Italy is a large ‘boot shaped’ country in the south of Europe and is famous for its food and ancient monuments as well as its culture and fine arts. It is considered to be the birthplace of western culture and has the largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world. Italy borders with Austria and Slovenia along with France and Switzerland to the north and is a peninsular in the Mediterranean Sea. The islands of Sardinia and Sicily are part of Italy and there are also the independent municipalities of San Marino and the Vatican City.
Italy’s history dates back over 200,000 years with the Etruscans, until the founding of Rome in the 8th Century BC. It was the birthplace of the Renaissance and geniuses such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. Today, as well as being a popular destination for city breaks it is known for its cuisine and design. Of course, Rome is one of the most popular places to visit, where you can step back in time and see the magnificent Coliseum and Pantheon and don’t forget to throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, so your return is assured. Venice is probably the next most visited city, situated on a lagoon, it is a city that has a faded elegance and a must see, if you are staying in Italy. Take a gondola down the canal and see the iconic Rialto Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs and have gelato in St Mark’s Square, before you visit the Basilica.
Florence is Italy’s jewel in the crown regards its culture and architecture and visiting the art galleries of Uffizi and Pitti Palace are a must to see some of the world’s most famous paintings. On your tour with car hire Italy, you can also explore the region of Tuscany and the nearby town of Pisa, famous for the leaning tower. If you love fashion, you’ll want to visit Milan for its shopping and you should see the Duomo Cathedral whilst you are there. Bologna is often missed out to its famous cousins, but it is very picturesque with its arcaded walkways, monuments and the Statue of Neptune that represents the city. For a taste of island life and some of the best in Italian food, visit Sicily, which has major archaeological sites too or to spot the rich and famous, look out on the beaches of Sardinia.