Italy is brilliance all wrapped up into one boot. The country holds 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites alone, housing more than any other country on earth. Italy is filled with ancient sights and attractions, drawing in tourists year after year. It is one of the most popular countries to visit in Europe. That could be not only for its sights but also for the people. Italians truly know how to live. From their delicious cuisine of pasta and gelato to their carefree schedule that incorporates a naptime after lunch, Italy has it all. If you don’t like Italy, there may be something wrong with you.
The region of Tuscany is probably the most visited. Tuscany holds great wine, gorgeous scenery, and some of the greatest Etruscan and Renaissance cities and towns. Many head to Florence, home to the Italian Renaissance. The city is compact in size, allowing travelers to cover its historic center on foot. The Duomo and Uffizi Gallery draw crowds in summer. A stroll along the Ponte Vecchio shouldn’t be missed. What used to be a bridge for butchers now glistens in gold. Gold jewelers cloud the bridge today selling their expensive jewels. The Ponte Vecchio is famous for being one of the oldest surviving medieval bridges.
The seat, more like sofa, of the Roman Empire all began in Italy’s capital city, Rome. Rome holds some of the oldest artifacts in the world. The Coliseum and the Roman Forum are among the most notable. Rome also houses some of the most iconic images of Italy. The Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and the big cheese, Saint Peter’s, can all be found within the city. The Pope himself calls the city home, making Rome not just a regular seat or sofa, but rather a heavenly pedestal to the rest of the world.
Continuing south, travelers can explore Naples and the surrounding area. Pompeii draws in crowds for this largely intact ancient city. However, Pompeii is a city of tragedy. Some 2,000 people died trying to escape the Mount Vesuvius eruption on the 24th of August in 79 A.D. Due to the fact that Pompeii was covered in layers of ash, it was largely preserved. Travelers can explore the streets of Pompeii or peek in at old palaces covered in mosaics. Heading farther south, the Amalfi Coast is hands down one of the most beautiful places in the country. Cliff hugging towns dot this coastline, so picturesque and charming, your teeth may start to hurt. Positano is among the most famous of towns along this daring cliff drive.
Many will tell you that it is imperative to head south while in Italy to fully understand the country. That is without question correct. The areas of Calabria and Puglia lend insight into Italian life outside the tourist bubbles of the north. Sicily is as far south as it gets in Italy. It could very well be its own country. In fact, it didn’t ever really want to be part of Italy when it was semi-forced to unify with the rest of the country in 1861.
The Greeks left behind some remarkable scenes in Sicily. From the Amphitheatre in Siracusa to the temples of Agrigento, Sicily’s Greek ruins certainly compete with those in Greece. The natural elements in Sicily are worth a look, or even a hike. Mount Etna rests in eastern Sicily, large and in charge. It is the largest active volcano in all of Europe. The biggest city, Palermo, showcases not just Italian architecture but also the Arab reign over the island. Visitors can still see several mosques still intact in Palermo when the Arabs ruled in the 9th century.
Milan, Venice, Florence and Rome all fall in Italy’s domain. It is the home of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Michelangelo’s David, and Vatican City. The cities are almost countries unto themselves. An evening stroll is fixed into the Italian lifestyle. Every night, townspeople wander up and down streets and crowds in the main piazzas of Italy, just chatting and enjoying where they live. They know their country is the best with mountains, beaches, culture, and best of all, gelato.
