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Italy
City Guide
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Italy Travel Guide
Italy consists of a large peninsula (the Italian Peninsula), with a distinctive boot shape with its two main islands, Sicily and Sardinia. The capital is Rome and the currency is the Euro.
The climate in Italy is uniquely diverse and can be far from the stereotypical Mediterranean climate and "land of sun", depending on the location. The inland northern areas of Italy (Turin, Milan, and Bologna) have a continental climate, while the coastal areas of Liguria and the peninsula south of Florence fit the stereotype (even if the city of Genoa, about once a year, may experience heavy snow falls). The coastal areas of the peninsula can be very different from the interior, particularly during the winter months. The higher altitudes are cold, wet, and often snowy. The coastal regions, where most of the large towns are located, have a typical Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot and generally dry summers. The length and intensity of the summer dry season increases southwards (compare the tables for Rome, Naples, and Brindisi).
Italy was home to many well-known and influential European cultures, including the Etruscans, Greeks, and the Romans. Its capital Rome has laid the foundations for Western Society, and is an historically important world city, especially as the core of ancient Rome and the Roman Catholic Church. For more than 3,000 years Italy experienced migrations and invasions from Germanic, Celtic, Frankish, Lombard, Byzantine Greek, Saracen and Norman peoples during the Middle Ages, followed by the Italian Renaissance period, in which the Italian Wars took place and various city-states were noted for their cultural achievements. Italy was divided into many independent states and often experienced foreign domination before the Italian unification, that created Italy as an independent nation-state for the first time in its history, took place. During the period under the Italian monarchy and during the world wars Italy experienced much conflict, but stability was restored after the creation of the Italian Republic.
Italy Sights and Museums
Italy, as a state, did not exist until the unification of the country came to a conclusion in year 1861. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the many regions that comprise the Italian Peninsula, many traditions and customs that we now recognise as distinctly Italian can be identified by their regions of origin, which further reflect the influence of the many different peoples that occupied those areas, and of the importance of religion, especially Roman Catholicism. Despite the pronounced political and social isolation of these regions that prevailed throughout Italy's history, Italy's contributions to the cultural and historical heritage of Europe remain immense. In fact, Italy is home to the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites (41) to date.
Amalfi coast: Stretching for 50km along a promontory from Sorrento to Salerno is some of Europe's most beautiful coastline. The road hugs the tight bends and curves of the cliffy coast, overlooking intensely blue waters and passing postcard villages that cling to the cliff walls like matchbox houses.
Florence: The cultural and historical impact of Florence (or Firenze) is overwhelming. Close up, however, the city is one of Italy's most atmospheric and pleasant, retaining a strong resemblance to the small late-medieval centre that contributed so much to the artistic and political development of Europe. Its striking buildings, formidable galleries and treasure-crammed churches attest to the Florentine love of display.
Milan: The now and the next are invented daily in Milan, Europe's creative capital. Until Milan led the way, who knew that happy hour could last four hours, that clothing and household appliances could be made out of basketry, and that coffee could make a delicious pasta sauce? This city is all about worldly pleasures. Shopping is of quasi-religious significance. Theatre and cinema flourish in this fashionable milieu, as does a hopping club scene and a slew of tempting restaurants. Apart from a few gems, the city is not renowned for its looks; it's lifestyle that counts.
Siena: Siena had been a bustling economic centre based on its textiles, saffron and wine in the 12th century. At this time many buildings were created in Sienese Gothic style, giving this town its distinctive style. Visitors enjoy the cafe-lined square Il Campo and the imposing St Dominic's Church. Ramparts - just one of the many vestiges of the city's medieval prime - still crown the hills that surround gentle Siena. Its many reddish-brown buildings gave the world 'burnt sienna,' and a thriving cultural scene was dubbed the Sienese school in the 13th and 14th centuries.
Venice: Venezia, La Serenissima, Queen of the Adriatic, city of canals and palaces...or tawdry sewer alive with crowds and charlatans? Venice's nature is dual: water and land, long history and doubtful future, airy delicacy and dim melancholy. If this precious place does sink, the world will be the poorer. For a thousand years the city was one of the most enduring mercantile sea powers on the face of the earth. Today the brilliance and influence have long since faded, leaving a town of tarnished glories, out of time and out of place, so achingly beautiful it's hard not to look for the back of the set.
Italy Entertainment
Venice Film Festival (Italian Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica) is the oldest Film Festival in the World (the first time was in 1932 as Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica) and takes place every year in late August/early September on the Lido di Venezia in the historic Palazzo del Cinema on the Lungomare Marconi.
The Station of the Cross enjoy the suggestive via crucis celebration in the Colosseum on Good Friday.
The pre-Easter Carnevale is closely associated with Venice; Holy Week Easter processions are especially flamboyant at Taranto, Chieti and in Sicily; and Florence explodes a cart full of fireworks on Easter Sunday.
Festivals honouring patron saints are also particularly colourful events; for example the Festas di San Nicola in Bari and San Gennaro in Naples, the Snake-charmer's Procession in Abruzzo (May) and the Festa di Sant'Antonio in Padua (June).
Events betraying more than a hint of history include the Race of the Candles and Palio of the Crossbow in Gubbio (May), the Sardinian Cavalcade (May), the Regata of the Four Ancient Maritime Republics (which rotates between Pisa, Venice, Amalfi and Genoa, and is held in June), Il Palio in Siena (July and August) and Venice's Historic Regatta (September).
Italy Transports.
To get there by boat, many cities in Italy have international turistic ports served by the most important companies: Genova, Livorno, Roma, Napoli, Palermo, Catania, Taranto, Bari, Ancona, Venezia and Trieste.
By Plane: Turin, Milan, Bergamo, Verona, Genoca, Bologna, Venice, Rome, Naples, Pisa, Catania, Cagliari and Palermo are the cities with international airports in Italy.
By train: in Italy many cities and towns have train station. Where you cant arrive by train, the bus lines help you to reach every corner of Italy.
Domestic Transports in Italia:
There is an extensive and well maintained road network. Tolls are charged on the autostradas (motorways).
Air Travel: Alitalia and other domestic airlines provide everyday links between the Italian airports.
Bus Travel: good coach services run between cities and towns and there are also good local bus services. The main operators are SITA, Autostradale and Lazzi.
Train Travel: the Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) is the state railway and there are also a few private railway companies, like Ferrovie Nord, linking Milan, Como and Malpensas internacional airport. The rail network is adequately developed, especially between the most important cities and tourist areas. The fastest trains, called Eurostar, operate on the networks between the major cities while the regional trains are fairly slow. It is also fairly cheap and efficient.
Ferries: regular boat services run to the islands of Capri, Elba, Sardegna, Sicilia and the Aeolian Islands.
Bicycles: many towns have bicycle-hire shops and although its a popular mode of transport within certain regions.
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