The Facts:
Capital: Rome
Currency: Euro
Time Zone: GMT +1
www.italiantouristboard.co.uk
Introduction:
The birthplace of the world impacting Renaissance movement, seat of the Roman Catholic Church and a founding member of the European Union, Italy has been making its mark on the world stage for some time. Its capital Rome was once the very centre of western civilisation where crowd pulling ruins like the Colosseum are a telling reminder of this once mighty empire - in its hey day stretched from Egypt to England. Today, Italy's great cities, Venice, Florence, Siena, Naples continue to flourish, breathing enviable style and sophistication into continental Europe. Italy combines its art and culture with extraordinary natural landscapes that inspired so many of its great artists like Raphael, Boticelli, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. Tuscany's medieval hill towns as well as the tumbling villages of the Amalfi Coasts can take you well and truly off the beaten track. Enjoy vineyards that offer the greatest variety of wines types anywhere in the world and savour delicious Italian food- its that good its been exported almost everywhere on the planet.
Where To Go:
Italy strikes a familiar shape on the world map, its leggy southern peninsula putting the boot into the island of Sicily. It is surrounded on the west by the Tyrrhenian Sea and on the east by the Adriatic Sea. Located in continental Europe Italy shares its northern Alpine boundary with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. The independent states of San Marino and the Vatican City are enclaves within the Italian Peninsula, while Campione d'Italia is an Italian exclave in Switzerland. The Mediterranean island of Sardinia is also part of Italian territory.
What To Eat & Drink:
- Pasta is the centrepiece of Italian dining- there are over 350 varieties.
- In Naples try pizza, the home of this classic Italian dish.
- Gnocchi are semolina dumplings.
- Pesto is often a sauce served with pasta made from basil, pine nuts and pecorino cheese, originating from Liguria.
- There's no escaping Parmigiano the commonly used Parmesan cheese.
- Panettone is Christmas cake with sultanas and candied fruit.
- Make sure you have Gelati, an Italian ice cream. Traditionally, milk-based gelato originated in northern Italy, while the fruit and water based sorbetto came from the warmer parts of southern Italy.
- Amaretto, Limoncello, Grappa and Strega are all Italian liquors.
- There are a host of famous wine growing regions. The most widespread is the Chianti group of vineyards in Tuscany.
Unmissable Italy:
5 Things you really should do in Italy
1. Soak up the sounds
Go to Verona and watch an open-air opera performed in the majestic arena amphitheatre. Let the night sky sweep over you as passions run deep on stage. The city is also immortalised by Romeo & Juliet, Shakespeare's most famous lovers, were born and died here. You can even stage a re-enactment of the famous balcony scene at the Casa di Giulietta.
www.arena.it
2. Follow the phrase
When in Rome do as the Romans. Visit the capital's historic roman sites, the Pantheon, the Colosseum and the Forum. For good luck visit the Trevi fountain and throw a coin in its waters to guarantee your return
www.rome-guide.it
3. Look upwards
Head to the Sistine chapel located in the Vatican Palace, Vatican city and admire the famous ceiling one of the most renowned artworks of the High Renaissance.
www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/vatican-sistine-chapel.htm
4. Take a lean
Go to Pisa and see the legendary leaning tower. It is the third oldest structure in Pisa's Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square) after the cathedral and the baptistery.
5. Put your shoes on
Explore the beautiful snow covered Dolomite Mountains during the winter months by strapping on some snow shoes.
www.colletts.co.uk
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