Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Welcome to
Italy
If you get it right, travelling in thebel paese(beautiful country) is one
of those rare experiences in life that cannot be overrated.
Cultural Riches
The French may rightfully brag about Paris, but Italy's showstopping cities include Venice,
Florence and Rome. Epicentre of the Roman Empire and birthplace of the Renaissance, this
sun-kissed over-achiever groans under the weight of its cultural catalogue: it's in Italy that
you'll find Michelangelo's
David
and Sistine Chapel frescoes, Botticelli's
Birth of Venus
and
Primavera
, da Vinci's
The Last Supper
, and the classic villas of Andrea Palladio. And
we haven't even mentioned the chariot-grooved streets of Pompeii, the Byzantine mosaics
of Ravenna, or Giotto's revolutionary frescoes in Padua.
Bella Vita
In few places do art and life intermingle so effortlessly. This may be the land of Dante, Ti-
tian and Verdi, but it's also the home of Prada, Gualtiero Marchesi and Renzo Piano.
Beauty, style and flair furnish every aspect of daily life, from those immaculately knotted
ties and perfect espressos, to the flirtatious smiles of striking strangers. The root of Italian
pathology is a dedication to living life well and, effortless as it may seem, driving that ded-
ication is a reverence for the finer things. So slow down, take note, and indulge in a little
bella vita
.
Buon Appetito
It might look like a boot, but food-obsessed Italy feels more like a bountiful table. From
delicate
tagliatelle al ragù
to velvety
cannoli,
every bite feels like a revelation. The secret:
superlative ingredients and strictly seasonal produce. And while Italy's culinary soul might
be earthy and rustic, it's equally ingenious and sophisticated. Expect some of the world's
top fine-dining destinations, from San Pellegrino 'World's 50 Best' hot spots to Michelin-
starred musts. So whether you're on a degustation odyssey in Modena, truffle hunting in
