A small sea resort, located north of Taormina, mostly known for its swimming and fishing. Founded in 735 BC, Giardini is also the first colony on the island Sicily. Clear skies, beautiful nature, and lively activities make Giardini Naxos a great tourist location.
Covering an area of about 10 sq. km, the small island Capri is found in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Capri is separated into two parts, Capri and Anacapris. One unique fact about this island is that it was once part of the Sorrento Peninsula, now separated, rather than being formed from volcanic activity. This island is very beautiful, featuring coves, azure blue seas, and many shops selling souvenirs.
Therapeutic springs and sulfurous muds baths make this island a popular vacation spot. Vulcano is one of the islands in the Aeolian Archipelago, and is full of many dormant (not extinct but not active) volcanoes and craters. More popular attractions here include the black sand beaches made up of volcanic sand.
Completely buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, the excavation of the city of Pompeii opens a window of what living in Roman times may have looked like. In 1748, a group of explorers discovered that for the most part the buried site was left intact. The ruins and artifacts the city holds fascinate many tourists.
Standing at about 60 meters tall (197 feet), the Leaning Tower of Pisa has become one of the most popular attractions Italy has to offer. The tower is 8 stories tall including the bell chamber at the top, with 296 stairs leading up to it. Since its construction began in 1173, the structure has continued to shift and tilt on the ground it was built on. Several engineers have attempted to save the structure from collapsing, and in 2008, no movement was detected. The tower is currently open to the public to explore.
Opened in 80 A.D. by the Emperor’s son Titus, the Colosseum hosted animal fights and gladiatorial matches. The amphitheater could hold more than 50,000 thousand spectators, measuring around 620 by 513 feet. Nearly two-thirds of the coliseum was destroyed to neglect, weather, and natural disasters. About 3.9 million tourists visit the ancient structure every year.