The history-lover’s guide to Italy
Visiting Italy is like stepping back in time, where ancient buildings sing an ode to the country’s past. Here are some places every history lover should visit while on tour in Italy.
Visiting Italy is like stepping back in time, where ancient buildings, time-worn roads, and crumbling ruins call to mind the country’s extensive past. If seeking out a destination’s history is at the top of your list when you travel, here are some of the fascinating places you should be sure to visit while on tour in Italy.
1
Soak in centuries of history in Rome
Magnificent historic landmarks anchor the skyline in every direction in “The Eternal City,” once considered the capital of the world. Walk in the footsteps of the ancients at the Colosseum and Roman Forum, two astonishing links to the past. Gaze up at the dome of the Pantheon, the world’s best-preserved ancient Roman monument. Then, add excursions to skip the lines and gaze at masterworks in the Vatican and go underground in the Catacombs, burial tunnels that snake beneath the city.
2
Get a glimpse into Otranto’s past
Located on the Italian heel is this beachy locale, where a fascinating history lends an air of intrigue to an otherwise relaxed vibe. Add our Otranto with Dinner & Wine Tasting excursion to go beyond the quiet charm and enter the town’s Romanesque cathedral. Inside, you’ll see the bones of over 800 martyrs behind the altar—a chilling remnant from the 15th-century Turkish invasion.
3
Stroll past ancient ruins in Pompeii
Pompeii is a time capsule situated near Mount Vesuvius, the infamous volcano that buried (and preserved) the entire city in ash over 2,000 years ago. Today, you can see countless ruins as you stroll along Pompeii’s ancient streets, where chariot tracks are still etched into the cobblestones and everything from homes and businesses line the sidewalks. You can step inside baths and temples, see relics of everyday life, and even view plaster casts of the victims who were caught in the volcano’s eruption.
4
Walk in royal footsteps in Turin
Italy’s royal roots can be traced directly to Turin, which was named the unified country’s capital when the Kingdom of Italy was founded in 1861. With the creation of the kingdom came the crowing of Italy’s first king: Vittorio Emanuele II of Savoy. Today, remnants from the House of Savoy’s reign through 1946 can still be seen throughout the city, where porticoes, piazzas, and UNESCO-listed palaces set the backdrop for everyday life.
5
Learn about Venice through the ages
Spread over 118 small islands in the Adriatic Sea, Venice is a labyrinth of gondola-dotted canals and Gothic architectural wonders that sing an ode to the city’s rich maritime history. This UNESCO-listed “City of Masks” is still full of striking remnants from its golden age of art and music, and is considered one of the most romantic and culturally rich places in Italy.
Check out what Italy has in store for food lovers, nature lovers, architecture lovers, and history lovers!
It was Jamie’s homestay in Germany that made her fall in love with travel (and her studies in Florence that really sealed the deal). When she’s not writing and sharing the magic of seeing the world with others, she’s usually on the lookout for her new favorite memoir, testing out recipes at home, or visiting her family on Cape Cod.
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