Italy
It is hardly surprising that Italy, also known as ‘the beautiful
country,’ or ‘Bel Paese’ in the native tongue, has been home to some
of history’s greatest artistic accomplishments, as the natural
beauty and wonder of the country, combined with its perpetual
legacies of several imposingly influential past civilisations,
continue to serve as the greatest inspiration. The southern European
peninsula, along with its offshore Mediterranean territories Sicily
and Sardinia, boasts the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage
Sites on the globe. There remain to this day the visible traces left
by the hosts of foreign peoples who have crossed the nation’s
borders over the ages-with the result that the traveller is rewarded
with sight of some of the most remarkable architecture of a variety
of cultures, including Roman, Greek, Germanic, Celtic and Norman.
And for those uninspired to tour to historic attractions, there are
always the options of taking to the mountainous areas for a spot of
hiking, mountain biking or skiing, or reclining in the brilliant
yellow sand on the Mediterranean coastline.
Italy’s climate only enhances the allure of the country. Perhaps one
of the most hospitable places on the planet due to its comfortably
warm and dry summers countering its mild winters, Italy is a prime
location for those looking to tour a destination without
uncomfortable extremes of temperature. Where the north is home to
more temperate climes, the south is decisively Mediterranean, and
though there is some regional variation across the country, Italy is
mostly predictable when it comes to weather-the only difficulty in
planning a tour there is choosing what climate is preferred.
Just as Italy shares a border with, among other countries, France,
so too does it share a common mountain, and the Italian Monte Bianco,
or in French, Mont Blanc, serves as the highest peak for both
nations. Though the 4,810-metre giant of the Alps is world-famous in
itself, Italy is perhaps more often associated with the two
volcanoes of Etna and Vesuvius, situated on Sicily and near Naples
respectively. A tour to these natural wonders yields sights to
behold, indeed. For those with an interest in architecture, a visit
to the leaning tower of Pisa is a tour not to be missed to see in
all its glory perhaps the most blatant and comedic engineering
blunders in the world. The major cities of Venice, Rome and Florence
house some of the most unforgettable architectural marvels and the
works of Italian-born artists Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and
Botticelli are must-see attractions.
Our Italy escorted tours whisk you away to the Mediterranean peninsula known as 'Bel Paese' (or 'beautiful country'), allowing you to immerse yourself in the country that boasts the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world and a nation with an unrivalled reputation for generating and housing the best art and artists. Italy escorted tours explore this region of remarkable natural and man-made beauty, letting travellers experience the world-renowned hospitality of the locals and get the most out of a visit to this most notable of European destinations.