Vatican City

The dome of St Peter's presides over the whole city

Noteworthy for: The area's connection to Christianity goes back to the martyrdom of the first Pope St Peter around 60AD.

Word to the wise: On Sundays at noon, the Pope delivers a blessing from his window for crowds gathered in St Peter's Square - except when he's at his summer residence.
Vatican City, or the Holy See, is an unavoidable must-see on every visit, mainly because the iconic dome of St Peter's Basilica is visible from every hidden enclave. A rite of passage is to send a postcard from this, the world's smallest independent state. Despite having just 800 residents, it has its own stamps and telephone dialling code, but is interestingly the only world state not a member of the United Nations (instead it has 'Observer' status).

There are obvious wonders - St Peter's Square, the dome's astounding views, and Michaelangelo made some pretty paintings in the Sistine Chapel. For some peace, and wonder, however, explore the corridors surrounding the sculpture-filled Vatican Museums.

Beyond the museum's windows are bountiful gardens, including Pope Pius IV's villa, now the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. Meanwhile, in catacombs below lie the Vatican Grottoes, housing the tombs of Popes past and the staggering Necropolis ('City of the Dead').