Poveglia

Located between Venice and Lido is a tiny island called Poveglia. When traveling about Venice, you can take a water taxi to any of the local islands, with one exception. Poveglia is off limits to tourists. Its history is seeped in tragedy and dislocated spirits. During the three occasions when the plague ran rampant through Europe, the island became a death place and a place of burial for those who were either dead from the disease, or suspected of carrying it. People would be dragged forth from their homes and carried to the island where they would be left to rot. Bodies that had already died from the plague would be burned or buried in deep pits.

Over 160,000 people are said to have died here. In 1922, a psychiatric hospital was built to house those suffering from various illnesses. The mental patients began reporting that they could see the dead plague victims roaming about the hospital. The doctor of the hospital began to perform cruel experiments on his patients in order to figure out the meaning behind their visions. He would conduct lobotomies with chisels and hammers. Hacksaws and restraints still liter the crematorium. At some point the doctor himself went mad after beginning to see visions of his own. He reportedly flung himself from the bell tower. The remaining patients of the hospital took his body and sealed it inside the tower. People who pass by the area at night report hearing agonizing screams and cries. Fisherman won't fish near here because it isn't unusual to dredge up old body remnants. The “dirt” surrounding the island is claimed to be nothing more than the residual ashes of the many deceased.

The Coliseum

Scattered throughout Italy are arenas where gladiators fought ruthlessly for their lives. But none hold the wonder and awe that the Coliseum holds. It is the largest arena that housed those awaiting their fates. Thousands lost their lives here either as gladiators, or as persecuted individuals who held strongly to their religious beliefs. Animals lost their lives here as well. Many animals became extinct because of the Romans bloodlust. People who visit here often experience cold spots. Some have experienced the sensation of being pushed. Strange whisperings and crying can be heard throughout the Coliseum. The clanging of swords and the eerie discombobulated sounds of animals can be heard. Apparitions of ghostly spectators can occasionally be seen sitting amongst the seats, perhaps still waiting for a good match. Even A Roman guard has been spotted, still standing guard.

Cappuccini Catacomb of Palermo

Nothing says creepy like a bunch of dead bodies positioned in various positions and all in different forms of decomposition. It's as if they haven't realized they're deceased. Some are suspended on the walls with hooks. Some even look as if they're about to jump to life. It is a place that gives you an uneasy feeling, as if you're being watched. Some of the bodies span back hundreds of years. The most recent is a child, Rosalia Lombardo, who died in 1920. She's encased in a glass coffin, and looks like a living doll. Supposedly the corpses on the wall have been said to change their position. People have heard whistling and whisperings throughout the catacombs. If anything, it is a place you want to walk around with someone else, and it's easy to get lost. I suppose this is why the place easily freaks out some people. But if you're ever in Sicily, it's a definite must see.

Piazza Statuto

Located in Turin is the Piazza Statuto. Many criminals and innocent people were executed here during Roman times. The original piazza was outside the city walls. Since there were no cemeteries, bodies of the dead and executed were thrown over the walls. Underground the piazza lays a series of tunnels. It is said that the gates of hell exist in these tunnels. Located at the piazza is a monument that was dedicated to workers killed while building the Frejus rail tunnel linking Italy to France. Some believe that the top figure of the monument is Lucifer himself. At the bottom of the monument is a manhole cover with the words “The Gates of Hell” on it. Apparently Turin is home to many satanical worshippers, some who have supposedly practiced the dark arts, which have included human sacrifices. Some people who live here don't think twice about the rumors of dark magic. Others say they feel out of place, or that their spirits are heavy. Some even feel a sense of foreboding.

Ca'Dario

In Venice lies a house that looks as if it's about to fall into the canal. When traversing the canal in a gondola, there's no way you can miss it. The house is known locally by all as being the house of no return. It was originally built in the 15th century. Over the centuries it has seen its share of death and tragedy, and no one to date wants to buy it. It is said that the curse of the house began soon after its construction. Death has claimed the lives of 13 successive owners. Talk about an unlucky number. People who have lived here have either died from murder or suicide. Many have inquired about purchasing the house, but none have taken the offer for fear of the accursed dwelling.

1. Visit some of the famous old doors of Rome. One is called Porta Maggiore and is located at the southern parameter of the old city that is what was the southern most point at about the time when the Italians fought the French and liberated the city from their occupation at around 1870. This door is on the form of an antique archway and much of the marble has been removed to provide building materials. Another famous landmark Porta Pia in the East, at the beginning of a well-frequented road Nomentana, marked a point of confrontation again between the Italians and the imperial French at about that time.
2. The Trevi fountain with its majestic stallions coming out at you from the fountain in front of a faux classical building front. Here was the location for the film that made Anita Egbert famous in "La Dolce Vita".
3. The Spanish steps, with the church that has two twin steeples on top is still a marvel to witness. Tourists flock here to bathe their weary feet in a marble basin at the bottom of the famous winding steps. Keats, a famous romantic poet had a lodging near the base of the steps.
4. Circo Maximus, otherwise known as the place, which staged chariot races in Roman times, lies not far from the old part of the city. One can take a bus which passes another famous place that is relived during the summer period and that is Teatro Marcello known for its outdoor poetry readings.
5. The old Jewish quarter, which contains Italy's largest synagogue, stands between the historical centre and a famous quarter, Trastevere known for its clubs and pizza places. I would make a point of frequenting the only Jewish bakery in town, which provided the general population with the treats that European Jews have produced for decades during their festive periods.

Sometime during the 1 st century AD a community of people took refuge from the aggressive barbarian hordes on mainland Italy, seeking safety on the muddy islands of a lagoon, which were to become the City and State of Venice.

These inhospitable islands developed richly over the next few centuries into the romantic, ethereal city of Venice we know today. In spite of the unlikely start, Venice became a powerful nation, and the most prosperous in Europe by the end of the 13 th century. She commanded a mighty navy and her influence was felt across the known world. The city traded exotically and vibrantly with the East and this strongly affected all aspects of the culture, most evident today in the architecture.

Your Visit to Venice

A first visit to Venice can be daunting and some have described it as a "cultural onslaught". There is literally too much beauty and history, so you need to take it slowly in order to capture the special mood of Venice. In fact, a great devotee of this magical city once said that, if possible, you should not attempt to enter any museum, art galley or church on your first, even your second, visit - to allow the senses to prepare for and adjust to the sensational treasure that is Venice.

But this is not practical for most of us, so here are some suggestions to help make your first trip to Venice unforgettable.

Top Tips for Visiting Venice

Take some time to choose a guide book you find easy to navigate. Sometimes its difficult to read up on an unfamiliar destination before you go there, so watching movies set in Venice, or reading novels, poetry, and non-fiction about the city will help you.

Buy a notebook and jot down ideas for your visit that might spring from your reading.

Learn a few basic words of Italian if you don't speak the language. "Good morning", "good evening", "please" and "thank-you" are a good start.

The city has no motorised transport whatsoever: no cars, no trucks, no scooters or motorbikes. To get around you must walk, or take some form of water transport. Enjoy the tranquillity, and the sound of footsteps and lapping water. A comfortable pair of walking shoes is essential.

Travel in mid-season to avoid the heat of summer and the tourist hordes. Take wet weather gear, including umbrella and especially waterproof shoes if you decide on a winter trip.

Marco Polo airport is the most conveniently situated airport for Venice. Take the vaporetto - the public water taxi - from here to St Mark's Square, and enjoy your first view of the magnificent, palace-lined Grand Canal.

Try and stay in a quiet area away from the main tourist attractions in the centre. This will give you a chance to identify and experience Venice's peaceful beauty.

Ask for a map at your hotel and mark the hotel on the map. Then put the map in your pocket and just walk. Yes, you will get lost, among the over 100 islands separated by some 150 canals and joined by about 400 bridges, but not permanently!.

For your evening meal, take advice from the hotel. Ask where the local Venetians eat, and avoid the tourist areas. You will get a better meal at a better price.

Take time to enjoy an evening drink on St Mark's Square, either before or after dinner. Choose the Caffe Florian or the Gran Caffe Quadri, both of which have small orchestras. Relax and observe. This is not a cheap outing, but how often do you get a chance in life to drink an aperatif in "The Drawing Room of Europe" (a description attributed to Napoleon)?

Read your guidebook properly when you get home, and use your notebook to record all your special experiences, plus ideas for your next visit.

Top Sights for your First Visit

Rialto Bridge: Landmark bridge and its and surrounding market

Ca d'Oro: Charming palace on the Grand Canal

Gondola Ride: At sunset, with a bottle of champagne

Clock tower on St Marks Square: See the bronze "moors" strike the hour

St Mark's Basilica: opulently decorated with gold mosaics

Greek Horses: Well over 1000 years old

Accademia: Art museum representing Venetian artists up to the 18 th century

Doges' Palace: Gothic residence of Venice's one time leaders, the Doges.

Buon Viaggio! Have a great first trip to Venice

I went on September, when the weather was perfect. All week long it was warm and sunny.

I found the perfect hotel at a town called "Gravedona". The hotel is locate on the lake shore and has a private beach.

When I arrived there, I was amazed by the amazing scenery of the lake. I have seen some lake in my life, but this lake is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen.

Gravedona is a lovely town, located on the north part of the lake.

From there I took short trips to St. Mortiz in Switzerland, and to some lovely and sweet towns around the lake: Bellagio, Menaggio, Tremezzo and some more.

Each town has something unique to enjoy : villas, beautiful streets, some old buildings, statues, fairs and of course the lake view.

Each town had a different design of its lake walkway.

To sum up: it is always a pleasure visiting Italy, and it was a great pleasure visiting lake Como area, and staying at Gravedona.

And of course: the Italian ice cream was a huge part of it!

Rome has changed to accommodate modern traffic just as North American cities do by discouraging traffic towards the historical centre in the nineties. It has also kept much of its patrimony. One has to have special permission to drive through the central part of town and if own has no business to do in certain spots, like of Trastevere at Santa Maria di Trastevere, one gets a ticket because of camera surveillance.

1. Trastevere is known for its sidewalk pizza places, bars and clubs. It is common for Italians to eat along a storefront especially during the summer months amid the local fountains. There is gold painted front of the church I mentioned before with details of saints depicted from the 13th century. There is a long narrow street called via Lungara with specialized art and décor shops. Via Francesco di Ripa comes alive with its bars at night. There used to be a Brazilian one active until the wee hours and there is also a gay dance parlour called Angel's Bar. Pizza Ivo is still serving is piping hot thin-crusted pizzas and bruschetta that is chopped tomato on toasted garlic bread.
2. Everyone loves the Coliseum that has been closed to public on and off the past 15 years for renovations on different parts of its archways. The Coliseum would attract young lovers that would climb to the top and neck away in the moonlight but be careful, the is no guarantee that the masonry is safe on the inside. Here is wear gladiators would be introduced to fight lions that would be released.
3. There are a number of obelisks around the city, some say brought back from Egypt during Caesar's campaigns there. One notable one is at Piazza del Popolo, surrounded by majestic granite lions at its base. The monument is with in view of Porta Pincio a famous lookout point in Rome where one can see the Vatican cupola out west in the distance over the Tiber River. Here is where astronomy buffs can see Jupiter on a summer's night in July through a mounted telescope.
4. The Vatican, which is surrounded by the city of Rome, has its famous Sistine Chapel that Michel Angelo decorated by lying on his back for example and painting biblical frescos along its upper sides. He is also known for his Last Judgement painting where he poked fun at Pope Urban VIII.
5. The Vatican is itself a treasure with its decorated tombs of pope's deceased since the 14th century. Legend has it was common for people to kiss the foot of the Pope's effigy on his casket and one such pope has a worn foot because the millions of visitors that have kissed or caressed the foot out of respect since. The vaulted roof seen while looking up at the cupola is spectacular and there are constant tours to see the famed square, Piazza San Pietro where the pope addresses his Sunday visitors.
6. People who go up to the Castelli region south of the city on the way to Naples where people like to escape the summer heat. Even the pope has his summer home at Gandolfo with its own observatory. Another hilltop at Rocca de Papa, used to house the gendarme that protected the Pope when he governed over the Papal States that were eliminated from the map of Europe when the French
7. The island in the middle of the Tiber between the historical centre and Trastevere has a functional hospital on it and is worth seeing as is the main synagogue right across from it on the historical centre side. One can be in awe of the gold leaf marble columns that lie aside the altar and the rabbi's pulpit in its main chapel. There is a museum of Jewish historical artefacts on the inside of the building.
8. The National library which is between the central train station and The main University campus is an impressive building built largely of glass it houses many antique texts as well as modern documents.
9. I enjoyed taking a ride up to Tivoli a town of 65, 000 nestled in the Tiberian hills a half hour away from the city on the Tibertina. There lies the massive roman Emperor's Hadrian's tomb which can be visited.
10. Ostia-Lido connects Rome to the Mediterranean coast. There is a protected burial spot where one can see some Etruscan tombs that have been preserved although they have been defaced over the years. Many know that the Etruscans were a mysterious people who inhabited the peninsula before Rome became what it was. Ostia is also well known to Romans and foreigners for its beaches and sandy dune coast.