A guide to sightseeing in Italy: A Roman adventure awaits you

 Italy is one of the most popular countries in the world for tourists on an annual basis.

Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world on an annual basis – and with good reason too. While food, wine and electric beaches are some of the most attractive motives for visiting the country, a traveler should not miss out on sightseeing.

Whether you're booking a trip to the Roman Republic to tour newly discovered bloodlines, taste the fresh food of the motherland, or vacation on sandy beaches, add these truly world-class destinations to your itinerary.

The Colosseum

The Colosseum in Rome, built in 72 AD, is one of the most popular sites for tourists in the entire country. According to Rome's website, more than 6 million people visit this place every year.

Due to the constant foot traffic, it is rare that you will visit the Colosseum without crowds of many other tourists. Some visitors prefer to purchase tickets ahead of time and arrive in the morning before the doors open. "Skip the Queue" tickets are available for those who hate waiting in line. Be aware that by early morning the queue for this line can also be long.

However, it is most ideal to book your tickets, especially for tours, in advance to ensure that you can reach on the same day. There is no guarantee that purchasing a "skip the queue" ticket will enable your entry on the same day.

Tours last for several hours at a time and can be overwhelming for those who are not history buffs. The guides are knowledgeable about the background of the Colosseum and are a great resource to gain a good understanding.

Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain in Rome is the largest, most beautiful and famous fountain in the city. Italian architect Nicola Salvi worked for years on the Trevi Fountain, before it was given the final touches by painter and architect Giuseppe Pannini.

While there, you'll likely see tourists tossing coins into the fountain. This myth originated in 1954 with the release of the Oscar-winning film "Three Coins in the Fountain", starring Gene Peters, Dorothy McGuire, Maggie McNamara and Clifton Webb.

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Placeholder estimates are that approximately €3,000 is thrown into the fountain every day, which amounts to $3,239.23 USD. In total, approximately $1.182 million is collected annually from the Trevi Fountain, and every cent is donated to charity.

Heavy fines are imposed on those who enter the water at the historic site.

Pantheon

The Pantheon of ancient Rome was built by Agrippa between 25 and 27 BC. However, if you are visiting the Pantheon, this is not the building you should expect to see. The original construction was built mostly of wood and burned down about 100 years after its construction.

Later, the Pantheon was rebuilt and, once again, burned down by lightning. It is not clear who constructed the present building, but it is known by historians that the Roman Emperor Hadrian commissioned the construction and reconstruction of the building.

The Pantheon website reads, "In 608 Pope Boniface IV had the remains of several martyrs removed from the Christian catacombs and placed in the Pantheon." "After this the temple was officially converted to Christianity and named St. Maria ad Martyrs."

Visitors are required to purchase a ticket to enter the Pantheon until July 2023.

leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is in Pisa, Italy, about four hours from Rome.

It is said that this tower has been leaning for more than 800 years and has not fallen yet. It has survived natural disasters, including earthquakes and hurricanes, although engineers have worked to straighten it over time.

Tourists can buy tickets and go up to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The views of Pisa from the top floor are stunning and picturesque.

St. Mark's Basilica

St. Mark's Basilica, or Basilica of San Marco, in Venice, Italy is a breathtaking stop on your trip around the country. Construction of St. Mark's Basilica began in 828 and ended in 832, although it has seen several reconstructions and modifications since then.

The historic church features intricate mosaics on the walls and the Pala d'Oro, a Byzantine altarpiece made from garnets, amethysts, sapphires, emeralds and hundreds of other precious gems. The religious temple is the focal point of the city, and it is estimated that about 20 million people visit the church every year.

St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City is a sacred sight not only for religious tourists. It is the largest cathedral in the world and it is estimated that it would have taken about 120 years to build.

About 10 million people visit the church on an annual basis, and it can accommodate up to 60,000 people praying simultaneously.

Inside St. Peter's Basilica, tourists will find the Chair of St. Peter. It is believed that the Pope's patron saint himself used to sit on the same chair. Tourists can also see the baldachin made of bronze. It is the largest piece of bronze artwork in the world.

Additionally, the Madonna Della Pietà or La Pietà is also on display for visitors. The sculpture depicts the Blessed Mother holding her dead son, Jesus, in her arms.