From islands to ancient cities, piazzas and royal residences, Italy has an incredible heritage. Italian heritage spans the ages from prehistoric rock drawings to aqueducts built in Roman times. There are the well known attractions like the Leaning Tower of Pisa as well as the less well known like Su Nuraxi di Barumini, an archaeological site in Sardinia. Italy has the most UNESCO listed world heritage sites in the world and so if you plan to see even a fraction of them, car hire Italy is a good idea. Whatever you do don t miss the beautiful buildings of Verona in Northern Italy.
2) Food
Italy has given the world many staple dishes including Spaghetti Bolognese and pizza. The city of Bologna is a gastronomes delight with the meat and cheese there being among the best that Italy has to offer. Mortadella in Bologna is also especially delicious. The famous Bolognese sauce is known as ragu is Bologna and you can look out for dishes such as tagliatelle al ragu, lasagne and tortellini. The wine is particularly tasty with vintages like Sangiovese di Romagna produced locally. Neapolitan cuisine is very special within Italy too. The Margherita pizza was invented in Naples in honour of a visiting queen. Dessert might consist of limoncello lemon liqueur with gelato or sweet pastries. If you enjoy sitting in a stunning city having coffee then nothing can beat the espresso you will find in Rome.
3) Fashion
Ever since the Middle Ages the main Italian cities began to produce luxury items such as clothes and handbags and the art has been perfected over the years. By the 1950s Italian fashion rivalled French Haute Couture and Milan in particular became one of the leading fashion and catwalk destinations in the world. Milan fashion week is always a great time to visit.
4) Wine
In 2008 Italy overtook France as the world s leading wine producer and it is estimated that Italians produce one fifth of all the wine in the world. Italian wines are classified in various ways including the popular Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC). Some special wine making regions are the town of Barolo, Tuscany which produces super Tuscan wines such as Chianti Classico and Abruzzo where the Montepulciano grapes are grown. There are also plenty of international varieties of wine such as Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
5) The Mediterranean
Italy is surrounded by this calm sea and takes its whole laid back atmosphere from the tranquillity of the Med. There are many beautiful beach resorts to visit. Calabria is known as the Caribbean of Europe thanks to its clean expanses of sand.
6) Skiing
Italy has plenty of ski resorts and those who choose to stay in the north of the country will find that they are never far from the Alps. The resort of Courmayer at the foot of Mont Blanc is popular as is Cortina d Ampezzo.
7) Venice
Simply jaw dropping, no one will ever forget the first time they visit Venice. Try and avoid the summer crowds as the canals also tend to get stinky at this time of year. And be prepared to spend a lot of money. But Venice is a unique city and you will feel as though you are on the set of some marvellous romantic movie.
8) Tuscany
Mouth watering food and amazing landscapes have the combined effect of transporting you to a world that time forgot. It is impossible not to relax in this ravishing Italian region.
9) Sicily
With ancient architecture, sun soaked beaches and a food and culture to die for, Sicily is worth the trip. Don t miss the towering Mount Etna, an active volcano.
10) Florence
The historic centre of Florence was at the centre of the Italian Renaissance movement. This small city has more artistic and cultural treasures than many other entire European countries. Florence is like one magnificent outdoor museum.
Author Resource:-
Ric Rubichello considers himself to be an authority on http://www.anyairportcarhire.com/Airports/Italy-Car-Hire.aspx Car Hire Italy. He has travelled far and wide as a staff writer for www.anyairportcarhire.com sampling Italian cuisine. His favourite place to eat is in his home city of Milan where his mother cooks an incomparable lasagne.