Lovely abbey located on the top of a peak in the Frosinone province. If you're looking to see…read morelesser known attractions on your trip to Italy perhaps put this on your list. The abbey has a long and storied history, amd in recent memory served as a major battleground in World War 2. The area serves as a memorial for the battle of monte cassino and there is a sombering polish cemetery nearby. The drive up to the abbey might make you a tad carsick with its hair pin turns but the view at the top is stunning. Also, prior to going check the hours online. We got there mid-morning on a thursday and didnt have time to explore more of the abbey because it closed at 12:30. The abbey does have a nice souvenir shop and it also has a museum which i didnt see because it had already closed.

Absolutely heavenly place. Give yourself some time to explore the monastery. There is great…read morebeauty and holiness throughout. I was blessed to ask to celebrate Vespers with the monks. I guess I was acting monkish today. I was deeply grateful.

Big square used for events to hold a lot of people. The architecture is simply lovely and detailed…read more I only walked outside of it. It sits on a large square for events if needed

Naple's most iconic square is framed by Prefettura di Napoli a government office on the north, on…read morethe south by Palazzo Salerno (Sede del Comando Territoriale Sud - currently military offices), by the royal palace on the east, and Basilica of San Francesco di Paola to the west. The last two are open for visitors and pretty quiet on an April evening. The port area and waterfront public park Giardini del Molosiglio are nearby within walking distance to the southeast. As magnificent and grand as these surrounding buildings and others nearby are, this piazza also very much a piece of the local cloth. Where school groups and tourists frequent during the day, is open space in the evening for kids riding bikes and playing soccer, for families taking walks with strollers and dogs. While I was there it was fun to see a group of students singing along to a couple musicians on a guitar and mic, a few kids flying kites, the sun setting to the west casting a warm glow onto the structures in the square. Fun facts: - named after a plebiscite (aka referendum or survey) which united Naples with the rest of Italy. - Joachim Murat, bro-in-law of Napoleon had planned to dedicate the square to the emperor though when the Bourbon rulers were restored to the throne plans changed. Hence today the two statues in from of the church are Bourbon kings Charles III and his son Ferdinand I. They also instructed the completion of the neoclassical basilica along this square. - there's a local game/tradition of attempting to cross the square blindfolded starting from the center of the main entrance of the royal palace with the goal of walking directly in the middle of the two statues. Legend is that it's an impossible feat, due to the irregular shape of the square, uneven cobblestones and slight slope. - the square became a parking lot in 1963 to deal with the overflow of cars in the city, then reconfigured back to pedestrian only in 1994.

We came here as an optional day trip on our Trafalgar tour. Our guide was very knowledgable about…read morethe villa and it's history. I simply can't imagine the obscene amount of wealth it must have taken to build this villa. The gardens and fountains are absolutely breathtaking. The fountains are gravity fed so that the farther down you go among the gardens, the higher the water sprays. Definitely worth the day trip as the villa is amazing and Tivoli is a great little town.

Gorgeous old villa and gardens with multiple beautiful fountains. If you like gardens, i think…read moreyou'll love this place, especially in the spring! You walk through the beautiful palace rooms first, then go down to the beautiful gardens below. Comments are available in both Italian and English. A couple of things to note: 1) there are drinking water fountains and clean, free restrooms (and a small cafe) at the site. 2) lots of walking and oodles of steps. 3) there's a cool outdoor water fountain organ that plays every couple of hours. 4) our mapping program gave us the wrong entrance info; if you are walking there, I suggest you double check with a local to make sure you are going the right way ( there are several gates, but all but the one entrance gate are closed). Be warned: There are 2 lines to get in. One (on the left) for those with pre-paid tickets, and another long line on the right side for those that need to buy their tickets there. If you've already bought your tickets online, go up to the front and ask the cashier if you can skip the line if you've already paid. We unnecessarily waited a long time on a very hot day because some random rude tour guide thought it would be funny to give us the wrong info that we had to wait in line even if we had a ticket already. Don't forget your camera; the photo ops are amazing!

An amazing visit to an amazing abbey. The drive up and down is worth the trip. Easy to drive to…read more Easy to park at a cost of 3€. Walk around by yourself or take a guided tour. Gift shop is very nice with very reasonable prices. The museum tour is well worth the 6€ entrance fee. The main cathedral is STUNNING. Make sure you go below the main cathedral to the crypt area. Beautiful and peaceful. Such an amazing history and the Italian artisans did a spectacular job in the rebuilding and restoration after the destruction of WWII. Bathrooms near the parking lot and cost .5€ and are well maintained and stocked. Views of the mountains and valley will leave you dumbstruck. An absolute MUST do.

Very impressive site to visit. Make sure you go into the gift shop to see the photos of how it…read morelooked after the war. There were guides available but we did not use them. 3€ to park the car. No charge to visit the site. Incredible view during the drive up as well. Polish war grave site worth a visit as we'll.

Mount Vesuvius is pretty bare and dusty; nothing polished about it. You feel where you are the…read moreentire time. It's not long, but it's enough to slow you down. At the top, you're right at the crater. Just you, the edge, and a very real reminder of what it is. A beautiful view of the Bay of Naples behind you but at the same time knowing it's that same volcano.... The one that buried Pompeii changes the tone a bit. It's not dramatic; just heavy. Worth doing the hike but just don't expect it to feel super touristy.

100% worth the headache it was to get there from Naples via transit! It was #1 on my bucket list…read morefor a reason.