued until 1600, when the roof and apse were completed; however, the façade remains unfinished. The main portal contains representations of stories of the Old and New Testament, sculpted by Jacopo della Quercia, between 1425 and 1438. Inside the cathedral, visitors will admire the frescoed chapels and apse, the rich stained glass windows and the marble.

Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum is one the most significant museums in Bologna, boasting artifacts from both Ancient Egypt and the Roman era. It is housed in a building which once held the XVth century Death Hospital. The Egyptian section displays a notable array of mummies and sarcophagi. On the ground floor, there is a gallery of casts, exhibiting copies of famous Greek and Roman sculptures. The first floor displays two exceptional burial items from Verucchio (Rimini).

Milan, located in the Lombardy region in the north of Italy, is one of EU's most important tourist destinations. It is the second largest city in Italy after Rome with a population of about 2 millions. Milan is a significant financial, business and cultural hub, as well as one of the world’s main fashion hubs attracting designers, artists, photographers, models and other VIPs from around the world. A wide range of shopping venues, department stores, malls and exclusive boutiques provides fantastic entertainment for everyone. Milan also features an immense cultural heritage and the traces of the country’s magnificent past can be encountered almost everywhere. It offers several historic and artistic attractions with a big variety of buildings, monuments and museums most notably the third largest Gothic cathedral in the world. Travelers to Milan will find a fast-paced, glamorous city with a thriving cultural scene and a top city for shopping. In addition, Milan offers an attractive business environment with a full range of modern business services. In fact, it is home to the world’s largest companies and banks. Moreover, Milan is an important destination for business conferences and international conventions.

Duomo (Cathedral)
The Duomo, located in Piazza Duomo (Milan’s main square), is the most well-known landmark in Milan. This imposing Gothic church, dating back to the XIVth century, took five centuries to be built. It is the third largest Catholic cathedral in the world and one of the most prominent buildings in all of Europe with 157 meters long. This ornate cathedral reigns as an architectural beauty with its rose marble spires and stunning stained-glass windows. The interior has impressive pillars, vaults and beautiful arches enhanced by light for a breathtaking sight. Its façade has been cited for its captivating beauty by famous writers such as Mark Twain. Today this Gothic cathedral still stands as the symbol of Milan and arguably its most renowned landmark that continues to awe travelers with its timeless beauty.

Leonardo da Vinci National Science & Technology Museum
"Leonardo da Vinci" National Museum of Science and Technology, housed in an early XVIth century Olivetan monastery, is one of the most important technical and scientific museums in the world. It is dedicated to the Italian painter and scientist Leonardo Da Vinci.The Leonardo Gallery is the most significant of the gallery, displaying a great number of wooden machines and instrument models based on Leonardo's designs: war and flying machines, models of bridges and defensive works, the maquette of the ideal town, and every sort of scientific instruments. Other galleries illustrate aspects of physics, astronomy, radio communications, optics, and telecommunications. There is also a collection of early motor cars. In an outside pavilion are some steam locomotives and airplanes.In addition, this museum is one of the most prestigious locations in central Milan for meetings, conferences and congresses, institutional events, dinners, presentations and social events.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, built in 1877, is one of the most beautiful covered galleries in Europe. It is a shopping mall with historical prestige of neo-classical baroque trend of the 19th century. The Galleria has an octagonal shape adorned with mosaics and a magnificent glass roof. The floors are decorated with mosaics of the signs of the zodiac. The Galleria is Milan’s most elegant and stylish centers occupied by many shops, bookstores, antique shops, cafes, restaurants and boutiques.

Venice is one of Italy's top travel cities and is one of the most beautiful, romantic and charming destinations in the world. It is located on one of a series of 117 islands, distributed throughout the Venetian lagoon, at the northern end of the Adriatic Sea. Venice is considered to be a city of romance, dotted with stunning buildings and world famous landmarks and offering scenic canals.  Many of the most famous landmarks in Italy reside within this gorgeous destination, such as the Rialto Bridge, the waterfront Doge's Palace, and the spectacular Basilica San Marco cathedral, which resides on St. Mark's Square, the first stop for most first-time visitors toVenice.

St. Mark's Square

St Mark's square lies in the heart of Venice and is Italy's most visited place as well as one of the most photographed attractions in the world. It was constructed in the IXth century as a small square dotted with trees. Today, St Mark's square is the first stop for most first-time visitors to the city as it is home to many major and magnificent monuments. It was described by Napoleon as the most beautiful dining room in Europe, dominated by its Basilica of St. Marks, a unique architectural masterpiece and one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture in the world.

St Mark's Basilica

St Mark's Basilica is the most visited tourist attraction in Venice and is one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture in the world. Most of the amazing ornamentation of the edifice dates back to the 11th and 13th centuries. Visitors will admire its gleaming, golden Byzantine mosaics, which adorn the church's main portal as well as the inside of each of the basilica's five domes.