“Unforgettable Italy: A Traveler’s Guide to History, Culture, and Culinary Delights.”
Italy, home to historical monuments dating back to the Roman Empire period and Today’s modern layer of style welcomes you to a unique travel experience. From the picturesque beaches of the Amalfi to the vibrant streets of Milan Italy, every region is different with something special to offer.
This travel guide is designed to give you an exciting and comprehensive insight into Italy – the places of interest for tourists, social manners, and food to try out if you are a tourist and would wish to make a trip to Italy.
The Eternal City: Rome
This place is impossible to be visited without visiting Italy’s main heritage spot called Rome which is the capital city that served the ancient Roman Empire. The domed structure that you’ve likely seen in countless movies and TV shows is a wonder of the ancient architects.
When the fora were active, they served as the focal point of Roman political and cultural life; today, they are impressive ruins, which one cannot help but visit, and try, in a way, to feel and see through the eyes of Romans.
Do not overlook Vatican City, which embarks the magnificent basilica of St Peter’s along with the gallery of the world famous chapel- the Sistine Chapel.
Tip: While there are costs associated with a guide, making an advance booking will help in avoiding long queues for entry and taking up the services of a qualified tour guide when in Rome will ensure that more detail about the history and general features of the places is explained well.
The Renaissance Reverie: Florence
The very name Florence summons up the Renaissance, the golden age of art, which began here. The Uffizi museum contains pictures from famous artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo, and Botticelli. The primary church known as the Duomo is especially worth mentioning; with its red-tiled dome designed by Brunelleschi it is indeed an outstanding example.
Stroll for a while along these tile-paved streets and one is likely to come across the Ponte Vecchio, which is a medieval bridge with shops that sell jewelleries.
Tip: There is much to take in during this short stay, so acquire a Firenze Card to save time waiting in lines or for tickets to public transport.
The Floating City: Venice
Venice is a city which is constructed on water, the whole city is actually made from waterways and therefore can be a platform to demonstrate the creativity of human beings and their capability.
Taking a gondola…a ride along the canal with an opportunity to look at some architectural sights. There are several places that one cannot afford to miss, these include St. Mark’s Basilica which boasts of richly ornate mosaics and the powerful political icon of Venice-the Doge’s Palace.
Tip: It is commonly advised to visit Venice during the shoulder seasons, which are spring and autumn, since the tourist rush has not gained its maximum yet.
The Fashion Capital: Milan
Milan or Milano is the capital of Lombardy, which is a modern city which has become a symbol of fashion and design. Milan seems to be blessed, and the extravagant Gothic building known as the Milan Cathedral or Duomo is very popular; however for a shopping freak, there is no place better than Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The interior art lover should not miss Leonardo da Vinci fresco known as “The last supper” located in Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
Tip: Normally, tickets for “The Last Supper” are rare and should be booked long beforehand as they are a sell-out almost all the time.
The Coastal Charm: This is our first post about a weekend destination near a major city and we thought we could not start with anything better than the Amalfi Coast, right beside Naples.
As if painted by Picasso, the deep blue and oranges of the water and cliffs denote the exquisite beauty of this Italian land. Some of the great towns to visit include Positano and Ravello, with breathtaking views of the sea,outriggers, and shops and cafes. It is also important to note that the coastal road is full of curves and thus could be a little tiring to some but is however very scenic.
Tip: If you want to enjoy the best of the coast and visit some parts of it, it is ideal to take a boat ride where you will be privileged to see some parts of the coast only accessible by water.
The Culinary Delight: Tuscany
The landscape comprises hilly land with areas used for farming and production of quality wines in Italy and good foods in Italy. Climbing old towers of Siena with its medieval architecture and the Leaning Tower of Pisa are complete musts.
But, the real treasure of Tuscany is essentially rural as it is sprawling in its natural beauty. Visit a wine producing region in Chianti, and try out the authentic Tuscany foods such as ribollita, a vegetable soup or bistecca alla fiorentina, Florentine T-bone steak.
Tip: Car renting will enable you to roam around the Tuscan countryside with your O, and then eventually visit other interesting villages and wine producers.
Practical Travel Tips
Language: Nevertheless, learning some simple Italian phrases that can be applied to everyday communication is also useful in the areas that attract tourists.
Currency: Italy uses the Euro (€) as its legal tender. Making payments through credit cards is accepted in most of these outlets but it is advisable to carry some cash for purchases that are not very expensive.
Transportation: Italian train’s services are well developed and affordable hence movement between cities by rail is flexible. Eurail pass can be considered for such as it enables flexible travelling without restricted to any routes and time of the year.
Accommodations: Starting from magnificent hotels to lovely agriturismos which are farmhouses where you can stay, there is everything in Italy for tourists, for every type of pocket. It is advisable to make early bookings especially when690 you are traveling in a busy season.
Etiquette: The people of Italy love to be polite and especially like if you treat them as friends. Always say hello and even if a person is young don’t fail to hold his/her hand, add ‘please’ (per favore) and ‘thank you’ (grazie) as much as possible.
Conclusion
This page captures the eyes and interest of anybody who intends to visit Italy because of its rich culture, history and all the delicious food you would love to have a taste of.
Italy is indeed one of the most beautiful and interesting places where each hour can be turned into discovery and joy; whether one admires the frescoes in the chapels of Tuscany, drinks a glass of Chianti while crossing the fields of this region, or watches the bustle in the piazzas. Prepare your belongings and open yourself up to the Italian feel as you prepare to embark on a journey that you never thought about. Buon viaggio!