Five candy-colored villages on the Italian Riviera.

The last moments of the ill-fated Pompeiians, frozen forever in plaster.

This enchanting 600-year-old tree is so magical it inspired the beloved tale of Pinocchio.

Geothermal waterfalls in Tuscany.

This beautiful park on the outskirts of Rome protects the ruins of two colossal ancient aqueducts.

Pompeii's less famous neighbor is still revealing her secrets.

Thousands of well-dressed mummies below a monastery.

Stalactites and stalagmites in a beautifully lit cave.

The engineering wonder and pleasure dome of a much-maligned emperor still holds undiscovered secrets.

According to the local folklore, the myriad colors of this lake are the result of a lovelorn wizard's blunder.

The skull of the patron saint of lovers lies in the Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin—maybe.

Renaissance villa and gardens complete with a tormented colossus.

2300-year-old Roman road connecting the empire.

The doodles of a genius line the walls of a secret room under the Medici Chapel, where they were hidden for nearly 500 years.

The underground sanctuary of a mysterious ancient cult.

The only "Egyptian" pyramid in Europe and the legendary tomb of Remus.

The yawning maw of this pagan visage is said to bite off the hands of liars.

An alchemist's "magic door" stands in the middle of a Roman park.

A 16th-century horror show built in a lovely Italian garden.

An Italian crevasse filled with abandoned buildings gives visitors a look at the world without humans.

See some of the world's greatest racing horses at this idyllic thoroughbred breeding facility and garden complex.

This Neolithic passage tomb forms part of a World Heritage Site.

The skeleton of a whale that beached itself in this Irish town is now on display in their public park.

A collection of housewares from recent Irish history adjoined by a tower from ancient Irish history.