Things to do in Sils Maria

No. 13 of Best Things to Do in Italy

Santa Maria delle Grazie

Santa Maria delle Grazie is located in the western part of Milan, to the south of Sforza Castle. This red Catholic complex consists of a church and a Dominican convent, and is world-renowned for the mural The Last Supper painted by Leonardo da Vinci in the convent's refectory. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. The last supper "The Last Supper" was created by Leonardo da Vinci in the 15th century, using an innovative and bold painting technique that combined oil painting with tempera, creating a unique perspective effect, but it was also highly susceptible to deterioration. On August 15, 1943, the church and the convent were bombed by British and American aircraft, and most of the convent refectory was destroyed, but the wall where "The Last Supper" is located survived. Several centuries later, 80% of the painting's colors had faded. Restoration work began in 1977 and continued for 22 years. Currently, there is extremely strict control over the number of visitors, with no more than 40 people per visit. Church buildings In addition to "The Last Supper," the building itself is also worth seeing. The church was constructed under the auspices of Duke Sforza and was completed in its entirety in 1497, once serving as the burial chamber for the Sforza family. Later, when the French army invaded, the cultural relics and treasures inside the church were looted, but the exquisite dome and frescoes were preserved. The sacristy now serves as the Dominican cultural center, frequently hosting salons and art exhibitions.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Bernese Highlands

First

Located on a hill to the northeast of Grindelwald, First is one of the main ski resorts in the Jungfrau region and a viewpoint for enjoying the beauty of the glaciers rooted in the canyon, and the mountain scenery along the way is the same Picturesque. Hike to see the mountain scenery There are many walking trails around First, which can go from one high point to the next. Here you will see the mountain scenery of 4,000 meters above sea level and the translucent Tianchi Lake, and the lush mountain grasslands also amaze mountaineers and walkers. FirstFlieger Zipline There is a well-known FirstFlieger zipline project near the first aerial cable car station. This downhill chair allows four people to glide in the air along the ropeway at the same time, the whole journey is 800 meters, and the speed is as high as 84 kilometers per hour. This experience is safe and exciting for all ages. In addition, friends who like to ride can also choose to explore the mountains by bicycle.

2026 Europe 50 - Best Things to Do

Saint Mark's Basilica

Saint Mark's Basilica is located in Saint Mark's Square, adjacent to the Doge's Palace. The basilica was first built in 828, and after the old church was destroyed by fire, reconstruction began in the 11th century. It was originally used to house the relics of Saint Mark and later stored various treasures brought back during the Crusades, making it an art repository with a rich collection. The church is primarily Byzantine in style, blending various architectural and decorative elements from Romanesque to Renaissance. Its facade features five Romanesque doors with diamond-shaped arches, topped with Oriental and Gothic spires, along with marble statues, reliefs, and floral motifs. The massive dome and dazzling mosaics are its most striking features. The church consists of five large domed main halls and two cloister-style vestibules, forming a giant Greek cross in its overall layout. The design of the five domes was inspired by the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople, making it a highly representative Byzantine-style structure. In front of the church stand three flagpoles, symbolizing the three regions of Cyprus, Crete, and Morea that Venice controlled during its peak, bearing witness to the city's past glory. At the top center of the church stands a statue of Saint Mark holding the Gospel of Mark, with the winged lion symbolizing Saint Mark beneath it.

No. 14 of Best Things to Do in Italy

Leonardo's Last Supper Museum

The Last Supper is a mural painting by the Italian High Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci, dated to c. 1495–1498, housed in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. The painting represents the scene of the Last Supper of Jesus with the Twelve Apostles, as it is told in the Gospel of John – specifically the moment after Jesus announces that one of his apostles will betray him. Its handling of space, mastery of perspective, treatment of motion and complex display of human emotion has made it one of the Western world's recognizable paintings and among Leonardo's celebrated works. Some commentators consider it pivotal in inaugurating the transition into what is now termed the High Renaissance.

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No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area

Doge's Palace

The Doge's Palace, adjacent to St. Mark's Basilica and facing the lagoon, was the political hub of the former Republic of Venice: serving as the residence of successive doges and housing legislative, administrative, and judicial bodies such as the Great Council, the Senate, and the Council of Ten. Originally built in the 9th century as a castle-like defensive structure, its current Gothic main body was constructed from the 14th century onward, suffering multiple fires over time. After two consecutive fires in the 1570s, architect Andrea Palladio proposed a neoclassical redesign, but the republic ultimately restored it to its original Gothic form, creating this masterpiece of delicate Venetian Gothic architecture. Since 1923, it has operated as a museum, with ceiling and wall paintings by Venetian School masters like Tintoretto and Veronese adorning its halls. The two facades facing St. Mark's Square and the lagoon are the signature features of this building: geometric patterns formed by white and rose-colored stone, with a massive solid upper wall adorned with flamboyant spires and traceried windows. Below, the two-tiered arcades and loggias appear light and airy—this unconventional "top-heavy, bottom-light" proportion is precisely what distinguishes Venetian Gothic style. The original medieval capitals and statues replaced during the facade's major restoration now have a dedicated exhibition area. The visit generally follows a fixed route. First, enter the inner courtyard: the north side is adjacent to St. Mark's Basilica, where you can look up and see the church's domes; on both sides of the Giant's Staircase in the courtyard stand the statues of Mars and Neptune sculpted by Sansovino, symbolizing the republic's power on land and at sea; embedded in the walls of the second-floor corridor are several lion-headed anonymous denunciation boxes, where reports were once dropped directly into the lion's mouth, and standing in the corridor, you can also overlook St. Mark's Square and the lagoon. The bronze cistern in the center of the courtyard is exquisitely decorated—fresh water was scarce in Venice, and the whole city relied on rainwater filtered into underground wells for use; it is said that water sellers used to come here specifically to draw water for sale. Then, go upstairs along the Golden Staircase: the staircase is named for its gilded stucco decorations, and at the entrance stand the statues of Hercules, who slew the serpent, and Atlas, who carried the earth on his shoulders; in the past, it was reserved only for nobles and VIPs. Upstairs, the rooms are lined one after another—the Four Doors Room, the Anticollegio, the Sala del Collegio, and finally the Great Council Chamber—with paintings and sculptures covering everything from the ceilings to the walls. In the Great Council Chamber, Tintoretto's massive "Paradise," inspired by Dante's "Divine Comedy: Paradiso," occupies almost the entire side wall; its sheer scale makes it one of the largest oil paintings on canvas, with layers of heavenly figures filling the composition. Another room is lined with world maps, featuring celestial and terrestrial globes on display. The latter part of the itinerary leads first through the armory, which houses medieval weapons and armor, then descends into the dim, underground prison cells, and finally crosses the Bridge of Sighs, built around 1600, to reach the New Prison on the opposite bank—a facility considered one of the earliest buildings in Europe designed specifically as a prison, with its name derived from the sighs of prisoners as they crossed the bridge.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area

Piazza San Marco

St. Mark's Square is unique among European city squares, being located in the city center, but not as noisy as other squares, thanks to Venice's quiet waterway traffic. As a Venice landmark, it is favored by tourists, photographers and even pigeons. Piazza San Marco has historically been the political, religious and festival center of Venice, the seat of all important Venetian government institutions, the seat of the Archbishop since the 19th century, and the venue of choice for many Venetian festivals. More than 200 years have passed since the style layout, this trapezoidal square on the edge of the Grand Canal still has its charm. The square is about 170 meters long, 80 meters wide to the east and 55 meters wide to the west. From New Year's Day to Carnival to Christmas, the Venetians host festivals big and small in Piazza San Marco, and even on normal days, people from all over the world flock to this square. There is a circle of exquisite Renaissance-style buildings on the side of the square. St. Mark's Basilica, the Mint, and the Doge's Palace are located on the east side of the square. On the south side are the bell tower and the new and old parliament buildings. Climbing the bell tower can overlook the whole square panorama. . On the west side is the Corell Museum, and on the back is a row of boutiques selling gold jewelry, glass, clothing, home decoration, etc. The storefront is not large, but the window design is very eye-catching. Between the Doge's Palace and the Venetian Prison on the other side of the river is the Bridge of Sighs, and between the square and the Grand Canal is the small Piazza San Marco, where you can see two tall columns standing on the river bank, one of At the top is the statue of San Marco's lion ready to fly. At the top of the other column stands a statue of the holy San Theodore accompanied by a crocodile, both patrons of Venice. During the day, the square is crowded with tourists, and there are groups of tourists everywhere, and large groups of pigeons are flying around the square. If you want to feed the pigeons, you can buy biscuits to feed them. If you encounter a black person who feeds pigeons and corn, don't take it. A small handful of rice is 10 euros. If you accept it, you can ask for money. However, white people generally only give 2-5 euros. If you see Asians in Italy, they will charge more. You can choose to stroll in the square, of course, you can also choose an outdoor cafe seat to sit and rest when you are tired. Although the restaurants and cafes in the square are very expensive, you won't mind because you can stop here for a while and let your eyeballs enjoy the feast of architectural art. The steeple church, Byzantine dome church, mosaic frescoes, marble carvings, and the elegant and elegant Doge's Palace next door are not to be missed. In addition, there are many street performers and mobile vendors in the square, selling some local souvenirs, the price ranges from 3-10 euros, you can buy some as souvenirs if you like. At the same time, the view of the square at night will not disappoint you. If you visit Piazza San Marco around 7:30 pm, you will be impressed by the sight in front of you. In each arch of the buildings around the square, there are lights emitting golden light, which illuminates the original white stone church with golden color, and the whole square is shrouded in a golden splendor. Some restaurants also have their own open-air LiveShow, and it is also a pleasure to watch a free performance here.

No. 1 of Ski Resorts in Samedan

Skilift Survih

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Germany

Munich Residence

The Munich Residence is located in the heart of Munich's old town, serving as the residence and power center for the dukes, electors, and kings of the Wittelsbach family from the early 16th century until 1918. After centuries of continuous expansion, it evolved from a castle into a large palace complex with ten courtyards and hundreds of halls. The king's building, the old palace, and the banquet hall face different directions, showcasing overlapping styles of Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassicism. Today, it is open to the public primarily as the Residence Museum, the Treasury, and the Cuvilliés Theatre. The palace offers a dense concentration of highlights: the antiquities gallery, built in the late 16th century, is the oldest hall here. Stretching over 60 m long with its vaulted ceiling covered in frescoes, it initially displayed the duke's collection of ancient Roman statues and later served as a royal banquet hall for centuries, standing as a representative Renaissance hall north of the Alps. The treasury houses over a thousand royal treasures of the Wittelsbach dynasty, including crowns and scepters. The Cuvilliés Theatre is one of Europe's best-preserved Rococo court theaters, with its ornate tiered loggias. Mozart's opera "Idomeneo" premiered here in 1781, and concerts are still frequently held. During the visit, also watch for the shell-decorated grotto courtyard and the ancestral gallery lined with family portraits—both located along the route to the antiquities gallery and easy to miss if not paying attention. The noses of the bronze lions in front of the gate have been polished shiny by travelers, as local legend says rubbing them brings good luck—worth a try when passing by. The palace was severely damaged in World War II, and most of the exquisite halls seen today were meticulously restored to their original postwar state. The entire tour route is quite long, so allocating most of a day is recommended for a thorough visit. After exploring, you can take a leisurely stroll in the adjacent court garden.

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