THE HISTORY OF ITALY

Italy has played a large role in the history and culture of Europe, and in and of itself, has quite an interesting story to tell.

Though it was unified only in 1861, Italy’s roots go back to the Etruscans, who were the first settlers. They arrived on the northern part of the country in the sixth century BC—a mere handful of villages. By the end of a century, however, this community had evolved into the city state of Rome. They had also managed to conquer a large portion of the peninsula, and was poised to dominate the surrounding regions.

Thus began the growth of the Roman Empire, as it had come to be called in 30 BC. It wielded its power over most of the Mediterranean, leading to a long and prosperious period with very little political turbulence. By the 12th century, Italy had become one of Europe’s most dominant forces, and was considered one of the centers of culture.

A CULTURAL POWER

Italy’s power was not just in its swords; it ruled the art world, and through that, was able to influence the course of history long after the Empire crumbled. For example, it was the birth place of the Rennaisance, a movement led by Italian artists such as Machiavelli, Aristio and Guicciardini. The powerful Medici family were the most renowned patrons of the arts, and they were able to mold generations of artists, including Fra Angelico, Raphael, Botticelli, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.

Italy’s rich culture and arts can be seen in the architecture of cities like Venice, Naples and Genoa. The charming Medieval hill towns help give visitors an idea of what life may have been like before the march towards modernity—and places like San Gimignano in Tuscany and Amalfi Coast’s famous Positano help recreate that Old World charm (crucero). The museums also carry some of the art works of the masters, while the fashion designers in Milan show how Italy continues to lead the world in terms of style and creativity.

ITALY’S GEOGRAPHY

The Italian peninsula is shaped like a boot. It is connected to the European mainland, which lies to its north. The mountain ranges of the Alps mark its natural borders with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia.

Italy also has many rivers, which feed the fertile valleys and has made the Po Basin one of the most prosperous regions in the country. The northern region of Tuscany also boasts of a beautiful countryside, with undulating hills and golden beaches, with the snowcapped Appeninnes standing guard on its borders.
The “green heart of Italy”, Umbria, is full of gorgeous olive groves and pines. Rome lies in the south. It is both the capital and one of the most historical cities in Europe. The Vatican City lies within its boundaries. Italy also has several territories in the Tyrrhenian Sea, such as Capri, Ischia, Sicily (Sicilia), and Sardinia. The famous volcano, Etna, is found on Sicily. To travel around Italy, you might want to rent a car: Car hire Sevilla.

THE NATURAL WONDERS OF ITALY

Italy also boasts of a beautiful landscape, and has some of Europe’s most stunning stretces of sunshine, sea and sand. This includes the famous Costa Smeralda, where the waters sparkle like gems under the summer sun.

On the other end of the peninsula lie the snowy peaks of the Dolomite mountains. Here, thousands of people come to enjoy the winter sports and the mild weather.

Italy also has fertile valleys where vineyards yield the wines for which the country is so known for. The most famous are the Veneto (the cradle of the sparkling white prosecco) and Tuscany (where one can find the robust red wine, Brunello di Montalcino). Across the Mediterranean lie gorgeous islands of Sardinia and Sicily.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Florence is a paradise for lovers of art and good food. It takes about two days to visit all the important sites, including many buildings that show the architecture of the Renaissance. Around it lies many charming hill towns and the famous leaning tower of Pisa.

You won’t see any cars in Venice; The network of islands is connected by foot bridges and the famous canals. It used to be a Maritime power, and it still retains some of its splendor. Be sure to visit San Marcos, and then explore the streets. Wonderful place to take pictures.

You need at least 3 days to visit all the sights in Rome. The Vatican and Vatican alone take one whole day. Other must-sees are St. Peters, the Coliseum, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, Capital Hill, and the Forum.
Cinque Terre is a series of five charming towns located on the Italian Riveria. Nestled into beautiful cliffs, these towns are linked by hiking trails.

Other picturesque locations are Sienna, Assissi and San Gimigano. For those who want a beach vacation, head for the Amalfi coast and Sorento. History buffs will enjoy a day trip to Pompeii, Herculaneum and Naples, while those looking for a shopping fix will enjoy Milan. If you want to improve your English in your holidays, you can go to a language school in Ireland: sprachreisen englisch Cork.

Whether you’re a couple planning a luxurious honeymoon or a student working on a tight budget, a wine connoisseur or a beach bum, there’s an Italy vacation package for you.

For example, a busy yuppie with little time to worry about car rentals, rail tickets and hotel bookings can ask for the “independent Traveler” package. This type of arrangement lets you define your itinerary but then ask someone to do the legwork to finalize the logistics. You can also ask for pre-prepared itineraries, and talk to other travelers on forums and message boards or forums for any tips and first-hand reviews of restaurants and attractions.

Those who love food can ask for food tours, where a culinary expert can design an itinerary based on the regions of Italy and the best restaurants in the area. You can even stay in a luxurious villa and take daily cooking classes, then be escorted to the local market places where you can get the most fresh ingredients. It’s the best place to learn how to make authentic, Italian-style Osso Buco and Tiramisu.

Those looking for ultimate pampering can ask for a luxury vacation package. Stay in a first class hotel or even a refurbished castle or manor. Book a cruise or a private yacht for island hopping. Enjoy first class accommodations and service all the way, including a city tour on a limousine and a dedicated butler.

Others may be interested in escorted tours. The emphasis here is not the accommodations, which may just be three-star, but on value-added tours of the main attractions. These are ideal for those who are more interested in taking in all the sights than relaxing in a hotel. You’ll have someone who will give you the historical background and other important key points of all the places you’ll be going to, plus someone to take you around the best restaurants in the area. You can even request for someone to give you a crash course in art history as you look at the historical monuments, archaeological sites, and art museums.

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Italy is famous for many tourist attractions: the Vatican City and Museum, the canals of Venice, the cosmopolitan fashions of Milan, and the sunny beaches of Capri. But it also has many half-hidden treasures, little known to most tourists. One of them is the town of Sienna.

Sienna is about an hour’s drive away from the city of Florence. It has some of the finest examples of Gothic architecture, and retains some of the charm and serenity of a medieval town. In fact, cars are banned in the city—a move that helps visitors feel that they have stepped into another time.

Sienna is a fortified city, its walls seemingly protecting it from the onslaught of the ages. Many visitors realize that this is how Italy must have been like in the past. It has two music schools, and the sound of the violins and the piano can sometimes be heard as you walk down its cobbled streets. All in all, it is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy a peaceful, quiet weekend.

When you go to Sienna, be sure to enjoy one of your meals at the Piazza del Campo, where you can survey the scenery–including the romantic façade of the Duomo Cathedral, towering in the distance. The cathedral was done in the Gothic style of architecture. In fact, all the houses in the town use this style, making it one of the finest examples of this proud period in art history.

Siena is also known for the Il Palio bareback horse race. The event kicks off a few days before the race proper, where bands march through the “enemy” neighborhoods and challenge them. The actual race is a heart-thumping affair, which many feel are more exciting than the running of the bulls.

Siena is the ideal destination for those who are tired of the crowds and the overhyped tourist spots, and would like “a vacation from a vacation”. Spend two days here, just to relax and clear your head; rediscover what it feels like to slow down and savor the moment. Because of the proximity to Florence, it makes a good day trip scheduled right before your return back home. After you’ve seen the paintings, taken pictures of the ruins, eaten in the fine restaurants and done all the “tourist” things, Siena can help you actually rest away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds. It may be the most refreshing part of your trip.