Italy: From art to la dolce vita

Europe's famous boot is a treasure trove of stunning scenery, cultural riches and gastronomic delights. Italy is a star-studded destination where each town and village fiercely retains its own distinct character and charm. Italians are particularly proud of their history, their art, their trade and their food.

They say all roads lead to Rome, and that's a good thing, because the Eternal City, named for its importance to human history, is one of Europe's must-visit destinations. The centre of the Roman Empire and a land of art, fashion and romance, Italy is an enchanting blend of past and present.

The ancient capital of the Western world, Rome has been the centre of Christianity since St Peter first established the Christian Church. More than 2,000 years of history are crammed into its labyrinth of alleys, streets and squares, from ancient catacombs to 17th-century palaces, 15th-century churches and 20th-century monuments.

Despite the importance of Rome, each of Italy's main cities is important for its history, its cultural wealth, its abundant natural beauty and its social and economic life.

Sprawling Milan is Italy's financial, fashion and design capital, and a centre of art and culture. Turin, at the foot of the Alps, is exceptional for its car manufacturing and Baroque architecture. Genoa, the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, has been Italy's main seaport since Roman times. Venice floats like a romantic dream on its canals and lagoons. Trieste is a lively and attractive seaport. Trento is a historic old town that has seen many battles. Bologna, the centre of wealth, learning and art, is famous for its university and its delicious cuisine.

Florence, "the cradle of the Renaissance", is a world-renowned centre of art. Perugia, crowned by the hills of the Tiber plain, is home to the University of Foreigners, founded in the 13th century. L'Aquila is a mountainous centre in the Apennines. Naples, on its famous blue bay, is the great city of the south, with its melt-in-the-mouth pizzas.

Bari, home to the bones of St Nicholas, is a modern city surrounding a tiny medieval town. Palermo, the capital of Sicily, combines Norman and Arab history and culture. Cagliari, Sardinia's main town, bears the stamp of a long and varied history under the Romans, Carthaginians, Spanish and French. In short, la dolce vita is a way of life in Italy.

What can you expect?

Art and culture in abundance.

Italy's great artistic heritage, unrivalled anywhere in the world, is not only to be found in its major cities. The country is home to over 3,600 museums, art galleries and archaeological sites. Italy's urban landscape is a museum in its own right.

Italy also abounds in magnificent architectural achievements, found in every corner of the country, from Rome's famous Colosseum and St Mark's Basilica in Venice to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Between land and sea.

From spectacular peaks to crystal-clear lagoons, sparkling lakes meet enchanting villages. From north to south, beautiful mountains offer spectacular views and holidays full of adventure, pleasure or relaxation...

The Italian coastline measures 7,600 kilometres and the rocky, wooded cliffs offer an infinite variety of beaches and bays. To the west lies the Ponente, which includes famous seaside resorts such as San Remo, Alassio and Varazze.

Italian villages.

Dotted with natural beauty, the villages are a symbol of Italian culture, with an artistic and architectural heritage, filled with tradition and gastronomic treasures. Commonly known as "borgo" or hamlet, villages are generally built around a castle or palace and are surrounded by walls.

There are around a hundred hamlets throughout Italy. They are welcoming places that offer a unique and authentic Italian experience. It's not unusual to come across festivals, exhibitions, celebrations, conferences and concerts that highlight the cultural, historical and artistic heritage.