Samantha Priestley

Just a short walking distance from St. Peter’s Basilica, the Castel Sant’Angelo is one of my favorite landmarks in Rome. But because of its proximity to the more popular basilica, many tourists often overlook it.  As a local, I love the quiet presence of the Castel Sant’Angelo. I enjoy walking by the river Tiber and

As the most popular tourist attraction in Rome, the Vatican sees a lot of people visiting its museum and works of art every day. But probably the most famous thing about the Vatican is its famous inhabitant, the pope. Although the Vatican is the pope’s residence, he’s not exactly wandering around mingling with the visitors,

Headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and home to many incredible works of art, not to mention being the official residence of the pope, the Vatican is one of the most visited attractions in Rome. Visitors arrive at the Vatican from all over the world and they come at all times of day and all

No visit to a city is complete without a visit to its best museums. If Paris has its Louvre and Madrid the Prado, Rome is all about the Vatican Museums.   While technically inside the independent Vatican City, the Vatican Museums became a must-see for anybody who travels to the Italian capital. Countless visitors come every

The Vatican City is home to many incredible sights. St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums — all of them are ready to fascinate their visitors. Only a few people know that the Vatican hides another gem: the Vatican Gardens. Often overlooked, the gardens are a peaceful retreat, away from the city’s

Rising above St. Peter’s Square, St. Peter’s Basilica is a must-see when you visit Rome. As one of the most famous works of Renaissance architecture, the largest church in the world, and arguably the holiest Roman Catholic site, St. Peter’s is legendary — in more ways than one. Most visitors are immediately impressed with its

The magic of Rome has inspired countless people for centuries. Visitors come from all over the world to discover the wonders of the Italian capital. And one place that is sure to leave you breathless is the famous Sistine Chapel.  It’s not just a bucket-list sight for tourists. As a local here in Rome, the

Located close to the Vatican City and with its quiet cobbled streets and laid-back atmosphere, Borgo Pio feels like an Italian village not part of the busy streets of Rome at all.  And, in fact, that’s what it once was. Pope Benedict XVI made his home here and many families moved into the area to

In the heart of Rome, just west of the Tiber River, is Vatican City. A city, yes, but also the smallest country in the world.  Inside Vatican City is St. Peter’s Square, one of the world’s most iconic destinations. It was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the 17th century and holds great spiritual and

One of the most intense experiences when visiting a city is admiring it from the top. The impression we have of a place can change completely from a higher viewpoint. Rome offers many spectacular views, such as the terrace in Giardino degli Aranci, the Gianicolo Hill, or the Pincio Terrace in Villa Borghese Park. But

Looking for the best places to eat near the Vatican? We’re here to help.  While Vatican City isn’t that large — it easily fits in a two-mile border — there’s a lot to see here. It houses some of the world’s most important religious and artistic treasures, and there’s a lot of ground to cover.