Famed for its passionate people, its intense natural beauty and historic buildings, Italy is one of the most popular countries in Europe for tourists to explore. One of the best things about this richly diverse country is that it offers impressive variety, from the Roman ruins to medieval hill towns and picturesque valleys, which appeal to visitors from all walks of life.
Italy is a real country of contrasts, and those who enjoy skiing will soon discover that the Alpine region is scattered with a large number of excellent ski resorts. People travel here from all over the world in the winter months to hang out in the country’s first-rate ski resorts such as Cortina d’Ampezzo, which can be found in the northeast of the country.
However, Italy is also famed for its beautiful beaches, and those who want to soak up the sun should travel to the south of the country during the summertime. There are plenty of stunning stretches of sand at Calabria to stretch out on, while the large island of Sicily also boasts an impressive number of excellent beaches as well as other natural features such as Mount Etna.
Italy is intrinsically linked with its cuisine, which is as rich and varied as the country itself. Almost every city and town has its own specialities for visitors to try, such as the sautéed rice dish known as risotto, which hails from the Piedmont and Lombardy regions, while no trip to Italy would be complete without sampling gelato, which is a type of ice cream that comes in a wide range of different styles.
The people of Italy love to party, and vibrant bars and clubs can be found all over the nation. Wine is abundant here and wine lovers will want to take a trip to Italy’s vineyards to sample the local tipple at its place of origin, while limoncello, which is made from alcohol, lemon rind and sugar packs an unforgettable punch.
