Italy Pictures

When one speaks of Italy, one city always comes to mind: Rome, Ancient Rome to be precise. But what does it mean for today’s traveller? What does it have to offer that keeps visitors coming back for more? Italy today is cosmopolitan, vibrant, and totally happening.

Italy is synonymous to high-end fashion and technology whether one is talking about clothes, shoes, bags or even cars. Brand names like Gucci, Armani, Givenchy, Fendi, Ferrari, Fiat, Maserati are just some internationally renowned Italian labels. Italy is equally known for its food, especially its variety of pasta dishes. Italian cuisine is probably the most famous in the world and one can hardly go around and not see any in the menu.

Italy has something to offer visitors of different tastes and backgrounds. History buffs love coming to this country because of the wealth of historic monuments ad art incorporated into the busy, very modern cities of the country. Its museums and galleries are packed with all kinds of work of art and it would take several visits to completely see everything and even more to properly digest what one sees. Caravaggio, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Boccacio, Tintoretti, Bernini…the list just goes on.

And what about its operas and its singers? They also put the country on the map. Verdi’s “Aida”, Puccini’s “La Boheme”, Rossini’s “La Cenerentola”, and famous singers like Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Cecilia Bartoli, and many more give honor to the prestige of Italian Opera.

Rome, the capital city of Italy will take up most of one’s time when visiting Italy. The Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Piazza Navona, the Roman Forum, catacombs, and thousands of other Roman artefacts and ruins are just some of the things one will see taking any of the various tours the country has to offer.

Within the city of Rome is Vatican City, the seat of the Roman Catholic Church, the home of the Papacy. St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museum, and St. Peter’s Square are some of the attractions in this independent state within a country.

Another city in Italy is Florence or Firenze to its locals. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto and Pisano’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry of San Giovanni are some attractions in the area. If history isn’t your thing, the shopping in Florence is one of Europe’s finest.

What spells romance better than a trip down the canals of Venice? Ride a gondola and view some of the most famous homes of the medieval era. The ride terminates in an exploration of the city’s most famous area, the St. Mark’s Square dominated by the St. Mark’s Cathedral. Several cafes, restaurants, and boutiques line the square and one can sit, relax, and take in the picturesque view.

The city of Milan is the center of Italian fashion. Known for style and shopping, it offers a great chance for the weary traveller to relax and recharge in one of its fine cafes or do some window shopping before resuming a tour of the country. Styles that are not yet seen in other countries are already discounted in some shops. This gives the fashion savvy a chance to be one of the first to strut Italian fashion.

The cheapest way to make one’s way around Italy is through its very efficient railroad system. Another way is by car. Because fuel is so expensive n this area, going around by car is not cheap. But if one wants the convenience of going about at one’s own pace and stopping just anywhere, then this is the best way to travel. Air travel may be the way to going from city to city fast is a priority.

The general lifestyle in Italy is relaxed and comfortable. Italians appreciate their cup of cappuccino in the morning, their latte machiatto during breaks, and their glass of Chianti after work, just to unwind. In a country where haute couture is local, designer Italian clothes are the norm. And the God-given physical attributes of the Italians really show off these designer labels in the very best light.

As a rule, Italians are friendly and helpful towards visitors. They will patiently explain the menus in Italian or give directions to hard to find areas. Since tourism plays a major role in the country’s economy, the cheerfulness of its locals is a big plus in boosting its tourist industry.

There is no other country quite like Italy. While other old world countries are stuck in the past, Italy has moved beyond its famous ruins and has achieved the near impossible: the perfect amalgamation of the past with the present. This is what makes Italy a must-see.

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