One of my favourite places on a trip to Sicily. Quaint, wonderful architecture, excellent market with grocery and stalls to eat. Some of the best cheeses and calamari. Wear running shoes and take lots of water. It is hot - little shade. We parked in Syracuse just before the bridge in a parking lot. Well work not driving on the island.

A must do destination if you are in Sicily.... Its got everything, markets, churches, fab food, quaint streets, ruins, friendly people, swim in the sea, lots of shops with local handmade clothes and other items

Ortigia, Sicily is a captivating place to explore—rich in history, charming streets, and stunning landmarks. We visited in May when the weather was pleasantly warm but not too crowded. Sunscreen, a hat, and comfy walking shoes are essential. It felt very safe, and the local Sicilian cuisine is a highlight—fresh, flavourful, and varied. Booking a guided tour is highly recommended to truly appreciate the history and stories behind the key sights. A perfect blend of culture, food, and relaxation.

Love Ortigia! So many interesting stories, so much to see and do and taste. If you are in Sicily you need to out this on the list. Tip: take one of those convertible piaggio tours, perfect to see everything

Ortigia came as a ‘must do’ when on Sicily from one of my Italian colleagues And we weren’t disappointed It’s a charming little place to lose yourself in small alleys or just follow the coastline When crossing on of the bridges from Siracusa, make sure to say hi to Arcimede’s statue. If you use your eyes you can find some artisinal treasures amongst the mass produced tourist junk. There’s no shortage of places to sit and enjoy food and drinks Where Ortigia is reasonably well kept snd efforts are being made to keep it that way, sadly Siracusa itself doesn’t fare as well. Still, a nice place to spend a day The one thing we absolutely didn’t like was the sudden influx of elderly tourists when a huge cruise liner moored.

The old town is a nice size. A leisure walk to see it all

I loved spending a day at Ortigia for its stunning architecture, warm climate, vibrant atmosphere, rich history, and cultural heritage. It is worth to take the side streets. A truly charming and unforgettable place to explore !

Austere baroque building. Its facade is the most exuberant part of the building. The grave of Bellini is an impressive site and obviously still loved by the locals given the flowers. The music line on the grave talks of the fire dying with his passing. The remnants of the Norman Basilica give an idea of the prior building’s grandeur, it is a great pity it did not survive (given also how beautiful other Norman buildings are) Well worth a short visit!

The Basilica Cattedrale di Sant’Agata is an extraordinary place of worship and a must-see for anyone passionate about culture, religion, and art. Rich in history, it stands as one of Catania’s most iconic landmarks. The cathedral is truly spectacular – both in its impressive exterior architecture and in the beauty and detail of its interior. A visit here leaves you with a deep sense of awe and appreciation for Sicily’s cultural and spiritual heritage.

We visited this Cathedral early in the day, then came back that evening for a classical music event. This is a very special place with a deeply spiritual vibe. The marble work is exquisite and not overly ornate. This is a lovely, lovely place.

The Kathedrale Sant’Agata (Catania Cathedral) is a magnificent piece of architecture that anchors the Piazza del Duomo. The building itself is historically rich and absolutely beautiful, showcasing the striking Baroque style typical of the city. The surrounding garden area is also well-kept and provides a lovely, peaceful contrast to the busy piazza. Top Tip for Photographers: If you want to capture truly amazing pictures of the Cathedral and the piazza, I highly recommend visiting right before or during sunset. The light hitting the facade at that time is spectacular and creates unforgettable views. This is not just a place of worship, but a true architectural and photographic landmark in Catania.

The Basilica Cattedrale di Sant’Agata in Catania is one of the most captivating landmarks in Sicily, offering a powerful blend of history, spirituality, and architectural beauty. Located at the heart of the city’s main square, the cathedral immediately draws attention with its grand Baroque façade, a striking contrast against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Etna. The exterior is richly ornamented yet harmonious, showcasing elegant stonework that reflects both the resilience and the artistic heritage of the region. Stepping inside, visitors are greeted by a spacious and luminous interior. The soaring columns, intricate chapels, and ornate altars create an atmosphere of reverence and serenity. One of the most memorable aspects is the cathedral’s connection to Saint Agatha, the patron saint of Catania. Her presence is deeply woven into the basilica’s identity, and the relics displayed within lend a powerful sense of tradition and devotion. The cathedral also offers a unique insight into the city’s turbulent past. It has been rebuilt multiple times due to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, and this layered history adds emotional depth to the experience. The blend of Norman, Baroque, and later architectural influences makes wandering through the basilica both visually engaging and historically enriching. Outside, the bustling square provides a lively contrast, making the cathedral a perfect starting point for exploring Catania’s cultural and urban life. Whether you are drawn by faith, history, or architecture, the Basilica Cattedrale di Sant’Agata is a must-see destination that leaves a lasting impression.

Some cathedrals are beautifully painted with fresccos and adorned with gorgeous artefacts. This cathedral was almost simple but had grandeur instead. Absolutely magnificent and that made it beautiful. There catacombs under that I did not visit (3 euros). Beautiful cathedral.

Very beautiful, although the church is starting to show major damages to the outside structure. The inside is not well maintained. See this marvel before time takes it away

⭐ A truly extraordinary site. The Ancient Theatre of Taormina is stunning — its size, location, and breathtaking views make it unforgettable. The setting is fantastic, especially with the sunlight shining through the old stone arches, creating a magical atmosphere. The ticket price is around €14–15 per person, which may feel a bit high, but it’s worth it. We planned to stay for a short visit and ended up spending about an hour, simply because the place is so peaceful and makes you want to linger. A must-see in Taormina. 🌿

Brilliant piece of history and still in use today. Not overly priced and the views are fabulous on a good day. We spent 2 hrs going around in the late afternoon so it wasn't too busy or to the point, too hot. Take a breather and soak up all the beauty that surrounds you and watch as the stage hands prepare for the evenings musical event. So glad we did it and would recommend it to you all while here in this beautiful part of Sicily.

One of the most stunning ancient sites I have ever visited, with fantastic views over the Ionian Sea. We had a guided tour which I would thoroughly recommend as it was really interesting to understand a more in depth history of the site compared to the information boards on site. Our tour guide was an archaeologist and her enthusiasm for the subject was palpable. Great cafe/bar on site with great views and draft beer!

At 16 Euro entry its an absolute steal. If you enjoy history and unbelievably stunning views you cannot go wrong. It is probably the most photographed spot in Sicily. Carved into a natural amphitheatre there was 5400 spectator seats. Built in the Hellenistic style in the 3rd century BC with Later Roman additions. Also referred to as the Greek theatre due to this part of Sicily at the time being a Greek colony.

Another must see place to put onto the list when visiting Sicily. Greek theatre is an atmosphere of ancient ruins with great views over the city of Taormina, Ionian sea and mount Etna. The price was €16 per adult, it was quite quiet, not overcrowded - maybe because we were there right at opening just after 9am, and it was November. But even then weather was great. Fantastic views!

Here's a polished version of your review: This location is truly breathtaking, with its stunning scenery. However, the prices are steep - we paid almost $50 for a family visit that lasted only 15 minutes. On the plus side, there's a convenient free shuttle from the parking area, and the walk to the attraction isn't too long. We visited with a stroller and toddler, and managed okay. Long line to buy tickets, original website didn’t work for me to buy tickets in advance.

Nice to visit just to sit on top of the sitting area and enjoy remarkable view towards the stage with panoramic view on Mount Etna in the background. The designers knew their job back then in 300 BC.

Absolutely worth a visit — one of the true highlights of my trip to Sicily. The site is easy to walk through and very well signposted, with plenty of information to help you appreciate its history. I read about the place beforehand, which I highly recommend unless you plan to rent an audio guide. As in other historic landmarks, you may find guides offering their services at the entrance. Most of the site is covered, making it comfortable to explore even on a hot, sunny day. A fascinating journey into Roman history that you shouldn’t miss.

A remarkable place, not to be missed. We read the warnings about tour groups getting in the way but had no problems arriving at about 10.30am when there were already ten tour buses in the car park. Everyone has to take the same narrow route on platforms above the mosaics. You can wait for others to move on or you can push your way ahead, but it is best just to "go with the flow". We completed our day with a visit to Caltagirone, interesting to see the ceramics everywhere around the town.

Fantastic place with the most incredible collection of mosaics. If you don’t like mosaics or you’re not interested in Roman history it would be boring but for the quality and quantity of mosaics it is absolutely worth a visit. It was a long drive from Siracusa and quite long from Catania with some narrow roads but it was worth it in my view. Good parking on site and a decent enough sandwich at the shops near the car park.

Outstandingly well preserved, beautiful, intricate mosaics. The layout of the villa is fascinating, showing the lifestyle of a wealthy Roman. A really great place to visit in the early morning because it gets very crowded, very quickly.

I hadn't heard of this villa before, but I am very glad to have visited this gem 💎 as part of a day trip. From the outside I was not expecting much, but inside.. wow! Some of the most beautiful and well-preserved mosaics I've ever seen. As well as a great example of the ingenious Roman underfloor heating. Not very busy, and we walked around slowly but still managed to see it all within an hour - but I don't know if that was just down to it being a weekday. We also didn't need to book in advance. It is definitely worth a trip.

Magnificient! The amount of mosaics and the level of preservation is staggering. Nothing like it anywhere else and it blows my mind someone was able to enjoy it in all its glory in ancient times. Audio guide while not amazing does a good job explaining the mosaics. It takes 2 to 2.5h to leisurely go through the site with an audio guide. There is a shuttle (sado) that can take you here from the town.

Many people said that this is a must do in Sicily and I have to agree. A lot of history and culture preserved and presented in such an interesting and meaningful way. Although we were lucky that we visited just before the peak hours and before large school groups arrived. The paths are so small that any slightly big amount of people would make the experience miserable. Plan carefully if you want to visit peacefully.

It's a good drive 3/4 of the way up then cable car then guided tour. We didn't go further up as a we were in a thunder rain cloud when we got up there so decided to go back as viability was poor. Recommend you go when the weather is good and clear which I am assured it normally is

A must if you’re in Catania! Warm clothes, windbreaker and long pants are recommended for mid October visit. Be aware of the terrain, the climb will get your shoes and clothes ashy, especially descending where there’s “volcanic sand”

Absolutely MUST BE in SICILY! The Iconic Etna Volcano is a place definitely worth visiting. You can take a hike but it's also accessible for everyone by cable car to the high of 2500m, then you can take 4x4 bus to about 2800m. From there rest of the trip have to be done by foot. But views are the reward! Especially when you can look at the clouds below where you are. Best consider going in good weather condition and good visibility to get best of it!

A must do if here! We only went to 2,500 but you can get a bus to 3000 ! Great views and getting cable car up makes it so much easier. Tip don’t wear white sneakers (trainers). Also check weather as can get cold! If we had longer we would have gone to top. Plenty of parking.

Spectacular! Tip; wear a hoody, and maybe also a scarf even, so that you can cover most of your head and face, as there can be very strong winds and the lava sand is quite sharp. Trip to the top is definitely worth it, spectacular views!!

An extraordinary experience in a truly unique place. Our guide, Dario Lo Scavo, proved to be a top-class professional – highly knowledgeable, passionate, and able to present information in an engaging and accessible way. The organization of the tour was flawless, combining strong emotions with valuable insights and unforgettable impressions. Highly recommended for anyone wishing to fully discover the beauty and power of Mount Etna.

Pictures don’t do justice! You’ll have to go on one or the tours to visit Mt Etna to view and experience this iconic volcanoes! At the end of the tour we were taken to an area to view one of the most incredible sunsets! Mount Etna is a dominant feature of northeastern Sicily and the highest active volcano in Europe, reaching an elevation of around 10,900 feet (3,320 meters), although its height can fluctuate due to eruptions.

The unique beach with white sand under the rock has ceased to exist. The beach is surrounded by picturesque cliffs and offers a breathtaking view of the historic town center and the Santa Maria dell’Isola church.This is an amazing beach. Pretty crowded but all Italian beaches are if they are any good. Water was a little dirty at the shore but once you got out of it it was amazing.The beach is beautiful but be aware it is full of people during peak time.The sea has a bustling color like in the Caribbean. No Garbage and packages in the water. The sand is soft.

A sandy beach with a crystal clear blue sea. If you need some relaxation then the public beach at Tropea will help. It has an amazing backdrop with the old town perched above on the cliffs and the church on top of the rock. There is a beach bar also which sells cold drinks and coffees etc.

The beach in Tropea is undeniably beautiful and the view of the town from the shore is breathtaking. The rock formations are stunning and worth seeing, especially if you can get closer by boat which we did and it was much more enjoyable. However, the sheer number of people can be overwhelming and for me it was just too much. If you don’t mind the crowds you will probably love it but if you prefer peace and space there are plenty of other beaches nearby that are far less crowded. Because of the mass of people my rating is lower which is a shame given how beautiful this place really is.

A really unique beach with soft white sand tucked under the cliffs where the town of Tropea sits. The views are amazing, with dramatic cliffs all around, and there’s even a beach inside a big cave! You’ll see lots of people cliff jumping too. The water near the shore was a bit murky, but once you swim out, it’s crystal clear and beautiful. It can get super crowded during peak times and really hot since there’s not much shade—definitely bring sun protection. Still, it’s a stunning place and totally worth a visit.

The place is amazing! So vivid and so peaceful at the same time. And the water is just perfect, clear and refreshing. The people are very friendly and nice. It’s a great place to be with friends or family, but it’s also a place for a wonderful solo experience. 🥳

Very wonderful place! Beautiful white good beach. Convenient descent to the water. The sea has a bustling color like in the Caribbean. No Garbage and packages in the water. The sand is soft. View on the background of the white cliff and the sea: a great surroundings for unusual photos! In the evening you can see Stromboli volcano! I recommend this beach for all who love silence and clear sea! It is unfortunate, but at 7.30 am on April 7, 2023, part of the island fell ashore into the sea. The unique beach with white sand under the rock has ceased to exist. I hope the local authorities have enough resources to restore and strengthen the coast in this place!

Very populated but great water and view

Well maintained and managed Duomo in the heart of Cefalú. Great views from the various levels. Different ticket prices for different access areas. We were lucky to witness the annual pastoral procession of The Virgin Mary and Christ on the Cross. Well signposted rooms, navigable without a guide. On the Duomo square with great restaurant options.

Visited Il Duomo di Cefalù while in town, and the site was impressive and refreshingly not crowded. Beautiful, well-preserved, and full of rich history, with architecture that really stands out. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is especially known for its striking façade, framed by two prominent bell towers — a highlight for me. Entry was free and access was easy. Overall, you’ll inevitably find yourself in the piazza, so it’s absolutely a must-see. Saluti

The cathedral is at the top of town. It's free to wander around , they do check that you are covered before going in so wear something that covers your shoulders etc. You can pay extra (i think it was 10 euro 2025) to go to the top of the tower and see the tombs but we didn't so can't comment on this. It's got some lovely stained glass windows. it's also a lovely place to just take a minute and sit. Very peaceful.

place — both spiritually and architecturally. Standing at the heart of Cefalù, this stunning Norman cathedral immediately captures your attention with its grand façade and two imposing towers, framed by the scenic backdrop of the rocky La Rocca hill. Inside, the atmosphere is serene and awe-inspiring. The interior features beautiful mosaics dating back to the 12th century, including the famous image of Christ Pantocrator, which is breathtaking in its detail and golden glow. The craftsmanship is extraordinary and offers a glimpse into centuries of history and devotion. The surrounding square adds to the charm, with lovely cafés and a relaxed Mediterranean vibe. It’s the perfect spot to sit, admire the cathedral, and soak in the history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Whether you’re passionate about art and architecture or simply exploring Sicily, this cathedral is a must-visit. It’s not just a monument — it’s an unforgettable experience.

The Cefalù Cathedral, dedicated to the Holy Savior, is an absolute must-see and a key reason why Cefalù holds its spot as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Unlike many Italian churches, this cathedral, built between 1131 and 1240, has a dramatic, fortress-like character, with its massive twin towers standing guard against the imposing backdrop of La Rocca (the great rock that looms over the town). The cathedral's distinctive look stems from its unique Arab-Norman architectural style, a striking fusion of Byzantine, Islamic, and Western influences that characterized Sicily under the Norman King Roger II. The sight of the late sun shining on the facade, turning the stone a warm golden color, is truly unforgettable, exactly as you described. Key Architectural Highlights The Towers: The imposing twin towers on the facade frame the entrance dramatically. They are crowned with 15th-century spires that symbolize the dual nature of power: one spire (octagonal) represents temporal, royal power, while the other (square with flame-shaped battlements) symbolizes spiritual, papal authority. The Cloister: Adjacent to the main church is one of the oldest and most beautiful Norman cloisters in Sicily, featuring delicate paired columns and intricately carved capitals. The Interior Mosaics: While the exterior is grand, the interior holds the cathedral's greatest treasure: the breathtaking Byzantine mosaics. The most famous is the majestic Christ Pantocrator, who dominates the apse, portrayed against a shimmering gold background with a hand raised in blessing. These mosaics were crafted by Greek artisans from Constantinople and are considered the earliest and best-preserved of their kind in Sicily. The entire building is a powerful testament to the multi-cultural history of Sicily and remains the spiritual and architectural heart of Cefalù.

Check opening times. It is closed after 13.00. Skip cefalu if you can't see it, otherwise is parking and like any other nice touristy place in Sicily. Waste of time and money for parking. Mosaic itself deserves viewers.

A magnificent ancient Roman Catholic Basilica dating back to 1200s! It is a unique cathedral —one of the few from the Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches family — and a must-visit spot when you are in Sicily. Beautiful piece of history.

I honestly can’t stress enough how important it is to book this wonderful tour if you are planning a trip to Alberobello! Especially if the wonderful Mimo is your tour guide. He is funny, informative and educational and makes for a very insightful and informative tour ending in visiting an actual Trulli house doubling as a museum then a perfectly prepared lunch served in a secret garden whilst being serenaded by a beautiful live music! Epic experience!

Great and experienced tour guiding company, they have a house museum of their own.

nice

(Translated by Google) Beautiful city already visited twice, you always discover something new. Anyone who has time and is in Puglia should take a look at the trulli in Alberobello. (Original) Wunderschöne Stadt bereits zum 2 mal besichtigt, man entdeckt immer wieder etwas neues. Jeder der Zeit hat und sich in Apulien befindet sollte sich die Trullis in Alberobello ansehen.

(Translated by Google) Pleasant, uncrowded during the week in June (Original) Agréable peu fréquenté en semaine de juin

(Translated by Google) Very beautiful and characteristic, one of the most beautiful cities in Puglia (Original) Molto bello e caratteristico , una delle più belle come città pugliesi

(Translated by Google) Wonderful experience (Original) Meravigliosa esperienza

The castle itself is very impressive, but everything around it simply ruins the experience. Parking is paid, as is the shuttle. There's a con man standing by the free restroom trying to take money for admission. After parking and the shuttle, there's a ticket to the castle itself, which costs 10 euros for a tour inside the castle, which is actually quite small; it takes no more than 15 minutes to explore.

Amazing castle, stunning to look at, but not really much to see inside. Reachable only via rather questionable roads. Still a definite must see when you are in the area.

Amazing Swabian castle dating back to about 1290! It is surrounded by a forest and you only need a few hours to see everything. Bring some good hiking shoes, unless you are able to pay for parking close to the castle. We went during the week and it was not very busy. There are a few great videos inside the castle, which stays amazingly cool in the summer heat!!

We went in early November so it wasn’t too crowded. We parked in the nearby private lot for €5 but I think if you park in the lot ~2km away it’s free. The museum was great. Text panels in Italian and English and braille. Video and tactile exhibits. Audio guide in multiple languages available at an extra cost. Bathrooms on the premises. A restaurant nearby as well. Can be seen in its entirety in under an hour.

Super interesting octagonal castle from the 1240s built by Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, Hohenstaufen of Swabia and King of Sicily. Example of Medieval architecture located on a hill some kilometers away from Andria overseeing a large plain. Castel del Monte is surely one of Apulia’s symbols: a medieval fortress erected in the 13th century on the western Murge plateau on the outskirts of the beautiful town Andria, along the Adriatic coast of southern Italy. Built on a hill 540 metres above sea level, the fortress of Castel del Monte in Andria is considered a brilliant example of medieval architecture, reflecting the humanistic culture and vast education of its founder, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Sicily. The octagonal castle is surrounded by an octagonal tower at each corner. Mysterious and an almost inhumanly exact geometric shape, some theories claim that the octagon represented the union of the circle and the square. The octagonal layout gives Castel del Monte the configuration of an elegant stone crown, and is present in all the castle's rooms. There are eight rooms on the ground floor, and eight on the first floor. There are eight towers surrounding the building, all with an octagonal layout and each arranged on one of its eight corners. This obsessive recurrence of the number eight makes the fortress of Castel del Monte an esoteric place that has fascinated the best scholars for centuries. But the fortress has more mysteries for you to slowly discover during your visit. The building is accessed through the entrance portal, a large Arab-style arch with a Greco-Roman tympanum and Gothic double-arched windows. The light colour of the limestone and white marble façades also characterises the interior, now stripped of the decorations that once adorned it. The light illuminating the ground floor comes from eight single-arched windows located on each of the eight sides of the floor plan. The same number of windows can be found on the upper floor, with one small difference: seven windows are double arched, while only one, that facing Andria, is triple arched. You really cannot miss to visit it if you are in Apulia. #castle #fortress #apulia #italy #monument

Compared to other castles in Europe, this is rather lackluster and unimpressive. Unless you have nothing planned near Bari, I would skip a visit.

Take the local guide Maria Zingaro! She will guide you through the importance of this monument. What was ment to be and it's very important history for mankind, not only Italian. The details I leave for local guide

Inside the park so kinda weird that there’s a separate Google listing for each temple when you pay once to visit them all. Plus, how would you rate one temple fewer stars than the others? They’re all over 2,000 years old still standing! I’m struck by how perfectly level and straight the columns and flooring blocks are. Shows fantastic engineering and planning and site prep.

Don't miss Paestum. We arrived just as they closed the gates, but the views from outside the fences were so good we almost didn't go back the next morning. What a mistake that would have been. Upclose access to wellpreserved temples, and acres of tumbled ruins of lesser homes and palaces.

We got free entry as it was a national Republic day then. The temple complex is huge. The archaeology remains appear much grand than in pictures. However still in good shape particularly the temple of Neptune. I would suggest to buy a booklet giving information and it has nice illustrations about how this place must have looked in its heydays. Nice break from crowded tourists spots along amalfi coast

A very impressive archeological park that we stumbled upon whilst motor biking from Diamanté to Salerno. Well worth the €15 ticket - the park is well maintained and well organised. Plenty of parking available and some nearby food options. It’s ideal to park at the exit, closer to Temple of Athena, and walk up to the entrance. Allow at least one hour, more if you visit the museum which is included in the ticket price.

This place is far more interesting than you expect. We were here for about 3 hours. The museum is informative. Once you are on the actual site it seems wrong to be able to walk all over the sites of the buildings. Beautiful mosaics are left open to the elements. Some visual representation of what the buildings may have looked like would have been useful. Excellent value for money. Signage around the site is poor though

Very nice place to visit, must be prepare for the heat and lots of walking. There are restaurants and souvenir stores to enjoy

A beautiful place to visit and get up and close to the Ancient Artifacts.

The cave and the color of the water is amazing. It was an adventurous experience to change the boat . Quite a wonder that it worked out fine. The waiting time to get in the cave is really long und it was so tight in this small boat. Thank god I took a pill to prevent a motion sickness otherwise it would be a torture. Well, altogether it was an experience but it really expensive. I really don’t know for sure if it worth it.

It is an experience that is a "must do" if you are visiting Capri. We were there early at 8:15am, and were literally the 2nd group in line. They start the tours at 9am. They started a little early, and we were actually out of the cave and on shore at 9am. We had thought it was going to take almost 2 hours (which is definitely possible because by the time we were out, there were 50 people in the line on shore, and a couple dozen boats of people waiting for the small boats to pick them up 4 at a time to go into the cave).

Very much a tourist trap, only do it if you have the means for it. Costs about 18€ per person and an additional 10€ for the boat rower. Also only do it if there is not a lot of wait. We only waited 15 min and didn’t know what to expect. The tour inside is only 5 minutes. Each boat takes 4 people and you have to duck down to fit inside the cave entrance. I would say you are not missing much if you don’t do it, there’s a lot of other better things to do in Capri.

Clear blue waters. Mysterious coves. Light breeze. That's all you need for a perfect getaway in this paradise situated in Capri. The natives taking you inside the Grotto are friendly and welcoming, singing beautiful Italian parodies that touch your heart. The cave inside the Grotto dates back to the time when a Romanian king came to this Grotto by digging a tunnel for 90m. There a huge line for this but the experience itself is out of this world. Highly recommend!

The Blue Grotto in Capri is absolutely magical! The moment you glide into the cave, the sunlight reflecting off the water creates a glowing, almost otherworldly blue that takes your breath away. The boat ride is short but unforgettable, and the experience feels truly unique to Capri. The guides are friendly and add to the charm with their singing and stories. It’s a must-see—photos can’t capture the beauty, you simply have to experience it in person!

Nature at its best. The color of the waters is surreal. Must see in person, well worth a boat ride there.

honestly, this is just an amazing experience! the time spent in the grotto is quite short, but it is so emotional and it is so beautiful! I recommend it to everyone

An alley full of souvenirs from Naples. Definitely worth a visit despite some of the kitschy products. A visit to Naples is not complete without a visit to this alley.

An alley of traditional art and souvenirs, very cool to see the movement of some. Recommend to visit...

Lively street famous for its handmade nativity scenes and artisan shops. Full of charm and tradition, it’s a must-visit to experience Naples’ unique craftsmanship and festive spirit year-round.

Beautiful little street with everlasting Christmas decorations (many handmade) all year long. Christmas lasts forever here. Perfect for some memorable takeaways or simply making memories if you love Christmas.

Beautiful scenes from nativity and some modern ones too. You can also buy one for home if you like Hats off to the artists. Enjoyable for kids.

It’s a narrow medieval lane that connects two of the old city’s main roads: Via dei Tribunali and Via San Biagio dei Librai. On both sides you’ll see old buildings with arches, balconies, and traditional Neapolitan façades. The atmosphere is always lively, with the street full of both locals and tourists.

Great street cramped full of shops selling Christmas things and other great things . A visual treat and a must for any visit to Naples

The Veiled Christ sculpture is without a doubt the most impressive. The way the marble looks like a delicate, transparent veil over Jesus is unbelievable. I honestly couldn’t believe it was carved from a single block of marble. It’s one of the most beautiful and emotional pieces of art I’ve ever seen. The other piece that really stood out to me was the one with the marble net (Il Disinganno). The fine detail in the net is just mind blowing. Although the chapel isn’t very big, every part of it is full of intricate art and symbolism. I do wish we could take photos, but I also understand why it’s not allowed, it helps you focus more on the moment. Highly recommend booking in advance, as it can get very crowded. But it’s 100% worth visiting!!

The highlight of my trip is Guiseppe Sanmartino’s Veiled Christ in the Sansevero Chapel Museum in the heart of Napoli’s old city. I have been waiting for this moment since for 2 years when i first learnt about this incredible masterpiece. The thinness, fluidity and transparency of the veil, the expression on the face and body of Christ as he laid in the tomb is remarkable and hard to imagine that the material is marble. Very unforgettable an experience. The staff are helpful and excellent in managing crowd flow. The chapel is small and the experience of entering in is intense and mystical. Too bad no photography of any kind is allowed but there were books to purchase at the end. I wish there were more literature on Guiseppe Sanmartino’s life and history. This great craftsman remains a mystery to me for now.

Another artistic treasure in Naples, so much to see it was overwhelming! The intricate detail is astounding!! Definitely worth a look see!!

So there is no warning online when you buy the expensive tickets that you can not take photos inside. Which is fine, people would take a long time if everyone took photos, and it is a small chapel. However you can not take photos in the store of the postcards either. I find that ridiculous for the price of 12€ entry to this tiny thing. Also typical rude Napolitans employees, but that is expected i guess.

An absolute must-see in Naples. Although the San Severo Chapel is just one single room, it’s one of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever visited. The sculptures and frescoes inside are stunning, with an incredible level of detail and realism. It’s really worth getting the audio guide, as it explains in depth the history and meaning behind each sculpture and fresco. Without it, you miss a lot of context and can’t fully appreciate what you’re seeing. For such a short visit, it’s definitely worth it. The visit takes around 20–30 minutes, and it never feels long or heavy. It’s short, fascinating, and full of beauty. If you’re in Naples, it’s an essential stop — a small gem you shouldn’t miss.

This is not to be missed when in Naples! Some of the most incredible art I have ever seen! Some of the most famous works of art are in this chapel. No photos allowed so you can really just focus on what you are seeing. You can get pictures when you are leaving by scanning a bar code. Highly recommend!

It is a wonderful chapel full of potent history but the "do not take picture" is a very stupid policy as I saw tons of people shooting around and even here I can witness other people posting their pictures. Just get rid of this policy please. Photos are all around the world. I really dont understand why you dont want people to bring home this true neapolitan gem and beauty. And I am speaking as neapolitan myself.

Il Monastero is a unique hotel that offers five star quality surroundings, staff and food. The lush gardens, beautiful views, tranquil and relaxed feeling … it’s a special place you really need to absorb and take in. Multiple nights suggested: Ischia offers plenty for 3-4 days and is better enjoyed without a rush. And Il Monastero offers the perfect stay.

Our stay was nothing short of spectacular. The location is incredible - you’re staying in a unique monument with views that are out of this world (even considering Italian standards). The family owned hotel is very tastefully decorated with art made by several of the family members - perfect blend of history with contemporary touches. The breakfast was another highlight - varied and delicious ingredients. Loved the cafeteria as well that offered varied frames over the bay and sea under the trees. The garden was just incredibly beautiful. Service was outstanding, including the proactive help we got with managing our luggage up and down the hill. One of the most unique hotels I’ve stayed in. Would go back in a heartbeat

​My recent visit to Il Monastero Hotel was a wonderful experience, set against one of the most spectacular backdrops imaginable. From the moment we arrived, the check-in staff made us feel incredibly welcome, taking the time to explain everything we needed to know for our stay. ​Our room, #21, was a particular highlight. It was not only spacious and comfortable but also featured a balcony with truly spectacular views that we couldn't get enough of. The evening atmosphere was lovely as well. We enjoyed drinks and a decent dinner in a beautifully set environment. Dinner was Ok. ​While the stay was wonderful overall, a couple of things could be improved. The breakfast was a bit of a letdown compared to the rest of the experience. The coffee, in particular, was quite poor, and it felt a little limiting when the staff only offered "espresso or cappuccino" to guests. I believe with a little more training, the breakfast service could easily match the high standards of the rest of the hotel. Keep in mind that there are few stairs to climb, the lift went out of service during our last night. While we enjoyed the experience of walking up to the hotel, others might find it difficult. ​I highly recommend using the parking lot about a 12-minute walk away. It was a convenient solution for keeping our car overnight. ​Despite these minor points, our stay was truly special and I would absolutely go back one day to experience the unique charm and incredible views that Il Monastero offers.

This experience was truly unique: to be accommodated in such a fabulous castle, with a breathtaking view and a team of staff that are absolutely the kindest possible. Il Monastero is the only place in Ischia which can offer such experience. We are truly grateful for being able to live it just before the season ended! Thank you very much.

The Albergo II Monastery is a magnificent blend of history and hospitality - an old Monastery and caslte lovingly converted into a hotel. The setting is stunning, with breathtaking gardens and panoramic views over the island that are simply unforgettable (especially if you are there on the Feast of St Anna - amazing view on the fireworks). The food is outstanding: organic refined, flavorful, and of an exceptional quality. The staff are warm, attentive and go above and beyond to make guests feel welcome. The design and aesthetics are nice, creating an elegant and serene atmosphere. Overall, a beautiful and memorable stay. It is a little sad that the building's original monastic identity has been almost entirely erased - especially in such a historic comple, in a country with deep Catholic roots like Italy. The rooms, while comfortable, could benefit from slight renovations to add more "wow" factor, comfort and a stronger sense of character.

It was such a treat to stay here! A unique experience and outstanding views. Super cool to explore the site, eat at an upscale restaurant, and friendly staff too. They have porters, but still check ahead of time that it's accessible for your needs (stairs).

This is sheer heaven. Staff so helpful and kind. Views amazing and history , well read about it. One needs to be fit as many steps to get there. A lift for part of it. I was using a stick so that slowed me down. Lovely Salvatore made sure our cases were taken from us on arrival and departure. I have left a bit of my heart there and will go back. The French’s

I think it’s one of Italy’s hidden gems. Such a lovely place with marvelous architecture and a beautiful garden. However, I believe it deserves more care and attention—the garden could be even more stunning than it currently is. The entrance ticket to the palace was €12 as of September 2025, with the last entry at 6 PM. After 5 PM, the fee is reduced to €5. The garden has a separate entrance fee of €3 and remains open until 7:30 PM. I highly recommend visiting this palace. It’s truly worth it!

I can't recommend it enough, it's astonishing. If I was to go back I'd visit the palace one day and the gardens another. I spent a whole day from 8:30 am to 4pm and I could have easily spent a few more hours just walking around soaking the beauty of the place, but I was tired and I had to get the bus back.

The Royal Palace of Caserta is a stunning 18th-century masterpiece, rivaling Versailles in scale and elegance. Designed by Luigi Vanvitelli for the Bourbon kings of Naples, it features lavish interiors, grand staircases, and expansive gardens with fountains and sculptures. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it offers a majestic glimpse into royal opulence and Italian artistry.

A magnificent place that truly impresses with its scale and beauty! 🏛️ The palace resembles Versailles but with its own Italian charm — vast halls, marble staircases, frescoed ceilings, and beautifully preserved 18th-century furnishings. The park is especially breathtaking — an endless alley with fountains, cascades, and statues stretching for several kilometers. It’s best to allow at least 3–4 hours for a walk, and if you plan to reach the Grand Waterfall on foot, reserve the whole day. You can rent an electric cart or a bike, and if you’re visiting with a group, it’s convenient to take a small shuttle bus — just €5 per person. 🎟️ It’s best to buy tickets online to avoid queues. ☕ At the very end of the park, near the waterfall, there’s a cozy café where you can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine and relax after the walk. 📷 It’s also one of the most picturesque places in Campania for photography. Overall — an absolute must-visit if you’re in Naples or nearby. Historical grandeur, natural beauty, and a true sense of the past — all in one place. ⭐ Rating: 5/5

Grandiose structure (mostly empty) but the royal chambers (Piano nobile) are quite extensive and richly decorated and elegantly furnished. I enjoyed a 90 minute very informative guided tour in Italian (unfortunately with an excessive amount of Bourbon-era nostalgia... and no critical comment on the social costs of such bombastic projects and the sociopolitical effects of spatial distancing of royalty from the common folk in a guilded playground). I found this Reggia more elegant and pretty than the Quirinal and some other palaces in Italy (laden with austere or disproportionate displays of Baroque or mismatched styles or unfinished or unrestored works). Many similar palaces in Germany and Austria are however more elegant and aesthetically pleasing (they have also been restored to a supreme level of splendor and decadence by exceedingly generous government allocations in recent years). What recent administrations have done to restore the Reggia after decades of neglect is surely remarkable. The mixture of contemporary art with the original museum exhibits (after COVID) is not always very convincing: some combinations work fine but in other cases there is no real dialogue between works of art (the contemporary pieces - of differing quality and from a single collection linked to a recent natural disaster - seem put there very jarringly simply to respect the conditions of the donation, i.e. that they reach the widest public possible, and little concern for the dignity and harmony of the rooms' decor). Some works would work better in the empty exhibition spaces of the palace (even with baroque and neoclassical works included for comparison). But then you if you expand the exhibition spaces, you need to keep visitors there the whole day to visit the royal chambers and the rest of the museum. So you would need to attract families with children (with some technology exhibits, children's areas, etc.) and full day visitors (with a food court, performances in the gardens, picknic areas, horse riding...). I hope the site continues to develop into a mature and diversified tourist venue.

Not just a must see, an amazing experience! One of the most beautiful gardens i ve ever been in my life! You should definetely go there. You can skip the palace, its just another palace, but you should get to the garden! We ve made the one way on foot, and we came back with the bus. Its a reaaaaly long distance, so i would suggest you to rent a bicycle. it would be much more pleasant. If you get there at its opening time, you will have the garden for yourself!!!

The Royal Palace of Caserta is truly breathtaking. Built in the 18th century for the Bourbon kings and designed by Luigi Vanvitelli, it was meant to rival Versailles and you can really feel it. The rooms are grand and elegant, the monumental staircase is stunning, and the huge gardens with fountains and long water basins are spectacular. The history behind it, from its royal origins to its UNESCO recognition, makes the visit even more meaningful. Absolutely worth seeing if you’re in Campania!!!

Had a lovely day today. We were very pleasantly surprised. Good sized park, which was well maintained in most areas. Some slight attention to detail around weeding around some rides would improve this slightly but that is me just being picky. Food prices were ok for a theme park. 5 of us ate for just under €70 which would be very difficult to do in a UK theme park and notably drinks were ok too, €3.50 for a coke zero and €2 for water. The main reason for 4 out of 5 was due to a few rides being out of action. We wanted to go on the rapids and were told they would reopen but unfortunately didn't or if they did we missed it. Also the sky viewing platform ride was also shut.

We visited as two adults and really enjoyed the day. The park is very clean and beautifully maintained. There are a couple of really exciting attractions - especially Shock, which will definitely not leave you indifferent. The water rides are also a lot of fun - particularly Le Rapide, the round raft ride that gives you absolutely no chance of staying dry. 😅 A perfect mix of thrills and fun, highly recommended!

I dont know why i seen so many complaints about this place saying it's expensive or staff are rude i experienced the opposite of that. They where all friendly and happy and compared to theme park prices this place was very very cheap no long waits in the lines longest wait was for the horror stuff beside that everything else was like 3mins wait or less 100% would recommend this especially for a family

We really enjoyed this park. They had awesome theming, entertainment and great rides! The park surprised us in any way possible.

I spent the day at MagicLand with friends — we had fun, especially on the roller coasters! The park is nice and clean, but the lines were pretty long and food inside was pricey. Still, it’s a great option for a weekend trip near Rome.

The place itself is great and a lot of fun. It felt safe, and both the restrooms and different areas were clean. However, the pricing is tricky. Online tickets are supposed to be cheaper, but we never received the validation code for registration, so we couldn’t complete the online purchase. We were also charged extra items with the food we ordered, which didn’t feel fair. Additionally, not all staff members spoke English, or not at a sufficient level, which made communication difficult at times.

I had an amazing time at Magic Land! The park is full of fun attractions, and everything is so well-organized. The highlight of my visit was the fantastic show at the theater—absolutely enchanting! The New Year decorations and compositions were stunning and really created a magical holiday atmosphere. This place is perfect for families and anyone looking for unforgettable entertainment. Highly recommend!

This park was really good, despite there being very few rides, with most of them being either broken or in need of a refurb. Costs €5 extra to get into the Nintendo experience, so make sure you book online since my family didn't (somehow). The fact that Mario, Sonic, Harry Potter and Topo Gigio are incorporated into the park is amazing, especially since it attracts both English and Italian speaking tourists to the park. There needs to be more sunbeds and rides as well since there weren't many. I think the Zoomarine in the Algarve is a tad better as it has more space and more rides, and also has rides that are of better quality. I would definitely recommend this! Also, there needs to be more English on the signage, I can't speak or understand that much Italian as I'm an Irish tourist :)

We really liked this waterpark. They offer various shows for families as well as a large selection of pools and joy rides. It has a bit of everything and you deffinetly need a day to be able to enjoy everything. I recommend buying tickets online to skip the queues.

We really had such a great time here. Lot’s of activities for children, shows at different hours and beautiful aquatic animals. We recommend buying tickets online, from the official site.

Beautiful place, dolphins are so happy… however… seals need much more space. They seem very depressed and it’s not a good look for this park. They deserve a place where they can waddle, swim freely and relax.. the3x2metre cages they are in are not enough! The other aspects of the park are beautiful, the aquarium, butterfly atrium and rides are incredible and worth a visit. I really loved my time here but felt guilty to support a place where the seals are unhappy.. please respect your seals and make them as happy as the dolphins!

Great experience and lovely rides and shows. The place is really big so make sure you get there early and you have a lot of stamina as there are tons of things to do and see. You have to pay 5 euros for the car park, which we did not see in the prepaid tickets we bought online. Also, there are some awesome bundle packages online. The place is super clean and the kids loved it. The dolphin show is amazing but better still pay for the one on one sessions a bit more expensive but worth the price. Have fun!

terrible restaurant service,waiting more then 1 hour to get lunch, only 2 tills inside and hundreds of people. also till works very slow.also looks very diserted place, half pools dont work and all is dirty. only good thing are the animals but costs extra money.

This place gave us horrible experience. The pool is extremely disgusting. Full of leaves and so much mold around that will make you sick. The food is dirty and there were no places to sit and the staff didn't treat us like there customer at all. I don't reccomens comming here ever as a tourist because it's very toxic.

⛲️ Absolutely gorgeous gardens and fountains that are gravity powered! We spent a good three hours here just roaming and taking everything in. We took so many photos! The light and views are spectacular. Very serene and peaceful place. Tivoli is very beautiful too. Definitely worth the 30min uber drive from Rome. We bought our tickets online a week before.

I visited last weekend 18th Oct and would recommend coming after October 23rd only because there’s no water running through the famous cascades and pools during this period. Even so, the villa and gardens remain impressive for their architecture, perspectives and atmosphere. If possible, plan your visit between 3 and 6:00 pm, the light is softer, perfect for photos and the crowds are noticeably smaller. Despite the absence of water, the site still offers a fascinating glimpse into Renaissance grandeur and is definitely worth seeing at least once.

Beautiful grounds. I would have given 5 stars but the water was shut off for maintenance or perhaps for the season when we went in October . I looked on line the night before visiting to see if it was posted on the website which it was not. You don’t get to capture the full beauty without the fountains. Beauty to see inside ! I would suggest going when fountains are on!

Fantastic villa and gardens - a peaceful oasis. We could only imagine what it must be like when the 200 fountains are functioning! Our misfortune to visit during a 2 week maintenance window... However, still worth wandering the paths, listening to birdsong and enjoying the gardens.

I am not sure how we found the villa as a destination for our Rome trip. Probably social media video somewhere. But boy we are so happy to spend a day here. We did not spent much in the museum part, but just walking up and down the garden, going to every fountain, taking pictures. Absoltely, breathtakingly beautiful. Must see. In late October when we were visiting, the Sun is setting along the main axis of the fountains, shining and orange glow over the park. Makes it difficult to take some photos, but help is many other way.

Make sure to purchase the audio guide from the ticket office. This villa was a wonderful experience. Make sure to give yourself a couple of hours for the gardens alone. I’m not a huge garden person when visiting estates or villas, but this was stunning and we wished we had more time to explore all the paths and fountains.

Extraordinary luxurious place which is well maintained and combed. Definetely worth to visit. Connections from Rome are good and cheap, traveling time around 1 hour.

A very magnificent basilica. The inside is also very beautiful. There are big statues of 12 apostles here. There is an adoration room as well. Even though it is very grand and crowded, but we can still pray comfortably.

Amazing! No queue to get in. So peaceful. Gorgeous. Lovely basilica but seems to be visited more by pilgrims than all tourists like St Peter's. Cloisters worth a visit. Clean toilets. And there's a vending machine to get cheap drinks and snacks eg. €1 can of drink or chocolate bar

This is one of the most beautiful places you can walk through in Rome for free. You can feel the artistic spirit of ancient’s Rome people. It is magnificent, magical and majestic. Tall ceilings and columns makes you feel like a little star in a the sky :)) Try and ask Chatgpt to tell you briefly about the story and history behind this beautiful church and turn the audio on to read it for you. You’ll have a fascinating experience cause it tells you everything you should pay attention to and amazing facts to understand the value of the place you are visiting. Bonus point: there’s a small beautiful lovely garden at the end of this church, you get a ticket to visit it. It’s beautiful and worth the short walk around.

The Basilica of St. John Lateran (San Giovanni in Laterano) is the oldest and most important church in Rome, often called the “Mother of all Churches”. Founded in the 4th century by Emperor Constantine, it was the first Christian basilica built in the city and served as the official papal residence for many centuries before the Popes moved to the Vatican. The basilica’s majestic baroque façade, crowned with statues of Christ and the saints, opens into a breathtaking interior of five naves lined with monumental statues of the apostles. The gothic ciborium and the golden mosaics of the apse add to its spiritual grandeur. Next to the basilica stands the Lateran Baptistery, the oldest in Christendom, and the Scala Santa (“Holy Stairs”), which tradition says were brought from Jerusalem. A visit to St. John Lateran is a journey through the history of Christianity and a reminder of Rome’s deep spiritual heritage.

The Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano (Archibasilica Sanctissimi Salvatoris) is more than just a church; it is the cathedral of Rome, the "Mother and Head of all the Churches of the City and the World" (Mater et Caput omnium Ecclesiarum Urbis et Orbis), and the oldest of the papal basilicas. It is a place of incredible history and architectural significance. It was the first Christian church built in Rome (4th century), and it remained the primary residence of the Popes for a thousand years before the Popes moved to the Vatican. Knowing you are in Rome's official cathedral and in a church that predates St. Peter's Basilica gives the visit a whole new, deeper dimension. This is the cradle of early Christianity, and it is felt in every detail. The main façade, facing east, designed in the late Baroque/early Classicist style (architect Alessandro Galilei), is considered one of the most beautiful in Rome. Most striking are the gigantic 7-meter-tall statues of Christ, John the Baptist, John the Evangelist, and other saints that adorn the top of the façade. They are visible from afar and create a stunning impression with their monumentality. The interior is striking in its monumental volume and sumptuous decoration, the result of restoration by the renowned Baroque architect Francesco Borromini in the 17th century. The main nave is incredibly spacious and majestic. In place of the original columns, Borromini created massive pilasters. In the niches of these pilasters are 12 enormous statues of the Apostles (the work of various artists from the 17th and 18th centuries), each a masterpiece of Baroque sculpture. Their size and expressiveness leave no one indifferent. The magnificent gilded coffered ceiling (16th century), designed by Pirro Ligorio, is one of the most opulent creations of the Renaissance. It is adorned with the coats of arms of the popes who contributed to its creation. The original Cosmatesque marble mosaic floor (13th century) is one of the most beautiful surviving in Rome. Above the central papal altar rises the Gothic Ciborium (14th-century tabernacle), decorated with frescoes. Inside, according to legend, the heads of the Apostles Peter and Paul are enshrined in reliquaries in the form of busts. This makes the altar's location incredibly significant. The Apse Mosaic is one of the oldest parts of the basilica. The apse mosaic (13th century, works by Jacopo Torriti and Jacopo da Camerino) depicts Christ surrounded by angels, the Virgin Mary, and saints. It is executed in the Byzantine style and radiates a stunning golden light. Baptistery (San Giovanni in Fonte): Located next to the Basilica, it is considered the oldest baptistery in the Christian world. Its octagonal shape served as a model for all subsequent baptisteries. The Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano is more than just a landmark; it is the heart of Christian Rome. It may be less well-known than St. Peter's Basilica, but its historical and religious significance surpasses all other churches. Tip: Try to visit the Basilica in the morning to avoid the large tourist groups that often make their way to it on pilgrimages.

Rome has many religious buildings that can be enjoyed by the faithful and the not so sure. This basilica is so beautiful and inspiring, with statuary of the Apostles and Saints on a grand scale. Unmissable, and prepare to be inspired by its beauty.

Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano: This was one of the highlights of the day. The church is stunning, full of light and art, and the Holy Door adds a beautiful spiritual touch. It truly feels like the heart of the Catholic Church, and it’s less crowded than the Vatican — a peaceful and inspiring place.

Incredibly beautiful church! First time we walked by there was quite the line to get in (midday). I came back early and was able to walk right in as soon as it opened (there is security). Really nice to have a few moments to myself at Pope Francis’ tomb. So characteristically simple for him, especially compared to all around. A morning mass was going on in the side chapel housing the oldest icon of Mary. Other great highlights as well. Enjoy your visit.

Visiting Saint Mary Major Basilica on a weekday this summer was one of the most memorable parts of my trip to Rome. Because 2025 is a Jubilee Year, the atmosphere around the basilica felt especially meaningful, with pilgrims arriving steadily throughout the day to pass through the Holy Door, which is only opened during Jubilee celebrations. Despite the increased spiritual traffic, the weekday timing made the experience surprisingly manageable. The line to the Holy Door moved smoothly, and volunteers were present to guide people respectfully through the process. The moment of entering through the door felt solemn yet uplifting, with a quiet reverence among visitors. Inside, the basilica is breathtaking—as always. The gold-tiled ceiling shimmered beautifully under the summer sunlight, and the mosaics along the nave looked even more vivid than I remembered. Even with more pilgrims than usual, the basilica never felt overcrowded; there were plenty of peaceful corners for reflection and photography. I recommend visiting either early morning or late afternoon to avoid the mid-day rush. The surrounding area is also pleasant to explore, with cafés and gelaterias nearby—perfect for cooling down after the visit. Overall, Saint Mary Major during the Summer 2025 Jubilee is an unforgettable combination of history, art, and spiritual significance. Whether you're religious, an architecture lover, or just a curious traveler, it's absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.

The Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore is a true masterpiece and one of the most significant religious and artistic buildings in Rome. It is one of the four Papal Basilicas and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It is the only major early Christian basilica in Rome that has retained its original paleochristian plan and structure virtually intact, despite numerous later additions and embellishments. According to legend (the Legend of the Snow (Miracolo della Neve)), the site for the basilica's construction was miraculously determined: on August 5, 358, in the height of summer, snow fell on the Esquiline Hill, and Pope Liberius traced the perimeter of the future church in the snow. In memory of this miracle, white petals are dropped from the basilica's ceiling every year on August 5 during a solemn mass. The basilica is famous for its mosaics, created in various eras. The Sistine Chapel (Sistina) and the Pauline Chapel (Paolina), built in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, are magnificent examples of Baroque architecture and art, housing the tombs of the popes. Another unique and curious fact is the burial place of Pope Francis. Pope Francis expressed a wish to be buried in this basilica, highlighting his special devotion to the icon of the Salus Populi Romani (Salvation of the Roman People), which is also enshrined here. A good tip: the best time to visit is in the morning, when you can admire this basilica in peace and quiet.

The Basilica of St Peter TL:DR- doesn’t need online reservation for regular visits but will recommend so. Staff could be better equipped to handle ticket holders for entrance and to the dome. Otherworldly experience inside. One of the holiest Christian shrines, especially for the Roman Catholics; the centre of the Holy See with a dome that is visible from across the city of Rome, a place steeped in history, faith, and unparalleled grandeur. The sheer size of the place from the inside is even more awe inspiring compared to what it looks from outside. The multiple small chapels with specific connotations and history arcs of their own; the impeccable works of Bernini (like the seat of St Peter at the altar) and Michelangelo (the exquisite Pieta, the iconic dome) to name a few amongst many others including Holy Fathers across generations have contributed to this amazing, wonder of a monument. We just did not feel like coming back: took a tour with a helpful audio guide, visited the Grottoes and saw the entrance to the actual tomb of St Peter, the first pontiff of the Catholic church (the altar of the modern basilica is built directly above the tomb), along with sarcophagi of many Popes from the distant past to the recent days; climbed up the terrace and to the top the cupola of the main dome for some breathtaking views; got the rare opportunity to pass through the Holy Door as it is a Jubilee year (current schedule for ordinary jubilees is every 25 years) and YET, we simply did not feel like exiting after spending many hours - strolling, admiring, praying. That is the aura of this holy site. It nudges one to internalise The Barque of St Peter and how it still sails on - touching billions across the globe, across millennia. Incredible is an understatement, and although reluctant, we are definitely overjoyed to be ending our trip to Rome with a visit to this testament to art, faith and the virtues of the human race, and most importantly, it’s capacity to embrace the divine.

One of the 4 major Basilicas is Rome. Definitely a must-visit. Significant stories of who and what's inside in this basilica. Beautiful artworks. Too many sections and details to check out inside the church. Best to get some information online before going. It will be helpful to know what you're looking for and to not miss the significant parts during tour.

Visited St. Mary Major on a quiet morning and it was one of the more peaceful stops in Rome. The interior is stunning—gold ceilings, mosaics, and a mix of architectural styles that somehow work together. It’s less crowded than the Vatican, which makes it easier to take your time and really absorb the space. The atmosphere feels reverent without being overwhelming, and the side chapels are worth exploring. Great spot if you want something grand but not chaotic. Easy to pair with nearby sights if you’re walking through the area.

Visited saint Peter's basilica! Mass with the pope, visited underground where all the tombs of the previous popes. Visited the tomb of Pope Francis. Went on the tour bus all around Rome. Got a three journey by train to visit Carlo Acutis tomb and Saint Francis of Assisi tomb. Assisi is spectacular. Four nights perfect for Rome ☘️

The best !!!

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(Translated by Google) Lovely seafront!!! Well-organised beaches, both the free ones: very large and with showers, and those of the establishments: complete with everything. The entire seafront is lined with palm trees with special benches in the shade. Bars and shops everywhere. Very suitable for families, couples and those with animals. Nice...nice...nice!!! (Original) Lungomare incantevole!!! Spiagge ben organizzate, sia quelle libere: molto ampie e con docce, sia quelle dei stabilimenti: complete di tutto. Tutto il lungomare è costeggiato da palme con panchine apposite in ombra. Bar e negozietti ovunque. Adattissimo per famiglie, coppie e per chi ha animali. Bello...bello...bello!!!

(Translated by Google) Being one with the seafront of San Benedetto del Tronto, surrounded by varieties of palm trees makes it unique in comparison to other locations on the Adriatic Coast. Some fountains and green islands with a cycle path and a wide sidewalk make it a pleasant space for tourists to walk. (Original) Un tutt'uno con il Lungomare di San Benedetto del Tronto, contornato da varietà di palme lo rende unico in confronto ad altre Località della Costa Adriatica. Alcune fontane ed isole verdi con una pista ciclabile ed un ampio marciapiedi lo rende uno spazio gradevole per le passeggiate dei turisti.

(Translated by Google) Stunning, even if it could be kept even cleaner, I recommend this place for your holidays, even the sea is clean 💯 (Original) Stupendo, anche se si potrebbe tenere ancora più pulito, consiglio questo posto per le vostre vacanze, anche il mare è pulito 💯

(Translated by Google) This is the route I often walk. A beautiful walk. (Original) È il percorso che faccio spesso a piedi. Bellissima passeggiata.

(Translated by Google) Lovely place, recommended for families Very recommended for a relaxing holiday. (Original) Posto incantevole, consigliate per le famiglie Molto consigliato per una vacanza rilassante .

Cascata delle Marmore is a breathtaking mix of natural power and Roman engineering. The roaring falls, scenic trails, and magical mist make it unforgettable. A must-see for nature lovers and travelers alike

exceptional experience that deserves a bit of outside advertising, we got to know about it from a local friends. easy to get to, spectacular views and a bit of a workout to return :-) the butterfly house worth seeing, too!

So beautiful!! Unfortunately we came a bit late, at 15:30, 30 minutes before the falls are shut down for the day. It’s nice to stroll through the park regardless. But the park was closed entirely by 17:00, so I would advise to plan the visit time better than we did.

It is just beautiful,. We set parking for 1.5h , but we sure did needed more. Got to the first 3 spots there, all the way down. Luckily we packed some snacks and fruits 😋 bc there is a lovely view point right in front of the waterfall.

Absolutely breathtaking and worth the trip. There are paths that make it fairly easy to walk up to view the various falls (you will get wet!). The temperature drops ten degrees when you reach the parking lot, which is an incredible treat in summer. Be sure to stay to see the falls turn off at 1pm or back on again at 3. Plenty of parking. The bus terminal is a little tricky to find in Terni. It’s not the main Terni station but is around the corner to the left after you walk out the front entrance of the station. There’s a dedicated shuttle just for the falls, but pay attention to times, or you’ll end up needing a taxi to get back to Terni (speaking from experience!).

Pretty impressive place it is better to come on the schedule and to climb up to see all the place it is like a small iguasu

The tallest artificial watetfall in the world! A beautiful, unconventional place – created by human intervention, yet so natural. It's worth devoting more time to exploring and hiking the entire trail, rather than just admiring the views from the upper terrace.

So special to experience these beautiful churches - up and down! We got to enjoy an English mass at 9am on Sunday. Touring with Rick Steeves podcast in our ear was great (also the town walk is so good). Loved the museum in the back. The highlight of course was the crypt, to spend some time in the presence of St Francis. Well- we know his presence is with us in Christ, but so cool to see his tomb. The Giotto frescoes are amazing and the ceilings- wow, that blue- I love it.

Lovely Medieval town - Assisi - famous for St Francis' Basilica, which we visited. Also had a lovely cappuccino but didn't stay for lunch. Escalators available to get you into the higher parts of town from all the car parks so no worries for older and less mobile visitors. A must-see if in Umbria

Today's highlight. You don't want to miss this place when in Assisi. Prepare for a walk uphill and downhill. Travel light but bring some coins or bills for the offering and candles. There's plenty of good restaurants and giftshop in the area. Walking distance to visit the tombs of St. Clare and Saint Carlo Acutis.🙏🙏🙏

What an amazing experience to be able to come on a pilgrimage here. The church is very beautiful and full of meaning. There is a tomb of St. Francis of Assisi under this church. There is also a museum, and a souvenir shop. Don’t forget when you enter, there is a prayer paper that we can take and write, so that later we can bring it to the tomb area of St. Francis, and we give to the brothers here to pray. Then don’t forget after shopping at the souvenir shop, bring it to the blessing section near the exit.

We visited here as part of a tour group, it has amazing art work throughout, its just a shame you can not take photos of your visit. It is a very large complex and will stun you by its size, it gets busy and has some stairways that are narrow.

Another beautiful and amazing church in Italy, the Papal Basilica and Sacred Convent of Saint Francis in Assisi. We can visit the tomb, the mortal remaining of St Francis of Assisi, which was preserved since 1230. Also, this church is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. there are two distinct churches: the Upper and Lower Basilicas. Visitors can explore intricate chapels adorned with remarkable artwork while learning about the rich history through audio guides.

A beautiful building with breathtaking murals inside. Photos are not permitted inside but it is well worth visiting. The murals are floor to ceiling and it's also a pleasant place to spend an hour out of the heat just admiring the works. ⛪

Even though it was quite busy, the visit was well organised. What we did not like is when we bought the tickets, it was advertised that you could follow an audio tour using the app instead of the guided tour. We liked this option as we were with young children a d their attention span for a guided tour is limited, especially in a language they don't speak. When we got up to the entrance of the caves; they said this was not possible and we had to wait an hour (!) for the English guided tour. The guide took a tremendous amount of time to explain each crack and sediment difference so we decided to walk on and tagged along to two Italian guided groups before we were 'caught' and told to stay with the guide. Our round took 1,5 hours; I did not dare to ask how long the normal tour would have taken. The cave itself is nice, well lit and the path is fenced and very accessible even for young children. There is only one route to follow so it's not possible to get lost.

Amazing experience! Must visit

Very beautiful and amazing place

The caves themselves are amazing! The company running them are running a slick operation and probably making a decent profit and in some cases have put profit before customers and this is why I've only given 3 stars... The buses that take you to the caves from the car park are mainly standing space with very few seats, they packed them full and it's a hot and windy road. The most annoying part however is that photos are forbidden, even with no flash. The only reason for this is so they can sell tickets to the photo tour where you're allowed to take photos. There's no pricing for the photo tour online however so I can only assume it's extortionate.

There are very few places across Europe that will offer you this experience without having to crawl yourself through dark and humid places. Incredibly beautiful experience.

Most outstanding place that I've ever been. Our Tour Guide was exceptionally knowledgeable

VERY enjoyable! Amazing beauty everywhere!😀👍

Overall it was a good experience. However, we were (due to numerous reviews) expecting a bit more animals/things to see. E.g. we visited the yellow path in 5 min, definitely something that could be merged into another path or perhaps extended. Parking cost us 5 euros and I am afraid we even landed in the wrong one (on the hotel side). Not sure if the other parking (larger) had the same price. Advice to buy tickets in advance cause they are cheaper and you avoid waiting time jn the cashiers

Good program if it's raining. The aquarium wasn't bad at all, it just wasn't that good. The sooner you buy tickets online, the cheaper. Definitely buy tickets online, because then you don't have to wait 30+ minutes in the queue. The shark are the main attraction and you'll understand why, they're massive and scary 😂 ideal trip for families as there are also dinosaurs, otters etc.

We had a wonderful day but it was very very hot and it was difficult to find shady spots to picnic if you weren’t actually eating at the restaurant or bar as all of the picnic benches in the shade got snatched up immediately! More shaded areas would really make a difference for this otherwise great attraction, especially in the dinosaur world! I would go again, but not in summer!

The prices are very reasonable, and all the animals are adorable. The penguins were so friendly, and the staff was incredibly helpful. Highly recommend!

Really nice aquarium with lots to see for old and young. There also lots of other attractions like dinosaurs, insects and so on, but the aquarium was most impressive to us.

There are a lot of different kinds of fishes, but despite the huge area, only half of the exhibition was interesting. Nevertheless, kids were happy, especially in the dinosaur area.

Very suitable for children to visit. I took my little one to visit on August 22nd. It was a very pleasant experience. I especially liked the blue pavilion. I bought the tickets on the official website, which was very convenient.

Great little theme park. More aimed at children under 10 but plenty of older couples and families visit too. Nice to see all the major landmarks and walk around them.

Tbh I wasn't expecting much and it was a spur of the moment thing to fill an afternoon. Once through the doors it's actually a pretty cool place. There is so much detail everywhere. I found so many locations that I would love to visit on our next italian trip and it's laid out in a representation of the country. There was so much more to see that I realised at first. Some places were not open but that was the only blotch on an enjoyable visit.

The most amazing tematic park we've ever been. Attractions, miniature Italy and Europe, the remake of Piazza Italia and Venice by boat is simply amazing. We spent a fantastic day there, highly recommended.

Very nicely done with many side activities for children, the map is done with attention to detail, trains and boats coming and going, the venice boat trip is especially nice. Needs about 3-4 hours to absorb it all, but even more time can be spent here with options to eat, coffe and sweets.

A must-do experience. There’s something for everyone here, much more than we expected before we went. Quite a magical place, considering how much effort must go into each piece of art to display one area of Italy. You learn a lot on your way around as well, with the quiz. There’s moving parts around every corner, especially the train system is constantly in motion, very impressive. The Venice experience was nicer than actual Venice, as we didn’t have to fight any crowds! Overall exceptional in terms of value for money and experience. Highly recommend it.

We had amazing time with the kids. We visited for evening visit (18-23h, special dates this summer), when every ticket was only 10euro and all the rides were free. Definitely worth a visit!

A very nice place to spend a few hours. In addition you have some attractions like log rides, monorail train rides, mini parrot zoo, ride in gondola through Venice in miniature and carousels for small children in Pinokio themed park . We visited in the morning and there was no long wait anywhere. Later it's getting busier. There are refreshments available on the site and souvenir shops. Buss no 8 goes straight from Rimini to Italy in miniature. Highly recommend.