Tourism Treasures of Italy: From Rome to Florence

Last updated: Aug 09th, 2024

Emblem of the Renaissance, Italy is a country steeped in a vast and extraordinary history and culture. A land of architecture and history, breathtaking landscapes, world-famous cities, fashion and of course world-famous gastronomy, Italy is the ideal destination for those who are never tired of discovering, are you ready to take a trip to Italy and explore its treasures?

From Rome to Florence via Tuscany to Venice, Italy's vast tourist treasure is full of endless possibilities for itineraries for your dream vacation.

Rome

Rome, the capital of Italy, seat of the Roman Catholic Church, source of glorious tales of civilization, great conquests and artistic achievement was once called the "Eternal City" by ancient Romans who believed the city of Rome is indestructible. Today, this name, Rome, reminds us of the most famous monuments in the world. The history of Rome spans 28 centuries, making it one of the oldest inhabited cities in Europe.

This city with its historical sites, its chic neighborhoods, its high-class museums is a tourist destination of choice.

Visiting Rome is an adventure full of charm and beautiful discovery. Here are some top sights in Rome for your itinerary.

1. The Colosseum

Originally called the Flavian Amphitheatre, the Colosseum is located entered in the center of the city of Rome, between the Esquiline and the Caelian and is the largest amphitheater ever built in the Roman Empire. It is one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering. Its constitution began between AD 70 and 72 under Emperor Vespasian, and ended in AD 80 under Emperor Titus. Able to accommodate more than 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum has been used for famous gladiator fights, death row excursions and performances of famous fights and also dramas based on Roman mythology.

The Colosseum

2. The Roman Forum, The Palatine Hill and The Imperial Forums

For a complete immersion in ancient Rome, visit the Roman Forum which is at the historic center of Rome's history. It dates back 2000 years and is a government complex where we find temples, and markets of ancient Rome.

Palatine Hill is located next to the Roman Forum and is one of the seven hills of Rome. The Palatine Hill is full of archaeological sites and beyond the view of the Forum Rome will dazzle you, so take beautiful photos of this magnificent day.

Located northeast of the Roman forum, you will discover the imperial forums which are a set of large buildings occupying more than 500 meters long and 300 meters wide built in the heart of ancient Rome. The construction of each forum had been ordered by each emperor at the time of his reign mainly to celebrate great war victories, to celebrate their reign or to celebrate peace. There are 5 imperial forums namely the Forum of Caesar, the Forum of Augustus, the forum of peace, the Forum of Nerva, and the forum of Trajan.

3. Time for a Break

La Prezzemolina is a short stroll from the Roman Forum. This well-regarded eatery offers pizza and Italian street cuisine at reasonable prices.

4. The Trevi Fountain

At the Trevi Fountain, discover the splendid continuation of the Baroque style of the 18th century. This jewel is a sublime blend of architecture and sculpture, it is also the largest and one of the most famous fountains in Rome. Don't forget to take some coins with you because legend has it that if you throw a coin into the weasel's water and make a wish, it will come true.

The Trevi Fountain

5. The Pantheon

The pantheon bears witness to Italian architectural expertise. Completed in the year 120 AD, from at least 1900, this building has survived years of barbarian raids, natural aging, wars and more. Until the completion of St. Peter's Basilica in the Renaissance, the Pantheon was the largest dome in the world. Don't judge this architectural masterpiece by its worn appearance, but rush inside to experience this marvel. You will quickly be seduced by its oculus which is the circular window at the top of its dome and the only source of light inside the building.

6. The Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel

With 1,400 rooms and five galleries, the Vatican Museum is a large museum complex located in the Vatican and which alone represents one of the largest collections of works of art in the world. It houses a large collection of paintings and sculptures collected over the centuries by popes during the period of the Papal States. The Vatican Museum is the third most visited museum in the world.

The Sistine Chapel is indisputably one of the most ingrained buildings in Italian culture. It is the holy place where the cardinals gathered in conclave to elect the new pope. It is a room in the Vatican's Papal Palaces and is part of the Vatican Museum, replacing the Pauline Chapel and the Quirinal Palace.

7. St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's in Rome or St. Peter's Basilica is the most important religious building in the world. Its facade of remarkably and exquisite architecture opens on the place saint-Pierre. It is the largest church in the world and is considered to be the most illustrious work of renaissance architecture.

St. Peter's Basilica

8. A Sumptuous Dinner in Rome

After such a full day of adventure and discovery of ancient Rome, take a well-deserved moment of relaxation at Osteria Barberini, near the Capuchin crypt and Barberini station. A warm atmosphere, wonderful staff and a delicious meal, nothing better to amplify your experience of Rome. The mixed salad, tuna and lamb, followed by lemon sorbet and coffee, all accompanied by a bottle of wine is the perfect dinner for gourmets.

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Florence

Florence, capital of the province of Firenze and the region of Tuscany is a magnificent city surrounded by beautiful hills covered with villas and farmhouses, vineyards and orchards. Located in central Italy, about 230 km northwest of Rome, the lavish city of Florence was founded in the first century BC. Once the capital of Italy between 1865-1870, Florence throughout its long history was a republic and seat of the Duchy of Tuscany. The city with a glorious past, preeminent during the 14th and 16th centuries, in trade and art, its historic center was inscribed in 1982 on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Leonardo Da Vinci, Micheal-Angel, Dante, Machiavelli, Galileo and pure to mention only these are the cultural geniuses who through their passion for art, religion, power and money are at the origin of the splendor of the city from the incredible works of art with which the buildings of Florence abound and the splendor of the city.

1. Brunelleschi's Dome

The Dome by Brunelleschi is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that has become synonymous with Florence and with the rebirth of humanity. The biggest masonry vault in the world, erected by Filippo Brunelleschi between the years 1420 and 1436, is a dome that is supported by no supporting structure and measures 45.5 meters in diameter and more than 116 meters in height. Pope Eugene IV blessed Brunelleschi's Dome or Florence Cathedral on March 25, 1436. You may ascend the dome's 463 steps to the summit and explore the inside while seeing Florence's focal point. A wonderful perspective of the magnificent city of Florence can be found from the top of the dome.

Brunelleschi's Dome

2. The Baptistery

The Florence Baptistery, also known as the Baptistery of St. John stands in both Piazza Del Duomo and Piazza San Giovanni opposite Florence Cathedral and Giotto's Campanile. This religious building is one of the oldest in Florence, built between 1059 and 1128 in the Florentine Roman style. Great names in Italian architecture such as Francesco Talenti, Léon Battista Alberti, Filippo Brunelleschi and others were in their time inspired by the baptistery of Saint John to create Renaissance architecture. As a result, the Florentine Roman style displayed by Florence Baptistery is often described as "proto-renaissance".

3. The Uffizi Museum

Immerse yourself in the historic center of Florence with the Uffizi Gallery which is an important art museum located next to piazza Del Signora. This museum carries within it a huge collection of priceless works from the Italian Renaissance period and is also considered one of the most important and most visited museums. In the 16th century, the gallery was open to visitors on request, and it became a museum in 1865, giving the public access to its magnificent art collection.

The Uffizi Museum

4. San Lorenzo Market and Mercato Centrale

This is your chance to immerse yourself in Italian culture and commune with the locals. The San Lorenzo market offers you a variety of Tuscan and Italian seafood culinary items and a full range of spices that are responsible for the exquisite taste of Italian meals. In this market, you will also find exclusive local handmade items. Do not hesitate to bring back some souvenirs and take beautiful photos of the warm scene of the market.

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