7 Reasons You Will Love Visiting Italy!
Have you ever been to Italy?
Itโs a land of ancient monuments, beautiful art, stunning food and amazing natural landscapes. If youโve never been there, here are 7 reasons Italy should be on your bucket list and you should be checking for flights right now!
If youโve already visited before, stick around for a reminder of all there is to love about this incredible country!
#1 Stunning sightseeing
Italy has something for every kind of sightseer and visitor!
You can visit large and bustling cities such as Rome, Milan and Naples, where you can experience the day to day life of Italians and see the most incredible sights and landmarks!
Youโll also be able to discover small and quiet medieval villages rich in history and hidden away in the countryside, where you can relax and escape from the chaos of the city.
Whichever you prefer, youโre sure to visit places that will be forever in your memory!
#2 Great weather, beaches and nature
Along with amazing cities and towns, Italy also has amazing natural beauty and great weather all year round to go along with that!
There really is something for everyone, as the geography of the country is also incredibly varied, with both rocky and sandy beaches, forests, mountains, valleys and hilly countryside.
Head to the south for the best beach experiences, especially in Sicily, Sardinia and the famous Amalfi Coast!
Pro-Tip: Instead of going to the beach in the middle of the summer, go instead in mid September. The heat will be less suffocating, the prices more reasonable and the crowds mostly gone.
If youโre looking for an adventure, you can take on the massive mountains of the Alps in the north for some high altitude hikes and climbs, or visit the beautiful nature and national parks of the Apennines.
If youโre feeling brave, you can also hike to the top of one of Italyโs three active volcanoes, Vesuvius, Etna and Stromboli!
If itโs wild nature you want, Abruzzo is the place to go. This central region is renowned for its conservation efforts, national parks and natural beauty. If youโre very lucky, you might even spot a bear or a wolf in the distance!
#3 Friendly people
Italians have a reputation for being loud and short-tempered, and in a certain way it is true. They are generally very passionate about certain topics, and can easily be led into a loud discussion!
Know how to approach them though, and youโll also find them to be some of the most welcoming, friendly and inviting people youโre likely to meet on your travels!
Italy is a country with a strong sense of national pride, and that is something Italians love to share with visitors. Show interest in the history, culture and traditions of the place you are visiting and they will surely welcome you with open arms.
Pro-Tip: Learn some basic Italian words before you visit. There is no need to be fluent, but knowing the basics such as salve (hello), grazie (please) and per favore (please) will make communication much easier. Also, the locals love it!
#4 Amazing Food
Italyโs cuisine is one of the most famous in the World, and alone is enough of a reason to come for a visit!
Italians are extremely proud of their food, and it is an integral and important part of the countryโs culture, with each region having its own speciality based on local products, history and traditions. Examples are Pasta Amatriciana in Lazio, Polenta in Valle dโAosta, Arancini in Sicily and, of course, Pizza in Campania!
There is so much variety, and youโll be able to enjoy fresh ingredients straight from the farm, as well as amazing meat and seafood.
Pro-Tip: As I mentioned, food is a strong part of Italyโs cultural identity. Be mindful of requests that alter the dish in a significant way, as they can be the cause of some friction with the locals. Pineapple on pizza and chicken Alfredo come to mindโฆ
Also avoid eating in very touristy areas. Restaurants in these locations are often over-priced tourist traps, with low quality dishes that do not reflect the true Italian cuisine. Look for small family owned businesses for the best food!
#5 Incredible History & Culture
Italyโs history spans thousands of years, and some of the greatest ancient civilisation, such as Etruscans, Romans and Arabs, called it home.
This, along with the fact that Italy only became a unified country in 1861, has created a strong regional cultural heritage, with different traditions, ways and dialects that border on being different languages!
This essentially means that each region looks and feels very different from the others, which makes exploring the country even more fun and rewarding!
Pro-Tip: Research what the highlights and traditions of each region are and visit them at the right time. Examples are the Carnival of Venice in February and the Festa della Befana in Rome on January 6th!
#6 Unforgettable landmarks
Italyโs long history has left it with 55 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (the most of any country, tied only with China), and is home to some of the most incredible and recognisable landmarks in the World!
Make sure you bring a camera, because wherever you go youโll see incredible sceneries worthy of a postcard. Go to Milan for a visit of the Duomo, to Venice for the canals and the Piazza San Marco, to Florence for the amazing Renaissance architecture and art, to Rome for the ruins of the Roman Empire, and so much more!
Pro-Tip: Plan your trip ahead of time. Italy is a big country and you wonโt be able to visit everything on your first time there, so make sure you decide what to see first!
Also, make sure to book your visits ahead of time when possible. Very often this will save you some cash and from having to spend hours in lines, especially during the high season!
#7 It wonโt break the bank
While it isnโt the cheapest country in Europe, well planned stays in Italy will be mostly reasonably priced, especially when it comes to eating out and accommodations!
Public transport is also very affordable, as are the visits to tourist sights. All in all, it will be money well spent for an amazing holiday!
Pro-Tip: In general, the further south you go the cheaper the cost of living. Just be careful when choosing the season to travel in, as the prices can skyrocket around the major holidays and the summer!
And there you have it, 7 reasons youโre sure to love your first visit to Italy!
If you were on the fence about choosing this wonderful country as your next holiday destination, I hope this list will be enough to convince you!
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Iโll see you on the road and until next time this is Luca, signing off.
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