Tickets for Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo

Built between 1609 and 1613, this opulent structure - fountains, gardens, pink marble walls, frescoed ceilings - seems ideally suited to house one of the world's best collections of art. And that was exactly what it was built for. Architect Flaminio Ponzio designed it for the cardinal and art collector Scipione Borghese, who wanted a party villa on the edge of town where he could house his enormous collection of priceless art. In 1901, the collection (and the gallery, and the park that surrounds it) was acquired by the Italian government, and opened to the public. As a museum, Galleria Borghese punches well above its weight with an impressive hit rate of masterpieces. Sculptures by Bernini and Canova, paintings, by Caravaggio, Raphael and Titian... the list goes on.

The Vatican Gardens are private urban gardens in the Vatican, covering an area of approximately 23 hectares (more than half of the country!). Established during the Renaissance and Baroque era, the gardens are decorated with typically ornate fountains and sculptures from these times. Visiting the gardens requires booking a private tour, as no general public access is allowed. Additionally, if you'd like to visit, always book in advance as tickets are usually sold out.

When Rome was Caput Mundi (Capital of the World), the Roman Forum was the very heart of the Roman Empire. Now a sprawling complex of ruins, it is here, a javelin's toss from the Colosseum, where everything happened: from making and enforcing laws to buying and selling exotic goods. Highlights include the Temple of Vesta, the Temple of Caesar, and the Senate House.