Capital	Rome
Area	301 230 km²
Population	59 million people
Official language	Italian
Currency	euro
Climate	summer +32°C winter +12°C
Recommended type of holiday	sightseeing beach vacation

Rightly considered one of the world’s most iconic travel destinations, Italy manages to be many things – a vision of golden countryside, a mass of seething cityscapes, a repository for ancient culture, a mecca for fashion – whilst never being anything less than resolutely Italian.

Its many faces are a big part of its appeal. From the scooter-honk of Naples to the bosomy hills of Tuscany, and from the Renaissance splendour of Florence to the football crowds of Turin, it’s somewhere that draws you in repeatedly. Trying to take the country in on one trip is akin to settling down to read an entire library – far better to concentrate on one or two of its numberless highlights and immerse yourself in the mix of hospitality, style and volatility that makes Italy so intoxicating.

Whilst on Capri, one of Italy's most visited islands, take a boat trip from the Marina Grande to the Blue Grotto - named for the magical-looking blue light that emanates from the waters.

Visit Florence (Firenze) and see Brunelleschi's revolutionary design for the Duomo (cathedral). Cross the medieval Ponte Vecchio bridge, see the art collections of the Uffizi Gallery and Michelangelo's famous statue of David at the Galleria dell'Accademia.

Be fascinated by Rome's historical sites - the Colosseum, the Forum and the Pantheon. At the Trevi Fountain, visitors guarantee their return to Rome by throwing a coin into the waters.

Enter the Vatican City, an independent sovereign state best known for the magnificent St Peter's Basilica. Among the principal features of the Vatican Palace (the Pope's residence) are the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum.

Pasta and pizza play a substantial part in Italian recipes, but there are many regional specialities. Tuscany, for example, is noted for its bean dishes; the Po Valley for its rich risottos. Cheeses include mozzarella, pecorino (a hard sheep's cheese) and gorgonzola. The national cuisine has established a formidable reputation the world over, and whether you’re sampling authentic pizza in Naples or gelato (ice-cream) in Rome, you’re likely to enjoy the experience. The very best Italian dishes, they say, are the most simple.

 

Specialities: 

• Gnocchi alla romana (semolina dumplings). 

• Bagna caoda (an anchovy dip, served with vegetables).

• Panettone (Christmas cake with sultanas and candied fruit).

• Pesto (sauce of basil, pine nuts and pecorino cheese).

• Parmigiano (parmesan cheese).