The Top 10 Sights in Italy!

1) At the top of the list, we have two winners. Why two? Well, because one of the two is not really Italy proper; it is the Vatican, and, as you probably know, the Vatican is its own country even though it lies right in the heart of the city of Rome. And the other one? Why, it's the Colosseum of course.

2) We stay in Rome for number two, and this is one of my personal favorites, it is the Pantheon, one of the best preserved of all Roman buildings and the dome's enormous size still leaves architects and engineers in awe.

The Pantheon by Matteo Maggi

3) Pompeii is next! It is a glimpse into another age, but it leaves me in tears. It is so sad to see what happened to these poor people and to understand how such tragedy could occur. This was a disaster that happened so quickly and either ended or changed their lives for ever. It makes you realize that we should never take anything for granted in this world of ours. Appreciate every moment. And, just in case you think this could not happen again, read my article about volcano risk in Italy, and you will see that it could well occur again and nowadays there are far more people living in the shadows of Italy's volcanoes.

Pompeii

4) Piazza San Marco in Venice—the most beautiful piazza in all of the world. Visit early in the morning, just before dawn, to experience it at its very best. The piazza actually consists of two sections, the main square and a smaller square that leads down to the water - that's the one in the photo below.

St Mark's Square in Venice

5) Milan's Cathedral: in a country filled with beautiful churches and cathedrals, this one is still exceptional. They tell me that it took 600 years to build, and that just goes to show that nothing wonderful is ever achieved quickly.  This cathedral, dedicated to Saint Mary of the Nativity, stands at the heart of Milan in the Piazza del Duomo and is one of the largest and most magnificent churches in the world.

The exterior is awesome, adorned with over 3,400 statues, 135 spires, and numerous gargoyles. One of the most unique aspects of the Milan Cathedral is the ability to visit its rooftop via the stairs or by elevator. The rooftop provides an up-close look at the cathedral's spires and statues, and on a clear day, one can see as far as the Alps.

Milan Cathedral

6) Le Galleria degli Uffizi, perhaps the greatest art gallery on earth? You can easily spend days in here. The gallery is home to an unparalleled collection of Renaissance art, featuring works by some of the most famous artists in history: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli and Caravaggio. Among the most iconic pieces are Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus" and "Primavera". The gallery also houses Titian's "Venus of Urbino," Raphael's "Madonna of the Goldfinch," and Michelangelo's "Doni Tondo," among many others.

7) Florence Cathedral is next; watch the start of our video at the end of our list to see just how awe-inspiring this cathedral is. It also features in our list of the most beautiful churches and cathedrals in Italy.

Florence Cathedral

8) The Palace of Venaria is likely not somewhere you've ever heard of. It is absolutely a must-visit sight, though, on par with the Palace of Versailles in France. Read more about it here.

The Palace of Venaria

9) The Trevi Fountain: simply throw in a few coins for a return ticket to Italy. Get here very early, though, as it gets really crowded, and that can spoil the enchantment of being at the Trevi Fountain.

The Trevi Fountain by Matteo Maggi

10)The Rialto Bridge is gorgeous, but like so many of Italy's top attractions, this too is often rather crowded, so get there really early in the morning (even before dawn to see its light sparkling on the canal) and view it from a little way down the Grand Canal. You'll understand instantly why this is one of the most beautiful of all bridges.

The Rialto Bridge

See the top 10 sights in Italy in the video below...

A Secret Italy Awaits Your Discovery