Piazza del Duomo is one of Siena's most striking tourist attractions, defined by the overwhelming…read morepresence of the Duomo di Siena, who's black‑and‑white marble façade dominates the square. This piazza feels more ceremonial, serving as the spiritual and artistic heart of the city. The square brings together some of Siena's most important landmarks, including the Siena Cathedral, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, and the extensive Santa Maria della Scala complex. Standing here, you are surrounded by centuries of religious and artistry, all concentrated within a relatively compact space. What makes Piazza del Duomo especially memorable is how it frames the cathedral itself. The slight elevation and open sightlines allow visitors to fully appreciate the intricate façade and sculptural details, while the piazza's layout naturally guides movement between the cathedral complex and nearby museums. The structure evokes calm yet power, inviting visitors to slow down and take in the scale and craftsmanship of medieval Siena.

Like most cathedral piazze (squares) in Italy, Piazza Duomo was the heart of L'Aquila's commercial…read moreand social heart from its foundation in the 1300s until the 2009 earthquake. Even after the 1703 earthquake the city's open air market never stopped. The thee stars and not more are because the city administration has not found the way (or the will?) to bring it back. But for many in L'Aquila it is still the heart and soul. Many outdoor events are held here from dog shows to concerts. Sunday and Saturday it often fills with tourists and locals alike out for a walk and it is home to the two best places for gelato in town: Gelateria Duomo and Fratello Nurzia. And if you are thirsty the two fountains always have cold, healthy water from Gran Sasso mountain gushing forth, clear and refreshing.

We came here as an optional day trip on our Trafalgar tour. Our guide was very knowledgable about…read morethe villa and it's history. I simply can't imagine the obscene amount of wealth it must have taken to build this villa. The gardens and fountains are absolutely breathtaking. The fountains are gravity fed so that the farther down you go among the gardens, the higher the water sprays. Definitely worth the day trip as the villa is amazing and Tivoli is a great little town.

Gorgeous old villa and gardens with multiple beautiful fountains. If you like gardens, i think…read moreyou'll love this place, especially in the spring! You walk through the beautiful palace rooms first, then go down to the beautiful gardens below. Comments are available in both Italian and English. A couple of things to note: 1) there are drinking water fountains and clean, free restrooms (and a small cafe) at the site. 2) lots of walking and oodles of steps. 3) there's a cool outdoor water fountain organ that plays every couple of hours. 4) our mapping program gave us the wrong entrance info; if you are walking there, I suggest you double check with a local to make sure you are going the right way ( there are several gates, but all but the one entrance gate are closed). Be warned: There are 2 lines to get in. One (on the left) for those with pre-paid tickets, and another long line on the right side for those that need to buy their tickets there. If you've already bought your tickets online, go up to the front and ask the cashier if you can skip the line if you've already paid. We unnecessarily waited a long time on a very hot day because some random rude tour guide thought it would be funny to give us the wrong info that we had to wait in line even if we had a ticket already. Don't forget your camera; the photo ops are amazing!