CITY VACATION

Venice is the extraordinary city of bridges and canals, and well known for its beautiful architecture. The city lies in the marshy Venetian Lagoon, stretching along the shoreline in northeastern Italy. It is the administrative center of the Veneto region and it houses appr. 265,000 residents.

With a network of 177 canals and 409 bridges, the city, built on a lagoon and an archipelago of 117 islands, is uniquely labyrinthine and the largest car-free urban area in Europe.

What to do and see in Venice

Doge’s Palace

This Gothic palace was the residence of the Doge, the supreme authority of the former Republic of Venice.  It was established in 1340 and became a museum in 1923. The palace area contains art like The Scarlet Chamber, with a remarkably carved ceiling in the doge’s apartments, the Byzantine St Mark’s Basilica, adjacent and connected to the palace, and The Square Atrium with a ceiling painted by Tintoretto.

Ca’ Pesaro

This Baroque marble palace, facing the Grand Canal, was built for the noble Pesaro family in the second half of the 17th century. Today it houses an art museum with 10 rooms full of 19th and 20th century collections of paintings and sculptures, as well as a section on graphic art.

Piazza San Marco

This square is only piazza in Venice,  other squares being known as campo. It is the social centre of the city, and vivid through the day and week.  Very good place for sitting and sipping a cup of macchiato. Nearby is the lagoon and the St. Mark’s Basilica.

San Giacomo di Rialto

Allegedly, this church is the oldest in the city. Supposedly built in 421, it lies in the San Polo district. It has a large 15th-century clock above the entrance. Inside the San Giacomo di Rialto there are six Veneto-Byzantine capitals atop columns made of ancient Greek marble, constructed in the 11th century.

Saint Mark´s Basilica

Saint Mark´s Basilica is the most famous church in Venice. Known for its artwork and history, it is located at the Saint Mark´s Square on the edge of Grand Canal. It is joined to the Doge´s Palace. Merchants smuggled the relics of Saint Mark from Egypt to Venice in the 9^th century. This occasion is pictured in the world´s oldest known mosaic, which is located above the front doors of the church. The church was built as a repository for the relics, but it was destroyed 150 years later. The Doge Domenico Contarini ordered it to be rebuilt, and it was constructed in 1071. Some parts of the old church have remained in the new building. Merchants who were traveling to the east brought ancient architecture into the city with them in the 14^th century, and the church got new parts that are much older than the church itself. The Doge´s of Venice used the building as their private chapel until it became a cathedral in 1807. The church represents Greek style. Inside is art from different periods. The oldest parts of the church are Syrian columns, decorated with Byzantine-style carvings dating from the 5^th or 6^th century. The treasury of the cathedral is worth experiencing. To avoid the lines and save money, it is recommended to book the tickets in advance from here.

San Giorgio Maggiore Church

The Benedictine church of San Giorgio Maggiore, constructed in the early 17^th century, was designed by Andrea Palladio. The interiors of the church represent the Latin style, and it has a nave and two aisles. Visitors can admire works of great artists such as Tintoretto, J. Palma il Giovane and Carpaccio. The Presbytery is worth seeing; it has two magnificent paintings by Tintoretto: The Last Supper and Manna from Heaven. San Giorgio Maggiore is a brilliant building with an ancient atmosphere.

Canal Grande

The Canal Grande is the largest and most important canal in Venice. It can be considered the main road of Venice, if you want to look at it that way. It goes through the whole city in the shape of a large S. It stretches from the Saint Mark Basin to the lagoon located near the Santa Lucia railway station. The waterway is 3,800 meters in length, the canal is 5 meters deep on average and it varies between 30-90 meters in width. There are about 170 buildings along the canal, mainly from the 13^th – 18^th centuries. The traffic consists of water taxis, private vessels, gondolas and water buses. The most popular bridges crossing the canal are Rialto, Ponte Degli Scalzi, Ponte dell´Accademia and Calatrava. The history of Canal Grande is over 1,000 years old. In the 10^th century it served as an important trading port, and during the 12^th and 13^th centuries, beautifully decorated Byzantine-style residences with multiple floors were built along the canal. Many of the buildings have been renovated. The canal can be explored in a boat tour. Read more: https://www.viator.com/tours/Venice/Venice-Grand-Canal-Boat-Tour/d522-2635VENCAN?eap=visitacity-c63744386-14055&aid=vba14055en

The Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs is one of the most famous bridges in the world. It can be seen from the Canonica Bridge and Ponte della Paglia. The bridge connected the halls of the courts between the Duke’s Palace and the New Prison. According to the story, the bridge has been named after the prisoners who stopped to sigh at the standpoint when they were crossing the bridge and saw the outside world for the last time. The bridge has been built between the 16^th and 17^th century from white and elegant Istrian stone. Nowadays it is a symbol for lover´s gondola tours and according to a common belief the love will last forever when a couple passes under the bridge.

Gallerie dell´Accademica

 The art museum Gallerie dell´Accademica, in one of the oldest buildings of fraternal orders in Venice, has works from many famous southern European artists. The same building also contains the church of Santa Maria and the monastery of Canonici Lateranensi, designed by Andrea Palladio. The museum has a large art collection from Venetian painters representing different periods. The Byzantine and Gothic styles of the 14^th century are strongly represented in works by artists like Bellini, Carpaccio, Giorgione, Veronese, Tintoretto, Tiziano, Gianbattista Tiepolo and Vedutist. The gallery also has paintings from 18^th century artists like Canaletto, Guardi, Bellotto and Longhi. These artists had a great impact on European art history. Read more: http://www.gallerieaccademia.org

Teatro la Fenice

The Teatro la Fenice is a fascinating museum of dramatic art, that still serves as a theater. Here you can learn about the stars and history of the theater and get to know the secrets of the backstage. There is also an exhibition centered on Maria Callas here, focused on her Venetian years. Read more: www.teatrolafenice.it

Shopping

• The Rialto market in the San Polo district is a splendid place for finding cheap second-hand treasures. Calle Larga XXII Marzo has boutiques selling classy clothing. The local Murano glasswear is popular and of high-quality.
• You will find bars, souvenir shops and small clothing stores in the narrow Frezzeria area.
• The delicate lace of Burano is world-famous. Venice is also known for papier-mâché carnival masks.
• The 3-day weekend antique fair, Mercatino dell´Antiquariato, is held three times a year (first weekend of April, mid-September and the weekend before Christmas) in Campo San Maurizio, between Piazza San Marco and Campo Santo Stefano.
• Libreria Studium is a bookstore where you can get travel guides, maps and books in English. Other good bookstores are Libreria Sansovino, Mondadori, Libreria Bertoni Mario and Libreria Beroni Alberto.
• From the Murano Art Shop you can buy things like masks, puppets, music boxes and costume jewelries.
• The Bambole di Trilly workshop, north of Campo San Zaccaria, sells decorative dolls.
• Giacomo Rizzo offers delicious pasta. Those who love sweets can direct themselves to Pasticceria Marchini.
• Places like Venini, Marco Polo, Anticlea and the open-air stalls of Susie and Andrea sell glass products.
• Chimento, Tiny Antichitá Zaggia and Esperienze are jewelry stores.
• There are also shoe stores in Venice, like Bruno Magli, Mori e Bozzi, Cannaregio and Rolando Segalin, where you can get shoes intended for carnival costumes.
• Frette and Scuola dei Merletti sell things like linens and lace.
• Different paper products can be bought from the two Biblos stores.

Recreation

• La Biennale di Venezia offers annual exhibitions of art and architecture. The world’s top designers and artists display their works here.
• The Carnival of Venice is held annually and is one of the most well-known masquerade and carnival events.  The Carnival ends with the Christian celebration of Lent. It is filled with interesting costumes, fireworks and champagne –a true celebration.
• The Galleon Dinner Cruise is a good way to get acquainted with the city while enjoying good food.
• Caffè Florian (Piazza San Marco 57) is a famous and cozy café offering a collection of contemporary art as well as live concerts.

Photos: With the CC licence / Nicor, MarkusMark, Joanbanjo, Leandro Neumann Ciuffo, Didier Descouens

The eternal city of Rome is one of the most significant metropolitan areas in Europe. It pampers visitors with gastronomy, a rich cultural heritage and picturesque views from the seven hills guarding the city.

The city has appr. 2,8 million people, and the whole metropolitan area has over 4 million residents. It lies in the Lazio region of central Italy, on the Tiber river.

Significant areas

• Colosseo. The core of the ancient part of the city. The Colosseum, the Palatine Hill and Piazza Venezia are here.

• The Vatican. The independent Vatican City and the surrounding Prati, Borgo and Monte Mario districts. Here lie the Apostolic Palace with the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and The Vatican Museums.

• Trastevere. This nightlife district is full of joie de vivre. Situated on the west bank of the Tiber, it has narrow cobble streets and a romantic atmosphere.

What to do and see in Rome

Colosseum

This legendary amphitheater from the Classical Era is one of the most important attractions in all of Italy. It was constructed between 72-80 CE. It is estimated that it could hold between 50,000 to 80,000 spectators, making it the largest amphitheater to ever be built. It is also depicted on the Italian version of the five-cent euro coin. Attractions include a museum dedicated to Eros, located on the upper floor of the outer wall of the amphitheater, and a network of subterranean passageways once used to transport wild animals and gladiators to the arena. An iconic and majestic sight, and a must-see for history enthusiasts.

Galleria Borghese

This art museum is situated in the Villa Borghese Pinciana, former mansion of the wealthy and powerful Borghese family. Exhibition area includes twenty rooms across two floors and it depicts the Borghese’s private art collection, including e.g. classical antiquities of the 1st–3rd centuries, Classical sculptures, and Renaissance paintings. In the first room, the trompe l’oeil ceiling frescos are real eye-catchers.

Pro tip: With the Roma Pass a visitor has free entry to 1 or 2 museums.

Piazza di Spagna

This beautiful square lies at the bottom of the Spanish steps in Rome. The middle of the square houses its main landmark, the Baroque fountain Fontana della Barcaccia. In the right corner of the Spanish Steps there is a house where the English poet John Keats lived until his death in 1821. It currently houses a museum dedicated to him and his friend Percy Bysshe Shelley.

Other attractions in the area are the Trinità dei Monti church, the Column of the Immaculate Conception and the Babington’s tea room, an excellent place for relaxing.

Campo de’ Fiori

This rectangular square is well-known as a center of vivid nightlife and a meeting place, due to the proximity of several nightclubs and restaurants. It also holds a famous open-air market, where visitors can find cheap souvenirs, flowers and fresh bread among other things. A great place to have a glass of wine or a latte macchiato and relax.

The Pincio Gardens

In the Pincio Gardens a tired visitor can relax and sense the tranquility of the green landscape on the hill. The area also has busts of several famous people lining the pathways. An obelisk lies in the center of the gardens. It is believed to be a copy erected by the Emperor Hadrian as a tribute to his dead favorite friend and lover Antinoüs. The area also features a famous water clock, originally constructed for the Paris Universal Expo in 1867. The balustraded Pincio Terrace offers a divine panoramic view over the city and is a must-see during the sunset.

The Vatican museums and other valuable buildings

The Vatican museums in Rome display masterpieces of paintings, sculptures and other works of art which have been collected by popes throughout centuries. There are several valuable buildings in the Vatican City State. Here are some of them.

The Sistine Chapel has been named after the pope Sixtus IV (1471 – 1484) who ordered it to be built. It was built according to his wishes, and so replaced the medieval fortified hall Cappella Magna, which used to be the meeting place of the Papal Court. It had 200 members at that time. The chapel was also a defensive structure, since there were some tensions between the rulers of Florence and the pope. Turkey, ruled by Muhammad II, also threatened the western coast of Italy. According to some opinions the building is a copy of the Solomon´s temple in Jerusalem destroyed in 70 CE, because the dimensions are exactly same: 40.23 meters in length, 13.40 meters in width and 20.70 meters in height. The main entrance of the chapel is located opposite the smaller entrance used today, and in front of it, there is the Sala Regia, meant for those who come to greet the pope. Arched windows light the chapel. The mosaic floor dating from the 15^th century is typical for the period and has remained in its original form. The paintings are made by famous Florentine artists such as Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Cosimo Rosselli and Signorelli. Some are works of Umbrian painters such as Perugio and Pinturicchio.The most famous works in the chapel are The Creation of Adam in the ceiling and The Last Judgement fresco, both made by Michelangelo.

Pinacoteca, constructed in 1931, is a museum built after the initiative of the pope Pius XI, displaying paintings that have belonged to popes. There are 18 exhibition rooms and the collection consists of paintings from the 12^th to the 19^th century. Napoleon took a great part of the collections to Paris in 1797, but they were returned to Italy in 1815 after a decision of the Congress of Vienna and with the help of the sculptor Antonio Canova.

Rafael´s rooms (the Vatican rooms) served as the residence of the pope Julius II (1503 – 1513). There were originally paintings of other artists there, but Julius II ordered Rafael to erase the former works and repaint the rooms. The ceiling was painted by Tommaso Laureti in 1585 and it displays the Triumph of Christianity over paganism. It is symbolized by a statue that has fallen and broken.

The Egyptian Museum was founded by the pope Gregory XIV in the Lateran Palace in 1884, and the pope John XXIII moved it to the Vatican in 1970. The museum is filled with original Greek works, Roman copies and sculptures from the first to the third century CE. The most famous works are the copies of the creations of the Greek Myron which were made in about 450 BCE. The collection also has models of famous temples from other religions. Some of these are, for example, Beijing´s Temple of the Sky, The Altar of Confucius and the Shintoist Temple of Nara.

Saint Peter´s Basilica

The emperor Constantine gave permission to build a new church in 324 CE. The idea was to make a tomb for the Apostle Peter in the center of the structure. The church, consecrated in 329 CE, has a nave, four aisles and a transept. The king of the Franks, Charlemagne, was crowned emperor of the Holy Roman Emperor in this church on Christmas Eve in 800 CE. Pilgrims have arrived to this place since the 14^th century to pay reverence to the tomb of the Prince of the Apostels. In the middle of the 15^th century, pope Nicholas V gave architect Bernardo Rosselino the task to plan a new choir for the church. It became 1.5 meters high. In the early 16^th century plans to build a new church in the place of the former were made. The work was given to Donato Bramante, who was one of the greatest architects of the time. After several phases, the work was finally finished in 1612. Michelangelo also played a significant role in this process. A visitor should definitely make themself familiar with Saint Peter´s Treasury, where there are ornaments, statues, papal mitres and different objects; most are gifts from kings or princes. One of the most significant works is the monument of the pope Sixtus IV, designed by the 15^th century artist Antonio del Pollaiolo.

Shopping

• Rome has several top-class shopping districts filled with luxurious boutiques: via del Corso, via Cola di Rienzo and via Condotti, with its surrounding streets. Via del Tritone and piazza Campo de’ Fiori are shopping districts with more affordable prices.
• Open on Sundays, Porto Portese is the largest market in Rome, where you can get second hand and new goods, food, antiques and decorative items.
• Euroma2 is an excellent shopping center with three floors, resembling a temple with its glass domes. The mall has chain stores, design shops, cafés and restaurants.
• Castel Romano, located 15 kilometers south of Rome, is a quarter fiiled with design stores, and is a part of the McArthur Glen chain. The area is reminiscent of an ancient Roman village.
• The shopping street Via del Babuino, near the haute couture shops and the Spanish Steps, is known for its antiques, especially furniture and paintings. You will also find antiques from the Via Giulia and Via del Governo Vecchio areas.

Recreation

The Trastevere district has many good cafés and trattorias. The Shari Vari Playhouse (via di Torre Argentina 78) is a club and restaurant, which offers good food and and plays electro and house music, to which you can dance the night away. Freni e Frizioni (via del Politeama 4-6 in Trastevere) is a good aperitivo place for chatting with glasses of grappa, or you can enjoy eating like a Roman. A vegetarian list is also available.

Crazy4Rome offers splendid tours concentrating e.g. food and wine.

Photos: With the CC licence / Tomisti, Andreas Tille, Ikiwaner, Tim Brighton, Myrabella, Lalupa