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“Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember and remember more than I have seen.” - Benjamin Disraeli
I remember when I started travelling a few years back, I would be reading a hundred catalogues from different websites trying to decide what to visit and what to eat. I had just two nights in hand in Greece and I wanted to make the most of it. I read tips and tricks, what not to forget, how to greet the locals. In the end, when I arrived, none of it mattered. I was so busy doing everything ‘right’ that I failed to enjoy little things.
There is a small difference between proper planning and over-planning. The benefit of booking from travel guides and travel agencies is that apart from getting a good deal, you are appropriately planned. The deals can also be specially curated for you. The question is, what to visit? You would not want to travel to the other side of the city for nothing when a lesser-known marvel was right beside your stay.
Where do you begin? What’s step one? What’s step two? What’s step three?
Don’t sweat, read on.
Athens is the historic capital and largest city of Greece. Many of the intellectual and aesthetic concepts of ancient civilisation developed here. This cradle of western civilization is known for its rich history and ancient remains, but this wonderful city has so much more to offer. There is something for everyone with its beautiful beaches, gorgeous scenery, bustling nightlife and delectable cuisine, making it the ideal destination for a holiday in Athens.
The history of Athens dates back to more than 3,000 years, making it an emblem of western civilisation at its finest. Today, Athens is more than a vestige of its magnificent and vibrant past.
For tourists
The well known ancient ruins of the city and its monuments makes it easier for tourists to plan their holidays in Athens. This busy metropolis is also a major cultural, nightlife and sporting hub. The city prospered during classical antiquity and was the birthplace of Socrates, Pericles & Sophocles.
Even the eyes of the most jaded global travellers will sparkle at the sight of this most renowned site in Greece. The Acropolis sits high above Athens, a towering limestone cliff. This monument is a symbol of the previous splendour of the city, evoking the civilization that flourished more than two millennia ago. There are numerous more sights to view among these iconic ancient remains, in addition to the Parthenon. You may follow in the footsteps of Socrates, Pericles and Sophocles and learn the foundations of Western Civilization while strolling about the Acropolis' various archaeological relics.
The Parthenon is the major attraction of the Acropolis, although there are numerous other important structures. Stroll through the Odeon of Herodes Atticus after entering via the main gate, then through the Beulé Gate before arriving at the Propylaea, the Acropolis' spectacular grand entrance. The Temple of Athena Nike, located high above the Propylaea, may be seen as you ascend to the Propylaea. When you exit the Propylaea at the summit, you can view the Parthenon and the Erechtheion complex, both of which include the highly identifiable Porch of the Caryatids sculptures.
Syntagma Square, in the heart of Athens, is not only the hub of the city but also an important historic public space. An interesting story about Thai square is that the Athenians rose against King Otto of Greece to seek a constitution on September 3, 1843, thereby, also calling it Constitution Square.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stands in front of the Parliament building, guarded by the "Evzones," two Presidential Guards clothed in an odd traditional attire. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stands in front of the Parliament building, guarded by the "Evzones," two Presidential Guards clothed in an odd traditional attire. Tourists can watch the change of the guards that takes place every hour.
The magnificent Hotel Grande Bretagne, built-in 1842, is located on one of the sides of Syntagma Square. This historic landmark is frequently visited by celebrities. Ermou Street, one of the city's principal retail streets, is located at the top of Syntagma Square. It is generally one of Athens' busiest thoroughfares. Syntagma Square is one of the most visited areas of the city. It also serves as the starting point for the majority of the rallies, as well as a venue for concerts and festivals.
By locals
With so many ancient ruins and monuments to visit, it is hardly possible that you will get free from the tours in Athens. With ancient structures, including the Erechtheion, Parthenon and Temple of Hephaestus, as well as top-rated museums such as the Acropolis and National Archaeological Museum, you may not have enough time to fully appreciate the grandeur of this city. May I suggest you take a break from these tourist traps and give the following lesser-known places a try?
Kerameikos is an interesting site that dives into the history of Ancient Greece with intricate buildings. The site includes the Kerameikos cemetery, an archaeology museum, old defensive walls and the archaeological remnants of Ancient Greek craftsmen' dwellings, making this a fascinating sight that allows you to picture how life was over 2000 years ago.
Kerameikos being one of the lesser-known sites, you will have the advantage of escaping larger crowds. Many of the tombs and sculptures on the site now are replicas of the originals (which are stored at the museum), but they nevertheless give you a fair picture of how the Ancient Greeks buried their loved ones and the ceremonies that took place at the time.
If "rags to riches" was a city, Pittaki Street would be it. Pittaki Street, a dim-lit industrial lane linking Ermou Street and Psirri near Monastiraki Square, was not particularly popular. After dark, the pedestrian street, which was lined with warehouses and small businesses, was primarily utilised as a urinal. In 2012, a non-profit group, Imagine The City, teamed up with a creative design firm Beforelight and the results were marvellous. They began by asking people for donations of lamps and shades. Soon, chandeliers, Chinese paper lanterns and light fixtures piled up, were weatherproofed, wired, and strung together, creating a bright, warm canopy over the street.
Pittaki Street evolved from an underground neighbourhood into a vibrant nightlife destination with fantastic pubs and cafés, antique stores and open-air street art museums. It is famous for its unusual lighting design, which gives the street a spooky and mystical feel.
The capital of Italy has almost 3,000 years of glorious history and is filled with attractions ranging from ancient ruins like the Colosseum to world-class art in Vatican City. This fascinating site has been enticing visitors for millennia. Rome landmarks like ‘The Eternal City’ are worth a visit at least once, with amazing pieces of art, a relaxed pace of life and world-renowned food, yet seeing everything it has to offer would take a lifetime.
Even while travelling from one location to another, you are welcomed and left awestruck by the fountains of Rome! Save this list of places to visit in Rome! Meet new people and learn about the must-dos in Rome. As it is rightly said, “When in Rome, do what Romans do.”
For tourists
Even the most dedicated sightseer should take some time to relax and enjoy “La dolce vita” at a park or sidewalk café. There are so many things to see in Rome that it might overwhelm tourists with its attractions. The city is full of incredible architecture, unlike anything you may have ever seen before. To prove my point, here’s a fact you may not already know about. There are even 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Rome, which gives you an indication of the type of building you may see while you are there.
The representation of the Flavian Amphitheatre's silhouette to Rome is the same as the Eiffel Tower to Paris. The Colosseum, the greatest edifice bequeathed to us by Roman antiquity, still serves as a model for sports arenas. Modern football stadiums are based on this oval Roman layout.
Vespasian began its construction in AD 72. His son, Titus, extended it by adding a fourth floor. It was inaugurated in AD 80 with a series of magnificent games. The Colosseum was large enough for theatrical plays, festivals, circuses or games, which were seen from the lowest level by the Imperial Court and senior officials, the second level by aristocratic Roman families and the third & fourth levels by the general public.
The Senate constructed the Arch of Constantine to celebrate the triumph of the Roman Emperors Constantine in the battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312.
The Vatican is the smallest autonomous state of the world! Covering less than half a square kilometre, the Vatican walls encircle the majority of the state. The Vatican palace, gardens, St. Peter's Basilica and St. Peter's Square, an area governed by the Pope, the Roman Catholic Church's ultimate leader, are all located inside. Between its museums and the magnificent church itself, this small site provides a lot to see.
Michelangelo's Pieta and statues and altars by Bernini and others may be seen inside St. Peter's Basilica. The Sistine Chapel, whose beautiful frescoed ceiling is Michelangelo's most renowned masterpiece, is undoubtedly the centrepiece of the Vatican museums.
The Raphael Rooms, Borgia Apartments, Vatican Library and various museums, including the Picture Gallery, Museum of Secular Art, Etruscan Museum, and others, are all located within the Vatican Palace. The treasures on display range from papal carriages to 20th-century art with religious themes.
By locals
With over 4.2 million visitors to Rome, finding a secluded offbeat place is hard to find. From my trip to Rome and as per what the locals suggested, I curated a few sites that you might not have visited or been planning on visiting. From a 3000-year-old pyramid and a cathedral with skulls and skeleton remains to adorn the walls, a few of the visits should be on your list. These destinations will take you off the main route but it will be worth it.
So, the story goes like this. Michelangelo's Moses, which dates from 1513 to 1515, is a quiet masterpiece. The sculpture, which stands eight feet tall, was meant to be part of a larger two-story mausoleum for Pope Julius II. Due to a pause in work to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo had to settle with a scaled-down replica — no big issue! Keep an eye out for the horns, which are a mistranslation of the Hebrew term for light rays emanating from Moses' head.
In the fifth century, Empress Eudoxia constructed San Pietro in Vincoli to protect a priceless relic. The chain with which St. Peter was tied as a prisoner in Jerusalem, which is currently maintained under the high altar and exposed to the devout on August 1st of each year. It was rebuilt in the VIII century, with further work done on the front and portico in 1500, and the interior altered in the 700s.
The piece, which Raphael and Donatello influenced, portrays a magnificent Moses seated with the Tablets of the Law under one arm and his other hand fondling his long beard, which Vasari claims was carved with such precision that it seems more like a "work of brush than a chisel." The bulging veins and tight muscles that appear to give life to the marble effectively convey this fury.
The Magic Door or Porta Alchemica is a portal into the clandestine realm of alchemy in the 1600s. The Romans know about this very well but are very often missed by the tourists. According to legend, Massimiliano was a member of the Rosacroce esoteric organisation and was renowned for his interest in the esoteric sciences and hosting many secret meetings at his home. He encountered an alchemist who claimed to convert metal into gold using a particular recipe. Unfortunately, the alchemist disappeared the next day, leaving behind gold flakes and the "formula" for his metamorphosis. Massimiliano couldn't read the recipe, so he scribbled it on his doors, hoping that someone who could read it would come knocking.
Do you think you can decipher the code of Porta Alchemia? Why not try your luck?
The entrance is still shrouded in mystery, esoteric ideas and a mysterious sign above the entryway fuels many of these notions. However, to most locals, it is just another intriguing ruin.
Berlin is a city known for its independence, inventiveness and cool grungy attitude, with museums, excellent beer, cultural sites, creative brains, an inconceivable past, a crazy nightlife, the list goes on and on. With over 2,500 public parks and gardens, every corner seems like a tourist place. The profusion of green areas and swimming lakes provide residents and visitors with a joyful slice of nature in the city. Even for the music and entertainment industry, Berlin is considered the best spot for DJs, clubs and converts, making the whole city dance.
The walls of Berlin have seen a lot of history. From the Soviet Memorial in Treptower Park and the ruins of the Berlin Wall at East Side Gallery to the sobering Holocaust Memorial, the Stasi Museum and the Book Burning Square. Here are a few places that you can not miss while in Berlin.
For tourists
Berlin, the capital of Germany, is filled with tourist places for politics, culture, media and science. Berlin is known for its cultural flair, with the world-renowned Berlin Opera and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as hundreds of galleries, events, and museums, including those on Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor) is the most renowned historical monument of Berlin, formerly a symbol of a divided nation and now a symbol of peace and harmony. In 1788, King Frederick Wilhelm II commissioned this Neoclassical gate, which was inspired by the Propylaea on the Acropolis of Athens. The 26-meter-tall sandstone monument is at Pariser Platz in Berlin's Mitte neighbourhood, just a block from the Reichstag building.
Its physical and symbolic status as a closed gate along the Berlin Wall made it a regular venue for West Berliner rallies during the Cold War. In 1999, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev and Polish President Lech Walesa went through the gate to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Seeing the Brandenburg Gate at night is a unique experience and certainly one of Berlin's best free activities.
Spree Island, also known as Museum Island (Museumsinsel), is a UNESCO World Heritage Site sandwiched between the River Spree and the Kupfergraben in a 400-meter-long canal. The Old Museum (Altes Museum), constructed in 1830 to hold the Crown Jewels and other royal artefacts, is one of the oldest and one of the most prominent Berlin attractions.
The Egyptian Museum, the Papyrus Collection and the Collection of Classical Antiquities were destroyed during WWII, but the New Museum (Neues Museum) was rebuilt and reopened in 2009, extensive housing collections from the Egyptian Museum, the Papyrus Collection, and the Collection of Classical Antiquities.
Berlin's Museumsinsel (Museum Island) is a unique collection of five museums, including the Pergamon Museum, which was erected between 1824 and 1930 on a tiny island in Berlin's Spree River. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 as a significant cultural and architectural landmark. The Acropolis of the Arts in Berlin is regarded as one of a kind since it depicts the history of contemporary museum design throughout the twentieth century, and its contents cover six thousand years of human artistic endeavour.
By locals
People travel to Berlin for a variety of reasons. Some come for the nightlife, some for the history, and yet others want to immerse themselves in the culture of this renowned liberal city. If you want to venture off the beaten path, prepare ahead. Get out of the tourist traps and into real, quirky Berlin with tacky museums, hidden tours, weird creatures, cold war artefacts and graffiti, all accompanied by plenty of beer.
Initially founded as a kitchen garden in 1679, the Botanical Garden in Berlin is the world's second-biggest botanical garden. The garden grew from a kitchen garden cultivating vegetables and hops for beer production to a "significant plant assemblage," and the Royal Botanical Museum was established in 1879, embracing all aspects of botany. The sheer scale of the gardens and the rich density of plant life is mind-boggling, especially when you consider how many of these species are endangered in their natural environments. What thrives in this collection is frequently threatened with extinction elsewhere.
This collection of gardens, greenhouses and landscapes showcases nature's richness, with flowering vines, rock cliff waterfalls, wood bamboo rising to the sky and ferns, orchids and bromeliads at your feet. The Victoria House provides a truly tropical setting, complete with scorching humidity that orchids and lilies like, as well as a bamboo bridge that takes you across the basin and into an exotic plant paradise. With 43 hectares and almost 22,000 plant species, a single visit will not enable you to see everything.
Brace yourself for a centuries-old story. Constructed on a strategic island since at least 1197, several fortifications at the confluence of the Havel and Spree rivers have safeguarded the town of Spandau (today a municipality of Berlin). The citadel's current shape, on the other hand, comes primarily from the mid-to-late-16th century, but it does contain older sections, such as Berlin's oldest building, the Juliusturm (Julius Tower), which dates from the 13th century.
The stronghold was largely constructed and built by Count Rochus zu Lynar and it was finished in 1594. However, it continued to function as a military fortification for the following 360 years. Its military career came to an end in 1945 when Nazi forces stationed it during the Battle of Berlin. The Germans abandoned the citadel to Soviet forces, who were the last military personnel to inhabit it, once it became obvious that they had lost. Spandau was given up to the British when Berlin was divided into four occupation zones, and the fortress was turned over to civilian usage.
The Spandau Citadel was first used as a construction school in 1950, but it was transformed into a tourist attraction and cultural centre in 1986. Finally, the vaulted roofs of the castle structures provide ideal winter roosting for the 10,000 bats who visit the citadel each year.
Madeira's bustling city, Funchal, is located 960 kilometres southwest of Lisbon on a subtropical island in the Atlantic Ocean. The city extends across a succession of steep hills and flattened terraces, framed by a dramatic background of towering, cloud-tipped mountains on the island's south coast, a setting that helps define the character of this unique location.
The city of Funchal has one of kind “Things to do.” The ancient sites include everything from beloved convents and strong sea forts to venerable museums and a cathedral that goes back to the island's colonial days. The parks and gardens that enliven the city's urban fabric display Madeira's profusion of colourful and exotic vegetation. The freshest fish and shellfish lure you in the daily market, which is brimming with ripe, luscious fruit and vegetables. What is all there to see? Let's check them out.
For tourists
Madeira's capital is located on the slopes of the main island's south coast Central Massif as they bend down to the sea. In Funchal, you can view the vast plant life that is supported by volcanic soil and an everlasting spring environment, as well as relax in one of three beautiful, colourful gardens.
Two of them may be reached by taking the cable car up to the Monte neighbourhood. There is also a high-speed option of careering down the streets on a wicker sledge to go back down the slope. Whitewashed colonial architecture abounds throughout the city, some dating back to the century Madeira was founded.
Monte Palace Tropical Garden is another botanic park that winds over seven hectares of terraces, with exotic flora, waterfalls and architectural embellishments like a Japanese pagoda. The magnificent Azulejos from the 15th and 16th centuries line your way through the gardens. There are also tile panels in the Japanese garden that tell the history of commerce between Portugal and Japan.
On the top floors of the Monte Palace Museum, there is an exhibition of African art and below that is a mineral collection with 700 specimens collected from the Portuguese mainland, South America, North America, and Africa. A truly mesmerizing sight.
A pair of hilltop platforms located just east of the city provides the best view of Funchal. At 355 metres, you may take a break at the freshly refurbished viewing point for a cup of coffee or a cool drink. The locals would go to this hilltop as a short break from their monotonous city life. If you look out over the water, you can see the entire harbour of Funchal framed by the Ponta do Garajau, as well as the distant Desertas Islands.
While inland, the sight of Funchal's whitewashed homes strewn along the Central Massif's increasingly vertiginous hills is stunning. We may enjoy spectacular views of the bay and amphitheatre of Funchal from the summit of Pico da Cruz. We can see the majority of the parish of So Martinho from here, from the shore to the summit of the Church. To the east, you can enjoy the view of Cabo Girao and in the west, the Ilhas Desertas.
By locals
Funchal, the capital of Madeira Island, offers a diverse range of activities. Some of the city's most important sights are located thousands of feet above sea level and are best accessed by cable car, but the journey is part of the enjoyment. Fortunately, the ancient town of Funchal is rather level and simple to walk around. An important travel guide to Funchal is not to trip on the roads I did on the first day!
Without a doubt, walking the Levada paths is the most popular leisure activity in Madeira. Hiking through these little man-made irrigation canals across the island is one of the island's greatest pleasures, and there are many to uncover. The Levadas of Madeira carries rainwater to all four corners of the island throughout the year. Maintenance paths run beside the Levadas, connecting the island's most remote places with a network of lovely walkways. Some of them run parallel to the coast.
You could very well walk a trail on your own, but to get the most out of a trek, you should join a guided walking tour. This way, you'll be able to socialise with other like-minded people while also benefiting from the advice of a seasoned local with an extensive outdoor experience.
Funchal's "Old Town," as the name implies, is the oldest district in the city, including some of the oldest streets and structures. The Arte Portas Abertas (Art Open Doors) project of 2010, has seen the doors of Rua Santa Marta and other surrounding streets painted by Portuguese and international artists as part of an innovative urban redevelopment drive.
The many and stunning designs have effectively created an open-air gallery where visitors may stroll about at their leisure and enjoy this remarkable urban canvas.
A charming cobblestone roadway runs east to west through Funchal's Zona Velha, passing through a hallway of painted doors. Rua Santa Maria was one of the earliest streets in Funchal, dating back to the 15th century and is today a popular shopping hub. Fanciful and vividly coloured doors, painted with great care, are now brightening up the road.
Mementoes from mainstream tourist attractions are often collected in the form of souvenirs, but in my experience, the best stories are found on the road less travelled! Everyone visits the tall skyscrapers and click photos, why don't you try knocking on the doors of the alchemist in Rome? Even if you are getting a deal package, a decent travel agency can help you decide the best mainstream and offroad visits catering to your unique interests. Visiting an ancient European city is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many. Get in touch with our travel consultant to get your customised deals to Athens, Rome, Berlin, Funchal and many others now!
“Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember and remember more than I have seen.” - Benjamin Disraeli
I remember when I started travelling a few years back, I would be reading a hundred catalogues from different websites trying to decide what to visit and what to eat. I had just two nights in hand in Greece and I wanted to make the most of it. I read tips and tricks, what not to forget, how to greet the locals. In the end, when I arrived, none of it mattered. I was so busy doing everything ‘right’ that I failed to enjoy little things.
There is a small difference between proper planning and over-planning. The benefit of booking from travel guides and travel agencies is that apart from getting a good deal, you are appropriately planned. The deals can also be specially curated for you. The question is, what to visit? You would not want to travel to the other side of the city for nothing when a lesser-known marvel was right beside your stay.
Where do you begin? What’s step one? What’s step two? What’s step three?
Don’t sweat, read on.
Athens is the historic capital and largest city of Greece. Many of the intellectual and aesthetic concepts of ancient civilisation developed here. This cradle of western civilization is known for its rich history and ancient remains, but this wonderful city has so much more to offer. There is something for everyone with its beautiful beaches, gorgeous scenery, bustling nightlife and delectable cuisine, making it the ideal destination for a holiday in Athens.
The history of Athens dates back to more than 3,000 years, making it an emblem of western civilisation at its finest. Today, Athens is more than a vestige of its magnificent and vibrant past.
For tourists
The well known ancient ruins of the city and its monuments makes it easier for tourists to plan their holidays in Athens. This busy metropolis is also a major cultural, nightlife and sporting hub. The city prospered during classical antiquity and was the birthplace of Socrates, Pericles & Sophocles.
Even the eyes of the most jaded global travellers will sparkle at the sight of this most renowned site in Greece. The Acropolis sits high above Athens, a towering limestone cliff. This monument is a symbol of the previous splendour of the city, evoking the civilization that flourished more than two millennia ago. There are numerous more sights to view among these iconic ancient remains, in addition to the Parthenon. You may follow in the footsteps of Socrates, Pericles and Sophocles and learn the foundations of Western Civilization while strolling about the Acropolis' various archaeological relics.
The Parthenon is the major attraction of the Acropolis, although there are numerous other important structures. Stroll through the Odeon of Herodes Atticus after entering via the main gate, then through the Beulé Gate before arriving at the Propylaea, the Acropolis' spectacular grand entrance. The Temple of Athena Nike, located high above the Propylaea, may be seen as you ascend to the Propylaea. When you exit the Propylaea at the summit, you can view the Parthenon and the Erechtheion complex, both of which include the highly identifiable Porch of the Caryatids sculptures.
Syntagma Square, in the heart of Athens, is not only the hub of the city but also an important historic public space. An interesting story about Thai square is that the Athenians rose against King Otto of Greece to seek a constitution on September 3, 1843, thereby, also calling it Constitution Square.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stands in front of the Parliament building, guarded by the "Evzones," two Presidential Guards clothed in an odd traditional attire. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stands in front of the Parliament building, guarded by the "Evzones," two Presidential Guards clothed in an odd traditional attire. Tourists can watch the change of the guards that takes place every hour.
The magnificent Hotel Grande Bretagne, built-in 1842, is located on one of the sides of Syntagma Square. This historic landmark is frequently visited by celebrities. Ermou Street, one of the city's principal retail streets, is located at the top of Syntagma Square. It is generally one of Athens' busiest thoroughfares. Syntagma Square is one of the most visited areas of the city. It also serves as the starting point for the majority of the rallies, as well as a venue for concerts and festivals.
By locals
With so many ancient ruins and monuments to visit, it is hardly possible that you will get free from the tours in Athens. With ancient structures, including the Erechtheion, Parthenon and Temple of Hephaestus, as well as top-rated museums such as the Acropolis and National Archaeological Museum, you may not have enough time to fully appreciate the grandeur of this city. May I suggest you take a break from these tourist traps and give the following lesser-known places a try?
Kerameikos is an interesting site that dives into the history of Ancient Greece with intricate buildings. The site includes the Kerameikos cemetery, an archaeology museum, old defensive walls and the archaeological remnants of Ancient Greek craftsmen' dwellings, making this a fascinating sight that allows you to picture how life was over 2000 years ago.
Kerameikos being one of the lesser-known sites, you will have the advantage of escaping larger crowds. Many of the tombs and sculptures on the site now are replicas of the originals (which are stored at the museum), but they nevertheless give you a fair picture of how the Ancient Greeks buried their loved ones and the ceremonies that took place at the time.
If "rags to riches" was a city, Pittaki Street would be it. Pittaki Street, a dim-lit industrial lane linking Ermou Street and Psirri near Monastiraki Square, was not particularly popular. After dark, the pedestrian street, which was lined with warehouses and small businesses, was primarily utilised as a urinal. In 2012, a non-profit group, Imagine The City, teamed up with a creative design firm Beforelight and the results were marvellous. They began by asking people for donations of lamps and shades. Soon, chandeliers, Chinese paper lanterns and light fixtures piled up, were weatherproofed, wired, and strung together, creating a bright, warm canopy over the street.
Pittaki Street evolved from an underground neighbourhood into a vibrant nightlife destination with fantastic pubs and cafés, antique stores and open-air street art museums. It is famous for its unusual lighting design, which gives the street a spooky and mystical feel.
The capital of Italy has almost 3,000 years of glorious history and is filled with attractions ranging from ancient ruins like the Colosseum to world-class art in Vatican City. This fascinating site has been enticing visitors for millennia. Rome landmarks like ‘The Eternal City’ are worth a visit at least once, with amazing pieces of art, a relaxed pace of life and world-renowned food, yet seeing everything it has to offer would take a lifetime.
Even while travelling from one location to another, you are welcomed and left awestruck by the fountains of Rome! Save this list of places to visit in Rome! Meet new people and learn about the must-dos in Rome. As it is rightly said, “When in Rome, do what Romans do.”
For tourists
Even the most dedicated sightseer should take some time to relax and enjoy “La dolce vita” at a park or sidewalk café. There are so many things to see in Rome that it might overwhelm tourists with its attractions. The city is full of incredible architecture, unlike anything you may have ever seen before. To prove my point, here’s a fact you may not already know about. There are even 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Rome, which gives you an indication of the type of building you may see while you are there.
The representation of the Flavian Amphitheatre's silhouette to Rome is the same as the Eiffel Tower to Paris. The Colosseum, the greatest edifice bequeathed to us by Roman antiquity, still serves as a model for sports arenas. Modern football stadiums are based on this oval Roman layout.
Vespasian began its construction in AD 72. His son, Titus, extended it by adding a fourth floor. It was inaugurated in AD 80 with a series of magnificent games. The Colosseum was large enough for theatrical plays, festivals, circuses or games, which were seen from the lowest level by the Imperial Court and senior officials, the second level by aristocratic Roman families and the third & fourth levels by the general public.
The Senate constructed the Arch of Constantine to celebrate the triumph of the Roman Emperors Constantine in the battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312.
The Vatican is the smallest autonomous state of the world! Covering less than half a square kilometre, the Vatican walls encircle the majority of the state. The Vatican palace, gardens, St. Peter's Basilica and St. Peter's Square, an area governed by the Pope, the Roman Catholic Church's ultimate leader, are all located inside. Between its museums and the magnificent church itself, this small site provides a lot to see.
Michelangelo's Pieta and statues and altars by Bernini and others may be seen inside St. Peter's Basilica. The Sistine Chapel, whose beautiful frescoed ceiling is Michelangelo's most renowned masterpiece, is undoubtedly the centrepiece of the Vatican museums.
The Raphael Rooms, Borgia Apartments, Vatican Library and various museums, including the Picture Gallery, Museum of Secular Art, Etruscan Museum, and others, are all located within the Vatican Palace. The treasures on display range from papal carriages to 20th-century art with religious themes.
By locals
With over 4.2 million visitors to Rome, finding a secluded offbeat place is hard to find. From my trip to Rome and as per what the locals suggested, I curated a few sites that you might not have visited or been planning on visiting. From a 3000-year-old pyramid and a cathedral with skulls and skeleton remains to adorn the walls, a few of the visits should be on your list. These destinations will take you off the main route but it will be worth it.
So, the story goes like this. Michelangelo's Moses, which dates from 1513 to 1515, is a quiet masterpiece. The sculpture, which stands eight feet tall, was meant to be part of a larger two-story mausoleum for Pope Julius II. Due to a pause in work to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo had to settle with a scaled-down replica — no big issue! Keep an eye out for the horns, which are a mistranslation of the Hebrew term for light rays emanating from Moses' head.
In the fifth century, Empress Eudoxia constructed San Pietro in Vincoli to protect a priceless relic. The chain with which St. Peter was tied as a prisoner in Jerusalem, which is currently maintained under the high altar and exposed to the devout on August 1st of each year. It was rebuilt in the VIII century, with further work done on the front and portico in 1500, and the interior altered in the 700s.
The piece, which Raphael and Donatello influenced, portrays a magnificent Moses seated with the Tablets of the Law under one arm and his other hand fondling his long beard, which Vasari claims was carved with such precision that it seems more like a "work of brush than a chisel." The bulging veins and tight muscles that appear to give life to the marble effectively convey this fury.
The Magic Door or Porta Alchemica is a portal into the clandestine realm of alchemy in the 1600s. The Romans know about this very well but are very often missed by the tourists. According to legend, Massimiliano was a member of the Rosacroce esoteric organisation and was renowned for his interest in the esoteric sciences and hosting many secret meetings at his home. He encountered an alchemist who claimed to convert metal into gold using a particular recipe. Unfortunately, the alchemist disappeared the next day, leaving behind gold flakes and the "formula" for his metamorphosis. Massimiliano couldn't read the recipe, so he scribbled it on his doors, hoping that someone who could read it would come knocking.
Do you think you can decipher the code of Porta Alchemia? Why not try your luck?
The entrance is still shrouded in mystery, esoteric ideas and a mysterious sign above the entryway fuels many of these notions. However, to most locals, it is just another intriguing ruin.
Berlin is a city known for its independence, inventiveness and cool grungy attitude, with museums, excellent beer, cultural sites, creative brains, an inconceivable past, a crazy nightlife, the list goes on and on. With over 2,500 public parks and gardens, every corner seems like a tourist place. The profusion of green areas and swimming lakes provide residents and visitors with a joyful slice of nature in the city. Even for the music and entertainment industry, Berlin is considered the best spot for DJs, clubs and converts, making the whole city dance.
The walls of Berlin have seen a lot of history. From the Soviet Memorial in Treptower Park and the ruins of the Berlin Wall at East Side Gallery to the sobering Holocaust Memorial, the Stasi Museum and the Book Burning Square. Here are a few places that you can not miss while in Berlin.
For tourists
Berlin, the capital of Germany, is filled with tourist places for politics, culture, media and science. Berlin is known for its cultural flair, with the world-renowned Berlin Opera and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as hundreds of galleries, events, and museums, including those on Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor) is the most renowned historical monument of Berlin, formerly a symbol of a divided nation and now a symbol of peace and harmony. In 1788, King Frederick Wilhelm II commissioned this Neoclassical gate, which was inspired by the Propylaea on the Acropolis of Athens. The 26-meter-tall sandstone monument is at Pariser Platz in Berlin's Mitte neighbourhood, just a block from the Reichstag building.
Its physical and symbolic status as a closed gate along the Berlin Wall made it a regular venue for West Berliner rallies during the Cold War. In 1999, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev and Polish President Lech Walesa went through the gate to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Seeing the Brandenburg Gate at night is a unique experience and certainly one of Berlin's best free activities.
Spree Island, also known as Museum Island (Museumsinsel), is a UNESCO World Heritage Site sandwiched between the River Spree and the Kupfergraben in a 400-meter-long canal. The Old Museum (Altes Museum), constructed in 1830 to hold the Crown Jewels and other royal artefacts, is one of the oldest and one of the most prominent Berlin attractions.
The Egyptian Museum, the Papyrus Collection and the Collection of Classical Antiquities were destroyed during WWII, but the New Museum (Neues Museum) was rebuilt and reopened in 2009, extensive housing collections from the Egyptian Museum, the Papyrus Collection, and the Collection of Classical Antiquities.
Berlin's Museumsinsel (Museum Island) is a unique collection of five museums, including the Pergamon Museum, which was erected between 1824 and 1930 on a tiny island in Berlin's Spree River. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 as a significant cultural and architectural landmark. The Acropolis of the Arts in Berlin is regarded as one of a kind since it depicts the history of contemporary museum design throughout the twentieth century, and its contents cover six thousand years of human artistic endeavour.
By locals
People travel to Berlin for a variety of reasons. Some come for the nightlife, some for the history, and yet others want to immerse themselves in the culture of this renowned liberal city. If you want to venture off the beaten path, prepare ahead. Get out of the tourist traps and into real, quirky Berlin with tacky museums, hidden tours, weird creatures, cold war artefacts and graffiti, all accompanied by plenty of beer.
Initially founded as a kitchen garden in 1679, the Botanical Garden in Berlin is the world's second-biggest botanical garden. The garden grew from a kitchen garden cultivating vegetables and hops for beer production to a "significant plant assemblage," and the Royal Botanical Museum was established in 1879, embracing all aspects of botany. The sheer scale of the gardens and the rich density of plant life is mind-boggling, especially when you consider how many of these species are endangered in their natural environments. What thrives in this collection is frequently threatened with extinction elsewhere.
This collection of gardens, greenhouses and landscapes showcases nature's richness, with flowering vines, rock cliff waterfalls, wood bamboo rising to the sky and ferns, orchids and bromeliads at your feet. The Victoria House provides a truly tropical setting, complete with scorching humidity that orchids and lilies like, as well as a bamboo bridge that takes you across the basin and into an exotic plant paradise. With 43 hectares and almost 22,000 plant species, a single visit will not enable you to see everything.
Brace yourself for a centuries-old story. Constructed on a strategic island since at least 1197, several fortifications at the confluence of the Havel and Spree rivers have safeguarded the town of Spandau (today a municipality of Berlin). The citadel's current shape, on the other hand, comes primarily from the mid-to-late-16th century, but it does contain older sections, such as Berlin's oldest building, the Juliusturm (Julius Tower), which dates from the 13th century.
The stronghold was largely constructed and built by Count Rochus zu Lynar and it was finished in 1594. However, it continued to function as a military fortification for the following 360 years. Its military career came to an end in 1945 when Nazi forces stationed it during the Battle of Berlin. The Germans abandoned the citadel to Soviet forces, who were the last military personnel to inhabit it, once it became obvious that they had lost. Spandau was given up to the British when Berlin was divided into four occupation zones, and the fortress was turned over to civilian usage.
The Spandau Citadel was first used as a construction school in 1950, but it was transformed into a tourist attraction and cultural centre in 1986. Finally, the vaulted roofs of the castle structures provide ideal winter roosting for the 10,000 bats who visit the citadel each year.
Madeira's bustling city, Funchal, is located 960 kilometres southwest of Lisbon on a subtropical island in the Atlantic Ocean. The city extends across a succession of steep hills and flattened terraces, framed by a dramatic background of towering, cloud-tipped mountains on the island's south coast, a setting that helps define the character of this unique location.
The city of Funchal has one of kind “Things to do.” The ancient sites include everything from beloved convents and strong sea forts to venerable museums and a cathedral that goes back to the island's colonial days. The parks and gardens that enliven the city's urban fabric display Madeira's profusion of colourful and exotic vegetation. The freshest fish and shellfish lure you in the daily market, which is brimming with ripe, luscious fruit and vegetables. What is all there to see? Let's check them out.
For tourists
Madeira's capital is located on the slopes of the main island's south coast Central Massif as they bend down to the sea. In Funchal, you can view the vast plant life that is supported by volcanic soil and an everlasting spring environment, as well as relax in one of three beautiful, colourful gardens.
Two of them may be reached by taking the cable car up to the Monte neighbourhood. There is also a high-speed option of careering down the streets on a wicker sledge to go back down the slope. Whitewashed colonial architecture abounds throughout the city, some dating back to the century Madeira was founded.
Monte Palace Tropical Garden is another botanic park that winds over seven hectares of terraces, with exotic flora, waterfalls and architectural embellishments like a Japanese pagoda. The magnificent Azulejos from the 15th and 16th centuries line your way through the gardens. There are also tile panels in the Japanese garden that tell the history of commerce between Portugal and Japan.
On the top floors of the Monte Palace Museum, there is an exhibition of African art and below that is a mineral collection with 700 specimens collected from the Portuguese mainland, South America, North America, and Africa. A truly mesmerizing sight.
A pair of hilltop platforms located just east of the city provides the best view of Funchal. At 355 metres, you may take a break at the freshly refurbished viewing point for a cup of coffee or a cool drink. The locals would go to this hilltop as a short break from their monotonous city life. If you look out over the water, you can see the entire harbour of Funchal framed by the Ponta do Garajau, as well as the distant Desertas Islands.
While inland, the sight of Funchal's whitewashed homes strewn along the Central Massif's increasingly vertiginous hills is stunning. We may enjoy spectacular views of the bay and amphitheatre of Funchal from the summit of Pico da Cruz. We can see the majority of the parish of So Martinho from here, from the shore to the summit of the Church. To the east, you can enjoy the view of Cabo Girao and in the west, the Ilhas Desertas.
By locals
Funchal, the capital of Madeira Island, offers a diverse range of activities. Some of the city's most important sights are located thousands of feet above sea level and are best accessed by cable car, but the journey is part of the enjoyment. Fortunately, the ancient town of Funchal is rather level and simple to walk around. An important travel guide to Funchal is not to trip on the roads I did on the first day!
Without a doubt, walking the Levada paths is the most popular leisure activity in Madeira. Hiking through these little man-made irrigation canals across the island is one of the island's greatest pleasures, and there are many to uncover. The Levadas of Madeira carries rainwater to all four corners of the island throughout the year. Maintenance paths run beside the Levadas, connecting the island's most remote places with a network of lovely walkways. Some of them run parallel to the coast.
You could very well walk a trail on your own, but to get the most out of a trek, you should join a guided walking tour. This way, you'll be able to socialise with other like-minded people while also benefiting from the advice of a seasoned local with an extensive outdoor experience.
Funchal's "Old Town," as the name implies, is the oldest district in the city, including some of the oldest streets and structures. The Arte Portas Abertas (Art Open Doors) project of 2010, has seen the doors of Rua Santa Marta and other surrounding streets painted by Portuguese and international artists as part of an innovative urban redevelopment drive.
The many and stunning designs have effectively created an open-air gallery where visitors may stroll about at their leisure and enjoy this remarkable urban canvas.
A charming cobblestone roadway runs east to west through Funchal's Zona Velha, passing through a hallway of painted doors. Rua Santa Maria was one of the earliest streets in Funchal, dating back to the 15th century and is today a popular shopping hub. Fanciful and vividly coloured doors, painted with great care, are now brightening up the road.
Mementoes from mainstream tourist attractions are often collected in the form of souvenirs, but in my experience, the best stories are found on the road less travelled! Everyone visits the tall skyscrapers and click photos, why don't you try knocking on the doors of the alchemist in Rome? Even if you are getting a deal package, a decent travel agency can help you decide the best mainstream and offroad visits catering to your unique interests. Visiting an ancient European city is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many. Get in touch with our travel consultant to get your customised deals to Athens, Rome, Berlin, Funchal and many others now!
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