TOP 12 SITES TO SEE IN ITALY The Colosseum Leaning Tower of Pisa The Pantheon Mount Vesuvius La Pieta The David Trevi Fountain The Vatican City Blue Grotto Venice Jewish Ghetto Sicily

The Colosseum One of the greatest remnants of antiquity, the epitome of architectural excellence, is the standing proof of the grandeur and cruelty of the Roman world. Designed to hold 50,000 eager spectators watching the bloodshed.

Leaning Tower of Pisa It's not an optical illusion, nor have the architects imagined it so crooked. No sooner had the tower reached the third storey than the construction started sinking into the ground due to a poorly laid foundation and the leaning first became obvious. The works ceased, and it wasn't until after 90 years that it was completed. Today it has kept sinking at the annual rate of about 1mm.

The Pantheon Built about 125 AD as a Roman temple of the twelve most important Roman gods, the monumental structure was the world’s largest until the 20th century. It has been a breathtaking landmark of ancient Rome for centuries. Even through many battles and turmoil, the temple has defended its grandeur, marveled us with its sense of peace, enormous dome, and spectacular performance of light. Come see how the sunlight strikes the wall and floor patterns of porphyry, granite and yellow marbles through the dome’s oculus each day.

Mount Vesuvius Once the King of fertile vineyard soil and unsuspected of any evil the picturesque backdrop of ancient Pompeii, Vesuvius turned out to be a destructive companion rather than the awe-inspiring landscape it had been so made out to be. Today, although not erupting, the cone looms over the Bay of Naples, and large-scale evacuation plans are on immediate standby. A short, undemanding hike takes you to the crater of the ill-famed mount.

La Pieta The Pieta is a Renaissance sculpture masterpiece housed in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City. It was the only piece Michelangelo ever signed. The famous work depicts the body of Jesus on the lap of his mother, Mary, after the Crucifixion. This statue is on of the most highly finished works of art created by Michelangelo.

The David The David is a Renaissance masterpiece sculpture created between 1501 and 1504, by Italian artist Michelangelo. It is a 17 foot marble statue of a standing male nude, the statue represents the Biblical hero David.

Trevi Fountain In the maze of narrow, meandering streets, Rome hides a sparkling jewel held to be a triumphant example of Baroque finesse and the natural artistry of water- one of the world's most stunning fountains and a work of art in one. The play of light, shade and wind makes it move in a mesmerizing rhythm that the hypnotized public. Legend has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water, tossing it over your shoulder with your back to the fountain.

The Vatican Although the Vatican is an entirely different state, access to the marvelous collections of The Vatican is through Rome. It is the spiritual hub of the Catholic world, eagerly visited by many each day. So many visitors come to see the magnificent Sistine Chapel, and muse over The Creation of Adam.

Blue Grotto The emblem of Capri and an unbelievable site even judged on a world scale. The Grotta Azura hasn't been named so without a good reason. As the sun sneaks in through the small opening, a neon blue reflection illuminates the cavern and a silvery light emanates from any object immersed in its waters.

Venice Venice where canals flow to and fro. This must be Italy's most beautiful and romantic city. The unique setting of the city applies to many tourists. There are many museums, palaces, and churches to visit just wandering along the canals of Venice.

Jewish Ghetto The Jewish Ghetto in the Venice is the area in which all Jews had been force to live in from the 16th to the 18th century. Made famous by Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, the Venice Ghetto is now a pleasant neighborhood where Venice's small Jewish community still lives. The neighborhood also houses the Museo Communita Ebraica.

Sicily Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, like all regions of Italy when viewed separately, has its own rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature, cuisine, architecture and language. Sicily and its small surrounding islands are extremely interesting to volcanologists. Mount Etna, located in the east of mainland Sicily with a height of 10,890 ft, is the tallest active volcano in Europe and one of the most active in the world. Currently active also are the three dormant volcanoes of Vulcano, Vulcanello, Stromboli and Lipari.