Visit Italy and find how Italians really do know how to live well. Ever since the Etruscans came, liked what they saw and decided to stay and party, the locals have embraced the finer things in life. Here, family, faith, friendship, food and wine reign supreme, contributing to the famous Italian dolce vita (sweet life).
Travellers have been falling under Italyâs spell ever since the days of the 18th-century Grand
Tour, enticed by its sun-kissed landscape, delectable cuisine and extraordinary art.
This is the home of gently rolling Tuscan hills and postcard-perfect coastlines; the place where simple dishes such as pizza and pasta attain culinary perfection. Itâs where Michelangelo shocked the
establishment with his humanist sculptures and Caravaggio shocked everyone else with his
criminal highjinks and darkly atmospheric paintings.
So make like Julius Caesar. Come and see â youâre sure to be conquered. If you get it right,
travelling in the bel paese (beautiful country) is one of those rare experiences than cannot be
overrated.
The most beautiful places to visit when visiting Italy
Virtuoso Venice
Imagine the audacity of people deciding to build a city of marble palaces on a lagoon. As you step
through the portals of the Basilica di San Marco you may catch a glimpse of what it might have been like for a humble medieval labourer gazing upon those glittering gold mosaic domes for the first time. Itâs not such a stretch â seeing the millions of tiny gilt tesserae (hand-cut glazed tiles) fuse into a singular heavenly vision can make every leap of human imagination since the 12th century seem comparatively minor.
Ghostly Pompeii
The ghostly ruins of ancient Pompeii (Pompei in Italian) make for one of the world’s most engrossing archaeological experiences. Much of the site’s value lies in the fact that the town wasn’t simply blown away by Vesuvius in AD 79 but buried under a layer of lapilli (burning fragments of pumice stone). The result is a remarkably well-preserved slice of ancient life, where visitors can walk down Roman streets and snoop around millennia-old houses, temples, shops, cafes, amphitheatres and even a brothel.
Beautiful Rome
Rome is famous for the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and a sprawling metropolis of Classical architecture. But the city is known for more than its ancient history: it is home to the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, incredible food, gardens and art, and a world-famous film industry.
The Colosseum is famous for its magnificent stadia structure and the brutal history that unfolded within its confines. The centre of grim Roman indulgence, this is where the emperor, his cohort and the people of Rome would come to watch the terrifying gladiator contents.
Tuscany- a region in central Italy
Tuscany is a transitional region occupying much of the former grand duchy of that name near the base of the Italian peninsula. The characteristic landscape is a blend of gently rolling hills leading on to sharply peaked mountains that pose a formidable barrier between Tuscany and regions to the south.
Tackling the Dolomites
The Dolomites are a massive mountain range in the Italian Alps in northeastern Italy, stretching across the regions of Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, and Friuli Venezia Giulia. In 2009, these mountains were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering a total area of 141,903 hectares.
When should I visit the Dolomites?
Late spring (May) and early summer (June) are ideal months to visit if you are seeking cool weather that’s comfortable for outdoor activities, and few other tourists. Hiking trails in the Dolomites tend to mostly open by mid-to-late May, after the snow has melted.The main international airports closer to the Dolomites are the one in Venice (160km) and the one in Munich (Germany). There also are smaller airports in the region, in Treviso, Verona and Innsbruk (Austria). We recommend flying to Venice (Marco Polo) as a first choice.
Lake Como- the third largest lake in Italy
Many people consider the steep hillside village of Varenna to be the most heavenly of all the towns on Lake Como, preferring the charming fisherman’s houses to the showier villas and grandeur of neighbors like Bellagio.
Best time to visit lake Como
The best time to visit Lake Como and its surrounding areas would be from April to October, when the weather gets warm and mild. The territory is characterized as having a subcontinental climate, with cold winters and muggy summers; humidity is particularly high through the whole year.
Amalfi Coast Italy
The area is dotted with 500-foot-tall cliffs and 100 beaches, as well as 13 adorable seaside towns, including the colorful. The Amalfi Coast is a 34-mile-long region in Campania, Italy. The area is dotted with 500-foot-tall cliffs and 100 beaches, as well as 13 adorable seaside towns, including the colorful Positano. It’s known for its stunning coastline and colorful villages with steep and narrow streets. Many towns along the Amalfi Coast have a rich historical legacy with important sights of historical and artistic value.
Italian Riviera
In short, the Italian Riviera is a stretch of coastline. It’s also an enchanting mix of history, pristine beaches, panoramic views, vibrantly colored homes and mouthwatering regional cuisine. That is one of the most beautiful parts of Italy. The dramatic coastline is home to colourful seaside towns, excellent hikes with panoramic sea views, and delicious regional cuisine.
The best months to visit are April, May, late September and October. This way you can miss the summer crowds yet still partake in the warmer weather (and go into the water, if you like).
Sardinia- synonim for clear and pristine waters
Even in a country where gorgeous beaches are two a penny, the Italians admit that those in Sardinia are particularly bellissima. The island regularly tops polls of the world’s best beaches, with spiagge (beaches) ranging from the rugged, cliff-backed coves of the east to the dune-flanked strands of the west.
Right in the middle of the Mediterranean sea, between Europe and North Africa, Sardinia will offer not only wonderful beaches, but also ancient and almost uncontaminated traditions, history, music, culture, food specialties, several variety of the wines and an overall healthy lifestyle.
Savouring Emilia-Romagna
Emilia-Romagna is considered one of the richest regions of Italy with regards to its gastronomic and wine-making tradition. The region is known for its egg and filled pasta made with soft wheat flour. Going deep into the cuisine of Emilia-Romagna, you can find tagliatelle with ragÚ, a dish that is famous all over the world and represents Italian cuisine abroad. It consists of egg pasta, which is very thin and is stretched by hand.
That is one of the wealthiest and most developed regions in Europe, with the third highest gross domestic product per capita in Italy. Bologna, its capital, has one of Italy’s highest quality of life indices and advanced social services.
The largest active volcano in Europe- Mount Etna
Mount Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe and one of the world’s most frequently erupting volcanoes. It is also the volcano with the longest record of continuous eruption. Mount Etna also made an appearance in a “Star Wars” movie. Mount Etna often comes to life in short, violent bursts called paroxysms.The name comes from the Greek Aitne, from aithĹ, âI burn.â Mount Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe, its topmost elevation being about 10,900 feet (3,320 metres).
Scientists believe Mount Etna started as a submarine volcano that gradually grew to stand above sea level on layer upon layer of solidified lava.
Lecce- one of favourite cities in Italy
Lecce is famous for its papier mâchÊ (cartapesta in Italian) which was originally used for creating religious statues that were lighter to carry for festivals. You can find a few small studios around town to pick up a unique souvenir such as Cartapesta Riso on Via Vittorio Emanuele II.
Today Lecce is a popular tourist destination and is seeing a surge in popularity as people recognize its fantastic potential. Lecce is renowned for its beautiful historical structures such as the Basilica di Santa Croce, the Porta Napoli and the Duomo.
Duomo
is a Catholic church in Milan, Italy, and holds the title of second-largest cathedral in the world. It was started in 1386 by Archbishop Antonio da Saluzzo and Lord of Milan Gian Galeazzo Visconti, who founded the Fabbrica del Duomo to build it.
There are 3,400 statues, 135 gargoyles and 700 figures that decorate Milan Duomo! Climb the stairs or take the lift to the rooftop to fully appreciate the architecture of the most renowned silhouette in the city.
For those who want to live in Italy…
Visit Italy and find out Italian food is considered among the best in the world. Italy is famous for the Renaissance and the incredible artists it produced