This post outlines my personal top five sites for my next visit to Rome. Unlike a list for a first-timer, this itinerary assumes more leisure time and dives deep into personal interests. We'll explore the hidden 9th-century mosaics of Santa Prassede, the stunning sculpture of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, the Baroque masterpieces of the Borghese Gallery, the layered history of the Capitoline Hill, and the revolutionary art of Caravaggio in San Luigi de' Francesi.

Visiting Rome with limited time? Focus on the historical layers. The must-see five are the Colosseum, St. Peter's Basilica, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and Trevi Fountain. Experience ancient grandeur and Baroque beauty efficiently. Prioritize transit (take a taxi to St. Peter's) and check for the original ground level outside the Pantheon! This curated list ensures maximum impact in minimum time.

The story of Saint Cecilia, from her conversion to where she is today, is one of the most touching in terms of her as an individual and...

The church of Santa Sabina is a wonderful surprise that perfectly embodies the flavor of Rome. The beautifully classical building...

The Central Market is the best place in Florence to grab a bite to eat. As the name suggests, it is located centrally and there is...

The Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence is the perfect example of Renaissance architecture. The interior was designed by Brunelleschi,...

Michelangelo called the doors to Florence's baptistery the Gates of Paradise. Over a quarter of a century in the making, the bronze...

If you are able and time permits, I strongly encourage you to take the opportunity to climb the steps to the top of the Cupola of the...

Orsanmichele leads my list of sights to see in your flash visit to Florence. If you were to look at the outside of the building, you...

Rome was lost. Citizens were dying. This was 1522 and not the black death of 1348, Nevertheless the cultural memory must have been...

In the middle of Padua there is a building that I find, well, mysterious! In other words, looking at this building, I can't tell you...

If sightseeing in Padua has worn you out, take the time to relax at the Prato delle Valle. The Italian word ”prato” means "meadow", and...

Explore the Abbey Church of St. Giustina in Padua, a tribute to the 4th-century martyr. While its facade is famously plain, the interior reveals a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. Discover the elegant aisles influenced by Brunelleschi, the stunning variations on the Pantheon's dome, and the sacred relics of St. Giustina and Luke the Evangelist housed within.

Every city needs a story - and Padua has a story that matches up with the greatest of them, tracing its founding to Antenor, a refugee from the city of Troy, thereby establishing the founding date of 1184 BC, the traditional date of the fall of Troy. The Trojan War was the biggest event of the ancient period - the generic time we think of as “Antiquity”, or what we think of when we hear “Greece and Rome”. Even today we know the phrase, “the face that launched a thousand ship