This Basilica is small but beautiful. Make sure to follow the dress code, knees and shoulders…read morecovered. There are additional features that you need to get separate tickets for (or get a bundle) so make sure to do your research beforehand and and book appropriately. It will be a short visit given the venue isn't large but it's worth it when you're in Venice!

Basilica di San Marco or the St. Mark's Basilica is dedicated to St. Mark, the patron saint of the…read morecity and a house for his relics. This is without a doubt the most important religious site in the city of Venice. At the time of our visit, there was construction on front of the building, but it was still beautiful. It is a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture with Gothic influences. There was so much incredible detail that went into every inch of the building. I did not get to go inside but the outside was already impressive. A great spot for photos.

If you ever find yourself In the Veneto, this is a must see…read more The Veneto region is brimming with Palladian villas. They come in all sizes. They're beautiful works of art from the brain of the master himself, Palladio. He inspired Jefferson's Monticello. (Copied but that's neither here no there.) The Villa Pisani at Stra is amazing because of the extensive restoration work that has taken place. It dumbfounded me to think that at some point a family lived here and there were persons responsible for the daily operations of such a large estate. The real gem of this villa though is the fully functional and operational labyrinth. I had a blast trying maneuver and find my way in and out. It was definitely worth the trip!

And amazing place we were stand by the beauty in all of the architecture that is in the area. I…read morestrongly recommend seeing this in your lifetime

This is one of my favorite places in Padova! Beautiful oval…read moreshaped park with a fountain in the center and four grass sections with trees divided by the walking paths. A great place to walk around or even just hang out for the afternoon or at night. We always used to meet up with friends here when we wanted to hang out but not necessarily go to a bar--you can even bring your own wine or beer to the park. I have many fond memories here and will always go back to the park when I return to visit Padova

On our last full day in Verona, one of the last attractions we visited was Giardino Giusti. Listed…read moreas one of the top attractions in Verona on TripAdvisor, it's not to be missed! There is an entry fee or you can get a discount (if you visit enough spots) by purchasing a Verona card ahead of time. Giardino Giusti is a nice botanical garden. Like other botanical gardens I've visited, it's really all about taking in the beauty of nature. This will include well-manicured trees, plants, and maybe some animals. Giusti has a lot to see including statues and picturesque views of the city. There's also a labyrinth. I'm personally not a fan of them but it's one of the activities you can enjoy. There's even a ballet school for kids that has classes inside. Talk about a picturesque location for some ballet lessons! They give you a nice map with your entrance fee. Either follow it or wander around to check out all of the sights.

Totally worth the visit. You have access to the garden and grand upstairs rooms. My fav was the…read moreHorseshoe Room, all the furniture had horseshoe elements. Thank you Giusti family for showing off your high ceiling rooms, furniture, artwork, frescos, and extensive collections. It's about a 15 minute walk from the Arena, across the scenic river.

The one thing I'm quite proficient at in Venice is getting lost. Virtually as soon as I start…read moreambulating I'm done for. One nice thing about this park is it's so close to the Piazzale Roma that it's impossible to become displaced; simply amble across the bridge toward the center of Venice and you've arrived. In addition, for a small garden, it has a fair amount of seating, grass, and shade when succumbing to an afternoon nap. It's definitely worth a quick stop before roaming aimlessly as you venture from the Piazzale Roma toward more notable sites in Venice.

Mosquitos everywhere!!! My husband and I had so many bites when we woke up! One of my eyes were…read moreswollen shut from a bite right on my eyelid (funny now, but devastating when it happened). I had to wear sunglasses indoor, and had difficulty seeing. Apathetic staff when complained about the bug problem.

A normal green park.read more

I was driving from Venice to Bologna and I found the World Heritage site in between that lays claim…read moreto being the first botanical garden on Earth, so I figure I would have to stop by. I didn't have much time because my rental was due back, and to compound this issue, parking was tough, so time spent driving around trying to park definitely ate into my time I wanted to spend here. When I finally did park, I literally ran, well jogged, to the entrance, paid around 10 euros to come in and then I was at peace. There are two areas worth exploring. First is the original garden and circular garden with various species thoughtfully planted about. The second, new area is a brief walk away and features plants from different ecosystems, like tropical, temperate, etc. The huge lily pads out front and in the tropical room were my favorite and I only wish I had more time to explore here (1.5 hours are needed) and also check out the architecture of the nearby town. Good luck parking and once you do that, you'll have fun here. And always great to support another World Heritage Site.

A beautiful Renaissance medicinal garden, well worth a stroll for the flowers and herbs (we were…read morethere the first week of May). Not to be missed, however, is the series of modern greenhouses that lead the visitors from one climate to another starting with the tropics and ending in the desert. From the piazza outside St Anthony's, take a short stroll down a quiet residential street, over the ancient moat and into the garden. Established as part of the university college of medicine in 1545, it is believed to be the oldest one in Europe, with over 7000 varieties of plants including medicinal, poisonous, and carnivorous. The flytraps quiver in anticipation if you have your hand over them! On the less creepy side the roses are gorgeous. Entrance 10 euros, 6 for seniors.