Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan
If you’re planning to go on the best tours of Italy, you will be glad to know that you can find top-notch options for every individual preference, considering that the country is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe and in the entire world.
It is really difficult to find a place with a history like Italy’s, dating back thousands of years. Selecting the attractions to visit during your vacation is no simple task, but here are a few suggestions for those seeking inspiration for their tours.
Leaning Tower of Pisa
The famous Leaning Tower of Pisa keeps defying time. The soft clay foundation couldn’t handle well the weight of the tower (14,500 tones) and the tower started to tilt even before the construction was completed. It keeps sinking 1 millimeter each year, although people have worked hard to shore up the base.
It was nearly destroyed a few times in history by architects with bad ideas as well as by American soldiers during World War Two. But the tower still stands today, being a living piece of history and a symbol of national pride. Besides the Leaning Tower, Pisa can also be visited for its many historic churches and art galleries.
Ancient Greek Town of Paestum
Most of Italy’s ancient ruins are, of course, Roman. But then, there is Paestum, originally a Greek colony in the 6th century BC. Today, Paestum is a wonderful place to explore, with well-preserved Greek temples such as the Temple of Hera and the Temple of Athena, beautiful architecture, ancient tomb paintings, many ancient ruins and local museums —the Archaeological Museum has very important finds of the Greek and Etruscan civilization.
Castel del Monte
The medieval castle Castel del Monte, meaning Castle of the Mountain, is situated in the Apulian Hills, overlooking the commune of Andria. The castle’s history dates back to the 13th century and its octagonal design, as well as the advanced plumbing system are remarkable for that period.
Castel del Monte was included on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1996, due to the blend of architectures: classical antiquity, medieval military, Islamic Orient and European Cistercian Gothic that make it unique.
Duomo di Milano
The Milan Duomo is one of the most famous landmarks in the world, sitting on the grand Piazza del Duomo, besides Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It doesn’t seem so massive on the outside; however, it is one of the biggest churches in the world, and you will see that once you book a tour and enter inside.
You can see the statue of Saint Bartholomew and the Treasury or Crypt, enjoy the magnificent architecture, the beauty of stained-glass windows, and access the roof of the Duomo. Tourists are required to respect some rules, considering that the Duomo is not just a tourist attraction, but also a place of worship: you must be dressed appropriately, you are not allowed to have food or drinks with you and you must turn off cell phones.
If you want to get a glimpse of these wonderful tourist attractions before booking your trip, click the button below to enter our vast photo gallery. You will find top quality pictures of numerous attractions, helping you decide what would be the best tours of Italy for you.
