Any Travels

Italy is one of those countries to which you probably have already quite a number of preconceptions even before you have put one foot into the country. Country of olive oil and mafia, pasta, wine and sunshine, roman ruins and renaissance palaces.

Although some of these images are appealing, it would be a shame if that was the only thing you would get away with. Italy is certainly much more complex and interesting than that. Italy is a modern country with deep roman catholic roots, full of interesting stuff for the casual tourist and even more for the educated visitor. It is easy to spend two weeks in major tourist centers without any reason to get bored, but it is equally simple to get off the beaten track.

In the north, next to the Alps and the flatlands of the Po river, both cultural jewels and industrial highly developed cities attract. This is where Italy's economic heart beats. But even in the buzzling and busy cities, people live the "Italian way of life". In Lombardia's capital Milan, city of haute couture and business, you can easily spend weeks without being bored. On every corner you will discover something new.

The most famous tourist attractions in the north-east are probably Venice and Verona, that both let you think of romantic love affairs. But to discover the beautiful landscapes around, for example Verona province, may be even more fascinating.

The north-west of Italy is a paradise for every culinary interested traveler. For wine lovers, Piedmont is directly connected with Barolo and Barbaresco, the most famous wines made out of the Nebbiolo grape. Piedmont's capital, Turinoffers more than just a starting point to visit these wine regions. Lots of museums, modern art, book and music fairs make Turin one of the leading Italian cities concerning cultural life. At the same time is was and still is a booming industrial and multimedia city.

The coastal region of Liguriais another highlight. The Italian Rivierahas nothing to envy its French counterpart. Beaches, countryside, the right climate and old towns like Genoamake a visit a must. Mostly undiscovered valleys offer beautiful walking possibilities. The Lunigiana region, Villanova d'Albenga and Cerialeare worth a visit and even a longer stay.

Gourmets should not miss the Emilia-Romagna, Italy's culinary centre. Bologna, "La Grassa" like the Italians say, is a must see as well as Ravenna with its impressive mosaic works and the Byzantine architecture and last but not least Rimininear the Adriatic Sea.

For Tuscanywords fail to describe its beauty: you have to go there to see, to smell and to experience the beauty of the old towns and lovely valleys yourself. Florence, Lucca, San Gimignano, Pisa and Siena offer more cultural highlights than some countries as a whole. The way of living does the rest to attract every year millions of visitors. Elba, the island of Napoleans first exile, is only one of seven Tuscan Archipelago islands.

What can we say about Rome? The eternal city has to be visited by every Italy traveler. It is true what all those millions of visitors say: it is a great, vivid and picturesque city.

The southern part of Italy fascinates the traveler with its great hospitality and gorgeous landscapes. Campania has attracted visitors over the centuries: Capri, Ischia, Sorrento and Amalfi became the chosen destinations of visitors from many countries. "To see Naples and then die" is not just an old spell. Try it yourself and even if you don't die, you will surely lose your heart.

Sicily the largest island in the Mediterranean has been influenced by the culture of the Greeks, the Romans, the Arabs the Normans and many others. They all loved life on the island and left their marks.

Italy has a great climate and the beaches to go with it. Look at the map and you will notice immediately that Italy has a very long coastline. Different mountain chains run through the country and you never have to travel far to find some excellent places to go hiking. Volcanoes like Stromboli or the Etna are still active and can be visited.

Driving is fun
Driving is fun but gas (petrol) is very expensive and tolls on the Autostrada are astronomical. Bring a debit card of credit card for refilling the gas tank because most gas stations are closed at night and even weekends in smaller towns but you can fill the tank yourself as long as you have a credit/debit card. Trains are a terrific way to get around but strikes still occur occasionally and you can find yourself kicked off a train suddenly because of a strike. Be flexible and just ask some locals what to do.