Italy

Ciao Italia!

Italy has a long recorded history that the biggest problem facing the traveler is to choose among the nation’s endless cultural attractions. All main centres, most of the provincial cities and many quite small towns have museums. Of all the countries in the world, there is none more magical than Italy, a traveler’s dream destination. Ancient monuments and archaeological sites are perfectly preserved; the museums are bursting with the genius of Italy’s finest sons: Raffaello, Michelangelo, Tiziano, Canova; contemporary architects are still inspired by ancient buildings and squares (piazzas). Italian cities are veritable living museums.

According to UNESCO, the United Nations’ cultural branch, two thirds of the world’s historical artistic heritage are in Italy. Tuscany, which is only one region of Italy, by itself possesses more artistic treasures than the whole of Spain, which is the second country in the world for cultural heritage. Practically all major styles of Western architecture can be found in Italy.

The Mediterranean hosts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Italy’s beach resorts attract more and more tourists year after year, for it is said the Italian beaches are like treasures to discover and behold. The beach resorts were home to many tourists during the summer season, today many now claim this their year round home. The wonders of sea air provide some of the healthiest fresh air, known for their regenerative properties; the sea air is a relief and a healthy escape from city life.

Italy is a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia. Its 7,600 km of coastline have some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean, the Ligurian Sea, the Sardinian Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the west the Sicilian Sea, and the Ionian Sea in the south and the Adriatic Sea in the east.

After exploring the cities, touring the lakes and walking in the mountains, the beaches are the perfect place to relax, unwind and reflect. Most of the year the beaches are sunny, and with 7,600 miles of shoreline bordering Italy and its islands, you can easily find waters where the temperatures are ideal for swimming. Miles upon miles of golden, sun drenched sand, in some places up to 1 km deep. The sea welcomes the sun seeker in comfort and style. An array of colours, which one can quickly identify by the rows of neatly laid out sun umbrellas and deck chairs, which seem to almost dot the entire seashore.

For more information on travel to Italy please visit www.ItalianTourism.com and theses Cities in Italy

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All photos courtesy Fototeca ENIT
Photos Copyright De Agostini Picture Library,
APT Dolomiti di Brenta – Altopiano della Paganella