![\"\"](\"https:\/\/bookingsforyou.com\/blog\/images\/2021\/03\/bomarzo-1938087_1280-1024x681.jpg\")
<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nUs neither.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The \u2018Park of Monsters\u2019 in the Garden of Bomarzo wasn\u2019t designed to be pretty or relaxing; it was an expression of grief by Prince Pier Francesco Orsini after fighting in a bloody war and losing his wife shortly afterwords. If unusual by today\u2019s standards, it certainly was for it\u2019s time \u2014 it was a complete contrast to the perfection of symmetry of Renaissance gardens. Although the entrance is known as the \u2018mouth of hell\u2019, there is a small consolation to the gardens \u2014 the last thing built there was a temple dedicated to honour Orsini\u2019s second wife.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Valley of the Mills<\/b><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Located at the bottom of a deep crevice, these abandoned flour mills date back to the 13th Century. However, after centuries of industrial success they were closed in the 1940s and have been left to ruin. If you want a glimpse of what a post-apocalyptic world might look like, this is a good place to start.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If Atlantis is more your style, than visiting Baia is a must \u2014 although you\u2019ll need flippers and a snorkel to get there. In the Roman era, Baia was the Monaco of its time \u2014 only with volcanic vents and medicinal spas. Ransacked by Saracens in the 8th Century, by 1500 the city lay completely abandoned. The shallow waters rose and overtook the remains, and it\u2019s now one of the world\u2019s few underwater archaeological parks.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n When you think of Tuscany you think of rolling hills, rich wines and sunflowers\u2026 not geothermal falls. But, believe it or not, they have those too. Located near the village of Saturnia, the waterfalls and pools are a natural outdoor spa with temperatures around body temperature (so you\u2019ll be nice and toasty). It\u2019s been a popular attraction throughout history; often visited by Roman nobles.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n You\u2019ll have to trust us on this one \u2014 this isn\u2019t your regular every-day pharmacy we\u2019re talking about here. The Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy is the oldest operating pharmacy in Italy (and possibly even the world), and was established in 1221 by Dominican monks \u2014 whose recipes are still followed today. The pharmacy is literally a hidden gem; it has been a papal residence and the interior is ornate with vaulted ceiling and frescoes. But it’s not an obvious find\u00a0\u2014 keep an eye out for it, or you’ll end up accidentally walking past.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It\u2019s easy to head to Italy and not stray from the oft-beaten path; although there\u2019s a reason the main tourist destinations are popular with visitors, you might want to stray a little further afield. Whilst you might not find yourself completely alone in your travels, you will return home with some interesting stories and even more interesting photos. The Monsters of Bomarzo When you think of \u201cItalian Gardens\u201d, we can guarantee you\u2019re not expecting this: Us neither. The \u2018Park of Monsters\u2019 in the Garden of Bomarzo wasn\u2019t designed to be pretty or relaxing; it was an expression of grief by Prince Pier Francesco Orsini after fighting in a bloody war and losing his wife shortly afterwords. If unusual by today\u2019s standards, it certainly was for it\u2019s time \u2014 it was a complete contrast to the perfection of symmetry of Renaissance gardens. Although the entrance is known as the \u2018mouth of hell\u2019, there is a small consolation to the gardens \u2014 the last thing built there was a temple dedicated to honour Orsini\u2019s second wife. Valley of the Mills Located at the bottom of a deep crevice, these abandoned flour mills date back to the 13th Century. However, after centuries of industrial success they were closed in the 1940s and have been left to ruin. If you want a glimpse of what a post-apocalyptic world might look like, this is a good place to start. Underwater City of Baia If Atlantis is more your style, than visiting Baia is a must \u2014 although you\u2019ll need flippers and a snorkel to get there. In the Roman era, Baia was the Monaco of its time \u2014 only with volcanic vents and medicinal spas. Ransacked by Saracens in the 8th Century, by 1500 the city lay completely abandoned. The shallow waters rose and overtook the remains, and it\u2019s now one of the world\u2019s few underwater archaeological parks. Terme di Saturni When you think of Tuscany you think of rolling hills, rich wines and sunflowers\u2026 not geothermal falls. But, believe it or not, they have those too. Located near the village of Saturnia, the waterfalls and pools are a natural outdoor spa with temperatures around body temperature (so you\u2019ll be nice and toasty). It\u2019s been a popular attraction throughout history; often visited by Roman nobles. Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy\u00a0 You\u2019ll have to trust us on this one \u2014 this isn\u2019t your regular every-day pharmacy we\u2019re talking about here. The Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy is the oldest operating pharmacy in Italy (and possibly even the world), and was established in 1221 by Dominican monks \u2014 whose recipes are still followed today. The pharmacy is literally a hidden gem; it has been a papal residence and the interior is ornate with vaulted ceiling and frescoes. But it’s not an obvious find\u00a0\u2014 keep an eye out for it, or you’ll end up accidentally walking past.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":8882,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-right-sidebar.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[411,173],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1545","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inspiration","category-italy"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/bookingsforyou.com\/blog\/images\/2021\/03\/shutterstock_1591187674.jpg\")
<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nUnderwater City of Baia<\/b><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Terme di Saturni<\/b><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Unusual](\"https:\/\/bookingsforyou.com\/blog\/images\/2017\/11\/saturnia-986581_1920-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSanta Maria Novella Pharmacy\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n