Stonehenge enhanced sounds like voices or music for people inside the monument

Acoustic research using a scale model one-twelfth the size of Stonehenge (above) finds that the completed monument would have magnified speech and improved musical sounds, but only for those inside the stone circle.

ACOUSTICS RESEARCH CENTRE/UNIV. OF SALFORD

Scientists created a scale model one-twelfth the size of the ancient site to study its acoustics

By Bruce Bower

Welcome to Soundhenge. Better known as Stonehenge, this ancient monument in southern England created an acoustic space that amplified voices and improved the sound of any music being played for people standing within the massive circle of stones, a new study suggests.

Because of how stones were placed, that speech or music would not have projected beyond Stonehenge into the surrounding countryside, or even to people standing near the stone circle, scientists report in the October Journal of Archaeological Science.

To explore Stonehenge’s sound dynamics, acoustical engineer Trevor Cox and colleagues used laser scans of the site and archaeological evidence to construct a physical model one-twelfth the size of the actual monument. That was the largest possible scale replica that could fit inside an acoustic chamber at the University of Salford in England, where Cox works. This room simulated the acoustic effects of the open landscape surrounding Stonehenge and compacted ground inside the monument.

Stonehenge Lego, as Cox dubbed the model, was assembled assuming that Stonehenge’s outer circle of standing sarsen stones — a type of silcrete rock found in southern England — had originally consisted of 30 stones. Stonehenge today includes 63 complete stones, including 17 standing sarsen stones in the outer circle. Based on an estimated total of 157 stones placed at the site around 4,200 years ago, the researchers 3-D printed 27 stones of all sizes and shapes. Then, the team used silicone molds of those items and plaster mixed with other materials to re-create the remaining 130 stones. Simulated stones were constructed to minimize sound absorption, much like actual stones at Stonehenge, Cox says.

Acoustical engineer Trevor Cox works with a scale model of Stonehenge in a sound chamber at England’s University of Salford.ACOUSTICS RESEARCH CENTRE/UNIV. OF SALFORD

Finally, the team placed speakers and microphones at various points inside and just outside Stonehenge Lego. Each speaker emitted chirping sounds that swept from low to high frequencies. Sound frequencies were modulated so that the speakers’ sounds interacted with the model stones much as natural sounds behave at actual Stonehenge.

Despite many gaps between stones, sounds briefly lingered inside Stonehenge Lego, the team found. Reverberation time, a measure of the time it takes sound to decay by 60 decibels, averaged about 0.6 seconds inside the model for mid-frequency sounds. That effect would have boosted the ability to hear voices and enhanced sounds of drums or other musical instruments, Cox says. For comparison, reverberation time reaches about 0.4 seconds in a living room, around two seconds in a large concert hall and roughly eight seconds in a large cathedral.

Stonehenge Lego did not project sounds into the surrounding area or boost the quality of sounds coming from external speakers. And sounds did not echo in the scale model. Inner groups of simulated stones obscured and scattered sounds reflected off the outer sarsen circle, blocking echo formation.

Previous research has been done on Stonehenge’s acoustics, but was incomplete, says archaeologist Timothy Darvill of Bournemouth University in England who has excavated at Stonehenge but did not participate in the new research. That work includes sound measurements taken at what remains of Stonehenge today and at a Stonehenge replica in Washington state made of concrete blocks. Another acoustic study employed a computer model of the ancient site.

Although the new study was “carefully and rigorously done,” questions remain about sonic effects at Stonehenge, says musicologist Rupert Till of the University of Huddersfield in England, who conducted some of the previous research. A wider range of acoustic measures is needed, for instance, to detect echo effects in the scale model that are also present at Stonehenge, Till argues. Further research also needs to untangle why “Stonehenge hums when the wind blows hard,” he says.

It’s not known what, if any, ceremonies or activities occurred at Stonehenge, though the site did serve as a cemetery between around 5,000 and 4,400 years ago (SN: 8/2/18). And Cox cautions that designers of Stonehenge were likely less concerned about acoustics than about issues such as treatment of the dead and astronomical alignments.

Whatever people once did at Stonehenge, the new study “shows that sound was fairly well contained within the monument and, by implication, [Stonehenge] was fairly well insulated from sounds coming in,” Darvill says. Hearing sounds of some kind circulating inside the ancient monument “must have been one of the fundamental experiences of Stonehenge.”

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The 15 Coolest Places to Go in 2018

The world keeps getting bigger. Every serious traveler I know says their wish list grows longer, not shorter, every time they dip into a new region or hear about where someone else has been.

So how to decide? What’s newly (or still) safe or newly uncovered? What’s hovering between charming sleepiness and overdeveloped soullessness? What must we see before it changes forever? Which places will transform us? And where can we get away from it all and finally get to breathe?

I put those questions to experts at several high-end travel companies. These super-agents knows what they’re talking about, keeping their ears on their clients’ interests and their eyes on the adventures they themselves have in every corner of the world. Here’s what on their radar for next year.

Koh Russey, Cambodia

Cambodia

There was already more to the country than Angkor Wat, but 2018 is likely to be the year that makes that known to the world. John Spence, US president of  Scott Dunn, says, “an array of new luxury hotel openings will allow travelers to explore some of the lesser-known regions,” some with bone-white beaches. Six Senses and Alila are setting up shop on Krabey Island and Koh Russey, Rosewood is opening a hotel in Phnom Penh (along with Siem Reap), and Bill Bensley’sShinta Mani Wild tented camp is one of the most hotly anticipated openings in the world.

Chable in the Yucatan

The Yucatan Peninsula and Mexico City

Black Tomato is a champion of Mexico beyond the expected tourists stops. They’re directing guests toward the interior of the Yucatan, where they can book a full-day helicopter trip to view the Monarch butterfly migration, spend some time (or some days) at the new high-luxe Chablé resort and ride a private hot air balloon over the Teotihuacan ruins, then head back to Mexico City, a dynamic metropolis that has been named as a World Design Capital for 2018.

Salyar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Bolivia

Indagare founder Melissa Biggs Bradley says Bolivia is “pulsing with the energy of a country on the verge. While the destination is known for its dramatic, otherworldly scenery—the Salar de Uyuni salt flats could be called the southern hemisphere’s Iceland—the cultural capital, La Paz, is just hitting its stride and recently emerged as a foodie capital.” Noma co-founder Claus Meyer’s social-good-minded Gustu now makes the 50 Best list, new destination restaurants are opening, and the new luxury hotels include Atix.

A rendering of Jabali Ridge in Tanzania

Southern Tanzania

Scott Dunn’s Spence is excited about the less explored parts of the country. Asilia’s new Jabali Ridge in Ruaha National Park—the country’s biggest and least visited national park—is “the ultimate in luxury lodges and has bought a whole new level of accommodation to this area,” he says. Selous, the other compelling game reserve in the south, also has a new Asilia in the form of “a stunning tented camp called Roho Ya Selous,where you can do wonderful walking and boating safaris.” 

Hobart Harbor

Tasmania

Going Down Under has never been easier, thanks to new flight routes from London to Perth and Houston to Sydney. Now it’s time to get off the beaten path, says the cofounder and owner of Black Tomato, Tom Marchant. “The region of Hobart epitomizes Tasmania’s remote location and showcases a rugged wilderness, punctuated by a thriving arts scene, hip foodie haunts and flavor-packed wines rivaling those of the mainland. Countless galleries, such as the Mona, position the island as an exciting destination in its own right,” and new places to stay include the urban Macq 01 Hotel and adventure-mindedTruffle Lodge.

Asheville Mountain

Asheville, North Carolina

“It’s no secret that America’s southern cities are having a moment,” says Indagare’s Biggs Bradley. “Asheville has a character that is at once hipster and classic Americana.” Cradled by the Blue Ridge Mountains, the city is home to gorgeous scenery (including a lovely botanical garden), historic mansions (the 19th-century Biltmore Estate is the largest private home in the world) and a remarkable arts scene. “Don’t miss Woolworth Walk to shop the works of dozens of local artisans and stop for a milkshake at the preserved luncheonette counter. But Asheville isn’t limited to classic cuisine; hungry travelers can enjoy everything from tapas to innovative cocktails to Asian street food.”

Safari in Chad

Chad

In 2018 GeoEx will lead its first clients into a country wildly devoid of tourism to explore Zakouma National Park, home to one of the world’s most diverse grassland ecosystems and a massive rehabilitated herd of elephants—a great conservation success story. “We are one of the few tour operators that have been awarded private, weeklong trips in the park,” explains GeoEx safari expert Starla Estrada. “We’ve enlisted a dynamic duo of leaders: legendary safari guide Brad Hansen and Royal Geographic Society member Kingsley Holgate, a globally respected expert on remote African tribes.”

Chili Beach in Jericoacoara

Northern Brazil

New direct flights from São Paulo to Jericoacoara are opening up this hard-to-reach part of the county. Previously accessible only with 4×4s, motorbikes and dune buggies, Jericoacoara is a tiny fishing village on the northern coast, which until 20 years ago had no road network or electricity and money hardly ever changed hands. The best hotel is the Chili Beach, a laid-back boutique resort situated on the edge of the village. “It’s cool, quirky and boasting brilliant yet discreet service,” says Scott Dunn’s Spence. Also, beginning in January, Americans will be able to apply for electronic visas online.

The picturesque village Kirkjubour

Faroe Islands

Technically part of the Kingdom of Denmark, this archipelago is an autonomous country with a culture (and language and currency) all its own. “These cultural offerings are front and center on the global stage at the moment, but swarms of tourists haven’t yet descended,” says Indagare’s Biggs Bradley of the 18 islands between the Norwegian Fjords, Scottish Highlands and Iceland. “Though the entire nation is home to just about 50,000 people, it has fabulous restaurants, one with a Michelin star, that benefit from the islands’ phenomenal access to some of the world’s best seafood.” It also has landscape of surreal mountains and cliffs, countless waterfalls, grass-roofed houses and dramatic oceans—and countless proud puffins, shaggy sheep and diminutive Faroese ponies.

Aysen

Aysén, Chile

“Nowhere is quite so adventurous, and untouched, as Aysén, Northern Patagonia’s final frontier,” says Black Tomato’s Marchant. The remote, sparsely populated land of vast glaciers, snow-capped peaks and jagged fjords is “a place to disconnect from the world and revel in the splendid isolation that its otherworldly, landscapes inspire.” It’s where Black Tomato’s travel planners send guests who want to escape the crowds of Torres del Paine.

The Duomo cathedral in Milan

Milan

Milan is no longer the stopover destination that it once was, according to Indagare’s Biggs Bradley. “The country’s most modern metropolis has bloomed in recent years as a design mecca. The recent openings of the Prada Foundation andArmani/Silos museum, plus the ongoing success of the yearly Salone del Mobile furniture fair, have put Milan officially on the world's stage. Add in a collection of ultra-luxurious hotels, fabulous (and innovative) Italian food and some of the best architecture in Europe, and Milan’s momentum shows no signs of stopping.”

Central Tibet

Central Tibet

Ace trek leader Vassi Koutsaftis, who has guided many of GeoEx’s pioneering adventures, is always on the lookout for ways to take intrepid travelers deeper into Tibet. He created a new trip to do just that, focusing a moderate four-day trek on lush Yangpachen Valley, the 800-year-old Tsurphu Monastery and the colorful celebrations of an annual Buddhist festival. Bookending the trek is time in Lhasa, Shigatse, and Gyantse, where Vassi shares the highlight sites, as well as his favorite local haunts.

Chitimba beach on Lake Malawi

Malawi

Black Tomato’s Marchant says this country is “ripe for discovery. It offers sprawling, wildlife-rich national parks that make for the perfect safari away from the crowds, while the vast expanse of Lake Malawi is the perfect beach retreat with its endless white-sand coastlines and crystal clear waters perfect for snorkeling.” The year 2017 saw the completion of the groundbreaking #500Elephants project, the largest elephant translocation in human history. Alongside these wonderful creatures, Malawi’s Nkhotakota Reserve has received hundreds of other animals. Next year will see the return of theLake of Stars music festival and the opening of Robin Pope Safari’s new Kuthengo Camp in Liwonde National Park.

The Nile River

Egypt

Open-minded travelers are slowly returning as the country experiences continuous political stability. Luxury tour operators such as Indagare have reported a swift increase in tourism in the past year. “Egypt’s famous sites are still uncrowded, though,” says Biggs Bradley, “allowing travelers to have meaningful experiences at some of the world’s most notable locations—think horseback riding around the Great Sphinx of Giza and touring pyramids with renowned Egyptologists. And while the country is known for its age-old ancient treasures, new finds continue to be uncovered. Last summer, archeologists discovered two important artifacts: an ancient pyramid and a pharaoh’s head.”

Who Knows Where?

“A journey into the unknown, the mystery trip, your ultimate answer to the sacred call of adventure!” is how Evergreen X founder Jake Haupert describes the EG-X “X for the Unknown”trips he’s launching. His team selects the destination based on in-depth conversations in which guests are encouraged to be vulnerable and share what it is they’re truly seeking. The rest is left to Evergreen X and their deep appreciation for real travel, where you don’t know what lies ahead. “With travelers not privy to the destination until they arrive at the airport, the suspense draws out the dormant explorer inside of them, forcing them to set intentions, be mindful and be prepared for everything,” he says. “Our hope is that by releasing the expectations of place, we’re able to take the journey within, harken back to the roots of travel, slow it down, open it up for unplanned exploration so you can recalibrate your inner compass.”

Ann Abel , CONTRIBUTOR

18 Places to Go in 2018

From a Greek island without the crowds to Colombia’s newly-revealed natural wonders, here are a few destinations worth traveling to this year.

Naxos, Greece 

Take everything you love about the Greek Isles – whitewashed architecture, rocky swimming coves, hilltop tavernas – and subtract the crowds. This 165-square-mile island (the largest in the Cyclades chain) relies less on tourism and more on agriculture than its prime-time sisters, a rarity in the Greek Isles. Sail to Naxos on Seabourn’s 14-day, round-trip-from-Athens voyage aboard the 458-passenger Seabourn Odyssey. For a customized day of exploration, ask your travel advisor to work with Travel2Greece, a Virtuoso on-site tour connection, to set up shore excursions.

Ibiza

Come for the party, stay for the surprising serenity. The Med’s capital of debauchery is known for its beach bars, cavernous nightclubs, and 4 a.m. DJ sets, but a decidedly more bohemian vibe makes daylight appealing too. After late nights (or, let’s be honest, early mornings) in the town of San Antonio, retreat to the 205-room ME Ibiza (pictured) for rooftop spa treatments and poolside cabanas.

Los Cabos

Mexico’s Pacific enclave comprising Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo gets a lavish boost this year. In addition to the spring opening of the 122-room Montage Los Cabos, a handful of other five-star projects are in the pipeline. For now, escape the winter blues at 84-room Las Ventanas al Paraíso, where a pop-up Champagne bar on the beach beats scraping ice off the windshield any day.

Colombia

After a half century of civil war, a 2016 accord between the government and the jungle-based Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) has introduced a new era of peace to the country. More than 50 parks and reserves once deemed war zones are reopening, revealing rainbow-hued rivers and beautiful alpine lakes. Start your eco-exploration at Tayrona National Natural Park (pictured above), where tropical cloud forest tumbles down to the Caribbean. Big Five Tours & Expeditions, a leader in promoting peace through tourism in Colombia, can create a custom coast-to-coast eco-adventure.

Big Sur

Landslides damaged roads and made Big Sur’s redwood forests and cinematic coastline largely inaccessible for most of last year (Post Ranch Inn helicoptered guests in), but parts of California’s Highway 1 reopened in October, ushering in the area’s newest addition. The former Ventana Inn & Spa reemerged as the 59-room Ventana Big Sur, with updated accommodations, an art gallery, 15 glamping tents, and an activity center offering beekeeping lessons and guided photography treks.

Nothern Iceland

Iceland’s next big attractions are far from the famed Blue Lagoon. Travel to the Land of Fire and Ice is up fivefold since 2010, and Iceland is the top emerging destination in Virtuoso’s 2018 Luxe Report, an annual trend survey of travel advisors. The key to having untouched glaciers and dramatic vistas to yourself is to go beyond the Ring Road, to areas still relatively undiscovered by tourists. One idea: Backroads’ six-day northern Iceland trip, which includes hiking along Eyjafjordur, whalewatching off the coast of Husavik (pictured above), and biking through some of the area’s most charming fishing villages.

Alaska by Ship

Alaska’s cruise boom continues: Norwegian Cruise Line’s 4,004-passenger Norwegian Bliss debuts in June, bound for Ketchikan; Princess Cruises is increasing its Alaskan cruise capacity by 15 percent; and even transatlantic queen Cunard wants in, with plans to sail to Alaska in 2019 for the first time in more than 20 years. All this competition means cruise lines are aiming to impress, luring passengers with enhancements such as craft beer and Broadway shows on the Bliss, and immersive shore excursions such as Seabourn’s new four-day, pre- or post-cruise land adventure deep in Denali National Park and Preserve.

The Kimberley, Australia

Occupying 162,000 square miles in northwest Australia, the Kimberley is one of the world’s remotest regions – a Planet Earth-worthy expanse of burnt-red sandstone formations and isolated savannas. Land adventures departing from Broome are popular, but approaching this wild coastline by sea is a pleasant alternative. This year, Silversea adds more Kimberley sailings on its 116-passenger Silver Discoverer, including a ten-day, Darwin-to-Broome voyage that dives into the region via Zodiac rides through horizontal waterfalls, and treks with Aboriginal guides to centuries-old stone formations and rock paintings.

San Blas Islands

Paradise found off Panama’s north coast: 365 palm-fringed swaths of sand scattered across the Caribbean. The San Blas Islands, or Guna Yala, are controlled by the Kuna, an indigenous group known for their bright, handmade mola blouses. Tour operator Blue Parallel can customize a catamaran trip to the San Blas, with three days in Panama City and four days sailing around the islands. The getaway promises deserted beaches, lobster dinners, and time with the Kuna people.

Mexico City

Attention turned to Mexico City last fall when a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck near Puebla. While certainly tragic, it doesn’t mean you should cancel your travel plans. Mexico City is on the global stage for a more celebratory reason too: It’s been named the 2018 World Design Capital, the first city in the Americas to earn the title. Creativity can be found everywhere here: Mexico City has one of the world’s largest concentrations of museums and February’s annual Zona Maco is the country’s equivalent of Art Basel. New shops and bazaar-style markets display an emerging sartorial scene, including Barrio Alameda, a collection of galleries and boutiques in a revamped art deco building in the Centro Histórico district. The 189-room St. Regis Mexico City connects guests with stylist Marco Corral for an in-the-know tour of the Condesa and Roma neighborhoods’ best shops.

Seoul

World-class athletes will meet in Pyeongchang, South Korea, this February for the Winter Olympics. While they go for the gold, three hours east in Seoul, the K-beauty-obsessed will be reaching for sheet masks – and serums, skin elixirs, and pore foams. The country’s skincare products line U.S. shelves, but travelers to the source are rewarded with affordable spa treatments, hard-to-find indie brands, and, in the Myeongdong neighborhood, entire streets lined with beauty-product shops. Get beauty sleep at the 185-room Park Hyatt Seoul in the posh Gangnam district.

Oslo

Norway topped the list in last year’s United Nations’ World Happiness Report, and one visit to its capital affirms why. Beyond the revitalized Bjorvika waterfront, hip restaurants and food halls introduce travelers to seasonal New Nordic cuisine (try it at three-Michelin-starred Maaemo), and locals convene over their love of a good cup of coffee at Fuglen. Spend a few days in Oslo on 50 Degrees North’s new private, ten-day Scandinavian city-hopping jaunt, with stops in Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Bergen, Norway.

Rwanda

A chance to see endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat draws nature lovers to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, where a large group of the last remaining of these apes reside. Rwanda languished in the shadow of its 1994 genocide for more than a decade, but a stable government and a 30 percent increase in tourism in the past two years have put the small Central African nation on travelers’ lists. A wave of new upscale (and conservation-minded) accommodations helps too, including Wilderness Safaris’ six-villa Bisate Lodge, which recently opened near the park. Spend eight days hiking, gorilla trekking, and learning about Rwandan history on a private Abercrombie & Kent tour.

Ethiopia

Intrepid wanderers don’t go to Ethiopia for the “big five.” The country deals more in the history of humankind and Simien Mountain gorges than in vast savannas and classic safaris. Lakani World Tours’ ten-day, private exploration provides a proper introduction, with visits to museums and open-air markets in Addis Ababa, cave churches in Lalibela, and the Simien Mountains National Park to look for gelada baboons.

Madagascar

The island nation off Mozambique promises magic on multiple levels. Focus on the eastern and southern sides of Madagascar while meeting members of the Antandroy tribe and spying on ring-tailed lemurs in gallery forests during African Travel’s ten-day journey.

Slovenia

Hilltop castles straight out of a fairy tale. Hot springs, vast forests, and alpine lakes. Medieval towns with cobblestoned streets and Venetian-inspired architecture. They’re all packed into this compact country bordered by Croatia, Austria, Italy, and Hungary. Virtuoso travel advisors can work with Luxury Slovenia, a Virtuoso on-site tour connection, to create a varied itinerary that covers everything from the country’s most photographed spot, Lake Bled, to hard-to-snag reservations at Hisa Franko, the rural restaurant owned by Chef’s Table star (and 2017’s World’s Best Female Chef) Ana Roš.

Upcountry Maui

Maui’s traditional draws may be lazy beach days and volcano-top sunrises, but on the western slopes of Haleakala, a thriving homegrown culinary scene shines. Farmers invite visitors to sample goat cheese, coffee, and lavender scones, and pop-up farm-to-table dinners draw chefs from afar. Go big with a new experience from the 383-room Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, which includes a helicopter transfer to Piiholo Ranch for a day in the Upcountry with its owner, Peter Baldwin, a fifth-generation paniolo (cowboy).

Luang Prabang

Immaculate Buddhist temples and French colonial architecture are highlights of Luang Prabang, Laos’ former royal capital along the Mekong River, a relatively undeveloped destination that’s less traveled than others in Southeast Asia – for now. Luxury hotels are on their way to tap into the UNESCO World Heritage city’s peaceful appeal. Settle in at the 24-room Amantaka, where, as part of the resort’s new meditation retreats, guests witness the city’s daily Buddhist almsgiving ceremony.

10 Places to See Before They're Gone

Beauty of Italy

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BY CAITLIN MORTON

The 36 Most Beautiful Places in Italy

La dolce vita, indeed

Some of the most beautiful places in Italy are also some of the most beautiful in the world. In fact, few parts of the world can claim such a range of natural beauty as Italy, from craggy peaks and verdant hills to turquoise waters lined by white-sand beaches. The country is also to some of the best art and architecture you’ll ever come across: We’re talking about the astonishing cathedrals of Rome, the rainbows of houses flanking the canals in Venice, and the modern masterpieces of Milan. And while no list of the best could possibly begin to cover them all, we’ve done our best to round up 36 of the most beautiful places in Italy. 

The good news? Wherever you choose to visit first, it’s sure to be a hit in this country.

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The Grand Canal, Venice

Venice’s Grand Canal is beautiful any time of day, but the early evening is our favorite time to marvel at this architectural wonder—the sun reflecting off of the water casts a glow that, coupled with the echo of the lapping waves, becomes something magical.

Johny Goerend/Unsplash

Chianti Country

Yes, it’s home to some of Italy’s most famous reds, but Chianti Country is also one of the best spots in the country for an afternoon drive along winding, cypress-lined roads, and past rolling green hills and golden fields dotted with sunflowers. It’s the side of Tuscany we love most—and definitely one of the most beautiful places in Italy.

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Alberobello, Puglia

The main draw of Alberobello, a small town near Bari in Puglia, is its characteristic trulli: cone-shaped, white-tipped houses that look as if they’ve been perpetually dusted by snow. Thanks to this distinctive feature, the town was deemed so unique that it was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

Patrick Schneider

St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome

There's a good reason almost every first-time visitor to Rome dedicates a day to the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica (and its statue-lined square, for that matter), one of the most famous Catholic churches in the world. With its gilded roof and world-renowned artwork, it’s easy to see why it draws 25,000 visitors every day. Get a glimpse of it at night for a sight that is truly awe-inspiring.

Travel Wild/Getty

La Maddalena, Sardinia

Powdery sands and few English speakers within earshot are part of the appeal of this archipelago off the Costa Smeralda. Best of all, the local goat cheeses, Vermentino whites, and legs of prosciutto make it feel like a microcosm of old Italy.

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Trastevere, Rome

This historically working-class Roman neighborhood has become a major food destination in recent years, with open-air markets and tiny trattorias serving up some of the best meals in town. And it’s not too tough on the eyes, either, especially as the sun sets.

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Gran Paradiso National Park

As its name suggests, this national park in the Graian Alps is a true paradise. Visitors are treated to an array of scenic hiking trails, pristine glacial lakes, and the occasional wild ibex sighting.

Courtesy Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte Hotel

Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte Hotel, Palermo

A list of Italy’s most beautiful hotels would be nearly endless (though here are our readers' 20 favorites), but we’d be sure to put Villa Igiea at the very top. The Sicilian hideaway’s Art Nouveau touches and sophisticated pool scene are truly second to none.

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Capri

By reputation, Capri is by far Italy’s most glamorous island—and most dramatic. From the iconic Faraglioni rocks settled in the azure Mediterranean to the scent of the island’s many flowers, it’s almost sensory overload.

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Piazza San Carlo, Turin

Turin is often considered to be Italy’s most elegant city, as evidenced by the baroque buildings and grand old coffee shops lining the central Piazza San Carlo. Be sure to stop by Caffè Torino to enjoy a negroni alongside painted murals and gilded mirrors. The “Paris of Italy” also landed a spot on our list of the best places to visit in Italy, as voted by our readers.

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Lipari

The largest of the Aeolian Islands, Lipari has dramatic cliffs, pristine beaches, and incredible pumice caves. The best views of the island and its six Aeolian neighbors are from Quattrocchi, just west of the main town. The Gattopardo Park Hotel, once an 18th-century villa, has rooms overlooking the ancient acropolis and medieval Castello.

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The Dolomites

The Dolomites are the cozy cousin to the Alps’ glitzy ski towns. The area’s powdery slopes can be accessed via the 86-mile Great Dolomites Road, one of the world’s loveliest alpine drives—and a perfect day trip from Venice.

Moises Norena

Burano, Venice

A stroll through the cobblestone streets of this diminutive island off of Venice—known for making some of the loveliest lace in the world—is like stepping into a candy-colored fairy tale (with really great espresso).

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Duomo di Milano, Milan

The magnificent white Gothic cathedral is home to more statues than any other in the world—around 3,500 in total, about two-thirds of which are located on its gargoyle-lined roof, alongside 135 spires. Take the audio guide tour of the interior to get the most out of your visit or climb the 150 steps to the roof to enjoy spectacular views over the city.

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Lake Como

This 56-square-mile Lombardy jewel has been attracting summer vacationers since ancient Roman times; today, it’s as popular for its natural beauty as it is for its luxury hotels (and George Clooney sightings, of course).

Sterlinglanier Lanier

Lucca, Tuscany

Filled with antique shops, almost 100 churches, and trattorias serving hearty Tuscan fare, the walled city of Lucca is missing one thing: the crush of tourists that can overwhelm some of its neighbors, which makes it not just a lovely place to visit but a welcome respite as well.

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Chiaia di Luna, Ponza

Italy is full of gently rolling hills, but the tiny island of Ponza off the coast of Rome takes things in a slightly different, more dramatic direction. Case in point: Chiaia di Luna, a magnificent bay surrounded by towering cliffs that resemble a lunar landscape (hence the name).

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Pantheon, Rome

One of the world’s greatest feats of pre-Christian architecture is the Pantheon, a domed, ancient church in the middle of Rome. Though the crowds can be distracting, this is a truly magnificent site, both inside and out.

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Lake Orta

Lake Orta isn’t nearly as grand as its massive, famous neighbors (Lake Como and Lake Maggiore), and therein lies its appeal. The body of water is refreshingly free of glitzy resorts and boat tours, making the lake—surrounded by green hills and the occasional stone house—feel like a real natural treasure.

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Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan

Great fashion, great architecture, great food, and some of the very best people-watching on the planet—it's pretty much impossible to argue with the all-around beauty of Milan. Even its shopping malls, like Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, epitomize elegance.

Sara Groblechner

Manarola, Liguria

Manarola is one of the oldest towns in the Cinque Terre and arguably one of the most beautiful. It’s known primarily for its fishing, wine-making, and excellent hiking in the hills and vineyards above the town. Don’t miss the famous walking trail called Via dell’Amore, or Love’s Trail.

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Villa Cimbrone, Ravello

Manicured gardens, rows of marble statues, and dramatic views of the Amalfi Coast (especially from the aptly named Terrace of Infinity) make the 5-star hotel Villa Cimbrone in Ravello one of the most beautiful places in Italy. Even if you don’t book a room, you can still check out the gardens, which are open to the public.

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Uffizi Gallery, Florence

Botticelli's The Birth of Venus may symbolize true beauty inside the Uffizi, but the museum is exquisite on the outside as well, with its symmetrical columns and stately windows. We like to stroll the perimeter after the museum closes, when Florentine couples and families come out to do the same.

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Castello di Miramare, Trieste

Just a 30-minute drive north of Trieste—the photogenic heart of Friuli Venezia-Giulia—Castello di Miramare owed much of its appeal to its scenic surroundings. Formerly home to Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, the 10th-century structure sits above the blue Adriatic on a lush, 54-acre park. It’s certainly not your average road trip pit stop.

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Stelvio Pass

At more than 9,000 feet high, the Stelvio Pass is the eastern Alps’ highest paved road—a 15-mile-long ribbon of 48 hairpin turns with spectacular mountain views. The road is thrilling no matter your vehicle of choice, but if you can do the drive in a Ferrari? Even better.

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Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca, Bologna

Bologna is a small but mighty Italian city, with quintessentially lovely churches, covered sidewalks, and wine bars throughout. But our favorite spot lies just outside of town: The Sanctuary of San Luca, a hilltop basilica with a famous arched portico and incredible views of Bologna below.

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Fonte Gaia, Siena

This impressive fountain is one of the Tuscan town's best, and easiest to spot—it’s in the center of Piazza del Campo, the main square and home to Siena’s famous horse race, il Palio. Siena itself is filled with architecture-as-art, earning it a UNESCO designation as the “embodiment of a medieval city.”

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San Fruttuoso, Liguria

Located about halfway between Portofino and the small town of Camogli, San Fruttuoso is as picture-perfect as Italian beaches get. The small cove’s appeal lies in its hidden location (you can only reach it by hiking from Portofino or catching a ferry), gorgeous blue water, and backdrop of a medieval abbey surrounded by mountains.

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Atrani, Campania

Tucked between two cliffs overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, the village of Atrani is the Amalfi Coast’s best-kept secret. It’s often bypassed en route to the larger and more famous towns of Amalfi, Positano, and Sorrento, and this is a good thing—you’ll almost always have its beautiful churches, piazzas, and charming trattorias all to yourself.

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Bosco Verticale, Milan

In 2017, Milan blossomed with a new beauty, complementing the city's centuries-old ones. The “vertical forest,” which envelopes two high-rise apartment blocks. The work of architect Stefano Boeri, the Porta Nuova buildings are covered with more than 20,000 trees and plants, turning the otherwise unremarkable business district into something of a tourist attraction.

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Santuario Madonna della Corona, Mount Baldo

The Santuario Madonna della Corona (Sanctuary of the Lady of the Crown) is not typically listed among Italy’s most beautiful churches, but that’s probably because most people don’t know where to find it. The 16th-century church is built right into a vertical cliff on Mount Baldo, where visitors must hike up pedestrian paths to reach it.

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Terme di Saturnia

The Cascate del Mulino waterfalls and Terme di Saturnia thermal spa are a popular attraction in southern Tuscany. The spring water—which sits at about 99 degrees Fahrenheit—has formed small pools on the travertine rocks over the centuries and is said to cure everything from acne to tonsillitis.

Giuseppe Mondi

The Duomo, Florence

Brunelleschi’s Duomo is a feat of architecture, sure, but it’s also an ideal observation deck. If you can make your way up the 463 steps (no elevator, and some passages that would make the claustrophobic run screaming), you’ll be rewarded with pristine, 365-degree views of the city and all of Tuscany stretched beyond. For a view of the Duomo, climb Giotto’s Bell Tower next door instead.

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The Duomo of Siena

Built in 1263, this cathedral is one of the most beautiful and ambitious Gothic churches in Italy, characterized by its extravagant zebra-striped bands of marble. Inside, you’ll see works by Michelangelo, Pisano, Donatello, and Pinturicchio and stunning floors paved with inlaid mosaics depicting Biblical stories and historical events.

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San Gimignano, Tuscany

Its impressive medieval skyline, which is visible for miles as you approach, charms from a distance. But once you’re seated at a café in this tiny Tuscan town, sipping a glass of Vernaccia and snacking on salumi—that’s when the real love affair begins.

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Villa Borghese, Rome

Leafy, genteel Villa Borghese is Rome’s biggest and most beautiful public garden—and with a lake, a petting zoo, and rowboats, it’s also home to a ton of kid-friendly activities.

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