Visit Italy – The UN Official Guide

Italy is perhaps Europe’s most illustrious country with a rich history and culture that is so irresistibly enticing to travelers. Between 40 and 50 million foreigners visit Italy each year. Their numbers have increased so dramatically since World War Two that tourism is now Italy’s number one industry.

Why do so many come? Their reasons are as various as the resources Italy has to offer. The cognoscenti travel back roads, hoping to find some undiscovered medieval village, some precious fresco hidden in a dusty town. Tour groups speed from Rome to Florence to Venice, admiring the important sights from the air-conditioned comfort of a bus. Students crowd inexpensive pensiones near train stations, eating bread and cheese from markets, traveling cheaply to see in the flesh paintings their professors have flashed on the screen back home. The pious make pilgrimages to St. Peter’s, Monte Cassino and Assisi. The affluent stay in the Hassler in Rome and the Danieli in Venice, visit the collections in Milan and shop in the boutiques in Rome’s Via Condotti and Milan’s Via Monte Napoleone.

Stemming from the glory days of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance, remnants and relics of artwork, monuments, and other architectural displays are ubiquitously scattered throughout every region of Italy. Moreover, longstanding local traditions, religious and secular, continue to perpetuate in the towns and villages. But Italy today is not just known for its artistic, cultural, religious, and architectural legacy, but is famous for many other things, including its high-end fashion, world-class cuisine, Tuscan red wines, luxury sports cars, and its breathtaking landscapes.

Italian fashion is recognized worldwide with a number of famous international brands headquartered in Italy – Gucci, Fendi, and Armani to name a few. High-end shopping can be done at the Via Montenapoleone in Milan and the Condotti in Rome, and there are a number of major shopping centers as well in every major city.

The food in Italy is also first-class. While the fare is very different by region, Italian cuisine in general is characterized by fresh ingredients, which typically include pasta, olive oil, fish, rice, butter, citrus and other fruits. A few Italian specialties include Polenta, a yellow creamy corn meal cooked with stock, Risotto, a creamy rich dish sautéed with meat, seafood, poultry, cheese, and vegetables, and Tiramisu, an Italian cake made with coffee, cocoa, and cookies.

For wine lovers, there are many places in Italy for the connoisseur to tour and taste. Perhaps the best of the bunch is the Piedmont region. It is considered one of Italy’s greatest winegrowing regions, producing the renowned Barolo, Barbersco, Barbera, and Moscato.

Despite all that Italy has to offer, it is possibly the country’s stunning landscapes that mesmerize tourists the most. Italy’s scenery is diverse, and features the Mediterranean sea, islands like Sicily and Sardinia, rivers like the Po, lakes like the Garda, mountains like the Alps and Appennines, and volcanoes like Vesuvius. There are also a number of beach resorts as well, especially in the Bay of Naples on islands like the Ischia.

People
It has been said that the Italians do not exist, that until now very few Italians have been discovered, and that those who go by the name “Italian” eventually turn out to be Piedmontese, Tuscans, Venetians, Sicilians, Calabrians and so on. Apparently no one has ever been able to classify the Italians: to be born in Palermo, Sicily or in Turin, Piedmont is a classification and a differentiation by itself. One can die of Mafia, the other of unemploy­ment. The testimonies of art, culture, and philosophical and scientific thinking of the Renaissance, and the very architectonic and urban structure of most Italian cities, exer­cise an irresistible spell on visitors from all countries. Yet the Italian nation — as an auto­nomous state is a relatively recent creation. The Italians gained their independence and unity a little more than a century ago. So one can easily understand why they do not have a well-developed sense of nationality. The most obvious feature of this retarded process of nation building — easy to detect even by the eye of a foreigner — is the large economic, social and cultural gap between the north and south of the country.

The top tourist destinations in Italy include Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan, Turin, Naples, Palermo, Milan, Pisa, Bologna, Bergamo, and Lucca. A number of other destinations are also notable such as Vatican City, the Capri and Ischia, the Italian Alps and the Dolomites, and the Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily.

Domestic Transportation

Domestic Air Travel
The major centers—Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice, Naples—and towns of touristic interest are connected by flights provided mostly by Alitalia Airlines. Smaller airlines are ATI, Ali-sarda (to and from Sardinia) and Aligiulia. Flying in Italy is expensive compared to taking the train, but it can be useful for long distances.
For detailed information, you can contact your nearest travel agent or Alitalia offices.

Remember that infants under 2 years, accom­panied by an adult, have a 90 per cent discount; children over two years and under 12 have a 50 per cent discount, and young travellers of 12

years to 21 have a 30 per cent discount. If you leave on Saturday and return by the following Sunday, you have a 30 per cent discount on all Alitalia and ATI domestic services.

Trains
The cheapest and fastest way to travel in Northern and Central Italy is the train. Some­times it can be difficult to get from one middle-sized city to another but you can always ask at the “UFFICI INFORMAZIONE F.S.” in the main railway stations. Check their number in the directory under “Ferrovie dello State.”

Italian trains are divided into several cate­gories. 1) Locale is the slowest and stops almost everywhere; 2) Diretto is faster than locale, but pretty slow; 3) Espresso is the most convenient and relatively quick; 4) Rapido is the best and fastest, but you have to pay an additional charge depending on how many kilometers you have to cover. Some of the rapido type have only first-class fares and obligatory reservations. These are called TEE (Trans Europe Express). There are also the IC trains, i.e. Intercity, which are faster trains connecting Turin, Milan, Venice, Trieste, Genoa and Ventimiglia. They offer reasonable regularity, efficiency and comfort.

Every other train has two different fares: first and second class. The difference between them is limited to the comfort of the seat.

You can buy a ticket at the station or at every F.S. Travel Agency without paying taxes. It is also possible to buy some rail passes, like RIT— RAIL INCLUSIVE TOUR to travel all around Europe—or INTER RAIL for young people under 26. Throughout Italy there is the Italian Kilometric Ticket which is good for 20 trips amounting to 3,000 km. This can be used for two months by as many as 5 people alone or together. A first class kilometric pass costs L. 207,000, second class L. 115,000 if bought at Italian train stations.

F.S. also provides an efficient service between the Continent and Sicily and Sardinia, but it is advisable to book in advance.

Buses
Each Province in Italy has its own inter-city bus companies and each company has its own fares and lines. It is almost impossible to list them all. For information check the “Tuttocitta” or ask the EPT offices. It is worthwhile to take buses, especially when you are going to the mountainous interior, because usually buses are cheaper and faster than the train. The ARPA bus line in the Abruzzo is especially efficient, and much faster than the trains.

Waterways
There are a great many ferryboat and hydrofoil speedboat fines that offer connections between the mainland and Italy’s many islands both large and small.

Several years past its third millennium mark, the warmest of European capitals is more captivating than ever. Rome’s dramatic physique, from her majestic antiquities to her sinuous baroque curves, has been thrown into even higher relief by a modern trend that has made its presence felt in a major way: in hotels, restaurants, and shops that have adopted a more current, international aesthetic. Traditionalists needn’t worry, however—Rome is still very much enamored of her past, and you can find old-school establishments all over town if you know where to look. While the Colosseum and the Vatican still loom large in the skyline and identity of Rome, you’ll discover the true soul of the city away from the big sights—in neighborhood coffee bars and trattorias, and from riders of Vespas exchanging boisterous greetings while passing on cobblestone backstreets. For a city this stylish and accomplished, Rome’s remarkable accessibility, even for first-time or short-term visitors, is her most generous asset.

The land known as Italy today has been the cradle of many European cultures and peoples, such as the Etruscans and the Romans. Later it was the birthplace of the Renaissance that began in Tuscany[citation needed] and spread all over Europe. It also played a major role in the development of modern science and astronomy, particularly heliocentrism, as well as the University, and opera. Italy’s capital, Rome, was for centuries the center of Western civilization. Italy possessed a colonial empire from the second half of the nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century.

Today, the cultural significance of Italy is reflected in the fact that it boasts by far the largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites (44) in the world. Contemporary Italy is a democratic republic and a developed country with the eighth-highest quality of life index rating in the world.[6] It is a founding member of what is now the European Union, having signed the Treaty of Rome in 1957, and it is a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). It is a member of the G8, having the world’s seventh-largest nominal GDP, and is also a member state of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Council of Europe, the Western European Union, and the Central European Initiative. Italy is a Schengen state. It has the world’s seventh-largest defence budget and shares NATO’s nuclear weapons.

Excavations throughout Italy reveal a modern human presence dating back to the Palaeolithic period, some 200,000 years ago. In the 8th and 7th centuries BC Greek colonies were established all along the coast of Sicily and the southern part of the Italian Peninsula. Subsequently, Romans referred to this area as Magna Graecia, as it was so densely inhabited by Greeks. Ancient Rome was at first a small agricultural community founded circa the 8th century BC that grew over the course of the centuries into a colossal empire encompassing the whole Mediterranean Sea, in which Ancient Greek and Roman cultures merged into one civilization. This civilization was so influential that parts of it survive in modern law, administration, philosophy and arts, forming the ground that Western civilization is based upon. In its twelve-century existence, it transformed itself from monarchy to republic and finally to autocracy. In steady decline since the 2nd century AD, the empire finally broke into two parts in 285 AD: the Western Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire in the East. The western part under the pressure of Goths finally dissolved, leaving the Italian peninsula divided into small independent kingdoms and feuding city states for the next 14 centuries, and leaving the eastern part sole heir to the Roman legacy.

Rome is nicknamed the “Eternal City” and the “City of Seven Hills”. It is easily Italy’s most fascinating city because of the millennia of history tied to this ancient place. Rome was once the political and administrative center of the glorious Roman Empire, which governed lands stretching from the Mesopotamia to Great Britain. Even after the fall of the Roman Empire, Rome was at the forefront of the 15th Century Renaissance revival that saw a rebirth in papal patronage and the permanent establishment of the Papacy in Rome. Today, Rome remains the capital of Italy and attracts visitors through the allure of its history and culture.

Visiting Rome is all about connecting with the ruins of Ancient Rome. Roma Antica or Ancient Rome is thus a must-see in this respect. The landmark ruins in Ancient Rome include the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Baths of Caracalla, and various pagan temples, triumphal arches, and broken marbles. The Palatine Hill is also right next to the Roman Forum and is the site of the ruins of many villas that used to belong to wealthy Roman families. Across the Palatine in a city park, the contours of the ancient Circus Maximus stadium are still visible. Other Roman structures include the Pantheon, which is an ancient temple dedicated to all the gods and erected during the reign of Emperor Hadrian (AD 125-128).

Other points of interest include the Trevi Fountain, the largest and most spectacular of the Baroque fountains in Rome, the Spanish Steps, which is the longest and widest set of stairs in all of Europe, and the Piazza del Popolo, which is a large public square in Rome that used to be the gateway to Northern Italy and the first view of Rome that travelers from the north got in ancient times.

The Vatican City is also a must-visit, even for those who are not Catholic. It is a walled enclave within Rome where the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church resides and governs. The Vatican is home to a few architectural marvels, including the St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church building in the world. It is well-known for its dome, the drum set upon which the dome rests having been designed by Michelangelo.

Besides ruins and architecture, tourists can visit museums like the Capitoline Museum, home of an impressive collection of Rome’s finest ancient paintings and sculptures. The Capitoline piazza, which is sandwiched between the Capitoline Museum buildings, was actually designed by Michelangelo.

When all the sightseeing of landmarks and museums are said and done, it might be a good idea to take a break at one of the many restaurants and cafes. Some of the best restaurants in Rome are located in the Trastavere district. You’ll find many restaurants that serve a variety of pastas in sauces you never knew existed. Artichokes, veal, fish, and spaghetti seem to be popular ingredients in many of Rome’s specialties such as the Carciofi alla romana, Bucatini alla Amatriciana, the Scaloppine alla romana, and pasta with baccalà.

Florence is probably the most beautiful city in Italy. Widely considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, Florence is all about marveling at some of the most magnificent displays of art and architecture ever created. According to the World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Italy has 60% of the world’s most important artworks. And Florence easily has half of that. It was, after all, the home of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Fra Angelico (not to mention Dante and Machiavelli).

While the churches, monasteries, palaces, museums, and galleries of Florence make it an artistic, cultural, and architectural gem, its geographical setting could be described in just the same way. Located in the heart of Tuscany, the picture of Florence is one of Tuscan vineyards, fields of sunflower, and calm river streams in the backdrop of rolling hills.

There are several things to do in Florence. Visiting the famous Duomo of Florence or Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is one. This church is the sixth largest in the world and was completed in 1466 after 170 years of construction. The octagonal dome with its polychrome marble panels was designed by Brunelleschi with the help of Donatello and Leonardo da Vinci. The Duomo is also the scene of Guiliano di Piero de’ Medici’s assassination in 1478. Next to the Duomo is the Giotto’s Tower, which provides a panoramic view of Florence for those willing to climb more than 400 steps of stairs.

The Galleria degli Uffizi, the world’s most famous fine arts museum, is also a must. There, you can enjoy a collection of Renaissance paintings and sculptures. There are also more Renaissance and Mannerist sculptures including some works by Michelangelo and Donatello at the National Museum of the Bargello, the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo (or Cathedral Museum) and at the Accademia, which houses Michelangelo’s “David” and his unfinished “Slaves”. More art can be seen at the Pitti Palace, the former palace of the Medici family. The famous Boboli Gardens, which has landscaped sculptures and stunning views of the city, is located behind the palace.

Florence seems to be growing outward in rings of highways and upward in blocks of apartment houses. The heart of the old city, however, has remained unchanged for centuries. Narrow streets are now thronged with cars, creating a new problem for all who want to save the city’s treasures from gas and noise pollution. Yet the city remains unrivaled in art and architecture. Within the span of a very few blocks there are some of the world’s greatest masterpieces. The skyline is dominated by the tower of the Palazzo della Signoria (city hall), Brunelleschi’s graceful dome for the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and Giotto’s campanile. Ghiberti’s doors for the nearby baptistery are works of art.

The Church of Santa Croce is known for its works by Giotto, Andrea del Castagna, Luca della Robbia, and Donatello, as well as works by many other painters and sculptors. The Church of San Lorenzo, the burial place of the Medicis, who ruled the city-state of Florence from the 14th to the 16th century, is famous for its sculptures by Michelangelo. Florentines and the city’s many visitors are constantly discovering new treasures in their city and its distinguished museums—the Bargello, the Pitti, the Uffizi, and many others.

Milan is the largest and most important city of Northern Italy and is situated in the Po River Valley. For much of its history, Milan was subject to French and Austrian control until it was conquered in the 19th Century, subsequently becoming a part of Italy. Today, Milan is Italy’s second largest city, its financial center and business hub, and its wealthiest and most cosmopolitan city. It is also seen as the fashion and design capital of the world, the home of priceless art by legendary figures such as Leonardo de Vinci and Michelangelo, and the center of one of the most vibrant nightlife found anywhere. One could argue that in Italy, Milan is the place to be and the place to be seen.

For those who are into shopping, Milan may be as good as it gets. Being the home of many top models and designers, it is not surprising that it is also the home of some of the best fashion items. The fashion quadrangle offers high-end shopping. Located along the streets of Montenapoleone, Vittorio Emanuele Street, Manzoni, and Della Spiga, you’ll find the main shops of every major fashion brands including Giorgio Armani, Versace, Gucci, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi and the like. There are also other famous designer labels for other items like shoes, leather goods, and blankets. The more price-sensitive shoppers, on the other hand, should visit areas like the Brera, Navigli, and the Vercelli and Buenos Aires avenues.

The cultural scene is equally compelling. Milan has many museums, landmarks, and monuments. The Cenacolo Vinciano gallery in the Saint Mary of the Graces Church is a gem, as it is home to Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper. Another gem is the Castello Sforzesco, a castle stronghold where the wealthy Sforza-Visconti families of Milan and later the Austrian governor resided. Other marvels include La Scala Theatre, the world-famous Italian opera house, which first opened in 1778. It underwent extensive renovations in 2004. The Duomo is another site of interest, being the fourth largest Cathedral in the world. It dates back to the late Gothic era and was completed in 1386.

The nightlife in Milan is also lively with several discos, pubs, and clubs. In particular, Como Avenue is a hotspot for stylish bars and clubs. In the Porta Ticinese avenue area in the Navigli quarter, you’ll find smaller pubs. The best time to frequent the scene is on Wednesday and the days leading up to the weekend.

Venice is the most unique destination in the world. The city is the object of various nicknames – “The City of Water”, “The City of Bridges”, “The City of Light”, the “Queen of the Adriatic”, and “A Fairy City of the Heart”. Unlike other cities, cars are banned in Venice and residents and tourists alike must travel by boat. The city is built on an archipelago of over 120 small islands formed by a number of man-made canals and connected by over 400 bridges. The brick and stone buildings in Venice are built atop wood piles that are rooted in layers of clay and sand. Much of the wood foundations have been submerged for centuries and have shown no signs of decay. Historians believe Venice was founded by refugees looking to escape the barbarian invasions of Roman cities such as Padua, Altino, Concordia, and Aquileia. Whatever may be the case, Venice has become a major tourist attraction and is especially popular among newly weds. The image of a gondola streaming down the calm waters of Venice at night in the backdrop of a shining moon can’t help but boil to surface the romantic sentiments of men and women alike.

There are several things to do in Venice. Visiting the Rialto Bridge in central Venice is a must. Completed back in the 16th Century, it is easily Venice’s most recognizable icon. This is also where the Rialto market is located. The Rialto food market is relatively cheap (for Venice standards) and a great place to pick out fruit, cheese, vegetables, and fresh seafood.

Gondola rides or, alternatively, Vaporetto (water bus) rides are also musts and allow visitors to relax and marvel at the architecture and remarkable structures of Venice as well as ride down the Canal Grande.

San Marco is another district or site in Venice that is worth a visit. The district is home to the famous Piazzo San Marco, nicknamed “the drawing room of Europe”. It is the only large urban space in Venice and a popular gathering place for tourists. The buildings around the square include the famous Grand Canal, San Marco Basilica, the San Marco Clocktower, the Doge’s Palace, and the Palazzo Dandolo.

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