Learn Your 8 Musts In A Must-See Tour Of Italy!
Amalfi Coast – A lovely greenish-blue sea, a landscape of hills falling off sharply to the sea and picturesque towns and villages: this is a birds eye-view description of the Amalfi Coast, Italy’s most famous coastline. Anyone visiting this area is actually struck by the vivid colors of nature as much as by the lively bustle of the people living there. Amalfi, Sorrento, Ravello and Positano only add to the bewitching charm of a countryside that is known throughout the world for its particular beauty.
Pompeii – You must have heard of this ancient city destroyed in Roman times by an eruption of the volcano called Vesuvius. The town is located not far from Naples and it is probably a unique case in the world because its destruction was so sudden and immediate that its inhabitants were smothered by gases before they actually realized what was happening. So you can see the casts of their bodies in the position they had when they died. This town at the time was known as a pleasure city, where Roman armies would stop to relax on their return from war campaigns before entering Rome.
Rome – The name is a synonym for ancient history, Christianity and beauty. Its impossible to describe in a few lines the marvels you can admire in the city. No doubt you are familiar with the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Bocca della Verita, Navona Square, the Pantheon, St. Peters Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. These, however, are just a few of the magnificent sights that are waiting for you when you come to Rome. You have to see it to believe it!
Florence – This city is truly a Renaissance jewel that has managed to preserve itself from the ravages of time so that visitors can admire its splendid architectural style and the countless artworks of its great artists. This becomes apparent the minute you arrive at Piazza della Signoria, with the splendid patrician palaces facing each other in magnificent competition. Collections of sculptures and paintings are exhibited at the Uffizi and Academy Gallery, but it’s no exaggeration to say that all of Florence is in fact an open-air art exhibition.
Chianti Region – A flask or bottle of Chianti may be found anywhere around the world. Its flavour is appreciated by millions of enthusiasts everywhere. This is really where the action is. A tour of the Chianti area will reveal to you what its vineyards look like, how the vines are trained and looked after and what wine production techniques have been developed to achieve such excellent results. Needless to say, the tour must comprise a wine-tasting event so that you may savour the best quality Chianti wine at its very origin.
Pisa – Pisa equals Leaning Tower. That’s the formula in everybody’s mind. True, but the Leaning Tower is only one of the four buildings facing Piazza dei Miracoli, or Miracle Square. The Cathedral, for instance, is a glorious building of the Middle Ages, the Baptistery is approximately from the same period, while the inner court of the 12th century Cemetery is sacred soil because the top layer of the ground was brought to Pisa by crusaders returning from the Holy Land.
Siena – This city owes its fame to the Palio. This horse race, though, takes place only twice a year. If you are not fortunate enough to be there on either occasion, you will realize that Siena is in fact much more then the Palio. The city developed during the Middle Ages, thanks to its merchants and bankers. Neighbouring Florence gradually overtook Siena in the continued fighting that marked the life of Italian cities for centuries. Siena, however, is a proud city with a glorious past that is carefully preserved in its buildings, monuments and streets.
Venice – Known the world over on account of its canals, Venice was established in the early Middle Ages and since then it has grown on the strips of land that, jutting out into the sea, form its canals. Venice had its heyday between the late Middle Ages and the 18th century. Small wonder that most of its finest buildings date from that period. It is really pointless to make an extensive list of them, but we must at least mention St. Mark’s Square which is the heart of the city and offers a splendid spectacle, with its Basilica, Clock-tower and Bell-tower.
About the Author
Cristiano Rubbi, having travelled Italy far and wide, long ago decided to make his experience available to foreign tourists visiting Italy. His Company specializes in providing incoming tourist service, as you will see on the Nice & Easy Travel website. Join his forum and / or sign his guestbook. Want more? Send an email to info@niceandeasytravel.it.
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