Italy, republic in southern Europe, bounded on the north by Switzerland and Austria; on the east by Slovenia and Adriatic Sea; on the south by the Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea; on the west by the Tyrrhenian Sea, Ligurian Sea, and Mediterranean Sea; and on the northwest by France. It comprises, in addition to the Italian mainland, the Mediterranean islands of Elba, Sardinia, and Sicily and many lesser islands. Enclaves within mainland Italy are the independent countries of San Marino and Vatican City; the latter is a papal state mostly enclosed by Rome, the capital and largest city of Italy.

You've seen it in the movies. Now experience it for real. This is where the Pasta, Pizza and Pepperoni are available in plenty. This is where la dolce vita - or the high life - is taken very seriously. Italy is the only place where you will get a happy helping of ancient Roman ruins, Renaissance Art, Medieval Hill Towns, Skiing in the Alps along with the romance of Venice. It has also seen the rise and fall of Mussolini and Mafia. Take a gondola ride and drift into a world that seems like a painting. You won’t be too far away from the intoxicating smell of pasta baking around the corner. Come here for Cuisine, Culture and the company. All of it will reconfirm the fact that Italy is magic.

Important Destinations In Italy

Rome

"All roads lead to Rome". Welcome to a city that was certainly not built in a day and will command you to spend at least a week, if not more, to soak in all its majestic splendour. It is here that ancient history and legend come to life in the churches, piazzas, and other monuments almost all of which fall into the category, "Must See". As one of the co-creators of western civilisation as we know it today, Rome occupies an unchallenged place on tourist maps.

The city today is as alive, more with daily activity of the citizens who run around in the midst of all the tourist activity that is so much a part of the city. It is not humanly possibly to compress all of that in a short span. For Rome a lifetime is not enough. That is not too far from the truth. Don’t let it intimidate you. Come do as the Romans do, celebrate their glory.

Venice

Welcome to Italy's best-loved city. Venice, the land of buildings that seem to float on water. Perhaps no other cities in the world has inspired the superlatives heaped upon Venice through the centuries. It was and remains a phenomenon - La Serenissima. The secret to discovering its romance and beauty is to walk. It's easy to lose yourself in the for hours in the narrow winding streets between the Accademia and the train station. Once you get out of Santa Lucia train station, you will see the Grand Canal - the main street of Venice. Hop on to a gondola and set adrift for the smoothest ride of your life.

Milan

Milan is Italy's capital of fashion and finance. The city has Celtic origins, and became an important trading and transport centre following the arrival of the Romans in 222 BC. From the 13th century the city flourished under the rule of two powerful families: the Visconti, and later, the Sforza.

You should note that Milan closes down almost completely in August, when most of the city's inhabitants are taking their annunal holidays.

Pisa

Once a maritime power to rival Genoa and Venice, Pisa now makes the most of its one remaining claim to fame: its leaning tower. The buy port city was the site of an important university and the home of Galileo Galilei (1564-1642). Pisa was devasted by the Genoise in the 13th century, and its history evenually merged with that of Florence. Today Pisa is a relaxing town, its charm intact despite the many day-trippers.

Naples

Crazy and confusing, but also seductive and fascinating, Naples, capital of the Campania region, has an energy that is palpable. Beautiful positioned on the Bay of Naples and overshadowed by Mt Veuvius, it is one of the most densily populated cities in Europe.

Naples has its own secret society of criminals, Camorra, which traditionally concentrated its activities on the import and sale of contraband cigarettes, but has now diversified into drugs, construction, finance and tourist developments.