One of the more recent attractions in Rome is actually one of the more ancient. The Golden House of Nero, what remains of it, has been excavated and the ruins are now available for public viewing. Though re-discovered during the Renaissance, they were the subject of a massive restoration project near the end of the 20th century.

Constructed in 64 AD after the devastating fire that burned two-thirds of Rome (at which legend has it Nero fiddled), the Golden House is an archaeological treasure trove. At one time many parts were covered with gold foil and the ceiling festooned with ivory and jewels by the extravagant emperor. Alas, these are not on display. They were stripped from the palace shortly after Nero’s death.

The original palace and related structures covered 350 acres that included a man-made lake, vineyards and the house itself. Terming the villa a house, however, is misleading. It contained 300 rooms, but is thought to have had no sleeping quarters. None that were intentional, at least. No doubt many passed out where they were during the parties for which Nero was famed.

It was the original site of the huge statue Nero had made, bearing his own likeness of course, that was later relocated to outside the Colosseum. The bronze base of the 40m/130ft statue can still be seen there.

Though much has been destroyed over the centuries, there still remains enough to satisfy anyone looking to spend an interesting hour or two tour in a cool place. That’s always welcome in Rome, where the temperature can be in the mid-80s even in late October.

The underground, audio-guided tour offers enormous, fresco-covered vaults and many rooms to explore. The frescoes painted by Fabullus, a noted artist of the period were executed in a style popular in Pompeii, the doomed city not far from Rome.

The Renaissance artist Raphael used them as models for some of his own work, and many Renaissance artists - including Michaelangelo - went to visit the (then) newly discovered palace frescoes. Both artists left their signatures scratched in the walls, to be later joined by such luminaries as Casanova and the Marquis de Sade.

The tour shows a wide variety - some areas are shadowed ruins with barely visible carvings. Others are fully restored golden and marble walls with largely intact paintings and fireplaces.

Grottos abound in the underground area, but the most impressive portion is unquestionably the Octagon Room. Here Nero, a great fan of Greek art, housed a statue of the Dying Gaul, which can now be seen in the Pallazo Altemps museum.

Outside, there are gardens and a reconstruction of the octagonal room that allow the visitor to clearly imagine what living there must have been like.

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Looking for a once in a lifetime vacation, travel to Italy.  Italy is one of the most romantic places on earth, with a rich history and a wealth of culture, Italy has plenty to offer.  If you are visiting Italy in the near future, here are some great things to experience.

Italy has had a wonderful history since the Roman Empire and during the Renaissance.  Italy is filled with priceless art, beautiful architecture, romantic cities, and wonderful small farmhouses.  If you love art, food, wine, and people, Italy should be top on your vacation list.

Many people love to visit Rome with the Great Coliseum and wonderful fountains and sculptures.  Many people love the city of Florence with its beautiful Tuscan ways and priceless artwork from Da Vinci and Michelangelo.  No matter where you turn in Italy, it is filled with a priceless artifact.  There are many parts of Italy that are incredible, such as the Alps for skiing and the beautiful coastal towns along side the Mediterranean that are great for sunning or bathing. The people of Italy are extremely warm, friendly and educated.  Many people take a few weeks or a couple of months just to see the beauty of this fantastic country.  So, if you are looking for the perfect travel destination, visit Italy, it has plenty to offer.

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If you are planning on visiting Europe this year, you are probably having trouble deciding which cities to visit.  For many travelers, Europe is their top destination.  There is so much to see and unfortunately for many people so little time due to work and school responsibilities.  If you are short on time, here are some tips on the top cities to visit in Europe.

Europe is filled with great cities that offer something for everyone.  No matter what time of year it is, there is always a great place to visit whether you enjoy skiing or the sun.  Many people usually choose the most popular destinations such as London, Paris and Rome; however countries such as Germany, Spain and Norway also attract millions of visitors each year.

Depending on the amount of time you have will usually determine how many cities you can see.  Usually there are two ways to select the amount of cities to visit in Europe, either by quality or quantity.

Many people decide to see as many European cities as possible in a set period of time. You can see as many as a dozen cities in about two weeks or see a city per week if you want to capture more of the cities flavor.  It really depends on your style and what your travel goals are.  You can always plan another trip to Europe the following year.  So if you are planning a trip to the old country, determine which cities to visit in Europe.

 Chech out the pages on this site that provide information on individual European cities that you may want to consider for your vacation trip.

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