Things to Do in Italy

One of the most famous historic streets in the center of Genoa is the Via Garibaldi. This street has had a few names over the centuries, but it's always been a fashionable address.

What we know today as Via Garibaldi was first built in the mid-1500s, when it was called Strada Maggiore "“ or "Great Street." Later, it became known as "Strada Nuova," or "New Street." It was renamed in 1882 for Italy's great revolutionary leader, Giuseppe Garibaldi, and in 2006 the street and the historic palaces on it were added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites.

From the time when the Via Garibaldi was first designed and built, it was intended to be a street upon which the wealthy families of Genoa would build their homes. The street was soon lined with palaces, each occupied by a noble family, and many passed down through generations and hundreds of years. Today, several of those former private homes are now public museums and galleries, and the entire street is a feast for the architecturally inclined.

Some of the palaces you can visit along the Via Garibaldi are the Palazzo Rosso, the Palazzo Bianco, and the Palazzo Doria Tursi. Some of the buildings are not open to the public, but with a good guided tour of Genoa you'll be sure to not miss any of the ones you can get into "“ many of which have beautiful old frescoes on internal walls.

Standing proud at the top of Rome's iconic Spanish Steps, the historic Trinità dei Monti is one of the city's most photographed churches and dates back to 1585. Built under order of King Louis XII of France, the landmark church remains the property of the French government, a legacy hinted at by the pair of clocks that adorn its façade "“ one showing Rome time, the other Paris time. 

For most visitors the most striking image of the church is from piazza below, looking up over the Fontana della Barcaccia and the Spanish steps. Climbing the 135 steps to the church entrance (there's also a lift running from the Spagna metro station) is also rewarding, offering a closer view of the Renaissance façade, the work of architect Giacomo della Porta. Inside the church, highlights include a series of magnificent frescoes by Daniele da Volterra, Federico Zuccari and Giambattista Naldini.

Milan's Ticinese district is in the southern part of the historic center, known for its shops and restaurants. It houses one of Milan's old city gates, originally built in the 16th century, while today's gate dates from the 19th century and marks the southern end of the Corso di PortaTicinese. This street is lined with shops, and "“ along with nearby Via Torino "“ is known particularly for its shoe shops.

The Ticinese area is historically working class, as is the nearby Navigli district, but both are becoming more upscale as hip cafes and restaurants move in. There are historic attractions here, including Milan's best-preserved Roman ruins, as well as a weekly antiques market.

The street called Via San Lorenzo runs in a southeasterly direction from close to the port in Genoa to one of the city's major public piazzas.

Perhaps the biggest attraction along Via San Lorenzo is the church that shares its name "“ the Genoa Cathedral, or Cattedrale di San Lorenzo. It was consecrated in the early 12th century, and the square in front of the church was Genoa's only public piazza during the Middle Ages.

Today, one of Genoa's most popular piazzas is just up Via San Lorenzo "“ Piazza Matteotti leads from the street up to the Palazzo Ducale, and the Chiesa del Gesù e dei Santi Ambrogio e Andrea is off to one side. The church was built in the late 16th century, while the Palazzo Ducale dates from the late 13th century.

The large avenue that runs between Piazza della Repubblica and the Largo Magnanapoli in Rome is called Via Nazionale, and it's lined with hotels and shops.

Via Nazionale was built in the late 19th century, though there was already a street under construction at the time - Via Pia, named for Pope Pius IX. The existing plan was altered to make the road wider, as it was deemed a critical artery leading from the area near Termini train station into the heart of Rome.

Because of the proximity to Stazione Termini, Via Nazionale is a popular street for hotels and other accommodation options. There are also lots of mid-range and chain clothing stores, and some chain and fast food restaurants.

Although the construction of Via Nazionale required the demolition of several historic buildings, there are still some attractions along the broad street - many of which were built after the road was finished. St. Paul's Within the Walls was the first Protestant church in Rome, opened in 1880. The Palazzo delle Esposizioni, opened in 1883, has several entertainment and exhibition spaces. The 16th-century church of Santa Caterina a Magnanapoli is is near the end of Via Nazionale, and the street also leads directly to the ruins of Trajan's Market.