Places gavinsparby Wants to Go

Italian poet Dante Alighieri is entombed in this small mausoleum in Ravenna, and his hometown of Florence has never been too happy about it.

Where Venice's gondolas go for a tune-up.

A narrow opening between the mountains of the Amalfi Coast creates a scenic hidden beach.

In the world's oldest university is a stunning 17th century anatomical theater carved from spruce.

Originally a leper colony, the island is now an Armenian monastery that's home to an incredible manuscript library and eclectic museum.

Crumbling ruins of the thermal baths that once attracted royals and aristocrats from throughout Europe.

This amazingly well-preserved villa just outside Pompeii boasts rare examples of ancient Roman paintings.

The abandoned ruins of a failed resort hide on this verdant, picture-perfect island.

A volcanic old faithful, Stromboli has been erupting continuously for the last 2000 years.

One of the most well-preserved castles in Italy also contains a rare medieval example of a port fortification.

A madman's personal garden filled with 1,000 sculpted heads.

This ancient altar emerges from the thick forests to reveal the mysteries of Etruscan sacrificial rituals.

Ride a boat through this magnificent underground world, which now doubles as a theater.

A stunning bridge that appears as if it's lunging to the shore, and has a legend of a devilish architect.

A fairytale-like medieval church perched atop a rocky cliff on Italy's "Coast of the Gods."

Beautiful views and Roman-style statues on the Italian coast.

A sulfuric hellscape in southern Italy.

Eighteen mummies have stood guard behind the altar of this tiny church since 1833.

One of the world's oldest working clocks is curiously missing the Zodiac sign of Libra.

A burial vault located under Tiber Island in the middle of the Italian capital.

This gallery commissioned by Cardinal Spada is known for its magnificent optical illusion.

The ruins of the largest gladiatorial school in Rome are largely hidden under modern streets.

A slightly creepy gallery of plaster cast models in the same museum as Michelangelo's David.

Over 100 towers were built in Bologna during the Middle Ages, but only 22 survive.