Italy: The Perfect Combination
The geography of the place is most beautifully laid out. This boot-shaped peninsula extends from the southern edge of Europe into the Mediterranean Sea. On the north end, it is attached to the mainland of Europe. It is separated by Alps from the other countries. Sicily Island that lies across only 3 km away is visible from the mainland and is famous for its active Mount Etna as well as lava fields.
If we were to speak of the country that made a milestone in the course of development of culture and political thought in Europe, perhaps the first name that would click in our minds would be of Italy. This panache and good-humored country with a volatile flair is famous for its trendsetting cultural heritage that has inspired many artists, poets, writers and painters for centuries. Even on the beauty aspect, this place shines out loud. Find the perfect combination of history, art and contemporary fashion with some spectacular landscapes and scenery. These bristle in the memories of its proud Imperial past.
There are hardly any cities of Italy that you must have not heard of. Be it Venice and Florence with famous outdoor museums or Naples that is full of Baroque bombast. Even Siena and Florence have their unique identity and independent architectural style. However, there are some other unexplored parts of Italy that need you particular attention like the hill towns of San Gimignano in Tuscany or the fishing villages of Positano on the Amalfi Coast.
The other important aspects of being in Italy include a visit to the famous vineyards and cellars where you can taste some of the best wines of the world. Also important are the craft workshops you can find here where hand-made wonders await you or the most welcoming Trattorie where some simple and mouth-watering delicacies are served to you.
Places to visit
The top attractions of Italy include some of the most important historical monuments and cities of the world. The city of Venice is unique for its no-car roads and harmonious architecture like Grand Canal, Piazza San Marco, Bridge of Sighs and such other beautiful landmarks. The other major attractions are Pompeii – the thriving resort town that shows how early Romans used to live, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Ravenna, the Island of Capri, Assisi – a 14th century hill fortress, Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso National Park or the famous sun bathed Sicily islands.
Speaking of entertainment, you can find loads of it down here like water sports and beach holidays. Check out the amazing coastlines of Italy at Liguria, Adriatic or Amalfi coasts, or the less busy ones at the Sicily Islands. You also can experiment with winter sports at the Italian Alps resorts or horse riding races at Palio bareback horse race in Siena. The other ways to enjoy could be enrolling for some short courses of language, cooking or architecture of the place to get better acquainted. There are also some first-class golf courses all over Italy.
Shopping gets great at Italy because the place is well renowned for its outstanding quality and latest style trends. Be it clothes, shoes, bags or anything – Italy has some of the best and outstanding collections for you. Go to Carrara (Tuscany) for marble, Sardinia for some special writing papers, Cremona (Lombardy) for handmade violins, Valenza (Piemonte) for goldsmiths, Sulmona (Abruzzo) for Confetti, Ravenna (Emilia-Romagna) for Mosaics or Volterra (Tuscany) for Alabaster goods. While Rome is famous for its designer clothes, old books & prints or the flea market, Milan is famous for city’s industrial wealth and elegant shops as well. At Venice, you can find some great glassware as well. Generally, the shops open between 8.30 a.m. to 19.30 except a break in the afternoon from 12.30 to 15.30.
When to go
Though any time is a good time to be in Italy, the best time to be down there is surely between April and June. Spring is in full swing then with a cozy and warm sunshine and bouts of flowers everywhere. The country is overflowing with tourists during summers and in the months of July and August. Coming at this time helps you to avoid the vacation rush.
Sunny, mild weather is what describes the climate of Italy best though at large, the climate can vary from place to place. While at Alps temperatures are low throughout, with especially long and severe winters, in the Po Valley summers can be torrid as well. Florence being surrounded by hills is baked up in summer while Milan, Sicily and Sardinia enjoy a mild Mediterranean climate. Venice can be hot and humid in summer while Rome experiences hot summers and mild winters. Thus, the weather keeps changing as you travel through Italy.
All year round, Italy’s calendar is busy with tons of local, religious, and national festivals, along with cultural events. Some important ones are Bolzano Festival devoted to musicians of tomorrow, Chocolate Festival with Turin turning Chocoholics, Ravello Classical Music Festival on Amalfi Coast, Michelangeli Piano Festival at Brescia and Bergamo and many more!
Getting there and around
You might need to opt for air travel to Italy except if you are in Europe, in which case you could travel overland by bus, train or even car. Italy’s main airport is Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Rome. The other important ones are Rome’s Ciampino Airport and Malpensa Airport. Bus is surely the cheapest option of all. You can access Italy from any other Mediterranean country using the sea route as there are many ferry companies devoted across these routes.
If you are entering to Italy via land, you have access options through five different routes – Mont Blanc Tunnel from France, Grand St Bernard Tunnel, Gotthard Tunnel and shortly the New Swiss Lotschberg Base Terminal from Switzerland or Brenner Pass from Austria. Mountain passes are often closed in winters so tunnels are a better option. Regular train lines connect Italy with Austria, Germany, France or Eastern Europe. For bus services, you can choose from Eurolines coach companies.
For getting around the country, you have lots of cheaper options like boats, hitching, bus, trams, cars, motorcycles, train, air and bicycle. Either way you choose to visit this magnificent country, Italy is surely a going to sweep you away!
If we were to speak of the country that made a milestone in the course of development of culture and political thought in Europe, perhaps the first name that would click in our minds would be of Italy. This panache and good-humored country with a volatile flair is famous for its trendsetting cultural heritage that has inspired many artists, poets, writers and painters for centuries. Even on the beauty aspect, this place shines out loud. Find the perfect combination of history, art and contemporary fashion with some spectacular landscapes and scenery. These bristle in the memories of its proud Imperial past.
There are hardly any cities of Italy that you must have not heard of. Be it Venice and Florence with famous outdoor museums or Naples that is full of Baroque bombast. Even Siena and Florence have their unique identity and independent architectural style. However, there are some other unexplored parts of Italy that need you particular attention like the hill towns of San Gimignano in Tuscany or the fishing villages of Positano on the Amalfi Coast.
The other important aspects of being in Italy include a visit to the famous vineyards and cellars where you can taste some of the best wines of the world. Also important are the craft workshops you can find here where hand-made wonders await you or the most welcoming Trattorie where some simple and mouth-watering delicacies are served to you.
Places to visit
The top attractions of Italy include some of the most important historical monuments and cities of the world. The city of Venice is unique for its no-car roads and harmonious architecture like Grand Canal, Piazza San Marco, Bridge of Sighs and such other beautiful landmarks. The other major attractions are Pompeii – the thriving resort town that shows how early Romans used to live, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Ravenna, the Island of Capri, Assisi – a 14th century hill fortress, Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso National Park or the famous sun bathed Sicily islands.
Speaking of entertainment, you can find loads of it down here like water sports and beach holidays. Check out the amazing coastlines of Italy at Liguria, Adriatic or Amalfi coasts, or the less busy ones at the Sicily Islands. You also can experiment with winter sports at the Italian Alps resorts or horse riding races at Palio bareback horse race in Siena. The other ways to enjoy could be enrolling for some short courses of language, cooking or architecture of the place to get better acquainted. There are also some first-class golf courses all over Italy.
Shopping gets great at Italy because the place is well renowned for its outstanding quality and latest style trends. Be it clothes, shoes, bags or anything – Italy has some of the best and outstanding collections for you. Go to Carrara (Tuscany) for marble, Sardinia for some special writing papers, Cremona (Lombardy) for handmade violins, Valenza (Piemonte) for goldsmiths, Sulmona (Abruzzo) for Confetti, Ravenna (Emilia-Romagna) for Mosaics or Volterra (Tuscany) for Alabaster goods. While Rome is famous for its designer clothes, old books & prints or the flea market, Milan is famous for city’s industrial wealth and elegant shops as well. At Venice, you can find some great glassware as well. Generally, the shops open between 8.30 a.m. to 19.30 except a break in the afternoon from 12.30 to 15.30.
When to go
Though any time is a good time to be in Italy, the best time to be down there is surely between April and June. Spring is in full swing then with a cozy and warm sunshine and bouts of flowers everywhere. The country is overflowing with tourists during summers and in the months of July and August. Coming at this time helps you to avoid the vacation rush.
Sunny, mild weather is what describes the climate of Italy best though at large, the climate can vary from place to place. While at Alps temperatures are low throughout, with especially long and severe winters, in the Po Valley summers can be torrid as well. Florence being surrounded by hills is baked up in summer while Milan, Sicily and Sardinia enjoy a mild Mediterranean climate. Venice can be hot and humid in summer while Rome experiences hot summers and mild winters. Thus, the weather keeps changing as you travel through Italy.
All year round, Italy’s calendar is busy with tons of local, religious, and national festivals, along with cultural events. Some important ones are Bolzano Festival devoted to musicians of tomorrow, Chocolate Festival with Turin turning Chocoholics, Ravello Classical Music Festival on Amalfi Coast, Michelangeli Piano Festival at Brescia and Bergamo and many more!
Getting there and around
You might need to opt for air travel to Italy except if you are in Europe, in which case you could travel overland by bus, train or even car. Italy’s main airport is Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Rome. The other important ones are Rome’s Ciampino Airport and Malpensa Airport. Bus is surely the cheapest option of all. You can access Italy from any other Mediterranean country using the sea route as there are many ferry companies devoted across these routes.
If you are entering to Italy via land, you have access options through five different routes – Mont Blanc Tunnel from France, Grand St Bernard Tunnel, Gotthard Tunnel and shortly the New Swiss Lotschberg Base Terminal from Switzerland or Brenner Pass from Austria. Mountain passes are often closed in winters so tunnels are a better option. Regular train lines connect Italy with Austria, Germany, France or Eastern Europe. For bus services, you can choose from Eurolines coach companies.
For getting around the country, you have lots of cheaper options like boats, hitching, bus, trams, cars, motorcycles, train, air and bicycle. Either way you choose to visit this magnificent country, Italy is surely a going to sweep you away!