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ITALY TRAVEL GUIDE
ITALY - An Overview
Italy is steeped in rich history and culture. Popular tourist destinations such as Rome, Venice, Milan and Florence brim with art and architecture, museums and fine dining. Italy also has thousands of miles of stunning coastline and a wonderful Mediterranean climate, making it appealing as a destination for a holiday at beach resorts such as Rimini or the islands of Sardinia and Sicily.
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ITALY WEATHER - When to Go
Italy has a typical Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and pleasant winters, apart from the mountains of the north which get pretty cold. July is the hottest month of the year and perhaps a little too hot to be in a city. Spring and autumn - March to May and September to November - are the best times to visit as the weather is cooler, the crowds smaller and accommodation prices cheaper. Skiers should head to the Italian Alps from January to March.
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ITALY HIGHLIGHTS
Rome: the ‘Eternal City’ is Italy’s main highlight, loaded as it is with incredible architecture. The city is filled with UNESCO World Heritage sites, with important monuments like the Forum, the Temple of the Vestal Virgins, the ancient dome of the Pantheon and of course, the stunning Colosseum all worth visiting. Rome is also a city of fountains, including the revered Trevi Fountain, and delightful piazzas (public squares), while it is the perfect city for strolling. The city state of the Vatican (Holy See) has its territory within the confines of Rome and deserves an entire day of exploration on its own. [Note: For more info about Rome, check out our visitRome.co.uk website].
Venice: the ‘Queen of the Adriatic’ is a hodgepodge of water and land, a seemingly endless network of tangled canals and footpaths. The main appeal of Venice is the absence of roads and traffic; you get about by ferry boat, expensive gondolas or on foot. The many individual islands that make up the city have a rich history and are loaded to the hilt with bridges, museums and cafés. It is the perfect place to visit as a couple as you enjoy the many festivities and regattas and stay in a fine hotel. High-speed trains travel from Rome to Venice in 4-5 hours.
Milan: is Italy’s fashion capital and offers some of the best shopping in Europe, if not the world. It is located in the northwest of Italy, around 300 miles northwest of Rome, and is dominated by an impressive 14th century cathedral in Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo). Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper can also be seen in Milan at Convento di Santa, although the city’s glitzy boutiques are the main attraction. Designer clothes and jewellery are the biggest buys but watch those prices. Milan also features a strong performing arts sector and is particularly renowned for its operas. High-speed trains make the trip from Rome to Milan in 4-5 hours.
Florence: is situated in central Italy a few hours north of Rome by train, bus or car, and as the art capital of Italy it is crammed full of Renaissance delights. Florence was home to many of the foremost authors and artists of the day and numerous renowned works can be seen in the city’s dazzling museums and galleries – the Uffizi being the highlight. Michelangelo’s David is of course a high-profile resident of Florence and can be seen in Accademia. Stunning art can also be seen at the Duomo while the nearby Bapistry is one of the oldest and most visually impressive structures in town. Other must-sees include the ancient Ponte Vecchio bridge and Giotto’s Tower. Much of the city is pedestrianised making getting to and from Florence’s myriad sublime restaurants a breeze.
Naples: is filled with narrow streets, museums and eateries. Pizza was purported to have been invented here and several restaurants claim to create the finest slices in the world. Architectural highlights include the 800-year-old Duomo near central piazza, the Baroque Chiesa dei Girolamini and the Castel Sant Elmo with its amazing views over the Bay of Naples. Just offshore is the island of Capri, a popular summer holiday destination with its dazzling beaches, clear waters and super expensive yachts. Trains from Rome to Naples take about 1 hour, 30 minutes.
Rimini: lying off the northeast Italian coast, Italy’s most popular summer holiday destination has many miles of spectacular beaches and a comprehensive tourist infrastructure. La Marina, the beachfront, is loaded with entertainment options including a host of water sports, and although the old town is also worth a look, most people tend to simply hover here. Shopping, eating and nightlife are all done to excess in Rimini while the ambience of the old town will appeal to more discerning visitors. Rimini has an airport with flights offered from all major Italian cities.
Pisa: is situated between Florence and Livorno in west Italy, and is on the A list for most visitors who come to see Campo dei Miracoli, which contains the revered Leaning Tower of Pisa. Luckily, the structure’s impossible lean was halted by engineers and visitors can once again climb the ancient bell tower. Next to the tower are the Duomo and the Baptistery. Most people arrive in Pisa by train and the enchanting walk to the Campo dei Miracoli goes through a pedestrian mall with many interesting sights and shops. Three trains per hour come in from nearby Florence and Pisa also has an airport servicing flights from Rome and other European destinations.
Other popular places to visit in Italy include Bologna, Turin, Siena and Sorrento.
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HOSPITALITY
Food and eating out: dining in Italy is generally a pleasure with the country boasting some of the finest tasting dishes in the world (you can’t go wrong with pizza, pasta, lasagne and gelato) and an array of lovely cafés and restaurants in every town and city. Prices can be a little on the steep side in touristy areas, although quality is invariably good.
Entertainment and nightlife: although not as buzzing a nightlife scene as other countries in Europe such as France or Spain, Italy doesn’t lack in this department - yet it tends to favour the performing arts and dining. Live music and opera are particularly popular and you will find no shortage of bars and clubs in large centres like Rome, Milan and Rimini.
Accommodation: is generally expensive in Italy for all but the blandest of places. Three-star and up is the general hotel choice in the busy art city centres, although if you head just out of town you will usually be able to pick up a good deal. Farm stays are popular in the countryside, particularly in Tuscany, while self-catering apartments can be found at beach resorts.
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ITALY FLIGHTS - GETTING THERE FROM THE UK
There are many flight options to fly to Italy from the UK.
If no-frill airlines such as Easyjet, Ryanair or Jet2 don’t fly to your chosen airport, British Airways or Expedia.co.uk should be able to offer something of interest.
If you’re heading to beach resorts or are looking for a package holiday, also try tour operators such as Thomson and Thomas Cook.
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