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.

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.]

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.

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!

The Vittoriale gardens is an area of around nine hectares with terraces, monuments and italianate…read morebuildings. The mausoleum is the furthest, highest point of the gardens and gives excellent views out over Gardone on Lake Garda. We visited the gardens in October, when the weather was still warm, but a lot of the gardens and the buildings close at the end of September (end of season) so we weren't able to see the full place (hence a dropped star). The gardens are quite strange, with odd statues, fountains and buildings - however the most strange thing is the ship Puglia which has been embedded into the hillside, facing the lake. The gardens are quite tranquil and not a little surreal but I would recommend visiting in summer when the whole experience is open

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.