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The land of olive oil, Leonardo da Vinci and Sophia Loren has it all - there's no
doubt about it. Italy has an almost unfair advantage over its neighbours in Europe
as far as sheer variety and abundance of culture, art, cuisine, music and shopping go.
The food is divine, the wines are exquisite and the art and architecture inspiring, to
say the least. Few destinations give you greater bang for your buck; every inch of this
three millennia old land is crawling with cathedrals, vineyards, museums, palazzos,
hallowed ruins and magnificent ancient cities that beg discovery.
And before you think Italy is all about ghosts past and crumbling bricks, the fashion is cutting edge, the movies are arguably some of the finest in world cinema, and the people some of the warmest and most welcoming you'll ever meet. So if you are considering booking one of our many holiday rentals in Italy, take a read of our guide and find out what Italy has to offer.
Rome
All roads certainly do lead to Rome. This is where every Italian trip begins, and as the seat of the Holy See and one of the most venerated cities for Catholics, Rome welcomes an inordinate number of religious visitors annually. This 300 year old city has seen its share of raids and conquests, fires and earthquakes. Once the glittering jewel in the Roman Empire, Rome today retains many of the architectural marvels that her former masters endowed her with.
The starting point of every holiday itinerary is the Pantheon, arguably one of the most well preserved monuments in the world. Built in 27 BC, it has endured periods of ravage and plundering during which it lost, among other things, its bronze roof tiles. The Italian king Victor Emmanuel II is buried here, as is the painter Rafael.
Originally planned as a stadium for spectator sports and animal fights, the Colosseum
was completed sometime in the eighties. Where once the blood thirsty screams of spectators
and the roar of wild animals filled the arena, is now an eerie calm, and the 50,000 seats
are overrun with stray cats and weeds, but the sheer scale and majesty of its construction still inspire awe.
The Roman Forum was once the religious and political center of the greatest empire on earth. The crumbling pillars and columns are an impressive sight, and speak of the kind of power wielded then by leaders of the empire.
The Palatine is located close to the Colosseum and the Forum, and houses remains of the villas of wealthy families of ancient Rome.
Milan
This is the seat of world fashion, and the fountain of all Italian artistic inspiration. Stylish Milanese are always a step ahead of the curve, and the city has a bustling enthusiasm that's far from sleepy Italian.
Worth seeing here are the Duomo Cathedral, the second largest cathedral in the world. The Church of Santa Mari della Grazie houses fine works by Leonardo da Vinci, including the Last Supper. You'll need a month to explore Milan's numerous museums but chief among these are Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, Pinacoteca di Brera, and the Musei del Castello. The renowned La Scala Opera House is located close to the Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery, a bustling commercial avenue with cafes and shops galore.
Tuscany
The gorgeous landscape of Tuscany provides a breathtaking backdrop to the
abundance of architectural and artistic jewels you'll find here.
The capital city Florence is one of the most visited cities in the world,
and with good reason. This after all was the seat of the Renaissance, and
there are plenty of reminders of Florence's special contribution to the
Renaissance in the form of cathedrals and the treasures hidden in its museums.
The splendid architecture and the resplendent art galleries are beautifully
complemented by the mouth watering local cuisines, and some of the finest
wines in the world. Take a wine tasting tour of Chianti - the wineries themselves
offer tours, while the wine bars scattered around town draw thirsty travelers by
the hundreds.
And if you tire of Florence you can always head out to Pisa, to check out the Leaning Tower. A little touristy, but you're in Italy!
Umbria
The smallest region in the country, Umbria whose name means "shadow" is a little overshadowed by the glamour of neighboring Tuscany, but is no less captivating while being far less crowded. This land locked region evokes memories of medieval times, and its landscapes and houses look like they just stepped out of a centuries old painting.
In sharp contrast to the tourist frenzy in the rest of the country, Umbria is more restrained, quiet, and almost modest in her charms. This is not a place you're likely to find bus loads of tourists clicking away with their digital cameras.
Umbria, birthplace of St. Francis and St. Benedict is, for the most part a jewel waiting to be discovered. Its capital Perugia boasts of such treasures as the Fountain Maggiore with its bas relief sculptures, and the La Gallerie Nazionale de Umbria which houses the finest art from local masters.
Medieval towns like Trevi, Todi and Gubbio are just three among a multitude of such picturesque towns that have their own little architectural showpieces to offer. Two of the region's most spectacular churches are the Santa Maria in Orvieto with its glittering gold façade, and the spectacular Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi.
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Guide to Italy
View Map of Italy
Search for Holiday homes in Italy
 |
And before you think Italy is all about ghosts past and crumbling bricks, the fashion is cutting edge, the movies are arguably some of the finest in world cinema, and the people some of the warmest and most welcoming you'll ever meet. So if you are considering booking one of our many holiday rentals in Italy, take a read of our guide and find out what Italy has to offer.
Rome
All roads certainly do lead to Rome. This is where every Italian trip begins, and as the seat of the Holy See and one of the most venerated cities for Catholics, Rome welcomes an inordinate number of religious visitors annually. This 300 year old city has seen its share of raids and conquests, fires and earthquakes. Once the glittering jewel in the Roman Empire, Rome today retains many of the architectural marvels that her former masters endowed her with.
The starting point of every holiday itinerary is the Pantheon, arguably one of the most well preserved monuments in the world. Built in 27 BC, it has endured periods of ravage and plundering during which it lost, among other things, its bronze roof tiles. The Italian king Victor Emmanuel II is buried here, as is the painter Rafael.
 |
The Roman Forum was once the religious and political center of the greatest empire on earth. The crumbling pillars and columns are an impressive sight, and speak of the kind of power wielded then by leaders of the empire.
The Palatine is located close to the Colosseum and the Forum, and houses remains of the villas of wealthy families of ancient Rome.
Milan
This is the seat of world fashion, and the fountain of all Italian artistic inspiration. Stylish Milanese are always a step ahead of the curve, and the city has a bustling enthusiasm that's far from sleepy Italian.
Worth seeing here are the Duomo Cathedral, the second largest cathedral in the world. The Church of Santa Mari della Grazie houses fine works by Leonardo da Vinci, including the Last Supper. You'll need a month to explore Milan's numerous museums but chief among these are Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, Pinacoteca di Brera, and the Musei del Castello. The renowned La Scala Opera House is located close to the Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery, a bustling commercial avenue with cafes and shops galore.
Tuscany
 |
And if you tire of Florence you can always head out to Pisa, to check out the Leaning Tower. A little touristy, but you're in Italy!
Umbria
The smallest region in the country, Umbria whose name means "shadow" is a little overshadowed by the glamour of neighboring Tuscany, but is no less captivating while being far less crowded. This land locked region evokes memories of medieval times, and its landscapes and houses look like they just stepped out of a centuries old painting.
In sharp contrast to the tourist frenzy in the rest of the country, Umbria is more restrained, quiet, and almost modest in her charms. This is not a place you're likely to find bus loads of tourists clicking away with their digital cameras.
Umbria, birthplace of St. Francis and St. Benedict is, for the most part a jewel waiting to be discovered. Its capital Perugia boasts of such treasures as the Fountain Maggiore with its bas relief sculptures, and the La Gallerie Nazionale de Umbria which houses the finest art from local masters.
Medieval towns like Trevi, Todi and Gubbio are just three among a multitude of such picturesque towns that have their own little architectural showpieces to offer. Two of the region's most spectacular churches are the Santa Maria in Orvieto with its glittering gold façade, and the spectacular Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi.
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