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

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.]

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.

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.

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 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.