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Italy
- Overview
- The Basics
- Attractions
- Events
- Public Holidays
- Useful Contacts
- Airports
- Climate
- Currency
- Visa & Passport
- Phrases
- Italy Map
-
Regions
- Amalfi Coast
- Bologna
- Civitavecchia
- Italian Alps
- Lake Country
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show more Regions
Resorts
- Sorrento
Ski Resorts
- Cortina d Ampezzo
- Courmayeur
Ports of Call
- Naples
- Rome (Civitavecchia)
- Venice
What to see in Italy
Italy Attractions
Littered with more than 3,000 years of history, Italy is a sightseer's paradise. Spend some time in Rome taking in famous sites like the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and the Pantheon. With artworks on display from the likes of Da Vinci, Caravaggio and Botticelli, it's a visual buffet for all visitors.
Head north to explore the canals of Venice by gondola, or indulge in the wonderful shopping in the fashion capital of Milan. A little further is the magical city of Florence, teeming with culture and Italian flair. Or one can continue south past Rome to Naples and explore the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, destroyed by Mount Vesuvius, which can be seen standing sentinel over the city. Italy takes a lifetime to explore properly because there is so much on offer for visitors. From the gondola-lined canals of Venice to the white sandy beaches of San Remo, to the Alps, Dolomites and Apennines, Italy has everything from beach holidays to luxury mountain ski resorts and a whole lot more in between.
The most popular time of year to visit Italy is during the summer months when most of the country can be enjoyed like a fine Italian wine - slowly. A trip to the rolling hills of Tuscany is in order to sample some fine wine and olive oil, as well as plenty of old style Italian cuisine, while taking in the scenery of cypress trees, lush vines and olive groves. But if you've got a skiing holiday in mind, head to the Italian Alps and visit the resorts of Courmayer and Brevil Cervinia which boast world-class skiing.
Amalfi
The town of Amalfi sits elegantly against a backdrop of steep cliffs and thickets of lemon trees. Terraced buildings…
Capitoline Hill
Capitoline Hill was the original capital of Ancient Rome and continues to serve as the seat of the city's government.…
Capri
Capri's beauty captured the imagination of the Roman Emperor Augustus in 29 BC, and continues to draw admiring crowds…
Chianti Region
A circular route from Siena through the Chianti hills provides visitors to Tuscany with a wonderfully scenic and sensory…
Cinque Terre
Strung along just over 11 miles (18km) of rugged cliffs between Levanto and La Spezia, the UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre…
Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral)
The looming Duomo, one of the world's largest Gothic cathedrals, presides over the Milanese Piazza that bears its name.…
Gondola Rides
Surely one of Italy's most iconic images is that of gondolas being oared through the narrow canals of Venice by stripe-shirted,…
Mount Etna
Sicily's greatest natural attraction is the (very) active volcano, Mount Etna, which has been spewing lava and shaking…
Pantheon
The stately Pantheon is one of the world's most inspiring architectural designs; almost two thousand years after it was…
Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square)
Santa Maria del Fiore, the Duomo or Cathedral of Florence, is set in the heart of the city and perches above the metropolis…
Pompeii
In the year 79 AD Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying the Roman city of Pompeii in volcanic lava and ash. The most evocative…
Portofino
Nestled in a sheltered inlet within the stretch of the Italian Mediterranean is the coastal fishing village of Portofino…
Positano
Despite the invasion of tourists over the summer months, Positano retains the authentic character that enamoured artists…
St Mark's Square
St Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) has always been the nucleus of Venice. The city's first citadel and church were erected…
St Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro)
The Basilica lies above the reputed site of St. Peter's tomb. It has an overwhelming interior, containing notable sculptures…
The Colosseum
Known to be one of the most impressive buildings of the Roman Empire, the Colosseum was the largest structure of its…
The Grand Canal (Canalazzo)
Venice's main waterway splits the city in half, with sestieri in equal parts to the west and east of it. It…
The Uffizi (Gallerie degli Uffizi)
The Uffizi is one of the world's greatest art galleries, with a collection of Renaissance paintings that includes the…
Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi)
The tiny Piazza di Trevi has been immortalised through this fountain, built for Pope Clement XII. Arguably the most famous…
Ustica
An underwater city and a landscape of petrified black lava are the characteristics of the unusual little island of Ustica…
Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel
The Vatican City is a remarkable entity in that it is an independent state administered by the Roman Catholic Church,…
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