Every year, the U.S. Tour Operators Association, a professional association of travel agents and tour operators who arrange travel for more than 10 million travelers every year, runs an informal survey among members to name the world’s top vacation destinations. Year after year, one country tops the list of international vacation destinations – Italy, the heart of civilization, the cradle of romance and the home of the Holy Sea.
What is it that makes Italy so special? The spectacular scenery and warm, wonderful climate are only the background of the picture. Italy is a colorful mosaic of travel experiences, a delicious mélange of flavors and cultures that offers something for every traveler. From cosmopolitan culture buff to adventurer, from the serious student of history to the socialite, Italy truly is the country that caters to them all and everyone in between.
Italy’s cities and countryside offer a true embarrassment of riches. You could easily spend months touring the countryside and never see half of what the country has to offer. What is it that brings so many to bella Italia every year?
See Italy for the Art
Italy was the center of the Renaissance, and is one of the most artistically rich countries in the entire world. According to UNESCO, half the world’s artistic and historic treasures are located in Italy. In Florence, Venice, Rome, Naples, Milan and other cities, you’ll find artistic and architectural wonders that you won’t find anywhere else. Michelangelo, da Vinci, Botticelli, Tintorello, Correggio, Donatello – the most famous artists of all the eras worked and left their legacies in frescoes, paintings and statues throughout the country. And while much of the art is held in museums in nearly every city, there is art everywhere, from the stunning stained glass windows in a tiny chapel in Abruzzi to the painted ceilings of cathedrals.
See Historic Italy
History lives in Italy. Long known as the cradle of Western civilization, Italy’s cities and countryside are a treasure trove of historical sites. You can walk the Via Appia and feel the weight of centuries drop away as you realize that two thousand years ago, this very road was traveled by the armies and citizens of Imperial Rome. Visit the Coliseum in Rome, or wander through the preserved city of Pompeii and become a part of history. And of course, there is the Vatican, the walled city inside Rome that is the home and the heart of the Catholic Church, where scholars come to study ancient texts and treasures.
Visit Italy for the Scenery
The scenic vistas of Italy are as varied as its twenty regions. From snowcapped mountains to sweeping, white sand beaches, the natural beauty of Italy is as alive and vivid as the paintings of its most famous artists. When you venture beyond the cities, you’ll still find the untamed beauty of the Tuscan hills with their craggy, winding paths and terraced vineyards. You can wander through twenty three national parks and nearly 500 protected nature preserves that are protected by the government. There are sea cliffs and alpine mountains, rolling hills and open plains. And there is always, of course, the sea with its ever-changing yet everlasting face.
Come to Italy for the Food
Italian food and hospitality is famous the world over for its abundance. Abondanza is a concept that is well-understood in the Mediterranean country. Everywhere you go, you’ll find groaning tables and open, welcoming arms inviting you to mangia! Mangia!! A full tour of Italy is a gustatory delight, for there is no single style of Italian cooking. Instead, each region of Italy has its own unique flavors and combinations that are drawn from the local specialties and available foods. Tuscany is famous for its seafood, Milan for its rich sauces and complex flavors, Bologna for its traditional red sauce. Eating and drinking well is a way of life in Italy, and whether you treat yourself to a fine meal in one of Rome’s five-star restaurants, or stop at a roadside ristorante in a small province, you’re sure to be served the best of the best.
To Your Health!
Italy has been famous for its thermal spas and springs since the times of Hippocrates. Italian spas enjoy the benefits of both sea and fresh water springs. Hot water thermal springs are plentiful, thanks to the country’s geological peculiarities and the network of underground volcanic springs. Today, the thermal spas are a popular attraction in nearly every region of Italy, and have become popular holiday destinations in their own rights. Italian health spas offer more than just the baths. Many are located close to cultural and leisure attractions, and make a wonderful base of operations for your stay in the country.
Travel Gems in Italy
If you visit Rome, spend at least one day just walking around the city. You’ll discover many tiny sites and historical finds that are not on any tourist map. These sites may have been uncovered during the construction of another building and never completely excavated, but are there to stumble across and enjoy away from the bustling crowds.
By all means, visit the well-known museums in the major cities, but for a real treat take a drive outside the cities and seek out small towns and villages. You’ll discover some of the most amazing and unexpected treasures tucked into alcoves or painted on the walls of village churches throughout the country.
Skip the hotels and rent a villa or cottage in a small town if you’re staying in Italy for more than a few days. In many cases, it won’t cost much more – and will often be less – than a stay in a good hotel, and your hosts will treat you as part of the family while you’re there.
Italy is a country of contrasts and beauties whose charm grows deeper and warmer with every visit. It’s no wonder that it regularly tops the list of holiday destinations worldwide, or that so many who visit return again and again to its warm and welcoming arms.
This article on Italy travel was brought to you by daily travel air.
Travelling abroad is a great experience to immerse into different cultures and landscapes. Learn Italian in Italy and discover unique settings. Encounter the majestic Alps and the numerous rivers and lakes that crisscross the entire nation as you learn Italian in Italy.
Across the northern part of Italy all rivers are born from mountain glaciers. As you learn Italian in Italy visit this pure and deep blue lake region that is surrounded by pine woods and mountains, just a breathtaking postcard. Learn Italian in Italy while travelling around the country through its vast watercourse. In the north region of Italy you find the most extensive lake in the country, Garda Lake. Learn Italian in Italy and take a tour around this particular lake that is surrounded by mountains at the north while in the south it broadens with a flat landscape. Visit Garda Lake as you learn Italian in Italy and discover the most varied scenery around it, from pines to lush vegetation and colourful flowers, from attractive villas to wide range of lemon trees. Modern navigation services and facilities are available to make your water trip unique as you learn Italian in Italy.
The deepest lake of the country is also found in the north. Learn Italian in Italy and travel around Como Lake that counts with charming villages and luxurious resorts on its shores. As you learn Italian in Italy go around its tree branches and find numerous lush parks and a pleasant climate.
Learn Italian in Italy and discover in the region of Piedmont three more lakes that are relevant in the north setting of the country. Maggiore Lake, Iseo Lake and Orta Lake are perfect destinations to relax as you learn Italian in Italy. Maggiore Lake offers incredible entertainment spots on its western shore and abundance of exotic and rare plants and flowers. Learn Italian in Italy and sightsee Iseo Lake and find the biggest island of the country called Monte Isola. Also enjoy extensive vineyards, olive yards and orchards as you learn Italian in Italy. On its behalf, Orta Lake counts with the Island of San Giulio with a Basilica in the middle part.
There are many more lakes and rivers worth as visit as you learn Italian in Italy. You shouldn’t miss Trasimeno Lake in Umbria with a rounded shape and three islands in its centre. Other impressive region to explore as you learn Italian in Italy is the Alban Hills where you will come across Albano Lake and Nemi Lake at the east. Learn Italian in Italy and travel to the northwest of Rome where you will discover Bracciano Lake, an impressive lagoon from the volcanic region of Colli Albani. In this section you will locate Gandolfo Castle, a popular summer resort for the Pope.
Learn Italian in Italy and choose your best pick to go around in a boat trip. There are many more options, especially in Veneto and Trentino districts. As you learn Italian in Italy take a guided tour around any of these lakes to get to know about the history, the artistic expressions and the daily life of locals in that region.
Italy is a beautiful place to visit in any weather condition. The warm hospitality of Italy along with extraordinary scenic beautiful places to visit, the holiday experience once in a lifetime.
There are many hotels in Italy to accommodate tourists but holiday homes Italy remain the first choice of visitors due to their locale flavours and independent and cosy ambience. The holiday homes Italy are of various types and are available at a very affordable price. Depending upon your requirements, you may select holiday homes Italy that are apt for you and your family.
There are huge villas to accommodate those who are looking forward to luxury and class. Then there are apartments too that serve as perfect holiday homes italy for a small family or a group of friends who visit Italy.
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Holiday homes Italy available for rent
You may select from a wide range of holiday homes that include:
· Apartments
· Villas
· Farm houses
· Chalets
No matter what type of holiday you are on, holiday homes Italy will provide you some mesmerizing experience due to the diversity of locations they offer. You may have a holiday homes Italy in the rural settings or across the huge landscape or mountains, providing you with the most pleasurable and delightful stay. You may be on a beach holiday or skiing trip or may just want to relax in peace near the country side, holiday homes Italy are available everywhere.
The prices of these holiday homes Italy are not very high and because of their affordability they are quite popular amongst the visitors. You may easily get holiday homes Italy that will come in your pocket. To get the proper list of pricing for holiday homes Italy, it’s advisable to check online, where you may even compare prices and go for the best available deal.
The holiday homes Italy are available in places that are of tourist interest like Tuscany, Le Marche, Umbria, Puglia, The Italian Lakes, Amalfi Coast, Liguria, Rome, Sardinia, Venice and Florence. These holiday homes Italy are also available in ski resorts like Madonna di Campiglio, Sauze D?Oulx and Sestriere.
This is a video by Letizia, owner of Alla Madonna del Piatto, a lovely country inn and cooking school in Umbria, near Assisi, Italy. Eggplant (Aubergine) is an important ingredient in Italian home cooking and has to be properly prepared to obtain the best flavor and texture. Here I explain how to clean and fry eggplants. Fried eggplants can be used in eggplant parmesan, a famous Southern Italian vegetable dish, but also in various pasta dishes. Enjoy, it’s easy!
