Villa Romana del Casale, once an ancient hunting lodge and today one of Italy’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, includes an extensive array of excavated rooms. Admire the spectacular mosaic floors and decorations covering over 32,000 square feet (3,000 square meters), including the famous Bikini Girls and a mythological scene that shows the labors of Hercules.
The best way to visit is by booking a private tour that includes transportation from Agrigento, Taormina, or Palermo. Because there are so many rooms to see—including private apartments, state rooms, and thermal baths—visiting with a tour guide helps travelers appreciate the site’s historical importance and interpret the mosaics’ compositions and themes. Villa entry is ticketed and there can be long lines at the entrance, so it’s best to consider booking a tour that includes skip-the-line tickets.