Italy, Europe (Point of interest)

While the Leaning Tower takes most of the limelight, the five-naved Pisa Cathedral is also a magnificent architectural piece, featuring massive bronze doors, marble facades and examples of religious iconography. Mummified St Ranieri, the city's pat... Continue reading →

South-east of Piazza Maggiore square, the Archaeological Museum of Bologna occupies a remarkable 15th-century palace. Collections trace Bologna's development from prehistoric to Roman times, with fine displays of statues, tombstones and coins. The ... Continue reading →

Arche Scaligere are three ornate arches, built for three members of the Scaligeri family who ruled Verona for over 100 years. The Gothic mausolea date back to the 14th century and are incredibly ornate, decorated in high relief.... Continue reading →

The Arena di Verona is one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres still in existence. Built in AD 30, the structure is an awe-inspiring piece of living history and - with exceptional acoustics - it is also the venue for a series of spectacular o... Continue reading →

With three concert halls and an open air arena, the huge new Auditorium Parco della Musica is a cultural hub. Situated out in the Flaminio district, performances range from the Tokyo String Quartet, to The Who musical Tommy. Surrounded by a sea of... Continue reading →

The little Baptistery, Battistero, beside the Cathedral in central Florence, is probably the city's oldest building. Built around the 11th century, on the site of a Roman temple, it is where Dante was baptised. The carved bronze doors are stunning.... Continue reading →

Pisa's 54-metre-high Baptistry is Christianity's largest, and a fine example of the transition between the Romanesque and Gothic architectural periods. Acoustically perfect, the Baptistry is called a "giant musical instrument", as its resonance mim... Continue reading →

With its bronze entrance doors and the splendid Mantegna Triptych, Verona's Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore is one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in northern Italy. This magnificent building is dedicated to Saint Zeno, patron saint... Continue reading →

The Basilica of Saint Ambrose is one of Milan's most sacred buildings, housing the tomb of the great Saint Ambrose (340-397AD). The interior has three naves, richly decorated by the efforts of famous craftsmen over the centuries. The Basilica's fo... Continue reading →

Just 300 yards from the Colosseum stands the Basilica San Clemente, famous for its magnificent frescoes and 12th-century mosaic of the Cross as the Tree of Life. In summer, it hosts Rome's popular festival of operas and concerts.... Continue reading →

Consecrated in 1393, the Basilica San Lorenzo was the Medici family's parish church. The huge Renaissance interior contains many family tombs as well as the Laurentian Library, designed by Michelangelo in 1520 to house their manuscript collection. ... Continue reading →

Pisa's fashionable set mingles at Bazeel, near Piazza Garibaldi, where a generous buffet complements cocktails until DJ sets and live music take over from Thursday to Sunday. Early in the week themed parties and karaoke evenings entertain.... Continue reading →

Bologna University's Botanic Garden is amongst the oldest in Europe, founded in 1568. A welcome stretch of green in the university precinct, the gardens include local and exotic specimens, medicinal plants, greenhouses, ornamental gardens and natur... Continue reading →

The bright pastel-coloured houses on Burano Island in the north of Venice's lagoon lend it a fairy-tale feel. Famous for its traditional lace, this fishing island is a good place for a stroll or a meal at a seafood restaurant.... Continue reading →

Ca' d'Oro's graceful facade, best seen from the Grand Canal, is classic Venetian Gothic. This palazzo in Cannaregio houses the Galleria Giorgio Franchetti Museum. Two storeys showcase mostly 15th- and 16th-century art, including frescoes by Titian ... Continue reading →

Baroque Ca' Pesaro, on the Grand Canal in Santa Croce, is a nobleman's mansion. Inside, the International Gallery of Modern Art houses works by Matisse, Klimt and Kandinsky. Japanese Edo-period (17th-19th-century) objects feature in the Museum of O... Continue reading →

The magnificent Ca' Rezzonico palazzo graces the Grand Canal in Dorsoduro. Inside, the Museum of 18th-century Venice fills 21 rooms, spread over three floors. Works on display include period furniture, paintings, sculptures and beautiful frescoes b... Continue reading →

Located in Pisa's Piazza dei Miracoli, the Camposanto is known as "the most beautiful graveyard in the world". Its artistic wealth includes Roman sculptures, ancient sarcophagi, various statues and a selection of incredible frescos that adorn its w... Continue reading →

Michelangelo bought Casa Buonarroti, near the Basilica of Santa Croce, in 1508 and lived there until 1515. The attractive 17th-century building, enlarged and beautified by his great-nephew, contains original masterpieces by Michelangelo, including ... Continue reading →

An impressive piece of 14th-century architecture, the vast Castello Sforzesco fortress in Parco Sempione encircles an arcaded Renaissance courtyard. Its collection of museums exhibit decorative arts, musical instruments and tapestries. Highlights i... Continue reading →