Posted on August 29, 2011 by sguese

It is hard to find a more complete country than Italy. Italy boasts being stylish, cultured, good humoured, and historical all at the same time. The centre of the Roman Empire, the trigger to the Renaissance, and the 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites alone make Italy a country high on most travellers’ bucket lists. The language of poetry and Dante, the food rivalling other cuisines in the world as the best, and the history to be had in Italy is overwhelming yet enticing.  in Surely, it’s impossible to be disappointed here.

Ancient Rome continues to live on in Italy’s capital. Rome’s wrinkles in time are plentiful and showy. The Coliseum dominates the city, displaying Rome’s violent past time. The nearby Roman forum serves as yet another indicator of Rome’s importance throughout history. While technically its own state, Vatican City takes a seat near Rome. Residence to the pope, the city houses Saint Peter’s Basilica and Michelangelo’s famed ceiling on the Sistine Chapel. After touring the city, you may find that lingering feeling to return. To insure that another visit, throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain.

Heading even further south, the Campania region of Italy erupts with things to see and do. Pompeii preserves due to the fateful Mt. Vesuvius eruption in 79 A.D. The city remained so intact due to the cast of ash. While more uplifting, the Amalfi Coast does not cover up in insecurities. Towns cling to rocky coastline in the most picturesque of fashion. Surreal and unbelievable, many head toward Positano, where limoncello flows as waves beat against shore.

 

Stereotypical images of Italy tend to reside in the Tuscany region of the country. Known for its wine and rolling hill landscape, Tuscany lives up to idealized notions of Italy. The centre of it all is without a doubt Florence. Home to the Italian Renaissance, Florence almost looks as it did throughout that rebirthing time. Many iconic images and famous sights fall within the city. The famous Uffizi Gallery shows off its collection of Renaissance art. The Galleria d’Accademia displays Michelangelo’s David. Topping things off in the city, Brunelleschi’s famed Dome towers above the rest of Florence in orange greatness. Other Tuscan greats include Siena for its expansive and marvellous Piazza del Campo and Pisa for its forever-leaning tower.

 

It is hard to imagine Italy could possibly contain any more greats. The cities of Venice and Milan also find a home in the country. Venice forever marks minds as the city on the canals. Gondoliers call out to tourists to take a ride through Venice’s waters. Saint Marka’s Basilica reigns down in the centre of the city. Throughout carnival time, Venice puts on quite the show with its masquerade madness. If Venice is the city of canals then Milan is surely the city of fashion. Milan rests in northern Italy with sunglasses on and noses in the air. It is the country’s financial hub and fashion centre, competing with cities such Paris and New York for fashionable accolades.

 

The largest islands of Italy are almost countries in themselves.  Sicily and Sardinia cloud in Greek and Roman ruins and steep in history more ancient than you could imagine. Sicily has been invaded over the years by dozens upon dozens of invaders. The Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Normans, Arabs, Spanish and even the Italians have all conquered the island. Its appearance is a mix of those civilizations. The most notable aspects to Sicily include the Greek ruins in Siracusa, Segesta, and Agrigento along with Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe. Sardinia on the other hand represents undiscovered Italy, perfecting its waters and beaches to look more like surreal visions than an actual place in the world.

 

Pizza, pasta and gelato mix with ancient Greek and Roman ruins, Renaissance masterpieces and the all around good life. Italians have it down. Wake up and work. Take a few hours for lunch. Go back to work. Dine with family and friends in the evening. And close out the day by strolling around piazzas for exercise.