Crushed coral and crystals give the sand its signature coloration.

A fairytale island floats in the middle of Italy's little-known Lake Orta.

Where Aleister Crowley taught magick in "La Chambre Des Cauchemars," his "Chamber of Nightmares."

This medieval Italian town is a sheer (and beautiful) cliffside defense.

The plague quarantine island home to the alleged "Vampire of Venice."

The location of the last witch trials of Italy, known as "The Salem of Europe."

Medieval town turned hippie commune, once home to the secret foreskin of Jesus Christ.

This domed temple was built in a hidden cave mouth as a refuge for sinners seeking absolution.

This immaculate and historic water garden culminates in a massive stone dining table with an inset fountain for chilling the wine of the Cardinal's guests.

This sword isn't waiting for a king to pull it out. It was placed there by a saint.

A labyrinth of ancient tunnels hidden below the city holds the ruins of 2,500 years of history.

These "anatomical machines" are only one of the many strange items in this Italian crypt.

Skulls from the plague of 1656 and World War II bombings are united by a cult dedicated to caring for the ancient dead.

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

Abandoned medieval hill town.

Five candy-colored villages on the Italian Riviera.

The once forbidden "secret cabinet" of erotic art from excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Ruins of a 10th century church tucked away deep in a botanical garden.

This quaint Italian town keeps losing ground as the sides of its plateau slowly erode.

This 16th-century monastery has been turned into a surrealist architecture compound.

An Italian hillside ghost town.

Sitting on an Italian hilltop is this surreal fortress built by the mad inventor of electrohomeopathy.

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

Geothermal waterfalls in Tuscany.