From well-kept beaches and dramatic mountain scenery to historic cities with a wealth of art and architecture, and small, picturesque villages, Italy offers something for all visitors. Since Turin hosted the Winter Olympics in 2006, this northern city has been the focal point of winter sports in Italy, and the growth of European budget airline routes has opened up other regions of the country not previously through of as main holiday destinations. Just as Rome wasn’t built in a day, so Italy cannot be explored in a single visit. The country is truly a year-round sporting events, colorful festivals, unforgettable food and some of the best shopping in Europe.
Sightseeing in Italy
■ Rome: Italy’s compelling capital has a staggering wealth of monuments, museums, galleries and architecture spanning almost 3,000 years. There are outstanding examples of baroque sculpture and countless Renaissance masterpieces on display in its galleries and museums.
■ Tuscany: An abundance of picturesque towns, attracting huge numbers of visitors each year, but leave time for the rural pleasures in the wooded hills of Chianti, famous for its wine, and the rolling honey-hued landscape, dotted with cypress trees. Florence, renowned as the cradle of the Renaissance, has long been on the tourist map. Topping the list of bigger town is Siena, with its shell-shaped Campo and medieval architecture, closely followed by Pisa with its tower.
■ Sicily: Palemo is the capital, its vitality rivaled only by grimy Catania and the ancient Greek settlement of Siracusa. There’s more of archaeological interest at Greek Agrigento, Selinunte and Segesta.
Activities in Italy
■ Shopping: Turin and Milan are the big consumer hotspots, with some of the country’s wealth is apparent on the smartest streets of even the smaller towns. Head for Milan, Turin and Genoa for serious shopping and for the best of entertainment!
■ Classical Music, Ballet, Dance and Opera: The huge number of summer classical music festivals testifies to the Italian passion for the great composers. During the winter months, most cities and towns of any size will have a regular schedule of classical and orchestral music.
■ Beaches: The seaside holiday is a major part of Italian family life. Resorts all over the country are busy during the holiday period from July to late August. Small children will be happier at resorts along the Adriatic coast and west coast, such as Tuscany, Lazio and Calabria, where there are plenty of sandy beaches with beach games and playgrounds.
■ Festivals: Italy has a lively arts festival scene, most active during the summer, when amphitheatres, arenas, churches and piazzas are transformed into venues for many of the cultural events. These festivals cover everything from Greek theatre to opera, dance, rock and jazz, and many run for well over a month.
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