Cascate del Mulino

Italy preserves numerous historical sites away from standard tourist routes, ranging from medieval hill towns to Etruscan burial grounds. These locations document different periods of Italian history through architecture, art and natural settings. The collection includes Roman archaeological sites such as Palazzo Valentini Domus Romane, where ancient townhouses remain beneath modern streets, and Basilica di San Clemente, which displays three construction phases built one above another. In southern Italy, the Sassi of Matera show cave dwellings from prehistoric times, while the Crypt of the Original Sin presents early Christian frescoes from the 8th century. The architectural variety ranges from the conical trulli houses in Alberobello to the Moorish inspired rooms of Sammezzano Castle. Civita di Bagnoregio sits on a tufa rock plateau separated from surrounding land by erosion. The Greek Theatre of Taormina and the Temple of Concordia in Agrigento document the ancient Greek presence in Sicily. Natural formations such as Grotta Azzurra on Capri and the thermal springs of Saturnia complement the historical structures. The sites spread across the entire country, from the Alps to the Aeolian Islands.

Hot springs form where geothermal activity or groundwater systems naturally heat water. This collection features such springs across volcanic zones, mountain ranges and remote areas on all continents. Each location has distinct mineral content and temperatures shaped by its underlying geology. In Iceland, the Blue Lagoon offers mineral-rich water in a lava field near Grindavík, while Deildartunguhver in the west produces one of Europe's most powerful hot springs. Pamukkale in Turkey's Denizli region displays terraced limestone pools formed by calcium-rich thermal water. The Széchenyi Baths in Budapest draw water exceeding 160 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius) from nearly 4,300 feet (1,300 meters) below ground. In Wyoming, Yellowstone's Grand Prismatic Spring shows intense colors produced by its size and thermophilic bacteria. Japan hosts numerous onsen, including Takaragawa in Gunma Prefecture along a river and Yubatake in Kusatsu with visible high mineral output. Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano is known for macaques that bathe there. In North America, the collection spans Banff Upper Hot Springs in Alberta, Chena Hot Springs in Alaska and smaller sites such as Baker Hot Springs in Utah. Grutas Tolantongo in Hidalgo, Mexico, combines warm pools with river flows in a canyon. New Zealand's geothermal zones appear at Champagne Pool in Waiotapu and Hell's Gate Park near Rotorua.

The cultural monuments and institutions of Tuscany include the cathedrals, museums, squares, and architectural sites of Florence, Pisa, and Siena. The region features medieval buildings like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, major museums such as the Uffizi Gallery, and historic squares like the Piazza del Campo in Siena. Religious buildings include the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence and the Cathedral of Siena with their distinctive architectures.

Italy offers many locations where one can swim in nature. From rock-carved basins to mountain lakes, hot springs, and secluded coves, the country is full of accessible water spots for those who enjoy swimming away from managed beaches. They can be found all over: in the Dolomite valleys, in the heart of Tuscany, on the coasts of Sardinia or Sicily. Some sites are accessible on foot after a short walk, others have been known to locals for a long time. The water can be icy or warm depending on the region, but it is always surrounded by scenic landscapes. These natural pools are often quiet places where people come to relax, have picnics, or simply enjoy the scenery. They reveal another aspect of Italy, one that is more straightforward and closer to nature.