Archive for 'Museums & Galleries'

Pictures are worth a thousand words, or so they say. Today, pictures are worth a holiday. Many people hop on a plane and travel thousands of miles, simply to see and photograph things that they have always seen for themselves and Rome is a destination that breeds these curious tourists: it always has, since long before commercial tourism was even a dream. If you have found a vacation rental in Rome, these are the sights that you need to see, and photograph, for yourself!

1. The Spiral Stairs in the Vatican Museums

Designed by Giuseppe Momo in 1932, this beautiful, sweeping staircase is perfectly lit from above and is simply begging to be photographed. Take in its perfection, swooping motion and grandeur for yourself, in person. Then, once you've appreciated it enough, take a picture and bring the sight of one of the many architectural gems that the city has to offer with you.

The Vatican is an incredible treasure trove of culture and art, in particular. As it was a source of immense wealth and the Church was one of the most important patrons in the world for centuries, the body of artworks that has been built up within its walls is pretty much without parallel. Great works, such as Michelangelo's impossibly famous painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, are very well known but there are many other works beyond it that are worth taking the time out to see and learn more about. In fact, there is an endless list of other works that we could mention but, in this new series, we'll be choosing some of our best picks to help you narrow it down to some truly excellent works of art. Just find a vacation rental in Rome, head to the Vatican and begin getting stuck into this endless well of cultural and artistic gems.

Having recently visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Piazza dei Miracoli, in which it is located, with my family (my very high-maintenance and prone to complaints family), I made some observations on how to have as fun and stress-free and experience possible. Once you have found a luxury villa in Pisa and are planning a trip, keep these facts, tips and tricks in mind to help you have the best possible experience of the Leaning Tower and the Piazza dei Miracoli. Be sure to read the first post in this series as well and take note of the information below.

For anyone who has found a luxury villa in Pisa, the city's incredibly famous and iconic Leaning Tower will, no doubt, be one of the attractions that you will want to see. In fact, if you are spending time in the historic quarter, where the Piazza dei Miracoli (the square in which the Leaning Tower of Pisa is located) is situated, it is hard not to see the tower. It stands above most of the other buildings in the surrounding area and is visible from nearby streets all around the piazza. You can get glimpses without ever specifically visiting, sit in a nearby cafe and grab lunch or a coffee for a front-row seat and leisurely observation, or have a casual wander around the piazza itself. Seeing the Leaning Tower of Pisa doesn't need to be a big affair or ordeal.

The Vatican Museums in are located in Vatican City, a state within the city of Rome and are made up of 100 galleries and over 1400 rooms dedicated to Renaissance arts, Catholic Church history, as well as some interesting Etruscan, Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman collections. It is the largest exhibition space in the world, home to the Sistine Chapel, the Belvedere Apollo and the frescoed “Stanze” by Raphael and you could spend years visiting and still find more to see each and every time.

If you have found a vacation rental in Rome and are only able to dedicate a day or two to the museums, rather than years, this series of guides will help you get started and plan your visit! In this post we will discuss some more of the highlights of the museums so that you can pick the ones you are most interested in and focus on those during your visit but be sure to also read to earlier posts in this series for more information about tickets, tours and more!