Europe’s famous ‘boot’ has everything you need for the pursuit of ‘la dolce vita’ – the sweet life.
Most visitors head straight for the capital city of Rome, and rightly so. The Eternal City is home to some of Europe's most iconic sights, including the Pantheon, the Colosseum and the Sistine Chapel (although, technically, that’s in Vatican City). Historical attractions aside, Rome is also where you’ll find some of the best restaurants in Italy, be they Michelin-starred or simple hole-in-the-wall osterias (casual cafes).
For others, it’s Milan. This is the fashion capital of Italy, as a trip to the designer boutiques in the Quadrilatero d’Oro (Fashion Quadrangle) will reveal. Art and culture lovers are well-catered for too – Milan is home to the world-famous La Scala Opera House, not to mention Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, which is housed in the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
Whisking you from fashion to the historical capital of northern Italy, Bologna is a bustling city characterised by terracotta-coloured rooftops, Renaissance structures, and a lively university community. Vibrant architecture and ancient colonnades line the streets, making visitors feel welcome and inspired to explore the many cafes, shops and pathways. Discover famous monuments like the Neptune Fountain and Basilica of San Petronius in the central Piazza Maggiore, or catch a full view of Bologna’s rooftops from the leaning towers Asinelli and Garisenda.
Venice will capture your imagination with its winding canals, sailing gondola taxis, impressive palaces, and extravagant array of dining experiences. The complete absence of roads has transformed the city into a magical oasis, where you can gaze around you and capture the city’s best sights from the peaceful floating canals, or discover historic monuments with Byzantine, Gothic, and Renaissance influences on land.
Venture beyond the cities and into Italian nature, and you’ll discover a country of astonishing natural beauty with a rich landscape of sweeping fields, mountain ranges and beaches. It’s little wonder that it’s often referred to as the bel paese, or beautiful country. For the best beaches in Italy, leave the mainland and head for Sardinia’s coast – Cala Goloritzè is such a stunning stretch of white sand and aquamarine sea that it’s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. Or, if you’d prefer to stay on dry land, head to northern Italy and immerse yourself in the truly spectacular Alps.