Vino Con Vista Italy Travel Guides Travel Guides and Events

Image via Wikipedia Andrea di Pietro (1508-1580) was known as Palladio. He was a stone mason’s apprentice who became the most influential architect of his generation. Palladio’s urban dwellings and villas are scattered throughout the Venato. His Palladian architectural principles … Continue reading

There are twin churches in Rome. Visit the symmetrical (almost) twin Baroque churches of Santa Maria dei Miracoli (1681) and Santa Maria in Montesanto(1679). These churches were started by Carlo Rainaldi and eventually finished by Bernini and Carlo Fontana. Carlo … Continue reading →

The church of Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome has a simple facade. But wait until you get inside; it is brimming with magnificent treasures! It is an Augustinian church in the Piazza del Popolo where Pope Paschal II built … Continue reading →

Piazza del Popolo is one of my favorite pedestrian-only squares in Rome because it offers so many interesting sites and things to do. The Piazza is situated between the ancient Porta Flaminia and the park of the Pincio. The Porta Flaminia … Continue reading →

The Papal Archbasilica of St. John Lateran (San Giovanni in Laterano) is Rome’s cathedral. It serves as the the official ecclesiastical seat of the Pope as the Bishop of Rome. Pope Benedict celebrates the Mass for the feast of Corpus Christi here and then leads a … Continue reading →

In close proximity to the archbasilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome, visit the Holy Stairs or “La Scala Sancta.” For centuries, the Scala Sancta has attracted Christian pilgrims. These pilgrims come to honor the Passion of Jesus. The building was designed … Continue reading →

There are plenty of Famous Italians!  The alcoves on the outside of the Uffizi Loggia in Florence highlight some of the most famous Italians. These famous Italians are watching over the Arno River and are probably symbolically guarding the museum’s treasures. The … Continue reading →

Gelato is Italy‘s version of ice cream. There are three main differnces that set gelato apart: 1. It has less butterfat than ice cream; 4-8% versus 18-26% for ice cream. 2. Gelato has a higher sugar content than ice cream; … Continue reading →

Did you know that President Thomas Jefferson was a Wine Enthusiast? Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743. This polymath was an American Founding Father,  the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence (1776), the third President of … Continue reading →

Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) was a polymath: America’s “first distinguished viticulturist,” an architect, author of the American Declaration of Independence and third president of the United States.  Thomas Jefferson was  a talented architect of neo-classical buildings and he designed his Virginia …