Discovering Italy

Rome is Italy's capital and known internationally as The Eternal City for its old history. Rome spreads along the banks of the Tiber River. Its historical center is surrounded by seven hills, Palatino, Aventino, Campidoglio, Quirinale, Viminale, Esquilino and Celio. According to a Roman myth, the city was founded around 753 BC by Romulus and Remus, two brothers, raised by a wolf, which are now symbols of the city. Since then, Rome became the center of the ancient Roman Empire and later the Papal State, Kingdom of Italy and, finally, the Italian Republic. In the inner city is the state of the Vatican, the Pope's residence. It is one of the cities with greater importance in world history, being a symbol of European civilization. The city is filled with remains of its ancient past. In the course of its history of more than two thousand years, Rome has accumulated numerous and notable art treasures and a unique archaeological heritage in the world. The metropolitan area has about 2.7 million inhabitants, and you can see them hapily stroling along the beautiful city centre, the piazzas, the caffe's and making of this city a one off in the world!

Venice is a city located in northeast Italy, and is one of the most popular destinations in the world. Who has never dreamed of visiting this beautiful town? Venice is considered one of the most romantic cities and the most filmed and photographed in the planet. The city was built on an archipelago of 118 islands formed by about 150 canals in a shallow pond. The islands where the city is built are connected by about 400 bridges and the transport within the city remains, as in past centuries, entirely on water or on foot. The Carnival of Venice is world famous for the beauty of the costumes and masks that residents and tourists use to hide their real identity. For me and many others this is another one off place in the World, and worth every sacrifice to make a visit!

With a native ability to innovate, Milan exceeds what is expected of a big city. Boasting the largest shopping center in Europe, an industrial power and a cornerstone of Italy's finance. The effervescence of the Stock Exchange most important in the country contrasts with the silence in the museums, palaces, churches and the cathedral that is the hallmark of the city. The "Duomo", is the third largest cathedral in the world. But this city with an inimitable style is not restricted to architecture. Style, by the way, is a recurrent word in Milan, and names like Armani, Prada, Fendi, Gucci and Versace maintain the bases of its brands in the city. The so called Milano Fiera, "Milano fashion week show", is expected by fashionists from around the world eager to know the new trends of those who dictate what should or should not be used by men and women from the five continents.

Turin is located in northwest Italy. The city lies at the western end of the river Po valley. It is surrounded by the Alps to the west and east by the hills of Monferrato. Turin's city centre is full of beauty and charm, it has the longest arcades in Europe, where you can walk for hours and move from one arc to another. A must place to visit is "La Mole", at over 167 metres, "La Mole" was the highest brick building in the world at the time of its completion and remains the tallest building in Town. Today this monument houses a beautiful Cinema Museum and a panoramic lift where you can get on and enjoy all of the city's splendor & the surrounding Alps. Turin is also known for being the Italian Capital of Automobile, house of FIAT(Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino), Lancia & Alfa Romeo. Fact?...Ok, Turin was the first Capital city of Italy as we know it today, the city was promoted to this status by the time of the Italian Unification and was home to the House of Savoy, Italy's royal family.

I recommend a visit to the "Cinque terre" or the "Five lands", called Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. Located in a protected National Park also with the same name, in the tiny region of Liguria, northwest Italy. They are obviously made up of 5 very small towns, side by side, on the coast line (which is not exactly beach but is beautiful anyway) and connected by a trail (following the oceanfront) called "Via dell'amore" or "Lovers path". This region was made World Heritage by UNESCO, and is definitely very romantic and beautiful. It is inevitable that the huge number of couples from all countries of Europe keep making vows of eternal love in every corner of this route. Very special place!!!

Walking through the streets of Florence is to have a delicious history lesson at every turn. Known as the birthplace of Italian Renaissance, brings in every corner and in almost all museums contributions of legendary names such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Dante Alighieri, Filippo Brunelleschi and Niccolo Machiavelli. Talking about culture in Florence is so obvious as to speak of pizza in Italy. The city has many museums, of which the most important is the Galleria degli Uffizi. During a passage through the Basilica of San Lorenzo, you can check out the tombs of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo and Rossini. The sculptures in the Piazza della Signoria and Ponte Vecchio are sure to stay in your memory. There is no way you wont feel the smell of history while walking through the streets of this amazing town!

Pisa is an Italian city of medium size with over 86,000 inhabitants. Thanks to its many universities, there are plenty of students everywhere. Tourism is very important for the city of Pisa. Its main attraction is the Tower of Pisa, which is inclined due to an architectural error. The most important monuments of the city are in the famous Piazza dei Miracoli, declared a World Heritage Site. The cathedral, built of marble between the years 1064 and 1118, in Pisan Romanesque style, with its bronze portals and Bonanno & Giovanni Pisano's pulpits. Another fact is that in Pisa there is not one but 3 leaning towers. Now, were they all built by the same architect?...anyway, I loved it! :-)

Pompeii was the ancient city of the Roman Empire, located in Southwest Italy(nearby Naples), which was destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Pompeii, before the ultimate tragedy, lived in splendor in the years between 27 and 37 AD having many influences of Greek civilization. Pompeii has beautiful historic buildings, and at the time was a highly urbanized city. Since 1949, systematic archaeological studies have been digging up the city bringing it to light, and petrified bodies, relics in perfect condition, the temple of Apollo, the temple of the Capitoline Triad, the Temple of Isis, anfitheatres, sports field, and many houses typical of the middle class Roman's were discovered. Today, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most popular touristic attractions of Italy, with over 2.5 million visitors per year.

The city of Naples is located in the bay with the same name, in the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is an important port and the main industrial and commercial center of the south. Napoli, as they say in Italian, was actually several times a real capital, and construction still bear the marks of these historical phases. Large avenues, such as Spaccanapoli, the Duomo and the Tribunali, have been built by the Roman's. Naples is divided into districts of rich architecture, some of which representing the history of the city with palaces, churches and gardens. The Caracciolo promenade follows the edge of the bay of Naples, where you can see beautiful sunsets. Another fact?...this is where the Pizza was born!

Sicily is the largest island of the Mediterranean Sea, separated from Calabria in the Italian peninsula, the Straits of Messina, which has only three kilometers wide. Due to its geographical location, Sicily has always had an important role in historical events that were conceived by the peoples of the Mediterranean. The neighborhood of multiple civilizations enriched Sicily from urban settlements, monuments and vestiges of the past that make the region one of the Privileged places where history can be reviewed through the images of the signs that time has not erased. This is a region rich in ancient monuments and sites of archaeological interest (Agrigento, Selinunte, Syracuse, Segesta and Taormina).

Sardinia is, after Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. And has many touristic attractions from north to south, from east to west. Starting in Alghero, a fishing port almost untouched, you will have the feeling of the real traditional Mediterranean life. Then check Olbia, the main port of Sardinia, the city's busiest and also the gateway to the acclaimed - and very charming "Costa Smeralda". Forests, caves, caverns and crystal sea form the landscape of the island, also allowing the practice of many activities such as windsurfing. In addition to the preserved nature, enjoy the cuisine of the island, full of seafood. Another fact?...A lot of celebrities have their holiday houses in Sardinia, so, in high season you might accidently bump into Julia Roberts, Leonardo DiCaprio or Madonna!