Italy

Italy is a wonderful tourist destination. The varied culture, marvellous history and satisfying cuisine have from long been the contributing factors towards Italy’s booming tourist economy. There is so much to do and so much to see in Italy and tourists enjoy every moment in this land of many faces.

Sights and To-Dos

Tourists in Italy may find themselves in a little rush. There are simply so many places to see and so few days. Italy is considered a cultural paradise, and tourists will enjoy their stay in Italy. Tourists can start with the numerous ancient historically significant sights of Italy; many of which are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Rock Art in Valcamonica is pretty famous with tourists. There are about 2,400 rocks and on them are over 140,000 engravings, showing of the exceptional variety of human thoughts. These engravings are over 8,000 years. The variety of subjects and the wonderful depiction of the mentality and customs of the people then is highly revealing of the contribution of the people to the world.

The city of Venice was founded in around 5th century. In an expanse of over 118 islands, Venice has some of the most extraordinary architecture where even small buildings bear the works of legends such as Titian, Tintoretto, and Giorgione.

Tourists will also appreciate and marvel at the botanical garden, created in 1545 in Padua. This botanical garden is the first botanical garden in the history of the world. The original layout is still intact – surrounded by water is a circle that denotes the world. It serves as a scientific research centre and there have been little modifications to the original structure such as addition of greenhouses and some architectural changes such as ornamental entrances.

In the 1st century BC was founded another much revered, highly frequented and exceptionally beautiful city of Verona. On the UNESCO World Heritage List, tourists will appreciate the number of monuments and architectural riches of the city. The town has developed at a steady pace from over 2,000 years and offers a wonderful glimpse of its Renaissance period.

It is not all history in Italy. There are some truly wonderful beaches, too. The Italian seas offer fresh air and great relaxation opportunities that are much needed in today’s hectic city commotion. The 7,600 kilometres of coast stretching from the Ligurian Sea to the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Sardanian – tourists are spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting the beaches to visit and unwind. There are about 104 Blue Flagged beaches in Italy, and tourists are sure to have a great time in any of them.

Tourists should also visit Mount Etna, the very famous volcano in Sicily. It is an active volcano, and your visit may be made all the more precious and memorable if you happen to witness it active.

Food

Italian food is famous the world over. There is variety in cuisine that tourists appreciate. Italian breakfast is light and scrumptious, served with cappuccino and sweet pastry called brioche. Lunch is elaborate with pasta or soup or rice as the starter followed with meat or fish with vegetables and fruit. Amaro or grappa or may be espresso finishes the wholesome afternoon meal. Cena or dinner is traditionally lavish like lunch, but there is a marked trend towards a light lunch and lavish dinner, making dinner the more important meal of the day.

Carbonade is lean meat stew prepared in wine and onion that tourists should try. Toma and salignon are famous cheeses of Italy. Stuffed pasta, Barolo with beef, truffles with eggs in cheese are also some of the culinary delights of Italy.

Italy is the largest producer of wines in the world, and the best part is that it also produces some of the finest.

Shopping

Italy is known for fashion, and what better a shopping option for fashion than clothes? From undergarments to swimwear to formal to casual, fashion is in the threads of the fabric, so to say. Prices are more or less reasonable, and the quality is top class, usually. Lacework, woodwork, glassware, crystal ware, ceramics, jewellery, and embroidery are much preferred.

Facts