Italy
The power of Italy’s magnificence is found everywhere; shadows cast on the grand Coliseum in
Rome whisper of a powerful past, postcard perfect Dolomite mountains are apres-ski chic, fluffy
Sardinian beaches host bodies draped in designer bikinis, and the visions of great art masters,
the likes of Michelangelo and Caravaggio housed in palaces, may bring tears to ones’ eyes.
Italy can almost feel like two countries, and in fact, different languages are spoken in many
regions, influenced by neighbouring countries. From food to history to current affairs, Italians
to the north and south of Rome approach life from a difference perspective. This all makes for a
diverse and even more enjoyable experience for travellers. Italian is the official language
however, English, French and German are also widely spoken. La dolce vita, the sweet life, is
sought out by more than 65 million tourists annually, making Italy the 5th most popular travel
destination in the world. Beyond visual arts, performers of ballet, opera, classical and modern
music can be found all over the country with cities like Verona, Siena, Rome, Florence, Venice,
Bologna and Naples as hot spots for live entertainment. Italians like to enjoy life and there
seems to be a different festival or special event tied to every month and region. Fashion
flourishes in Milan and permeates the country. Beyond world-renewed clothing design houses,
leather is expertly handled, and stunning gloves, handbags, and shoes are worthwhile
indulgences.
The mountain ranges of the Apennines and Dolomites, the active volcanos of Etna, Stromboli and
Vesuvius, the Adriatic and the Tyrrhenian Seas and the rolling hills of Tuscany; all set the
stage for epic open-air adventures to suit whatever your outdoor crush happens to be.
Sitting at a café while the hours slip away along the coastlines in Amalfi or Cinque Terre may
lead to a caffeine addiction you never knew you had. Might be time to catch a ferry and wander
the islands of Sardinia, Capri, Ischia or Sicily where the pace of time slows down, even if your
heart speeds up from the beauty of it all. Or maybe it was the espresso. Either way, Italy has
the potential to quicken the ticker like a new romance.
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