Italy

Food, Fashion and Fantastic Sights 

Arguably one of the most popular tourist hotspots in the world, Italy offers a myriad of experiences for travelers of all kinds. You can indulge your inner foodie with decadent Italian cuisine, immerse yourself in the fashion capital of the world, drive through picturesque countryside roads, and travel back in time while visiting ancient monuments and art galleries. What more could you ask for?

Spread over an area of 3,01,340 km-square, Italy is the eighth-largest country in the world, and also boasts of having the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites. It’s no wonder that this nation is also the fifth most-visited one by tourists!

If you are looking for an experience that will last a lifetime, consider planning a vacation to Italy and take a plunge into its fantastic culture! 

Highlights Of Italy:

Cities you absolutely must visit:

Whether you are planning a luxurious honeymoon with your significant other, or an adventurous bag-packing trip with friends, there are a few cities in Italy that you cannot cross off your itinerary. Make sure you plan your trip in a way that lets you truly enjoy the following places:

Venice:

You must spend a day taking in Venice in all its glory, enjoying a languid Gondola ride down the Grand canal. The Basilica Di San Marco is one of the most popular Cathedrals in Venice, with more than 8,000 square meters of stunning domes and mosaic artwork. 

Naples:

Sink your teeth into an authentic Neapolitan pizza at Naples while gearing up for an adventurous volcanic hike at Mount Vesuvius. Don’t worry about never having hiked before as the trail to the top is fairly easy to walk on. The 4km trail lets you experience a total altitude change of 140 meters, so carrying a light jacket would be for the best!

Rome:

Rome has a host of iconic tourist spots that you must visit to truly understand the history and culture of Italy. The magnificent Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Roman Forum and St Peter’s Basilica are only a few of the many places you should visit when in Rome!

Modena:

If you’re a huge fan of sports cars like Ferrari and Maserati, then you definitely need to make time to visit Modena. Apart from the Enzo Ferrari Museum, Modena is also famous for its locally produced Balsamic Vinegar (and you’ll know it’s authentic by the shape of the bottle), and for being host to the best restaurant in the world, Osteria Francescana. Do keep in mind that you’ll have to make a reservation a few months in advance to eat here!

Tuscany:

Head down to Chianti to taste freshly produced wine from the Vineyards in the area. This is certainly a memory that will stay with you for life, so make sure you take the time out to get here. You can also enjoy mountain hikes in Giglio, drive to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower, and enjoy a tranquil day at the hill town of Cortona! Be sure to eat Truffles as often as you can while you’re in Tuscany.

Sink your teeth into Italian cuisine:

Much can be said about Italian food, and to simply call it delicious would be an understatement! Italian cuisine is extremely indulgent because it uses a lot of fat, which adds a punch of flavour to everything. While regional dishes do vary from one another, there are certainly a few common traits amongst all types of Italian food that make this cuisine a delight to eat. Italians value the ingredients used in cooking and believe that it is what you put in the pot, rather than how to cook it, that makes all the difference in the world. So, you’re likely to come across restaurants and Piazzas with multiple Cafes that offer some of the most delicious food you’ll ever eat.

Keep in mind that as you travel throughout the country, you’ll experience many different dishes that often bear no resemblance to what you may have had in a different city. Take Calabria and Sicily as examples. Though the two are neighboring cities, Calabrese cuisine is fairly spicy while Sicilians enjoy milder and sweeter food. 

If you love food, be sure to try out as many things as possible. Head down to local Delis to enjoy cold cuts that were preserved in salt, such as Prosciutto and Ham. Treat yourself to a bottle of beautifully manufactured Olive Oil and whip up an amazing meal for your family when you come back. Finally, try local specialties such as Timballo, Cavatelli, Squid Ink Risotto, Parmigiano Reggiano, and, of course, the world-famous Gelato! 

Shopping in Italy:

If you’re in the mood to splurge while travelling then check out the following markets in different cities that you must visit!

Via Del Corso in Rome:

Via Del Corso is widely known for offering a blend of designer labels and local handicrafts, which makes it perfect for tourists with varying budgets. Did you know that this market was established all the way back in 220 BC? The historic architecture, the abundance of local eateries, and proximity to various hostels and budget-friendly hotels make this market a tourist-favorite!

 Via Monte Napoleone in Milan:

Milan is the fashion capital of the world so if you find yourself in this city, you’ve definitely got to take some time to shop! You’ll find all of the big Italian labels right here, from Dolce & Gabbana to Gucci, Armani and Prada. 

Via Giovan Battista Zannoni in Florence:

If you’re more interested in local products rather than designer labels, this market is the right place for you. Its known for exquisite leather products including bags, shoes, and small accessories. Italian leather is a class apart from the rest, so be sure to splurge a little on a great pair of shoes that will give larger labels a run for their money!

Other than these markets, you can also check out Via Toledo in Naples, Mercerie in Venice, and Via Mazzini in Verona. 

Interesting facts about Italy:

• Italy is home to three active volcanoes – Vesuvius, Stromboli and Etna!
• If you find yourself lounging on the beaches of Eraclea, don’t even try making sandcastles! That’s because sandcastles are illegal here.
• Italy’s Capital, Rome, is over 3,000 years old and is considered the birthplace of modern civilization.
• There is an island in Italy called Poveglia that’s believed to be so haunted and no one is allowed to set foot on it!
• Italy has the most earthquakes per year than any other country in Europe. 
• There are more than 140 types of pasta available in Italy so keep that in mind when you walk into a restaurant!

Location Of Italy:

Located in Europe, Italy shares borders with Austria, France, Croatia, Slovenia, San Marino, Vatican and Switzerland. 

Best time to visit in Italy:

As Italy has varying terrain in the form of mountains, cities, and coastal regions, the best time to visit this country often depends on where you are headed. In a general sense, the spring season (April to June) and the fall season (September to October) are considered the best months to visit Italy as the climate is quite cool and refreshing. 

The summer season, which lasts from May to July, is considered the peak season, which means that it can get quite crowded during this time. However, most tourists find themselves enjoying the hustle and bustle experienced during peak season as this offers its own set of experiences as well. Many travelers have also started picking shoulder-season months like March to May and October to November to enjoy a more tranquil holiday in Italy. 

How to reach Italy:

By Air: Italy has two national airlines, Air Italy and Alitalia that offer reasonable prices for travelers headed to this country. International flights to Italy tend to typically land either in Rome or Milan, with the former seeing more incoming flight traffic than the latter. However, there are a host of mid-range airlines that land in almost all the other major cities. Rome is home to two airports, Ciampino and Fiumicino. Once you reach the capital, you can get anywhere you want by road or train.

Travelling within Italy by train: You’ll find a variety of inter-city, regional, high speed, and international trains operating in almost all cities in the country. While high-speed trains offer the most comfort and convenience to travelers, they are also often the most expensive ones. Bag-packers on a shoe-string budget should choose Trenitalia trains (night trains) and get a valid Trenitalia Pass made so that they do not have to stand in line at every station. 

Travelling within Italy by road: If you are planning to drive in Italy, you’ll find that central and northern Italian regions have wide, spacious and well-preserved roads that make driving an absolute pleasure. The roads in Southern Italy, however, are a bit worse for wear. The Autostrade is very well connected and you’ll find your way to different cities by using a GPS navigation system. Be sure to get a Telepas made if you want to travel through toll areas without any hassles. 

History Of Italy:

Italy has a rich history that has impacted the culture and lifestyle throughout the country. You’ll find a lot of Graeco-Roman architecture with Biblical overtones throughout Italy, along with the occasional war monuments and statues in maritime regions like Modena. As Italy has played host to many kingdoms and principalities, which is why the concept of ‘being Italian’ is a fairly new one to the people living in this country.