Getting the best from Italy

Europe’s boot-shaped country Italy has always been a popular destination to travel to, and that is no less true today.

With an abundance of culture and history, fabulous food that is known the world over and locals who are good-humoured, well cultured, loud and passionate, the country has much to offer its visitors. And what’s more, visitors will be welcomed with open arms, as the Italians are fiercely proud of their nation and take great joy from the admiration of their country. So let’s look beyond the cities of Milan, Rome and Venice and delve into the lakes, the beaches and the scenery that Italy has to offer.

Beaches in Italy are among the most popular in Europe. Indeed, it is believed only those in Greece and the South of France draw more to their shores. There are many fine beaches dotted around the coast, with the cream of the crop lying along the Amalfi coast. This area is a popular celebrity haunt, as sleepy villages play host to stunning beaches.

San Remo is the perfect party place to go after topping up your tan. Fabulous casinos and racetracks combined with exclusive designer boutiques means your money (the Euro has replaced the Lira) will not stay in your pocket for long.

The isle of Capri is another firm favourite for sand lovers, as is Sicily. Ischia is also famous for its beaches. As with many beaches in Italy, there are parts here that are sectioned off and owned by various businesses, which charge you to use their particular stretch of sand. There are also free stretches of sand, but these can become very crowded during the peak season, as they are more familiar to tourists.

The Tuscan region is one part of Italy that many people are familiar with as a holiday destination. The region is home to Florence, a popular destination due to its colourful history, Siena, which has a history to rival Florence, and Pisa, famous of course for its Leaning Tower.

Romance is everywhere in Italy, not least in Verona, the setting of Shakespeare’s famous play Romeo and Juliet. Although it is unlikely the Bard ever set foot in the city, the city plays up to its literacy role and offers a Shakespeare Trail for those wanting to relive the tragic tale.

The Italian Lakes carry on the romantic theme, with many poets and writers using the region’s beauty to inspire their thoughts. The most famous of the lakes are Lake Garda, Lake Como and Lake Maggiore, with Lake Garda being the biggest in Italy. Many tour operators offer package deals here, but with the advent of cut-price flights, and the accessibility of many hotels on-line, you may just save a bit of money by cutting out the middleman and booking it yourself.

So it is plainly obvious that as well as boasting the hustle and bustle of some of Europe’s most famous cities, Italy also knows how to wind down and relax. If you travel to Italy, you will certainly learn how to relax to.