Lovely abbey located on the top of a peak in the Frosinone province. If you're looking to see…read morelesser known attractions on your trip to Italy perhaps put this on your list. The abbey has a long and storied history, amd in recent memory served as a major battleground in World War 2. The area serves as a memorial for the battle of monte cassino and there is a sombering polish cemetery nearby. The drive up to the abbey might make you a tad carsick with its hair pin turns but the view at the top is stunning. Also, prior to going check the hours online. We got there mid-morning on a thursday and didnt have time to explore more of the abbey because it closed at 12:30. The abbey does have a nice souvenir shop and it also has a museum which i didnt see because it had already closed.

Absolutely heavenly place. Give yourself some time to explore the monastery. There is great…read morebeauty and holiness throughout. I was blessed to ask to celebrate Vespers with the monks. I guess I was acting monkish today. I was deeply grateful.

Naple's most iconic square is framed by Prefettura di Napoli a government office on the north, on…read morethe south by Palazzo Salerno (Sede del Comando Territoriale Sud - currently military offices), by the royal palace on the east, and Basilica of San Francesco di Paola to the west. The last two are open for visitors and pretty quiet on an April evening. The port area and waterfront public park Giardini del Molosiglio are nearby within walking distance to the southeast. As magnificent and grand as these surrounding buildings and others nearby are, this piazza also very much a piece of the local cloth. Where school groups and tourists frequent during the day, is open space in the evening for kids riding bikes and playing soccer, for families taking walks with strollers and dogs. While I was there it was fun to see a group of students singing along to a couple musicians on a guitar and mic, a few kids flying kites, the sun setting to the west casting a warm glow onto the structures in the square. Fun facts: - named after a plebiscite (aka referendum or survey) which united Naples with the rest of Italy. - Joachim Murat, bro-in-law of Napoleon had planned to dedicate the square to the emperor though when the Bourbon rulers were restored to the throne plans changed. Hence today the two statues in from of the church are Bourbon kings Charles III and his son Ferdinand I. They also instructed the completion of the neoclassical basilica along this square. - there's a local game/tradition of attempting to cross the square blindfolded starting from the center of the main entrance of the royal palace with the goal of walking directly in the middle of the two statues. Legend is that it's an impossible feat, due to the irregular shape of the square, uneven cobblestones and slight slope. - the square became a parking lot in 1963 to deal with the overflow of cars in the city, then reconfigured back to pedestrian only in 1994.

It's the main public square in front of the Royal Palace of Naples. It's very close to Stazione…read moreMarittima terminal where many cruise ships dock. I'd say this square is about a 10 minute walk away. There's a pedestrian walkway that makes it easy. This is another great walkable city, and much easier than navigating the narrow roads by car. It's a lively square full of tourists and local residents. There's much to do and see here. I think even the pickiest eater will find something delicious at any of the restaurants and bakeries around it. What attracted me the most were the statues in the niches between the arched columns of the palace. The stone work was also very impressive. This type of volcanic rock was readily used for construction throughout the city during that time period. It's very evident here. You'll continue to see it as you walk through the historical city center. It's a must just for the historical significance of it. You might as well see this plaza while walking around the city center.

4000 years old! Tower of Cicerone!!…read more This is the Civitavecchia of Arpino! The oldest fixture in oldest town! The town that was built before Rome was built! The town also got attack many times by the romans. You can see the canon holes, a broken canon and so on here too! Climbing the tower: a must! My family's pride and joy this tower! And one of my cousins actually work for the city/government so he's all about restoring and making this place visited. They don't charge you anything! There are about 100 stairs to go up. It is already extremely hot right now so pick a good time. But it is fascinating and break taking to visit this! The story behind it! The history of it all! If you make it to Arpino, go here!!! You cant drive here: Park outside, about a 20 minutes walk and a climb up to get to the tower. Maybe even 30 minutes if you are slow! Just come see for yourself!

I'm reminiscing like crazy!…read more If I could choose an island in Italy to return to, it'd be this one! It's just right. There weren't tons of tourists. Even during my visit in the autumn as the season changed, there were just enough people to make it lively. The vicinity is a walking area, although there are tuktuks, taxis, and buses. It's a beautiful scenic ride to Forio. Beware of the price gauge from taxi drivers though. Where I stayed in Cartaromana, near Ischia Ponte, was just perfectly close to the beaches and the Aragonese Castle. For you love birds, this is a destination wedding spot for sure. Tons of seaside restaurants are available, and you can take a romantic stroll along the ports afterwards. This is just as healing for the single freebirds who want to get away from it all. Enjoy your daydreaming...

I spent a day in Ischia and I wish I could stay longer. When I went, I took a speed boat for about…read morehour and regular furry took me at least 2 hours to come back to Naples. The Island is so unique and gorgeous, tons of wonderful places to go but I only had one day. I paid a cap to take me around the island. It was good to have a local as a guide and know what place to go. Beaches is extremely beautiful. The view from the top of the mountain is even better. Houses, buildings, street and all nature are stunning, looks like I'm in heaven. Suggesting: enjoy the island more then a day if you have time.

Piazza Tasso is a lovely square in Sorrento…read more Lucky to stumble across a local festival on our cruise ship tour to Sorrento and Pompeii. Our tour guide was not sure what they were celebrating. Take time to check out the beautiful baroque yellow church and everything Limoncello while you are in the neighborhood. The lemons in Sorrento are enormous and the geography reflects their impact. Limoncello granitas. Lemon pasta. Lemon biscotti. Lemons on everything from dish towels, baskets and bags to headbands. My sister-in-law even bought a pair of swim shorts that were covered with a large lemons in the pattern. Nice for a short stop while exploring Sorrento. Tip: There is a bathroom next to the church. It takes one euro each.

On your way around Sorrento's city center, you're bound to pass this piazza since it connects the…read morepedestrian only zones to the part of town with many hotels, summer apartments and leads to more local residential areas. Restaurants, cafes, hotels and a couple miscellaneous shops and church buildings line this thoroughfare. The car traffic coupled with many pedestrians constantly crossing, I'd warn drivers to be very careful in this area! A statue of Saint Antoninus of Sorrento, patron saint of the city, stands in the center, a salutation to those entering the historic old town. On the north edge, the sidewalk overlooks and connects to stairs that descend down to a hairpin turn in the road at the base. On the southern edge, there's a deep ravine (Vallone dei Mulini) filled with plants, trees and shrubs, and an old abandoned mill?), smack dab in the middle of the block. Constantly tourists take pictures here day and night lol. Walking thru here about a dozen times over the course of two days, there wasn't ever a quiet moment, even during shoulder season. Restaurants are busy being that it's such a central meet up point. Perhaps only at around 7am one day when most tourists were still sleeping was it quieter with only locals out and about.

Intriguing architectural facade for appreciation if you're in the neighborhood!…read more Commissioned by Nicola Moscati, marquis of Poppano in 1738, the Rococo design is attributed to Ferdinando Sanfelice, who connected two existing palazzo buildings with an imaginatively devised double staircase, also used in other buildings by the same architect. This was referred to as "falcon's wings" due to the curving arched outline of the ascending staircases on either side of an octagonal base. In the 19th century the lower apartments of the building were purchased by businessman Tommaso Atienza, nicknamed lo Spagnolo (the Spaniard), hence the building's current name. This is quick walk-by situation, neither the building nor stairs are open to the public. You can walk through the base of the stairs from one side to the other, both sides used as a parking lot currently as of April 2026.