The architecture is beautiful. We came on a Saturday and there were a lot of groups visiting…read more There was a festival in town too. A lot of teens hang out nearby and it feels fun and lively.

The only interesting thing, in my opinion, I did/saw in Vicenza. Very surreal to sit in the theatre…read moreand listen to the provided audio which explains the history. I had some problems getting the audio to play, but it worked after many tries. I came in February and there were probably only 5 other people there at the same time.

When I first moved to Vicenza, this was one of the first things I found while wandering around…read more Really cool. They have some really neat statues, architecture, and historical information. If you're new to the area or have guests, it's most definitely worth a stop.

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!

We did not have time to tour the museum portion of the Castelvecchio but we did have the…read moreopportunity to walk the exterior and admire this amazing structure. The museum displays a collection of sculpture, statues, paintings, ancient weapons, ceramics, goldworks, miniatures and some old bells. "Castelvecchio" translates to "Old Castle" and it is indeed quite old. It is built on the location of the Roman fortress, built between 1354 and 1376 and includes a bridge across the Adige River. The castle was damaged by French troops during the Napoleonic Wars and once captured, Napoleon stayed here on his trips to Verona. The exterior moat is currently dry but was once filled by water fed by the river. The castle is not massive compared to others but does have seven towers and four buildings inside. The bridge was destroyed by the retreating German army in 1945 and rebuilt in 1949. [Review 16970 overall - 175 in Italy - 486 of 2022.]

A beautiful (uphill) walk to some well manicured grounds (fee to enter gated area to palace). This…read morealso has a cafe (no entrance fee) that serves coffee and a small collection of pastries. Both Cafe food and service are good. Views are beautiful.

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!

Situated between the Basilica di San Marco and the Riva degli Schiavoni waterfront, the Palazzo…read moreDucale, or Doge's (Duke's) Palace, is arguably the jewel in the crown. It was the seat of the government of Venice for centuries and hosted various government institutions, including the Great Council and the Council of Ten, which controlled the affairs of the republic. Its façade featured intricate marble reliefs, elegant arches, and decorative elements that showcased the beauty of the place where my partner, our friend, family members, and I had gotten self-guided tickets without a reservation last Saturday and moved quickly. One entered the palazzo through a door next to the Lagoon into an enormous courtyard and the Arco Foscari. Here we saw the mix of styles that made up the palace, as successive doges tried to make the palace ever more magnificent. Inside, one can explore a series of opulent rooms, grand halls, and ornate chambers adorned with exquisite artworks, stunning frescoes, and elaborate ceilings. Notable rooms include the Doge's apartments, the Hall of the Great Council, and the Chamber of the Council of Ten. Plan a minimum of two hours to get a good bit of history, which is a living echo of a world that helped shape Europe. We can recommend.

Such nicely kept grounds. Walk up all the way to the top of the tower for a wonderful view of lake…read moreGarda and adjacent town. Build up your appetite while exploring the museum grounds and castle walls. Plenty of picture opportunity throughout the grounds. The stairs leading up to the tower can be a little cramped by space and other climbers. Keep that in mind and you'll be just fine.

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 !

Mega over-crowded! We bought tickets online because it may "sell out". I don't think they would…read moreever sell out-seems packing hundreds of people into very small rooms and hallways was just fine. Large student groups of uninterested kids and bougie aficionados with no self-awareness abound. Not sure if the art or people watching was more insufferable. We spent about 20 min inside before we bailed. Also, 90% of the art looks like what second graders produce and parents would hang on a fridge. Want to see art? Walk thru any of the art galleries with photography and oil paintings for sale-far better plan. Not sure how this gets nearly 5 stars. During the very busy season this place must be even more insane. How about limit the crowds, especially for those with the foresight to pre-purchase tickets to avoid what we experienced.

500 to 600 year-old works of art including Michelangelo and Bosch. But the highlight is undoubtedly…read morethe vitruvian man by da Vinci. It is worth the price of the entry alone. It sits behind a closed curtain for 20 minutes then they uncover it for another 20 minutes. They say it will be on display for one year. And then it is stored in a dark room where no one can see it for eight years. They do this routine to avoid damaging the sensitive material.

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.