Things to See and Do in Italy

Pompeii

Before it was buried by a cataclysmic eruption from Vesuvius in AD 79, Pompeii was a spectacular city with Roman temples and an amphitheatre. It was an important pathway for goods that arrived by sea. Today, it is an important site for tourists, who can see fascinating glimpses of Pompeii's final hours, frozen in time. The "Garden of Fugitives" for example, is a collection of 13 plaster casts of people trying to flee from the suffocating dust and rocks. Many of the streets and houses of ancient Pompeii are intact, so visitors are able to wander around the fascinating remnants of a bakery, a brothel, temples, mosaics, the aqueduct and an amphitheatre. Taking in these well-preserved sight's will certainly transport you back to how it must have been.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

This leaning bell tower was not intentionally built this way, but it has made it one of the most photographed sites in the world. It was built on shallow stone with a dense clay mixture for the foundations. When the tower began to lean, the construction of it was halted for 100 years, in the hope that the mud would settle down. 4 more floors were added to compensate for the tilt, but evidently, this made no difference. At least it won't matter so much if you don't hold the camera straight!

Sassi di Matera

The Sassi di Matera, or "stones of Matera", is a cluster of archaic cave dwellings, thought to be where some of the first people to set foot in Italy lived. Come and study the sun-baked caves of Matera, which is apparently the only place in the world where the same houses are inhabited 9,000 years later. This largely dilapidated town bears similarities to the ancient sites of Jerusalem, so many films, such as "The Passion of the Christ" (2004), and "The Nativity Story" (2006), have been shot here.

Vatican City

Enter one of the most visually stimulating cities in the world. With wonders such as St Peter's Basilica, with its double colonnade and circular courtyard, it is a grand sight to behold. The Basilica is a renowned piece of Renaissance architecture which Michelangelo and Bernini have both contributed their skills to. The Sistine Chapel is a must for those visiting the Vatican City. It is famous for its mind-blowingly beautiful frescos which enshroud every inch of the interior upper walls, depicting episodes from the lives of Moses and Christ. A visit here will leave you feeling uplifted and overwhelmed.

This article was written by Helen Withington on behalf ok A&K Villas who offer a fine selection of luxury villas with pools including top rated Italy Villas

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