The first country in Europe severely affected by the current pandemic, Italy is no longer a destination to visit in the coming months. However, this situation in no way diminishes its charm, its gentle way of life, and the generosity of its people, which one must experience at least once in their lifetime. Here are five good reasons to make Italy one of your next destinations when we can finally travel again.
Its Fascinating History
Italy is a country with a rich and captivating history, and it would be hard not to notice this while visiting. Once an extremely powerful and feared empire during Roman times, Italy was the birthplace of Western civilization. During the Renaissance, it became the cultural heart of Europe. Not to mention, it was, and still is, the seat of power of the Catholic Church and the papal authority. Whether one goes to Rome tracing the footsteps of antiquity or to Florence for the Renaissance, history gradually reveals its secrets as one visits Italy.
Discover Art and Culture
In addition to being a land of history, Italy boasts an incomparable artistic and cultural wealth. The country offers a wide array of museums from north to south for those looking to enrich their knowledge during their stay. It is also the native country of many world-renowned painters such as Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Leonardo da Vinci, whose works can be seen throughout Italy. As for music and cinema, our Italian neighbors know what they are doing: with Puccini’s operas or Cinecittà’s cinema, they have nothing to envy from other countries. One will also be pleasantly surprised by the contemporary culture, the spirit of La Dolce Vita, and the warmth of Italians, which make any stay all the more enjoyable.
Fall for the Charm and Diversity of Italian Cities
Every city in Italy is an inexhaustible source of discovery. Besides their multi-faceted architecture, the number of monuments and historical sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites is countless. Whether you choose to visit the Colosseum in Rome, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, the Duomo in Milan, the canals of Venice, St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, the historic center of Catania, or the site of Pompeii in Naples, each city is teeming with heritage treasures to explore without moderation. Beyond the main cities, the Italian countryside offers a wealth of bucolic villages set against a backdrop of grandiose and varied landscapes. Similarly, its coasts, some of which are protected areas due to their unique biodiversity, such as Sardinia and Sicily in particular.
The Language
In addition to being a Latin language, close to French, Italian has a sound and intonation that make it unique and very pleasant to hear. Listening to Italians speak, one might almost think they are singing as their language is fluid and melodious, even theatrical, as gestures often accompany speech in Italy. Our advice? Learn the basics before you go if you don’t already speak it. Download apps like Babbel, which allows you to learn to speak Italian easily and master common words and expressions in just a few days. Students can currently enjoy one month free on this application. The effort will be appreciated upon your arrival in the country: Italians will recognize the effort and will be delighted to speak and engage with those visiting their beautiful country, as for the gestures, you’ll learn them on site!
Indulge in Gastronomy
Italian cuisine is among the most widely spread in the world. Indeed, who hasn’t enjoyed a delicious traditional dish? The best is to taste Italian cuisine directly at the source, in its original version without any distortions. Gastronomy could be a sole reason to visit Italy, much like Julia Roberts, the heroine of the film Eat Pray Love. On site, one can be tempted by antipasti (starters) mainly composed of cold cuts and cheeses, but also fried fish, before tackling the Primo: pasta al pesto, gnocchi al sugo, risotto, lasagna, pizza, then the Secondo: parmigiana, meat, osso bucco, carpaccio, and fish. Be sure to save room for dessert (torta della nonna, tiramisù, panna cotta) and Italian coffee, a true local institution, not to mention the famous gelato.
