For locals, €5 gets you a season pass (now until 31 OCT 2014) to enjoy the top of the Basilica…read morePalladiana, including the loggia and the upper terrace. €1 for a one-time visit. The reconstruction of the original site began in 1549 by Andrea Palladio and was completed in 1614. Renovated in 2007, the loggia is a beautiful space to enjoy views of Vicenza through the Palladian windows. The clock tower has been around since at least 1172. On the terrace is a bar where you can enjoy an aperol/campari spritz (€4) or vino while relaxing in the afternoon/evening shade provided by the basilica. I believe there is other light fare as well. An excellent place for photographs and watching piazza activity!

This is by far the best spot to view the beauty of Vicenza. There are two decks to walk around and…read moregorgeous architecture to view from every spot. My husband is now working here and we have two of our four children along for the ride. We decided to purchase a seasonal pass for 5 euro. It's totally worth it. Every time we head down to the centro now we have the option to head up top for a gorgeous view. There's a bar on the roof that serves several different drinks and water naturale or frizzante is available as well. The seating is great. The servers spoke excellent English and we very friendly. Most restaurants here add a service fee into the price if the place is nice. Otherwise you might want to leave a couple euro. Italians don't seem to tip based off the cost of the food. It's more of just a thank you.

The Palazzo Ducale also known as Doge's Palace is a must visit while in Venice. It's located in the…read morefamous St Marks square right next to St Mark's Basilica. It got its name from the Duke or ruler of Venice. Inside you will see high gold ceilings, an old armory that stored historic weapons, prison cells where you can look out a tiny hole to the Bridge of Sighs. We booked our tour here with Get Your Guide which included a tour of St Marks Basilica. Expect to spend at least a couple of hours here. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes since you will be doing a lot of walking in and around the grounds. Our tour guide spoke English the entire time which was helpful so we got to learn the history and feel first hand of the prisoners here. It was first built in the 14th century and then rebuilt to make it more grander each time.

Palazzo Ducale or the Doge's Palace was one of my favorite parts of my trip to Venice. Ducale or…read moreDoge means Duke. The Duke was the highest governing position in Venice, and this is once where they lived. While strolling St. Mark's Square I already admired the beauty of the building. The building has gothic architecture with influences from the Byzantine times, Islamic and European Medieval styles. My camera does not do its' beauty justice. The tickets to Doge's Palace are time entry tickets, but they didn't seem to be too strict compared to other museums. Tickets are 37€/person. There is a baggage check in area for large items like a backpack, at no cost. It's nice because my boyfriend and I left our stuff there, even things that weren't required to be checked so we walked around more lightly. I only kept my phone for photos. One of the first things I remember seeing is the snitch mailbox. In the olden days the citizens were encouraged to rat on one another and they can leave anonymous tips for the government here. Unfortunately as a result many were wrongfully imprisoned... and there is a full on prison in the later ends of the tour. It was really scary to walk through. On a more positive note, there had the most stunning golden staircase and one of the most incredible largest paintings in the world, the Il Parasido by Jacopo Tintoretto. A must visit when visiting Venice!

If you have an interest in the history of mankind, true crime, and archeology, this museum is one…read moreof the best. We came here on a recent vacation to see Otzi the Iceman for ourselves. I have been interested in Otzi since he was discovered and was thrilled to have an opportunity to see the preserved body and the goods he carried. First, all of the interpretive signage was in Italian, German, and English making it accessible for many. As an American, I really appreciated this. The day we went the museum was full of schoolchildren excitedly engaging in conversation and projects about Otzi, science, and history. I just loved that his museum is so engaging and interactive. I also appreciated that no photos are allowed of Otzi and his goods out of respect for the remains of this ancient human. Each floor adds another layer to the mystery of how and why Otzi died, a careful examination of his possessions, and a synthesis of all of the evidence. As someone who has visited museums all over the world, this is one of the best. The only tricky part is finding parking!

I has wished to see Ötzi the Iceman ever since he was discovered when I was a teenager in 1991…read more Over the years, more and more was ascertained about his life and his passing and my fascination with his story continued to grew. Earlier this year I finally had the opportunity I was waiting for and spent an entire afternoon at the Museum in Bolzano dedicated to Ötzi. It was an extraordinary experience. The entire building is a testimony to his life and was built with taste and respect. It's a great exhibition in Italian, German and English perfect for people of all ages. I appreciated the fact that photos are forbidden and that Ötzi's rest is protected by the camera lenses. This is an absolute must-see while in the area.

Pre-purchasing our tickets for the 12:00pm slot was the best decision we made, as it allowed us to…read morebreeze right past the ticket lines and head straight into the collection without any hassle. Housed right on the Grand Canal in Peggy Guggenheim's former palazzo home, the museum feels wonderfully intimate and personal compared to massive, echoing institutions. Walking through the galleries at noon was an incredible experience. The rooms are filled with jaw-dropping masterpieces from 20th-century legends like Picasso, Pollock, Kandinsky, and Magritte. Because you're touring her actual former residence, the art feels deeply connected to a lived-in history rather than just being sterile displays on a wall. The highlight, though, has to be stepping outside into the sculpture garden overlooking the canal. It is peaceful, beautifully curated, and features stunning works surrounded by greenery with views right out onto the water. Even if you aren't usually an art fanatic, the unique atmosphere, incredible history, and gorgeous setting make this one of the most magical stops in all of Venice. Highly recommend locking in your timed-entry tickets ahead of time and spending a relaxing couple of hours here!

I'm obsessed with every thing about Peggy Guggenheim & the area of Dorsoduro that surrounds the…read moreCollection. Just a delightful home on the Grand Canal, small & intimate with such diversity that the moment we left I was already craving a revisit. Beautiful garden memorial to Peggy & her beloved dogs. "Peggy's ashes are buried her beloved pooches are also with her. This is the only case in the world where the creator of a museum is buried inside" The courtyard is peaceful and allows for a few areas to reflect before or after visiting the collection inside. Of course, the delight is the canal entrance to the terrace showcasing the bronze Marino Marini "Angel of the City" statue of a rider on a horse with outstretched hands and an erect phallus that is said to once upon a time be detachable to prevent the nuns who were passing by from seeing it. Eventually stolen enough times that it was soldered in place. What a place !! What an island !

Worth a trip to the Gallerie dell' Accademia when visiting Venezia…read more I recommend lunch or dinner at Al Vechio Maragon (nearby) after the visiting the museum.

We were on a group tour of Italy and arrived a day early to do some sightseeing on our own. The…read moreGallerie dell'Accademia di Venezia (in Venice) was a "must see" on my wife's list - so off to the Galleria we went. This museum holds marvelous works of art dating back 500-600 years or more. Being late September, we were able to get in without reservations and without standing in a long line - in fact, there was no line. We spent over 2 hours in the museum and only scratched the surface. This should definitely be "on your list" when visiting VEnice, Italy.

Three thieves stole 16 million dollars worth of art from the Museo di Castelvecchio. That just…read moreshows how much it was worth visiting the castle and also that they need more security. I don't know about the missing paintings but there is still a lot left to see at the museum. If you have just a day in Verona, the guidebooks might not mention Museo di Castelvecchio as a main point of interest but it is definitely not one to be missed. In fact, we made the castle our first activity of the day and I can tell you that when the day was over, the castle was so much more exciting than seeing a statue of Juliette for five minutes. The castle itself is an attraction. It's massive and allows you to roam and wander through the twists, turns, levels, vantage points, and gardens of the castle. The art itself is typical to the time period it represents. Lots of religious artwork and scenes from medieval times. There is a lot to see here and the minimal entry cost is cheaper than a sandwich. The castle for lunch, I say!

The history in Verona is incredible. This castle and its grounds are well worth the journey. I did…read morenot notice this specifically highlighted in travel books but I am glad we walked from our hotel to check it out. Everything in Verona seems so close and easily accessible to each other!

This is a villa that was built by the 'doge di Venezia' many centuries ago. There is a special room…read morebuilt for Napoleon. The villa now is a museum and can be visited inside as well as the beautiful park behind it. If you like arts, paintings, architecture ... This is a must. Enjoy

This place was awesome. I cant remember most of the history, only that Napoleon used it once. It…read morehas his Armour suit on display. Dang that guy was short! Very very cool do not miss if you are driving that way.

This was literally one of the most spectacular sights I have seen in all my European adventures. It…read morerival the great works like the Ghent Alterpiece and St Peter's. It's a small chapel with a luminous fresco cycle painted by Giotto in the 14th century.. The main panels feature the lives of Christ and the Virgin Mary typical of religious art of the period. These are accompanied by smaller panels depicting the 12 vices and virtues. These panels are unique in their examination of good and evil and the means to achieve salvation through earthly deeds. Tickets MUST be purchased in advance and specify date and time. I advise arriving at least one half hour in advance to find parking (not convenient or easy) and making you way to the chapel. There is also a fascinating museum filled with centuries of art and treasures attached to the chapel. Allow at least 3 hours. If you are anywhere near Padua, this is an experience not to be missed!

This is definitely a highlight in Padova. My friend purchased tickets online and we came a little…read moreearlier than our scheduled entry time. We wandered around the courtyard of the museum until it was time to go in. We waited outside for our group's turn and entered the screening room. The chairs were spaced out. The film provided a good introduction to what we were about to see and the history of the chapel. The subtitles were in English. Once inside, we had just about the right amount of time to look at the walls in detail. I took photos with both my phone and camera, without flash. I think it is very cool that the first kiss in art history is in this chapel. I recommend a visit to see this historical work if you are in Padova.

For the very first time visitor it is Extremely poorly marked as to directions from the upper area…read moreof the parking lot. Creates a negative attitude for what should be a good experience. Be prepared for a long line by noon. I mean more than one hundred people in line at the cassa. The QR code app wouldn't load even with a local SIM card because of the walls, I guess. I did enjoy pissing in the urinal until the lights went out. Not worth the aggravation!