Nero’s palace in Rome

In Rome, visitors can take a 2-hour tour of parts of what was Nero’s palace, the Domus Aurea, visiting rooms with impressive architecture and frescoes and then, in the Octagonal Hall, donning virtual-reality glasses that overlay computer-generated images onto physical spaces. The 200-room Domus, which was destroyed after Nero’s death and had its ruins built over, lies under portions of Palatine Hill. 

Tours, held each Saturday and Sunday, must be booked in advance. €34 (near $41) per person (max., 22). Contact Through Eternity Tours (Rome, Italy; phone, in the US, 800/267-7591, www.througheternity.com). Visitors must wear hard hats.