Italy is full of wonders from the past. From the Roman Empire to the Renaissance, visitors can explore art, architecture, and ruins. In fact, Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other country. Travelers can also visit the natural beauty of Italy – her lakes, mountains, and gorgeous coastline. If you’re planning a trip to Italy, here are the five top tourist attractions to put on your list.
1. The Colosseum
Whether you’re a history buff or just love everything about the Roman Empire, visiting the Colosseum is a must. This one of a kind gigantic amphitheater is famous throughout the world as being a past sports venue with the most spectacular shows. Explore underneath the Colosseum to see the cells and tunnels the gladiators used, along with where the wild animals were kept.
2. Venice Canals
The romantic city of Venice is a must, especially if you’re on your honeymoon. Take a gondola ride through the ancient canals along a labyrinth of narrow passageways that wind around the city. From this vantage point, you’ll have amazing views of Venice, including her most historic sites.
3. Pompeii
The city that died in an instant, Pompeii is famous for being destroyed by a sudden volcanic eruption in AD 79. In fact, Mt. Vesuvius is still blowing smoke! While the inhabitants of Pompeii perished, the eruption did manage to preserve the city’s art. Such treasures as mosaics, sculptures, and frescoes have been encased in lava that then cooled. Archeologists discovered these treasures two centuries later, along with temples, baths, homes, streets, theaters, and human remains.
4. Pisa
Pisa is itself a famous city, but it’s the Leaning Tower of Pisa that is the most popular attraction here. The tower was built in the 1100s but due to sinking, it began to lean by the time the third story was completed. The tower was expected to topple over by the year 2000 so restoration work began in the 90s. Today, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is stable and visitors can climb the grand stairs to look out over the tower for a spectacular view of the city. While in Pisa, visit the Romanesque Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.
5. Lake Como
Nature lovers will definitely want to make time for a trip to Lake Como. This is where the wealthy Romans of Ancient Rome vacationed. The lake is surrounded by small, quaint towns and beautiful mountains. Along the shore, you will find lavish villas and palaces with some gardens open to the public. The climate is mild, making Lake Como the perfect place to unwind and relax after visiting the buy, historic sites of Rome.
When you think of Italy, you may not automatically think about volcanoes. However, this is one of the few European countries that still has active volcanoes. In fact, there are more than 12 active volcanoes here, and Italy is home to some of the most dangerous in the world.
