Italy – The World’s Top Vacation Destination
By Jawahn

Every year, the
U.S. Tour Operators Association, a professional association of travel agents
and tour operators who arrange travel for more than 10 million travelers every
year, runs an informal survey among members to name the world’s top vacation
destinations. Year after year, one country tops the list of international
vacation destinations – Italy, the heart of civilization, the cradle of romance
and the home of the Holy Sea.

What is it that makes Italy so
special? The spectacular scenery and warm, wonderful climate are only the
background of the picture. Italy
is a colorful mosaic of travel experiences, a delicious mélange of flavors and
cultures that offers something for every traveler. From cosmopolitan culture
buff to adventurer, from the serious student of history to the socialite, Italy truly is
the country that caters to them all and everyone in between.

Italy’s cities
and countryside offer a true embarrassment of riches. You could easily spend
months touring the countryside and never see half of what the country has to
offer. What is it that brings so many to bella Italia every year?

See Italy
for the Art

Italy was the
center of the Renaissance, and is one of the most artistically rich countries
in the entire world. According to UNESCO, half the world’s artistic and
historic treasures are located in Italy. In Florence,
Venice, Rome, Naples, Milan
and other cities, you’ll find artistic and architectural wonders that you won’t
find anywhere else. Michelangelo, da Vinci, Botticelli, Tintorello, Correggio,
Donatello – the most famous artists of all the eras worked and left their
legacies in frescoes, paintings and statues throughout the country. And while
much of the art is held in museums in nearly every city, there is art
everywhere, from the stunning stained glass windows in a tiny chapel in Abruzzi to the painted
ceilings of cathedrals.

See
Historic Italy

History lives in Italy. Long
known as the cradle of Western civilization, Italy’s cities and countryside are
a treasure trove of historical sites. You can walk the Via Appia and feel the
weight of centuries drop away as you realize that two thousand years ago, this
very road was traveled by the armies and citizens of Imperial Rome. Visit the
Coliseum in Rome, or wander through the
preserved city of Pompeii
and become a part of history. And of course, there is the Vatican, the walled city inside Rome that is the home and the heart of the
Catholic Church, where scholars come to study ancient texts and
treasures.

Visit
Italy for the Scenery

The scenic vistas of Italy are as
varied as its twenty regions. From snowcapped mountains to sweeping, white sand
beaches, the natural beauty of Italy
is as alive and vivid as the paintings of its most famous artists. When you
venture beyond the cities, you’ll still find the untamed beauty of the Tuscan
hills with their craggy, winding paths and terraced vineyards. You can wander
through twenty three national parks and nearly 500 protected nature preserves
that are protected by the government. There are sea cliffs and alpine
mountains, rolling hills and open plains. And there is always, of course, the
sea with its ever-changing yet everlasting face.

Come to Italy for the
Food

Italian food and
hospitality is famous the world over for its abundance. Abondanza
is a concept that is well-understood in the Mediterranean country.
Everywhere you go, you’ll find groaning tables and open, welcoming arms inviting
you to mangia! Mangia!! A full tour of Italy is a gustatory delight, for
there is no single style of Italian cooking. Instead, each region of Italy has its
own unique flavors and combinations that are drawn from the local specialties
and available foods. Tuscany is famous for its
seafood, Milan for its rich sauces and complex
flavors, Bologna
for its traditional red sauce. Eating and drinking well is a way of life in
Italy, and whether you treat yourself to a fine meal in one of Rome’s five-star
restaurants, or stop at a roadside ristorante in a small province, you’re sure
to be served the best of the best.

To Your
Health!

Italy has been
famous for its thermal spas and springs since the times of Hippocrates. Italian
spas enjoy the benefits of both sea and fresh water springs. Hot water thermal
springs are plentiful, thanks to the country’s geological peculiarities and the
network of underground volcanic springs. Today, the thermal spas are a popular
attraction in nearly every region of Italy, and have become popular
holiday destinations in their own rights. Italian health spas offer more than
just the baths. Many are located close to cultural and leisure attractions, and
make a wonderful base of operations for your stay in the country.

Travel
Gems in Italy

If you visit Rome, spend at least one
day just walking around the city. You’ll discover many tiny sites and
historical finds that are not on any tourist map. These sites may have been
uncovered during the construction of another building and never completely
excavated, but are there to stumble across and enjoy away from the bustling
crowds.

By all means, visit the
well-known museums in the major cities, but for a real treat take a drive
outside the cities and seek out small towns and villages. You’ll discover some
of the most amazing and unexpected treasures tucked into alcoves or painted on
the walls of village churches throughout the country.

Skip the hotels and
rent a villa or cottage in a small town if you’re staying in Italy for more
than a few days. In many cases, it won’t cost much more – and will often be
less – than a stay in a good hotel, and your hosts will treat you as part of
the family while you’re there.

Italy is a
country of contrasts and beauties whose charm grows deeper and warmer with
every visit. It’s no wonder that it regularly tops the list of holiday
destinations worldwide, or that so many who visit return again and again to its
warm and welcoming arms.

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