Italy
A holiday to Italy offers sunshine, scenery and a splendid historical past, its not difficult to see why Italy is one of Europes top holiday destinations. All the great joys of life can be found in abundance in Italy, beauty, food, wine, art, ice cream, fashion and football! Italy has always provided something for everyone. Whether its floating by gondola through the magical waterways of Venice, enjoying la dolce vita in Amalfi, watching the world go by in Rome or shopping for the latest fashions in Milan Italy is the perfect holiday destination.
Rome
Rome is a treasure trove of palaces, churches, squares and fountains, including the Vatican's St Peter's Basilica and Sistine Chapel. Stunning Venice is a hauntingly beautiful city scattered on islands surrounded by canals and open water; hop between the islands by water taxi or romantic gondola. Milan is a modern fashion centre, and Naples a chaotic adventure and Bologna a little known historic gem. Italy has thousands of beaches -the seasides of Sardinia and the breath-taking vistas of the Amalfi coast. Italys islands are holiday destination in their own right; like rugged, timeless Sardinia, the ancient legends of Sicily, the fairytale atmosphere of Capri and Ischia.
Italy is also popular among skiers. Good skiing stretches from the Milky Way ski area in the west to the Dolomite ski resorts in the east. In the Piedmont region, big ski resorts include Bardonechia, Sauze d'Oulx and Sestriere. Further north, the Aosta Valley's resorts include Cervinia, Courmayeur and La Thuile. Italy's most expensive ski resort is Cortina D'Ampezzo in the Dolomites.
Tuscany is the birthplace of Dante, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Italian Renaissance, so if you are an art lover this area should be your first stop. Low, verdant hills, aromatic vines and olive trees, dark cypresses, medieval walled hill-towns and excellent wines from Chianti and Montalcino, are all hallmarks of this region. Florence is Tuscanys largest city, home to countless old masters including: Michelangelo's David and Botticelli's Birth of Venus. The town centre is like a glorious open-air museum, with amazing sites such as the Duomo cathedral and Ponte Vecchio bridge. Stunning Siena is another sightseeing must for those touring Tuscany. An unspoilt medieval city; it is famous for its horse race that takes place around the main square twice a year on July 2 and August 16. The nearby Leaning Tower of Pisa and towers of San Gimignano are also well worth a visit.
The Italian Lakes (Como, Garda and Maggiore) glitter among stunning steep sided mountains lined by pretty pastel coloured villages. Breath-taking scenery, fragrant mountain air, temperate climate and lush vegetation are just some of the reasons why thousands of tourists flock to this area in droves each year. The magestic Lakes Garda, Como, Maggiore and Orta have inspired generations of Romantic poets, Italian opera composers, German philosophers and British holidaymakers for more than two centuries. It is still possible to experience a taste of a more genteel Victorian and Edwardian time by taking a day-trip across the lakes in a little steamer, taking tea in one of the Lakes many historic villas and strolling through their exotic gardens. The Lakes are also a popular resort for water sport lovers. Sailing, water-skiing, hiking and even golf are just some of the sports on offer. The Isole Borromee, a scattering of little islands on Lake Maggiore, including Isola Bella with its stunning ornate gardens, Isola Madre and the unspoilt Isola dei Pescatori are all worth a visit. As is, Orta San Giulio, the pretty main village on Lake Orta dubbed the 'Cinderella' of the Italian lakes.
The Amalfi coastline, is a stunning and dramatic stretch of coastline that hugs the Mediterranean. There are views to die for if you survive the hairpin bends! The picturesque towns of Ravello, Amalfi and Positano nestle on the craggy headlands swooping down to a sparkling blue sea. Gorgeous beaches and charming fishing villages cluster at the water's edge. The fragrance of Lemon groves pervades the air. The historic town of Amalfi, with its beautiful Romanesque cloister is well worth a visit. And book a ticket for one of the classical concerts at romantic Ravello, a town perched high on the cliff edge boasting several palatial villas and gardens. Watch the world go by in the many cafes and restaurants in the busy resort town of Sorrento or sip a glass of chilled champagne in Positano, the little fishing village become a haven for the dolce vita crowd back in the 60s. It is also possible to make day trips to Capri or to Pompeii.
