Italy

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, known as the Duomo of Florence, is one of the largest and most impressive cathedrals in Italy. Without a doubt, it is the most emblematic monument of the city that attracts attention for its large earth-colored dome. It is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture, an icon of the city for its enormous dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. Its construction lasted more than six centuries, beginning in 1296 with the design of Arnolfo di Cambio that was modified over the years by other architects such as Giottoo, Talenti and Brunelleschi. Together with Giotto's bell tower and the Baptistery of San Juan, it forms a monumental complex declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The duomo of Florence is one of the most visited places for its beauty and is, without a doubt, an essential visit on your trip to Florence.

The Ponte Vecchio is a medieval bridge built over the Arno River in Florence, Italy. It is one of the most famous bridges in the world and one of the few inhabited bridges that remain. It has hanging houses and shops that give it a picturesque and romantic appearance. It was built in the 14th century and has withstood several floods as well as being the only bridge to survive the bombing of Florence in World War II. On the bridge you can see the Vasarian Corridor, an elevated passage that connects the Palazzo Vecchio with the Palazzo Pitti. The bridge is a place frequently visited by tourists and lovers, who often leave padlocks as a symbol of their love.  If you travel to Florence you can't miss it, especially at night. A marvel! Along the bridge you will also find several jewelry stores.

The Aquarium of Genoa is the largest marine park in Europe, with more than 800 species of marine and rainforest animals. It is located in the Old Port of Genoa (Italy), near the Génova Plaza Príncipe railway station. In the aquarium you can see dolphins, sharks, penguins, manatees, jellyfish, tropical fish and many more animals.

The ruins of Pompeii are the archaeological remains of an ancient Roman city that was destroyed by the eruption of the Vesuvius volcano in 79 AD. The city was buried under a layer of ash and stone that kept it almost intact for centuries. Excavations began in the 18th century and revealed the daily life, art, culture and religion of the Pompeians. The ruins of Pompeii are one of the most visited and studied archaeological sites in the world, and have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. During your visit you will be able to see how they lived, in fact some stone ovens are still standing, see the street signs on the ground, see the forum, the Villa of the Mysteries, the House of the Faun, the Amphitheater, the Lupanar, the thermal baths and the garden of the fugitives,the area where the remains of 13 victims of the eruption who tried to escape from the city were found. Their bodies were covered in ash. Although you can visit the ruins on your own, the best option is to hire a guided tour to learn the history of this ancient city.

TheRoman Colosseum is the largest and most famous amphitheater in the ancient world. It is located in the city of Rome, capital of Italy, and attracts thousands of travelers from all over the world every year. It was built by the emperors of the Flavian dynasty between the years 70 and 80 AD. to host gladiator shows, animal combats, battle reenactments, and other public amusements. It could accommodate around 65,000 spectators, who accessed its stands through 80 entrance arches. The Colosseum has an elliptical shape, with a length of 188 meters, a width of 156 meters and a height of 48 meters. It is made up of four levels of arcades, decorated with different architectural orders: Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite. The interior of the Colosseum was divided into three parts: the arena, where the shows took place; the podium, where the authorities and the most important personalities sat; and the cavea, where the rest of the public was distributed according to their social rank. The Colosseum was a masterpiece of engineering, which had a system of underground galleries, called hypogeums, where the gladiators, animals and stages were housed. It also had a complex lifting mechanism, which allowed the protagonists of the shows to appear and disappear. In addition, the Colosseum was equipped with a fabric awning, called a velarium, which extended over the cavea to protect the public from the sun and rain. The Colosseum was used as an entertainment venue for more than four centuries, until 523 AD, when the last games were held. Later, it underwent several transformations and deteriorations, due to earthquakes, fires, looting and abandonment. In the Middle Ages, it became a fortress, a quarry, a seat of religious orders and a refuge for the poor. In the Renaissance, its historical and artistic value was recognized, and the first restoration interventions began. In the 18th century, Pope Benedict XIV declared it a sanctuary for Christian martyrs, who had been persecuted and executed in the Colosseum during the Roman Empire. Since then, the Colosseum has become a symbol of ancient Rome and the Catholic Church, and one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world. In 1980, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and in 2007, it was chosen as one of the seven wonders of the modern world. Obviously it is an essential visit if you travel to Rome, especially if you are passionate about history. .

The Trevi Fountain is one of the most popular monuments in Rome. This beautiful fountain is located in the middle of the city, in Trevi Square, and is a real gem. It was built in the 18th century by Nicola Salvi and Pietro Bracci, in the Baroque style. The image represents the triumph of the god Ocean, who drives a chariot drawn by sea horses and mermen. According to tradition, if you travel to Rome you have to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain to return. Superstition or not, what is clear is that if you travel to Rome you cannot miss this impressive fountain.

Saint Peter's Basilica is the most important Catholic temple in the world, located in Vatican City, in Saint Peter's Square. It is the place where the apostle Peter, the first pope of the Church, is believed to be buried, hence its name. The current basilica was built between the 16th and 17th centuries, with the participation of architects and artists such as Bramante, Michelangelo, Bernini and Raphael. Inside you can admire masterpieces such as Michelangelo's Pieta, Bernini's Baldachin or Michelangelo's Dome. The basilica has a capacity for 60,000 people and an area of 2.3 hectares. It is one of the four major basilicas and one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in the world. The Saint Peter's Square in which the basilica is located, welcomes Catholics from all over the world who gather to pray the Angelus and receive the Pope's blessing. The Plaza is oval in shape, surrounded by four colonnades with 284 columns and 88 pilasters that support 140 statues of saints. In the center of the square is the 25-meter-high Egyptian obelisk.