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Italy by Dale Nolan The stunningly romantic nation of Italy is a land of striking contrast and outstanding beauty, which is the envy of Europe. From the Alpine and mountainous north marked by fertile valleys, lagoons and stunning lakes to the arid, volcanic south with its stunning coastlines, sparkling islands and ancient temples, this is a diverse and historic nation. Italy has quickly become a cultural icon; home of fantastic food, elegant sports cars, high fashion and grand cities. Once the centre of the world’s most famous empire, Italy is now one of the most visited places on the planet. By European standards, the nation of Italy is a remarkably new affair and there remains a strong regional bias. The first tribes arrived 70,000 years ago and settled across the peninsula. Later, the Etruscans and the Greeks dominated the region and established trading posts and city states. Both civilisations though were eventually overrun by the emergence of Rome. The Republic of Rome grew in power to become the great Roman Empire, which stretched at its height from England to the Middle East and lasted for over seven centuries. Following the demise of the empire, the Papal States grew in importance and by 1240 several powerful cities including Venice and Genoa dominated the Mediterranean. In the 1500s, the arrival of the Italian Renaissance led to many great buildings and pieces of art being commissioned and cities like Florence and Siena began to flourish. In 1861, Vittorio Emanuele II was proclaimed king and for the first time a united Italian kingdom was created. However, following the bloody conclusion of the two World Wars, Italy voted in favour of becoming a republic. Today, Italy is a modern tourist destination with a diversified economy. One of the most visited places in the country is the elegant and cosmopolitan city of Rome. Fondly referred to as the Eternal City, Rome is located on the west coast roughly halfway up the Italian peninsula. This beacon of sophistication is perhaps one of the most famous capitals in the world and boasts an eclectic list of impressive treasures and attractions. Rome oozes history from every crevice and some of its most impressive sights include the awesome Colosseum with its gladiator legends, the fascinating Roman Forum, the majestic Pantheon and the Vatican City – home of St. Peter’s Basilica and the exquisite Sistine Chapel. The city also has some outstanding squares, gardens and fountains and no visit would be complete without a stroll through the lovely Borghese Gardens, a river cruise along the picturesque Tiber or a photo besides the elegant Trevi Fountain. South of Rome lies the historic southern region of the country, which includes many notable places of interest. The land is pitted with temples, churches, pretty villages and some of the most stunning coastline to be found in Europe. Near to the great city of Naples is the breathtakingly attractive Amalfi Coast with its famous mountain road snaking along awesome cliffs sprinkled with blossoms and beautiful towns such as Positano, Ravello and Amalfi. There are some great opportunities here for walking, hiking and biking and excursions to the crater of incredible Mt. Vesuvius and the idyllic island of Capri – home to awesome sea caves and charming villages – is often an unforgettable experience. To the north of Italy lie a hitlist of essential attractions such as the affluent cities of Tuscany and the maritime powers of Venice and Genoa. The green, rolling hills of Tuscany are dotted with vineyards and attractive, terracotta tiled renaissance cities and it is arguably one of the most captivating regions of the nation. Some of the most memorable places to discover include the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the world’s shortest horse race at beautiful Siena and the captivating, boutique-lined Ponte Vecchio and world-renowned Uffizi Gallery of Florence. Up the coast from Tuscany lies the interesting city of Genoa, birthplace of the one and only Christopher Columbus. This cultural and medieval city is an ideal base in which to explore beaches and coastline and to take awesome whale-watching excursions into the shimmering Ligurian Sea. Further north of Genoa are the mountains and foothills of the French and Swiss Alps and this refreshing corner of the country has a personality quite unique from the rest of Italy. This region is packed with large lakes, ski resorts, fascinating towns and cities and outstanding Alpine scenery. It is possible here to enjoy skiing, bungee jumping, snowboarding and white water-rafting amongst this beautiful and natural wonderland. Some of the attractions and must-sees in the area include visiting the Holy Shroud in Turin, enjoying some retail therapy or taking in an opera performance at La Scala in Milan, truffle-hunting around Piedmont or sampling Italy’s fine wines in the lovely towns of Alba, Cinzano, Barolo and Asti. Indeed, the sweet, sparkling wines of Asti have give rise to a plethora of tasting festivals including the excellent Delle Sagre and Douja d’Or events, which make for a delicious and enjoyable excursion. The crystal-blue lakes of the region are also worth a special mention and Lake Garda and Lake Como are an ideal location to hire pedaloes, motorboats and bicycles to explore fairytale lakeside villages and to enjoy fabulous vistas of the surrounding mountain foothills. However, no visit to Italy would be anywhere near complete without taking in the impressive canals, palaces and churches of beautiful Venice. Once the greatest of all Italy’s maritime states, Venice is now one of it most popular and photographed cities. Built on wooden stilts, this elegant and fascinating city is dripping with ornate architecture and some of its many charms include the magnificent Grand Canal, the famous glassworks of Murano, the beautiful Le Fenice opera house and the elegance of St. Mark’s Cathedral and its lovely square. Venice is laden with beauty and exploring its colourful maze of alleys or taking a boat ride on one of its many Gondolas is a fitting finish to any Italian tour. Italy is a truly amazing country to visit and few superlatives can possibly do it justice. From its pasta dishes and pizza to its delicious wine and opera, Italy serenades visitors with its festivals, alluring beauty and confidence in a way that touches their hearts forever.