Italy

Italy is the boot shaped peninsula that is located in southern Europe and is known for its history, food, and wine, culture, sports, and beaches. Italy is home to many travel and vacation destinations, and this site will provide an overview of places to visit and things to do.

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In One Paragraph
Italy, officially the Italian Republic (Italian: Italia or Repubblica Italiana), is a country in southern Europe. It comprises the boot-shaped Italian peninsula, the Po River valley, and two large islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily and Sardinia, and shares its northern alpine boundary with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. The independent countries of San Marino and the Vatican City are enclaves within Italian territory.

Crash Course History
Italy has influenced the cultural and social development of the whole Mediterranean area, deeply influencing European culture as well. Important cultures and civilizations have existed there since prehistoric times. After Magna Graecia, the Etruscan civilization and especially the Roman Republic and Empire that dominated this part of the world for many centuries, Italy was central to European science and art during the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

Modern Italy became a nation-state belatedly — on March 17, 1861, when most of the states of the peninsula were united under king Victor Emmanuel II of the Savoy dynasty, which ruled over Sardinia and Piedmont. The architects of Italian unification were Count Camillo Benso di Cavour, the Chief Minister of Victor Emmanuel, and Giuseppe Garibaldi, a general and national hero. Rome itself remained for a decade under the Papacy, and became part of the Kingdom of Italy only on September 20, 1870. The Vatican is now an independent enclave surrounded by Rome.

Major Statistics

Area: 301,336 sq.km.
Population: 58,462,375
Language: Italian
Religion: it is safe to conclude that 87% of the Italian population self-identify as Roman Catholic, whereas around 13% identify with either other religions or none at all
Currency: Euro

Major Cities
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Destinations
Roma, The name inverts neatly to form amor[e]. No wonder that a natural occurrence is to fall in love with Rome, the fabled Eternal City, the city that exerts the most fascination in the mind of the traveler, and can reward as no other city can. Do not expect her playful, exuberant fountains to cease from casting their liquid diamonds into the sky, even during the quiet hours of the night, for there is no stopping the water-flow of her hundreds of miles of acqueducts, which will also be serving your hotel room. Yet, as no other city has been the focal point of the world for such a long period of time, few have such a long and turbulent history as has Roma. Lavished with architectural jewelry from republican to imperial to early-Christian to medieval to renaissance to baroque to modern times by history's greatest artists, the queen of cities has also experienced sieges, raids, fires, and earthquakes that left their scars; but each time the Eternal City recovered from her injuries in glorious form.

Roma’s history is tightly connected to the history of Europe as a whole. Not just the Roman emperors but also medieval emperors and kings, such as Charlemagne and Otto I, regarded Rome as the true seat of power; only here could their authority, through benediction by the popes, could be sanctified.

"Nn basta una vita," it is said: One does not have to be one of the countless academics residing in her many foreign institutes to declare that one life is not enough to get to know Roma. Maybe you’ll need about nine, as many as have the stray cats that also populate the city. At each corner of each street there is a multitude of stories to tell, with layer upon layer of history beneath the feet. A modern school occupying a renaissance palace built on the foundations of an imperial bath complex whose mosaics and acqueduct conduits can still be seen, and a baroque church incorporating the structure of a medieval basilica built on the foundations of a republican temple are a couple of the thousands of stories, which together hardly even begin to reveal the history of this three-thousand-year-old city.

Be certain not to miss The Eternal City's Trevi Fountain (remember Anita Ekberg in the classic scene in La Dolce Vita) the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, Piazza del Popolo, some of the Roman heritage sights, such as the Pantheon, the Colosseum and the Forum Romanum, a few of her world-famous churches, such as Il Gesu, S. Giovanni in Laterano and Sta. Maria Maggiore, and the Vatican with the incredibly huge St. Peter's Basilica and the unrivalled Vatican Museums. Sunrise on the Gianicolo and sunset on the Pincio, with vistas of a sea of golden domes and bell-towers, are sure to record images on the mind never to be forgotten.

Not far from Roma you can find the wonderful Ancient Ostia, the ancient port of Rome, where you can enjoy a great day walking among bath complexes, squares, temples, and lots of well-preserved stores, like the Tabernae, an ancient take-away/pub restaurant.

Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy and probably the world. Located in the heart of Tuscany, a stunning province of hills and mountains, the Renaissance capital of the world, with famous sons like Leonardo, Dante, Machiavelli and Michelangelo, is a sight not to be missed.

The world famous Duomo with the Brunelleschi cupola and the marble clad baptistry are simply stupendous, but not all the monuments are like this. The streets of the historic town centre are often narrow and dark, the palaces robust and intimidating. But have a look at the squares - wonderful mediterranean places where you will like spending hours sitting down, having a caffe and just watching people passing by.

However, Florence is a city of incomparable pleasure concerning churches, monasteries, museums, galleries and palaces. Among the things you can't afford to miss are the Uffizi Galleries, one of the best art museums in the world, the cathedral with the baptistry, the Santo Spirito church and the Ponte Vecchio. To get a great overview of the city, head for Piazza Michelangelo in Oltrarno (other side of river Arno) or farther up to the church of San Miniato.

The surroundings of Florence have many things to offer to the visitor as well as does the whole Florence Province. You can explore this region for weeks without being bored. For these day trips the city of Florence is the perfect starting point.

Venice is built on one hundred and seventeen small islands, and holds one hundred and fifty canals, connected by an amazing four hundred and nine bridges, of which only three cross the main canal. The area it covers is a mere 458 kilometres, the population is roughly 63,000 people, as opposed to Hobart ’s approximate person count of 200,000 people. Although the city appears small, it is really quite extensive for its size. Whilst most tour guides don’t recommend getting lost in the majority of cities, Venice is the place to get hopelessly lost for a day; it is certainly more advisable than getting lost in a shopping centre and hiding out in the frozen foods section. Venice isn’t all cities and crowded streets: through the mysterious alleyways leading off from the city, endless mazes of backstreets and deserted squares, the ‘real’ Venice. And a perfect place to walk for hours on end, pretending to know where you are.

Probably the only ways of getting around Venice are walking and paying up for the 'expensive-but-worth-it' gondola, water bus/taxi or a regular taxi is officially banned in the lagoon city – a bicycle won’t help you much.

The islands of the Venetian lagoon were first settled during the barbarian invasions of the 5th and 6th centuries AD, when the people of the Veneto mainland sought refuge in the marshy region. The refugees built the now-famous watery villages on rafts of wooden posts driven into the soil, laying the foundations for the floating palaces of today. The traditional date of Venice 's birth is given as 25 March 421, but there is little evidence to support this belief. The population is roughly 63, 000 people, but there is belief that Venice will, over time, lose most of its population and become merely a large theme park, purely for the entertainment of camera-clad tourists.

It's nearly always the festive season in Venice , although the city is particularly busy in the flourishing months of spring, especially surrounding Easter. Accommodation is one of the most difficult things to find around that time zone, as well as around Christmas, New Year and festival Carnevale (Which is in February). Like Italy 's other great tourist areas, Venice is at its worst in summer (Months such as June-August): it's crowded, oppressively hot and sticky. The most pleasant time of year to visit is late March into May, with clear spring days and fewer crowds. September is the next best in terms of weather, but October is quieter. Flooding occurs in November and December, and winter can be unpleasantly cold - although seeing Venice under a layer of snow can cast the aura of a fairy tale.

Most visitors to Venice land at Marco Polo airport, 12 km from Venice . Many of them choose the heading straight from the city, but walking around the backstreets is really what Venice is about. A few charter flights land in different areas of Venice, but the majority are bound for Marco Polo.

Vaporetto (water bus) is most amazing method of getting around Venice; you won’t find too many public transport routes as unforgettable as vaporetto. No 1's trip along the Grand Canal . Get yourself a travel pass to ride the elusive vaopretto - single tickets don't come cheap, and are less economical if you plan to spend days travelling Venice and travelling every nook and cranny.

The classic gondola ride with the opera-warbling operator is pretty touristy and expensive but the traghetto is a commuter gondola that crosses the Grand Canal at strategic points. It's quite a balance test for newbies, as you have to stand. Water taxis (motorboats) are almost as expensive as gondolas, but their pilots don't wear stripy shirts and bellow out 'O Sole Mio'.

The famous water-villages of Venice post a threat to the historical buildings, which are slowly sinking into the marshy ground. It is believed that if construction work does not continue, these buildings may, in turn, pose a threat to the safety of locals and tourists. It has been said that “When this precious place sinks, the world will be the poorer”, and also stated that Venice has a bleak future. Looking on the optimistic side, the villages are beautiful today, and are still open to being admired for years to come.

Regular buses (yes, they do exist) run from one place to another, but it's probably the least exciting way to get around the city. Obviously, don't bring the rental car to Venice - you'll just be paying to leave it in a car park for the duration, and in a few car parks you’ll find yourself with a large fine afterwards. Taxis - the regular four-wheeled variety - do operate from Piazzale Roma.

And nobody can forget the romantic side of Venice . Although it can be excruciatingly hot and stuffy in summer, when the tourists flock, it is nonetheless claimed to be one of the most romantic cities. With the image of an inky-blue sky laden in a full moon and dotted with stars; above a glowing city-scape, seen from a tiled square bordered by Italian words and Pizza outlets, it’s no wonder.

Like every tourist location, it’s not just tourists from the surrounding countries (countries, in this case, located in Europe), but all kinds of people can be found, cameras at the ready, in Venice . The attractions in Venice include many remarkable structures; such as an impressive array of bronze work, tapestries and paintings from the 5 th to 6 th century, as well as a whole handful of amazing buildings and galleries showcasing the artistic side of Venice.

The sea surrounds Venice , and so, too, Venetian cuisine, which can be disappointing unless cuttlefish and sardines are what you're after. You don't order pasta in Venice , you order lots of noodles with a dab of sauce. Cichetti (chee-keht-tee) are small portions of food served in bars all over the city, usually with an ombra, which is a small glass of wine. When you go out for cichetti , you will eat standing up, hopefully in a crowded room. Mosey up to the bar, where all the cichetti will be displayed before you. A typical cichetto (this is the singular) might be a square of mortadella on a toothpick, or a rice stuffed tomato, or a ball of rice stuffed with an olive and deep fried. Summon the bar-person, order your glass of wine and point to your choice of cichetti, which will then be served to you. The bar-person will keep your tab going and present it to you when you are ready.

Milan is the biggest city of North Italy. The powerhouse of the country and one of the most stylish cities of the planet.

But it is also a city with many important museums and wonderful monuments. See the Castello Sforzesco the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (which displays Leonardo’s Last Supper) the Brera Museum (Madonna and Child and Pieta by Bellini) and many other museums monuments and churches. Moreover, Milan is a lively city, with several pubs, discos and nightclubs. Being a fashion capital too, you might run into a top model or designer. The best chances are in the area around Brera (the artist zone) or the Navigli area. And if you have money to spend, just make a visit in via Montenapoleone and via della Spiga where you’ll find boutiques by Gucci, Ferragamo, Valentino, Armani, Ferre, Fendi and others. Look for other famous designer labels and items such as shoes, camelhair blankets and leather goods.

Near Milan are two must-sees (both can be visited in a day trip): the Carthusian Monastery at Pavia and the 12th-century Chiaravalle Abbey (founded by St. Bernard of Cistercian). Two hours outside of Milan in Pessione is the museum of the history of wine making which has a fine collection of wine-making equipment Imperial glass receptacles and Etruscan and Apuleian ceramics.

Bergamo is divided in two parts with quite a distinct atmosphere. The Città Alta is the old part of town, it has small steep streets with old houses and many churches, the Città Bassa brings you the fast paced Italian life of the industrialized north.

Most travelers head for the Città Alta immediately. The main attractions are the Piazza Vecchia with its Renaissance buildings such as the Biblioteca Civica (1594) and the Palazzo della Ragione (1199). The Piazza del Duomo is just around the corner; the Duomo is well worth a visit and has a wonderful marble facade.

There are a few other churches worth seeing such as the San Michele (13-th century) and the Sant'Andrea. The Porta Sant'Agostino is the main gate, built in the 16-th century to defend the city. Another interesting gate is the San Giacomo gate.

Palermo is the capital of Sicily and its largest city - stupendously sited in its own wide bay underneath the limestone bulk of Monte Pellegrino. Originally a Phoenician, then a Carthaginian colony, this remarkable city was long considered a prize worth capturing. After the first Punic war it passed from the Carthaginian hands to the Romans (254 - 253 B.C.) and later became a colony under the reign of Augustus.

Under the Arab domination it obtains great splendour: it becomes an emirate and will hold around 300 mosques. As an Arab reporter of the time describes, from the interior rise one could admire the red domes among the green of the Conca d’Oro. Finally Palermo became Norman in 1072 with a conquest by Ruggero d’Altavilla. Ruggero II raises it as capital of the Sicilian Reign and Federico II Houhenstaufen crowns it Capital of the Mediterranean Culture, creating the first Sicilian school. Palermo became the greatest city in Europe, famed for the wealth of its court and peerless as a centre of learning.

In the hands of the Angevin’s it passes through a phase of decline, due to the transfer of the Reign’s Capital to Naples. For the misgovernment, the population revolts: War of the Vespers (Easter 1282). In the course of its history, Palermo always searched for independence and the role as Capital. In fact, this is revealed in the attempt of the Neapolitan Republic to impose the Bourbonist Constitution (1812). On the 27th of May 1860, the city hands itself over to garibaldi.

The long history of the city assures that there is a lot to see, although the city as a whole, as well as some of the sights, are in need of repair.

Nowadays Palermo is a fast, brash and exciting city. The mix of arabic and viking influences is one of the strangest and unexpected surprises the city has to offer. Buildings dating from the 11th and 12th century, the heyday of Medieval Sicily, offer this peculiar quality. The most noteworthy and an absolute must is the Palazzo dei Normanni

Other interesting sights include the Quattro Canti, a nice example of Baroque architecture and the Catacombs. From the 16th to the last century local noblemen and clergy were mummified here. Very impressive are the Monastery and Cathedral of Monreale in the nearby village of Monreale (a couple of kilometers out of the city-center).

Turin (Torino) owns a huge heritage represented by cultural institutions that operate in the most diverse fields of knowledge and are united by a great dynamism. Home of a renowned university, especially famous for its studies in history, economics and sciences, and its world class School of Engeenering at the Polytechnic, Turin also houses a number of cultural institutions of international repute thanks to their splendid libraries, collections of rare and ancient books and priceless documents, as well as the organisation of numerous prestigious activities.

Turin today is a dynamic reality engaged in a modernisation process unrivalled in Italy. From the city of motor car to a centre of advanced technology and integrated productive systems, following an original redevelopment project. Although it is internationally renowned as an industrial city and a capital of the motor car this, for Turin, is now a stereotype, an incomplete picture. Today, its image is different, more diverse: the city is oriented towards the new high-tech Europe, that of advanced research.

Turin has not only been the capital of the Savoy Kingdom; it is also the capital of the motor car industry, of the Alpine peaks and of the cinema: precious collections, testimony to these facts, are housed in some of the most important museums in the city. In the rooms of the National Motor Car Museum (Museo "Carlo Biscaretti di Ruffia") it is possible to follow the evolution of the motor car, from the earliest steam-powered vehicles to the modern mass production models, from successful racing cars to the latest products of ecological research. In particular, four projects are worthy examples: the former Lingotto car factory has been converted to a complex with modern services, cultural venues and a hotel; the old steel and iron industrial area is being transformed into Europe's first environmental technological park (Environment Park) occupying an area of 100 hectars: the Turin Polytechnic is being doubled in size to cover 13 hectares, and has benefited from a major injection of funds into its research and training activities; finally, the cityìs railway system is being redeveloped and improved with important "passante" (railway link) works (three lines of 15 km placed underground), thus making a radical transformation in the system for the access into the city, and the mobility around it.

Majestic and imposing, the River Po crosses Turin offering to whoever wants to discover the city by taking a ride along th water, a route rich with surprises. The industrial vocation and the image of a city that is dedicated to work and technological innovation, has given a wrong impression of Turin: pushed into the background is the important fact of its peculiar geographical position framed by the Alpine peaks and the hills, its great wealth of parks and gardens, not to mention the unique attribute of the four separate rivers that cross the city - the Po, The Dora, the Stura and the Sangone - an environmental heritage that few cities in the world can boast.

A trip to Verona is a plunge into the emotions of bygone times, of a city that conserves values and forms related to an ancient past of medieval and renaissance splendour, albeit it is in constant expansion in our own day. According to the poet, Shakespeare, “There is no world outside these walls…” but this also expresses the impression that strikes tourists when they enter the ancient walls that surround the city. The tragic story of the love of Romeo and Juliet, which Shakespeare situates in the Verona of the Scala seigniory, makes the city a preferred destination for lovers and tourists seeking emotions.

You experience a serene and relaxing rhythm in the historical centre, marked by the placid current of the Adige River, which crosses the city, forming a wide and soft S, with a suggestive network of bridges. During the summer months a stroll through the ancient city can reach a climax of emotions, in an evening at the Arena, Italy’s largest opera theatre. The Roman amphitheatre can seat 15,000 spectators and put on a show with scenery designed by the greatest artists in the world: an evening at the Arena is unforgettable and reason enough alone to make a trip to Verona.

There are visual memories and suggestions for travellers stopping over in Verona, not only due to the ancient architecture and its testimonial value, which pervades the entire city; not only thanks to the suggestive atmosphere of the narrow streets and squares, but also because of the tastes and flavours of an inimitable traditional territorial cuisine that has been perpetuated, unaltered through time, which creates insoluble ties with Veronese wines, which are famous and highly appraised throughout the world.

In the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, the fertile crescent of Campania cradles the Bay of Naples and the larger Gulf of Salerno. Some say this is Italy's most spectacular natural setting. A sunny climate, a wealth of historic sights, and a hospitable populace make the area around Naples a well-touristed domain.

The city's commercial and cultural history has always been strictly connected with the importance of its port. Strategically located, Naples has been coveted ever since it was established as a Greek colony around 600 BC, named "Neapolis" (New City). Conquered by the Romans in 327 BC, it became a favorite residence of emperors and literary personages, including Virgil and Nero. A Byzantine dukedom in the 7th century and later subject to Norman Sicily, Naples reached the zenith of its medieval prosperity when Charles I of Anjou made it his capital in 1266. Along with his Angevin and Aragonese successors, Charles enlarged the city and embellished it with palaces and churches. The Spanish Habsburgs (1502 - 1704) were followed by the Bourbons, Bonapartes and finally the Savoys, when Campania became part of the unified Italian nation in 1860.

A point of embarkation for emigrants in the past, Naples now has a large traffic of merchandise (petroleum, carbon, cereals) and passengers. In the vast urban area one can distinguish many different neighborhoods: the old center, characterized by buildings closely crowded together, is bordered on the west by the new administrative district and on the east by the business district, into which flows almost all the road and rail traffic. Other neighborhoods, with narrow climbing streets, rise around the base of the San Martino and Capodimonte hills. These neighborhoods have experienced intense development, typically of the simpler kind, in contrast to that of the residential neighborhoods that stretch out comfortably along the Vomero and Posillipo hills.

Compared to other European cities, Naples is a large, chaotic and sometimes "overbearing" city - but in all these things lies the city's charm. It has its share of petty crime, and derelect areas that visually detract a tourist's point of view. In spite of this, most of Naples' inhabitants know how to enjoy the joys of life. Naples has been compared to Marseilles and referred to as the "Bombay" of Europe. This reputation should not deter potential travellors from visiting Naples, as it is safer than most large American cities and the chaos has been steadily subsiding over the last few years.

This finest city merits more than just a one-night visit. Bologna (pop. 422, 000) has gardens, museums parks, fine buildings, churches and miles of shopping streets and don't forget the great food. Sometimes called "Bologna the fat" this city is a great place to indulge yourself. Other names for Bologna include "Bologna the learned" and "Bologna the red." The first refers to the presence of the oldest still existing university in Europe, founded in 1088 AD. The presence of the university is quite noticable, in terms of cultural activities, bars, and general life. "Bologna the red" officially refers to the red roofs of the city. If you climb the Torre degle Asinelli you can see it for yourself. However, the intellectual left had also a strong presence in Bologna, which could be another explanation of the name.

The city is alive and it is changing from year to year. It has known quite a turbulent past. In the fascist era, some awful buildings were planted in the city. Moreover, the area around the train station was bombed extensively during the war and some of the beautiful nineteenth century houses were lost. Fortunately, Bologna is actively restoring it past and these past twenty years have been good ones. In the year 2000 Bologna was a European Cultural Capital.

Pick up a good map of the city before you begin your explorations. You can get them from any bookstore (Rizolli on Via dei Mille, open until 2am in the morning, or another halfway on Via Indipendenza that is open till late as well).

We suggest you start by climbing the Torre degle Asinelli for a great view. Most of the sights are clustered around the Piazza Maggiore, which makes a great starting point for your explorations. For just a taste of Bologna, visit the seven churches of Santo Stefano, the 16th-century Neptune Fountain whose penis had to be adjusted by its sculptor, Europe's oldest university (its museum exhibits 16th-century art). Afterwards walk along Strada Maggiore in the well-preserved medieval town center. The Pinacoteca which has an excellent collection of Italian Renaissance art. For a taste of modern Italy visit the Museo Morandi on Piazza Maggiore (opened in 1993) which houses more than 200 works by 20th-century painter Giorgio Morandi. Thirty miles northwest is the town of Modena which has an impressive 28-ft/88-m Ghirlandina bell tower. Modena is also the home of tenor Luciano Pavarotti and the Ferrari and Maserati auto companies. Further to the West is Parma, famous for its food. An hour South of Bologna is Florence and an hour East is the ancient capital of the Western Roman Empire with its magnificent Byzantinian churches, Ravenna.

The 14th-century Romanesque Leaning Tower is of course Pisa’s main attraction (it has 294 stairs) and really seems to overturn any moment. The tower reopened in November 2001, and as of October 2003 tickets to climb the tower were 15 Euros. A fortification project has made some progress in stopping the increase in inclination and even managed to pull the tower back a bit (40 centimetres). The Leaning Tower belongs to an ensemble of four impressive buildings all located on "Campo dei Miracoli" (square of miracles): the cathedral Santa Maria Assunta, the campanile (leaning tower that was actually a bell tower), the baptistry (looks like a huge "baci" chocolate, that is a delicious Italian candy) and the Camposanto cemetery.

Should time permit stop at Palazzo dei Cavalieri, walk down Via Santa Maria towards the river banks of Arno, where the small Gothic chapel of "Santa Maria della Spina" is located and the National Museum of San Matteo (excellent collection of 12th-through 15th-century art).

We also suggest taking a taxi/bus or bicycle ride to the Church of "San Michele degli Scalzi" to see the other leaning tower of Pisa; completed in the 13th century this seldom-visited tower is worth a look even though it’s not as impressive as the famous one.

It’s also fun just to walk around Pisa (pop. 104 000). The city is very compact with many narrow streets, small markets, hidden treasures and a great ambience; we suggest seeing it on a day trip from Florence perhaps in combination with Lucca just 13 mi/20 km northeast. Another possible stop is Pistoia which has a cathedral and baptistery in the Pisan-Romanesque style and the Ceppo Hospital (L’Ospedale de Ceppo) which has a brightly painted terra-cotta frieze.

Cuisine
Italian cuisine is extremely varied: the country of Italy was only unified in 1861, and its cuisines reflect the cultural variety of its regions: Roman cuisine, for example, uses a lot of pecorino (sheep's cheese) and organ meats, while Tuscan cooking features white beans and bread without salt; the pizzas of Rome are thin like crackers, while Neapolitan and Sicilian pizza is thicker. The most important regional difference is the choice of fats: northern Italians tend towards rich dairy fats such as cream, butter, and mascarpone cheese; this is often perceived as excessive by southern Italians, who substitute olive oil. Northern Italian dishes tend to be somewhat influenced by French cooking, due to the proximity of the French border. Emilia-Romagna leads Italy in wheat production, and is known for its stuffed pasta. Italian cuisine is regarded as a prime example of the Mediterranean diet.

Activities
Beaches and water sports - Italy has over 5,000 miles of beaches with some of the best on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. Windsurfing and sailing are extremely popular, it's possible to rent boats and equipment and arrange lessons at most beach and lakeside resorts. Campania, Calabria and Sicily have excellent scuba diving and snorkelling as do the coasts of Tuscany and Liguria. There are lots of good canoeing rivers, particularly in the north of the country.

Hiking - There are good networks of hiking trails and huts all over Italy. Some of the most dramatic scenery is in the Dolomites and around Aosta. In the Apennines the Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo is worth exploring and the Apuane Alps in Tuscany have good walking. The Dolomites are a climber's paradise and ice climbing is available in several of the mountain ranges.

Skiing - There are plenty of ski resorts in the Italian Alps and they vary from places with just a handful of runs and slow old lifts to resorts with hundreds of interconnected pistes and state of the art lift systems. Two of the biggest ski areas are The Milky Way, centred on Sauze d'Oulx, and the linked Dolomite runs around Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Cycling - This can be a great way to see the country although you do need to be fairly fit as so much of it is hilly. There are few traffic free cycle routes but quiet roads can be found. There are plans to create a series of national cycle routes. The Giro d'Italia race attracts the world's top cyclists. Mountain biking is becoming increasingly popular and many of the lifts in ski resorts take bikes in the summer.

Suggested Itineraries

Day 1 Arrive in Milan
Day 2 Milan to Lake Como
Day 3 Lake Como
Day 4 Pick up car, then to Dolomites via Verona
Day 5 Dolomites
Day 6 To Venice
Day 7 Venice
Day 8 To Florence
Day 9 Florence
Day 10 To Cinque Terre
Day 11 Cinque Terre
Day 12 To Siena
Day 13 Siena
Day 14 To Orvieto
Day 15 Orvieto
Day 16 To Sorrento via Pompeii
Day 17 Sorrento
Day 18 To Paestum
Day 19 To Rome, drop car
Day 20 Rome
Day 21 Rome
Day 22 Rome, fly home

Modifications for train travelers: This trip is designed to be done by car, but works fine by rail with a few modifications. An Italy Rail Card (8 days in 1 month) can work well-pay out of pocket for short runs, such as Milan to Varenna, or the hops between villages in the Cinque Terre. Consider basing yourself in Bolzano in the Dolomites. From Venice, go directly to the Cinque Terre, then do Florence and Siena. A car is efficient in the hill towns of Tuscany and Umbria, but a headache elsewhere. Sorrento is a good home base for Naples and the Amalfi Coast. Skip Paestum unless you love Greek ruins. To save Venice for last, start in Milan, seeing everything but Venice on the way south, then sleeping through everything you've already seen by catching the night train from Naples or Rome to Venice. This saves you a day and gives you an early arrival in Venice.

When To Go
From April to June and late September to October are the best months for traveling in Italy -- temperatures are usually mild and the crowds aren't quite so intense. Starting in mid-June, the summer rush really picks up, and from July to mid-September the country teems with visitors. August is the worst month: Not only does it get uncomfortably hot, muggy, and crowded, but the entire country goes on vacation at least from August 15 to the end of the month -- and many Italians take off the entire month. Many hotels, restaurants, and shops are closed (except at the spas, beaches, and islands, where 70% of the Italians head). From late October to Easter, most attractions go on shorter winter hours or are closed for renovation. Many hotels and restaurants take a month or two off between November and February, spa and beach destinations become padlocked ghost towns, and it can get much colder than you'd expect (it might even snow).




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