It’s pretty common knowledge that Italy is one of the world’s top travel destinations from an art appreciation perspective. This entire country is virtually an open air art museum:ancient ruins, natural beauty, stunning architecture and icons of Christendom pop up everywhere you look. If you’re looking to soak up history, culture and art all in one place, look no further than this amazing Southern European nation.

1. The Art Enthusiast’s
Guide to Touring Italy
Explore. Enjoy. Reflect.

2. Italy is one of the world’s top travel destinations from an art
appreciation perspective.

3. The entire country is virtually an open air art museum: ancient
ruins, natural beauty, stunning architecture and icons of
Christianity pop up everywhere you look.

4. The key to getting a fulfilling art appreciation
experience when visiting Italy is prioritization
- Know exactly where to go
and what to look for.

5. Rome
Italy’s capital city is one of the best places to
discover incredible artwork by some of the
world’s great masters at no cost at all.

6. Head to the Ponte d’Angeli leading to the Castel Sant’Angelo,
Piazza Navona and Santa Maria della Vittoria for some of the
most striking examples of Baroque artist Bernini’s sculptures,
fountains and architecture.

7. Piazza Navona

8. Cantoria of the Santa Maria della Vittoria Church

9. For the Michelangelo fan, stand at the center of the ancient
world in the Piazza del Campidoglio designed by the master in
the mid-1500’s.

10. The statue of Moses inside the church of Saint
Peter in Chains was commissioned by Pope Julius
II in 1513 and it took him two years to sculpt.

11. Located just inside the green and tranquil Villa Borghese, the
Galleria Borghese is a treasure chest of beauty.

12. The museum houses Bernini sculptures, 4thcentury mosaics down to a stunning Canova
sculpture of
Paolina Bonaparte Borghese, and
impressive Raphaels.

13. If you only have time for one museum in Rome, make it the
Vatican Museums. There is more art housed here than you could
possibly see in a lifetime.

14. Sistine Chapel

15. There are Etruscan and ancient Roman treasures here, too. The
Gallery of Maps is a fascinating look at the different regions of
Italy through larger-than-life, centuries-old frescoes.

16. Assisi
The picturesque and peaceful Umbrian hill
town of Assisi is a must-stop for an art
enthusiast’s tour of Italy.

17. The fresco cycle in the upper basilica of the church of Saint
Francis has been attributed to both Cimabue and Giotto.

18. Florence
The Renaissance city of Florence is one of the
world's greatest art locales.

19. Brunelleschi’s brick-red dome and Giotto’s striking bell tower
are just the beginning.

20. In the Piazza Signoria, you can view imposing statues of
Hercules, Perseus, Medusa and an exact replica of
Michaelangelo’s David.

21. Once the private collection of the powerful
Florentine Medici family, the Galleria degli Ufizzi
became a museum during the late 1500’s.
This museum holds one of what might be the
most important Renaissance art collections
in the world.

22. Galleria degli Ufizzi

23. Venice
The watery city of Venice, with its stunning
beauty, offers a vast array of exciting
contemporary works of art.

24. Inside the striking 18th century canal side palazzo is the
Peggy Guggenheim collection, a multitude of 20th century art.

25. If you’re visiting during a Biennale year
(the next one will be in 2015), Campos, gardens,
churches and palazzos are transformed
into installation spaces.

26. Churches in Venice contain fascinating works of art by masters
such as Tintoretto’s and Tiepolo which you can visit without
paying for an entrance fee.

27. Milan
Milan is not only Italy’s fashion and
financial district. It’s also a great
destination for art enthusiasts.

28. Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper was painted
on an enormous canvas measuring 15 x 29
feet and was completed in 1498. It’s
currently located in the dining hall of the
Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie.

29. The Milan Cathedral at Piazza del Duomo is also a stunning
work of Gothic architecture.

30. Naples
Naples is a great destination for classical and
contemporary art pieces.

31. The small Pious Mount of Mercy Church has been the home of
the Acts of Seven Mercy by Caravaggio since the 1600’s.
photo credit: http://www.wga.hu

32. The Museo Cappella
Sansevero is home to the
Veiled Truth, a remarkable
statue created by the Venetian
sculptor Antonio Corradini. It
is almost impossible to believe
that the transparent veil is
carved from solid marble and
not a cloth elegantly draped
across the sculpture.
photo credit: http://www.italianways.com

33. Also, an exciting new development is happening
underground in Naples. Some of the metro stations
have commissioned well-known contemporary
artists to create works.

34. The best way to really get a feel of Italian art
is to take the plunge and visit soon. Use this
outline for your trip and we guarantee that
it’s one you’ll never forget. Ciao!

35. For more information
about travel to Italy,
visit our website
www.touritalynow.com
or call our travel experts
at 800.955.4418.