Matera, Italy

Matera, known as “the underground city”, has been continuously inhabited since prehistoric times.

Pompeii, Italy

Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE and buried Pompeii beneath 9 feet (3m) of volcanic ash, rock and debris.

Much to our delight, Christmas markets opened in Verona the same mid-November day we arrived in town.

What a thrill to check a visit to Milan’s illustrious La Scala Opera House off our bucket list.

The capital of fashion, design and finance, Milano seamlessly blends classical and modern esthetics.

Two of Genova’s sons are famed explorer Christopher Columbus and violinist and composer Niccolò Paganini.

Inspired variations of blue and white azulejos create a unique color palette in the city of Porto.

Santiago de Compostela is the capital of scenic Galicia, tucked away in the northwestern corner of Spain.

300,000+ pilgrims walk each year to worship the relics of St. James, buried in Santiago de Compostela.

Speeding through the Galician countryside on various train trips we were fortunate to spot dozens of hórreos.