Robert Evans rated Church of the Frari

Robert Evans rated HMS Mary Rose

Robert Evans rated The Imperial War Museum

Robert Evans reviewed HMS Mary Rose in Portsmouth, United Kingdom

Back in the 16th century, King Henry VIII built himself a navy. The biggest ship he built was named the Mary Rose, and was part of the fleet that challenged the French at the battle of Solent. Unfortunately, the ship is well-known for sinking during th…"

Robert Evans rated Chiusi

Robert Evans rated Tarquinia

Robert Evans rated Todi

Robert Evans reviewed Chiusi in Italy

For those who don't know, the Etruscans were the bullies of the Italian Peninsula until the Romans knocked them off their perch (and bullied the rest of the known world!) While the Etruscans were at the height of their power they commanded a confederatio…"

Robert Evans reviewed Tarquinia in Italy

Ever wonder who came before the Romans? The Etruscans, that's who. They fought and lost to the Romans, who (thankfully) didn't erase all traces of their former enemies. Luckily for us, that means that towns like Tarquinia still exist. That also means…"

Robert Evans reviewed Todi in Italy

Called "the world's most livable city" Todi has built up something of a reputation in Italy. It's been a long time in coming, as some estimates put Todi's founding date at or near 2000 B.C. It's an old place. Originally one of the main citie…"

Robert Evans rated Palatine Towers

Robert Evans rated Cortona

Robert Evans rated San Vincenzo al Volturno

Robert Evans rated National Museum of Health and Science

Robert Evans reviewed Cortona in Italy

The city of Cortona is old. If you’re looking for a traditional Italian town with traditional streets and traditional piazzas, well, then this is your place. The streets, the architecture, and the location all reflect the city’s age and sty…"

Robert Evans reviewed San Vincenzo al Volturno in Italy

The Monastery of San Vincenzo al Volturno is an odd thing. A rival to Monte Cassino, it was sacked, rebuilt, and then fell into decline, slowly being absorbed by it's larger neighbor until it was entirely owned by the monks of Monte Cassino. Only in mo…"

Robert Evans rated HMS Victory

Robert Evans rated Portsmouth

Robert Evans rated Sperlonga

Robert Evans rated Villa Oplontis

Robert Evans reviewed Sperlonga in Italy

Any Roman historian should visit Sperlonga before they die. For the rest of us mortals, it's still pretty cool. The site holds the remains of the villa of Tiberius, an emperor who really seemed to like the Odyssey. Most of the art in the house has Ody…"

Robert Evans reviewed Villa Oplontis in Naples, Italy

Put simply, Pompeii wasn't the only city that was buried under that eruption from Mount Vesuvius. Herculaneum, Stabia, Nuceria...and Oplontis. Oplontis was even closer to the volcano, and joins the list of Roman towns buried under that fateful eruption…"

Robert Evans rated Palestrina

Robert Evans reviewed Palestrina in Rome, Italy

Known to the Romans as Praeneste, the town of Palestrina is ancient town sited about 30 km to the east of Rome. In fact, the city is older than you would at first believe as archaeologists have unearthed what they believe are artifacts from the Etruscan…"

Robert Evans reviewed Via Garibaldi in Genoa, Italy

Also known as the Strada Nuova or the Strada Maggiore. Since it's construction in 1550, this street in the center of Genoa was recently named UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wonderful architecture and multiple palaces mean this road is the equal of any you…"

Robert Evans reviewed St. Lawrence Cathedral in Genoa, Italy

Found in Genoa, this cathedral is a Romanesque Cathedral (the precursor to Gothic style), meaning it looks less like Notre Dame and more like a basilica. Despite (or because) of this, the structure remains one of the finer examples of architecture in th…"

Robert Evans reviewed Palatine Towers in Turin, Italy

Otherwise known as the Porta Palazzo in Italian or Porta Palatii in the original Latin, the so-called Palatine Towers are the remains of one of the city gates built by the Romans to allow entry into Turin. As of now, only the central gate remains from t…"

Robert Evans reviewed The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, Israel

Built by Caliph Abd al-Malik in 691, the Dome of the Rock is a mashhad (shrine for pilgirms) built in Jerusalem. Most notable for the golden dome atop the building, it houses a the Foundation Stone, supposedly mentioned in the Koran. When Muhammad ride…"

Robert Evans reviewed The Shroud of Turin in Turin, Italy

Fresh off a controversial restoration, the Shroud of Turin is supposed to publicly displayed for the first time in decades! For those of you who don't know, the Shroud is an ancient piece of cloth with the image of a man on it. Some claim that it is th…"

Robert Evans reviewed Museum of Oriental Art in Turin in Turin, Italy

Recently constructed, the Museum of Oriental Art located in Turin rounds out the city's art collection (they have a wonderful egyptian museum, as well). The entrance hall is flanked by two lovingly maintained Japanese rock gardens, while the ground floo…"

Robert Evans reviewed The Via Ferrata in Veneto-Dolomites, Italy

The Via Ferrata, or "Iron Roads", are a series of cables, ladders, and bridges leading paths up into the Dolomite Mountains. They were originally constructed by Austrian and Italian mountain soldiers as they fought to control the heights durin…"

Robert Evans reviewed Museo Egizio in Italy

The Museo Egizio, or the Egyptian Museum of Turin, is possibly the largest collection of Egyptian Art outside of the museum in Cairo. Placed (strangely enough) in Turin, Italy, the Museo Egizio is the sort of attraction one could easily lose a whole day…"

Robert Evans reviewed Springs of Ein Gedi in Israel

Travel through the deserts of the Holy Land and at some point, you'll get tired of it. Your eye, whether you think so or not, appreciates life and greenery, and what better way to see vegetation than going to an Oasis? The valley of Ein Gedi (fed by th…"

Robert Evans commented on The Pantheon in Rome, Italy

Purposely built by the Romans to shield visitors from the hustle and bustle of the outside world, the peace and calm you'll find as you step in are worth the walk over."

Robert Evans reviewed National Museum of Health and Science in Virginia, United States

Once a gory collection of Civil war casualties, injuries, and ailments, the National Museum of Health and Science has become quite a bit more, broadening it's attraction beyond teenagers and sadists. Prominent items from the original inventory of Civil …"

Robert Evans commented on Battlefield of Antietam in Appalachian States, United States

Hmmm...most of the times I actually saw reenactors, I just happened to stumble on them. I Googled them quite a bit for you and all I can say is that reenactors are made up of small groups of people, and whenever those people decide to go is whenever you…"

Robert Evans reviewed The Mütter Museum in Philadelphia, United States

or Dramamine. Either way, this museum is sure to challenge both your stomach and your sensibilities. All of the medical oddities of a past age are on display here, in full glory. Especially interesting is the skull collection, giving visitors a chance…"

Robert Evans commented on Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, United States

Free for students, if you can produce some student ID."

Robert Evans commented on Mesa Verde in United States

Some of the tours crawl through small tunnels, small enough to set off claustrophobics. Adventurous types and children will eat it right up."

Robert Evans commented on Battlefield of Antietam in Appalachian States, United States

If you can, time your visit to coincide with a group or reenactors. Always sincere and ready to answer questions, most of these guys will be dressed in period uniforms and possessing of real, working muskets and cannons. Reenactments are much more fun …"

Robert Evans commented on Tour De France in Paris, France

Watching the races is ALWAYS wonderful, as it is very much a communal experience, but there is one warning. Never, ever, get in the way of the cyclists. Too many races are spoiled and crashes caused because some silly person got too close while trying t…"

Robert Evans commented on Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna in Ravenna, Italy

While some of the artwork has been restored (clumsily), Ravenna still offers some of the best and most complete early christian art and architecture. Plan on spending a day driving around visiting the basilicas and baptistries."

Robert Evans reviewed Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, Israel

Much like a visit to a concentration camp, passing through Yad Vashem leaves a mark on all of its visitors. Harrowing stories of escapes, deaths, betrayals, coincidences, brutality, and humanity are woven throughout the exhibits. While authentic in eve…"

Robert Evans reviewed The D-Day Beaches in Normandy, France

The beaches by now little resemble the battlefields of literature or cinema. Rows and rows of tank traps, or other obstacles on the beaches, have long since been cleared away. What is left is a quiet, peaceful beach, and crumbling bunkers. This sort o…"

Robert Evans commented on Bayeux Tapestry (Unknown) in Normandy, France

worth a visit, even if only to claim that you've seen it."

Robert Evans reviewed Scrovegni Chapel (Giotto) in Padua, Italy

To be honest, I can think of no finer example of fresco artwork. Once a private chapel and attached to a much larger building, the remaining chapel must be seen if you are in the area. Unfortunately, part of the work was damaged, but the ongoing restor…"

Robert Evans commented on The Roman Forum in Rome, Italy

Worth going for the sights as well as the people. I counted tour groups from four different continents, all in about half an hour. Take your time (and your pictures) and then head on up to the Palatine hill."

Robert Evans commented on Dinosaur Digging in Colorado in Colorado Springs, United States

While you're there, why not check out the giant sequoias? Depends on where you go, of course, but when I went they were easily within a short drive."