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Where and how to take a great selfie in Italy

Patrick Browne
Patrick Browne - [email protected]
Where and how to take a great selfie in Italy
A couple take a selfie in Trastevere, Rome. Photo: Anita Szeicz

Whether you're a seasoned selfi-holic or first time snapper, nobody can resist a sneaky selfie in Italy.

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But the selfie is a subtle art form: – get it wrong and you can easily end up end up looking like a bit of a fool.

To help you out here's our list of the top selfie spots in Italy, and some guidelines to help you take the perfect shot.

You can use a selfie stick. You can even use nature's own selfie sticks: otherwise known as arms.

The Colosseum, Rome

Colosseum, and not a Centurian in sight. Photo: Patrick Browne

An obvious one yes, but the fact that it is instantly recognizable makes it the perfect place for a selfie.

The Colosseum, otherwise known as the Flavian Amphitheater, was built between 70-80 A.D and is the largest amphitheater ever built. When in Rome, be sure to join the legions of people who immortalize themselves in front of its famous facade.

Do: Upload it to Facebook with a pretentious Latin status like 'Veni, Vidi, Selfivi' to get a maximum of 'thumbs up'.

Don't: Pose with a Gladiator. It's tacky and can set you back much more than you were expecting.

Milan Cathedral

Don't use a drone to selfie in Milan. Photo: Guifré Miquel

With 135 spires, the highest reaching over 108.5 meters, the gothic cathedral of Milan is sure to make the perfect backdrop to a selfie in Milan, the so-called 'Moral Capital of Italy.'

Do: Make sure no cheeky pigeons sneak into your shot. The piazza is full of them.

Don't: Use a drone to take your photo. Three …men got into trouble with police last month after smashing their done into the roof of the cathedral.

Mount Etna, Sicily

Careful when taking a snap on Etna. Photo: Fab.

Europe's most active volcano? Been there, done that, got the selfie!

At 3343m above sea level and covered with interesting lava flows, and surrounded by fantastic views, the mountain offers a rich range of possibilities when it comes to taking a selfie.

Do: Get creative.

Don't: Get too close to the crater.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

The photo on the left, by Sorelle Anthony, is spot-on, but the one on the right, by Dmarcy, is a faux pas.

The famous 56 meter bell tower is leaning over by 5.5 degrees - meaning that the top of the tower is an impressive 12 meters from where it should be. It truly is remarkable a structure that has to be seen (and selfied) to be believed!

Do: Position yourself carefully to hide the fact that you are surrounded by hundreds of tourists taking exactly the same photo, as the lady in the left photo is doing.

Don't: Pretend to be pushing up the tower. At best, it's a cliché at worst it's an embarrassing failure.

The Bridge of Sighs, Venice

Great for a romantic selfie: The Bridge of Sighs. Photo: Ky H

One for the romantics. The Bridge of Sighs was built over the Rio di Palazzo in 1600 and connects the prison with the Doge's place. It is said that the bridge got its name because as convicts were taken to prison, they sighed as they caught their last glimpse of beautiful Venice.

Do: Take a selfie kissing your boyfriend or girlfriend. Local legend has it that if a couple kiss under the bridge at sunset they will stay eternally happy and in love.
Don't: Sigh if you're on your own, you can still take a nice selfie for your dating site profile.

Cinque Terre, Liguria

Insert your face either in Monterosso, left,  or Vernazza, right. Photos: Sorelle Anthony (L) and AGiuffrida (R)

Cinque Terra on the Ligurian coast of the Italian Riviera is made of of five villages that date back to the 11th century. The villages are colourful terraces that rise up from the pristine coastlines, offering visitors thousand different selfies.

Do: Put it on Facebook straight away to make your friends jealous.
Don't: Forget to put sun cream on, or you run the risk of rocking the dreaded lobster look.

The Stadio Olympico, Rome

Totti's selfie with the fans at Olimpico. Photo: Fabrizio 1998

If you find yourself in the Stadio Olimpico, why not take a selfie like Roma talisman Francesco Totti?

In the 2014-2015 season Totti, an avid Tweeter, entertained the fans after scoring a goal by taking a selfie and then tweeting it as his celebration. The moment was such a big hit it will even be featured in next year's FIFA 2016 football video game.

Do: Make sure your not offside before you tweet.
Don't: Tempt fate Tweeting....see below.

During the same football season, Manchester City goaded Roma on twitter by tweeting ahead of an upcoming clash: "Totti has never scored in England has he?"” Of course, during the match in Manchester Totti scored the winning goal.

Roma's response? They tweeted back: "You've never won a Champions League game in Italy, have you?”" after the game. Needless to say, City managed to take three points from Italy in the reverse fixture.

Anywhere you're eating gelato

Gelato, a delicious selfie accompaniment. Photo: Sarah Nicholls.

You might not be photogenic, but ice-cream always looks good. More than that, ice cream is a great selfie prop, and can help you get a decent shot if you can't make it to any of the places on the list.

Just position it somewhere thoughtfully in the foreground or background, share it with your friend or look at it hungrily to liven up a shot that would otherwise be dull.

Do: Make sure there's none on your face before you snap.
Don't: Scoff it too quickly - –you'll only get brain-freeze. 

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