I'm not sure how anything I could write would do justice to this masterpiece. The floors are the…read moreoriginals from the 1400's. I can't get over the architecture in this country. They used the finest materials and people dedicated lifetimes to making these churches a spectacular place to worship. The art on the walls depicts famous biblical stories and tells of the time period that the church was built. This church stayed true to it's gothic design throughout and each detail is breathtaking. It now costs to enter on non worship days. You can get a pass for all the churches in the area for just a few euro. It would totally be worth it if you have a couple days to check them all out. However, if you are on a short visit I would recommend this one as a top choice for viewing.

What a beautiful Basilica. The Basilica contains the earthly remains of Saint Anthony of Padova…read more The church is beautiful. We were able to catch a liturgy while there and they had priest available to give blessings. As you walk through the church it is adorned with magnificent works of art. If you like you can also visit their museum and shops.

A beautiful cathedral featuring many historical relics. Came here while we were in Padua for an…read moreafternoon and spent a couple of hours here. It's free to enter. There's a few street parking spots that you pay via machine. No cameras are allowed. There's a museum where you can explore (for a fee). I suggest spending at least a couple of hours here to take in the beauty. There is a livestream of a certain section, which is delineated by signs. Holy water is sold here for 1.50 euros per bottle. The restroom is available for 0.5 euros. There is a souvenir shop.

Venice's only Gothic church. It is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. It is simply called "I…read moreFrari" as it was built by the brothers (frati) of the Franciscan order. LOCATION: In the San Polo sestiere but I remember just stumbling onto it while walking the island from my hotel in Dorsoduro to the train station on the opposite side of the island. ADMISSION: €3 Modest dress requested. I'm an atheist but as Christianity was highly influential in shaping European history I visit churches with the intent of understanding the history (and sometimes) art in shaping a region's cultural identity. As the Frari is not in San Marco, Rialto or any other major Venetian landmark I would've easily missed this church if not for Rick Steves' audioguide (http://podcasts.ricksteves.com/walkingtours/FrariChurch.mp3). His reasoning is that offers an opportunity to experience art in-situ (right where it was designed to be seen) as opposed to hanging in a museum. The audioguide explains the major art pieces in detail way better than I ever can. Here's a summary of the major pieces inside the church. - Titian's Assumption of Mary. This is considered to be Titian's magnum opus and his first major commission from a church. It's located behind the main altar. Its depiction of Mary was revolutionary for its time as she is seen as triumphant and depicted in soft and warm colors. - Titian's Madonna of Ca' Pesaro. What's significant is that this broke Renaissance tradition by depicting Mary and Jesus off-center and interacting with the commonfolk. - Giovanni Bellini's Madonna and Child aka the Frari Triptych. - Tombs of Titian and Canova. Titian had his tomb decorated with a relief of his most famous painting. On the other side Canova's cenotaph (Venice's most famous sculptor) is pyramid-shaped and was once meant for Titian, but when the church used the present design his pupils repurposed it for their master instead. It's a cenotaph because he isn't buried here but an urn contains his heart. Once you're done exploring the church the surrounding area is quieter than San Marco or Rialto. It makes for a good lunch/dinner spot and the prices are more reasonable.

Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (aka Frari Church) was one of my favorite attractions in Venice…read more The church is beautiful, there were no lines to wait in, and the cost was only 3 Euros per person. Frari church has many beautiful Venetian sculptures. The main highlight at this church is Titian's Assumption over the main alter. We downloaded Rick Steves' free audio tour onto to our iPods and it really added to the experience since our knowledge on Venetian art and Frari Church were minimal. You can download the free audio tour at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/italy-audio-tours/id272230438 After you visit the church I recommend checking out the Dorsoduro neighborhood along the Grand Canal and buying a cone of gelato!

This was literally one of the most spectacular sights I have seen in all my European adventures. It…read morerival the great works like the Ghent Alterpiece and St Peter's. It's a small chapel with a luminous fresco cycle painted by Giotto in the 14th century.. The main panels feature the lives of Christ and the Virgin Mary typical of religious art of the period. These are accompanied by smaller panels depicting the 12 vices and virtues. These panels are unique in their examination of good and evil and the means to achieve salvation through earthly deeds. Tickets MUST be purchased in advance and specify date and time. I advise arriving at least one half hour in advance to find parking (not convenient or easy) and making you way to the chapel. There is also a fascinating museum filled with centuries of art and treasures attached to the chapel. Allow at least 3 hours. If you are anywhere near Padua, this is an experience not to be missed!

This is definitely a highlight in Padova. My friend purchased tickets online and we came a little…read moreearlier than our scheduled entry time. We wandered around the courtyard of the museum until it was time to go in. We waited outside for our group's turn and entered the screening room. The chairs were spaced out. The film provided a good introduction to what we were about to see and the history of the chapel. The subtitles were in English. Once inside, we had just about the right amount of time to look at the walls in detail. I took photos with both my phone and camera, without flash. I think it is very cool that the first kiss in art history is in this chapel. I recommend a visit to see this historical work if you are in Padova.

This Basilica is small but beautiful. Make sure to follow the dress code, knees and shoulders…read morecovered. There are additional features that you need to get separate tickets for (or get a bundle) so make sure to do your research beforehand and and book appropriately. It will be a short visit given the venue isn't large but it's worth it when you're in Venice!

False advertising. Paid for guided tour of Doge palace, but No guided tour and hard to find person…read moreto get tickets from. Then app they instead offered did not work. Took tour on own with no commentary on what we were looking at. Over-priced! Useless. Buy tickets from doge palace and get tour guide from them, not get tour guide.

In the heart of the wonderful medieval town of Montagnana you'll find this gothic Cathedral…read more Smack in the middle of the Piazza it is quite a sight, built from 1431-1502 with some later additions. Around the Duomo the are festivities and events during the year, making it a great sight with the Duomo in the back. If you want the place for yourself I recommend a sunday in high season, when the town is almost deserted (we liked it). Montagnana is not yet that famous or popular internationally, but it sure as well should be.

A beautiful building located at the Piazza del Signori in Vicenza, Italy. The architecture is…read moresimply amazing. As we sat at the Piazza you can't help but admire this beautiful structure.

There is so much history in Vicenza and the Basilica is a huge part of that history…read more "The Palladian Basilica is a public building facing onto the Piazza dei Signori. Its name is linked to Andrea Palladio, who redesigned it, adding the famous loggias with serliana openings in white marble to the existing Gothic building. The building on which Palladio worked was the Palazzo della Ragione, built in Gothic style in the mid-fifteenth century. The upper floor is entirely taken up by an enormous hall with no intermediate supports, where the Council of the Four Hundred met. The copper-lined, inverted ship's-hull roof was inspired by that of the Palazzo della Ragione in Padua. The Gothic facade was originally clad with diamonds of red and straw yellow Verona marble, which are still visible behind Palladio's addition. A loggia surrounding the building was commissioned after its completion, but continually delayed due to various structural difficulties and the nature of the ground beneath. At the beginning of the sixteenth century the double order of porticoes and loggias, though not complete, collapsed. The Council called on many leading architects of the time to resolve the difficult problem of its reconstruction. They included Jacopo Sansovino, Sebastiano Serlio and Giulio Romano. The project was awarded to Andrea Palladio (1508-80) in 1549, following a competition, and he worked on it for the rest of his life. It was completed posthumously in 1614. The reconstructed building was called a basilica by Palladio himself, who had been inspired by the model of the Roman basilica for civic use." The building has three independent exhibition spaces that are used to host architecture and art exhibitions of international renown. http://www.museicivicivicenza.it/en/tbc/basilica_palladiana.php In the Summer months they offer a pass for 5euro and you can go up to the top and walk around on all the levels as often as you like. One time guests only need to pay 1euro. There's a nice bar on the rooftop and it is one of my favorite spots in the city to watch the evening sky change or a storm roll in.