Italy is described as a large living museum because it boasts more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other country. The Roman Empire and the Renaissance are the most famous time periods of this nation whose history dates back 50,000 years. A pleasant climate, cutting edge fashion, and delicious food are even more reasons why tourists come to Italy. It takes about 11.5 hours to travel the 8,823 km from Bangkok to Rome, the 2,000-year-old Eternal City in the country's centre.
Don’t MissItaly's mild Mediterranean climate is among the country's main attractions, but weather conditions vary between regions and seasons. Summers are surprisingly humid in otherwise cold and mountainous northern Italy, while southern Italy is hotter and drier. Autumn may be the best time to visit Italy as spring can be rainy, winter can be damp and cold, and summer hot and crowded. Northern Italy's ski resorts are busiest in winter. The biggest of Italy's many festivals is Carnivale, which takes place 40 days before Easter.
History lurks around every corner of Rome's historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site with iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and St Peter's Basilica. A miniature ancient Rome replica is displayed at the Roman Civilization Museum. The Renaissance birthplace of Florence is within driving distance of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Tuscan countryside. Other legendary Italian landmarks include the Cathedral of Milan, Venice's Grand Canal, and Mount Vesuvius, which towers above the southern city of Naples. Mount Vesuvius is best known for its eruption in AD 79, when the volcano buried the ancient Roman city of Pompeii under volcanic mud and ash.
Restaurants and BarsPizza, pasta, and wine are the foods most commonly associated with Italian cuisine. However, each Italian region has its own distinct dishes, some of which date back to ancient Rome. Traditional Italian breakfasts include cappuccino and sweets like cornetto (“pastries”). Restaurant meals begin with antipasto (“appetizers”) followed by primo (“first course”) rice or pasta dishes, secondo (“second course”) fish or meat meals, and dessert. Almost every Italian city has a vibrant nightlife scene, but drinks usually cost more at city centre bars than anywhere else.
ActivitiesItaly's pleasant Mediterranean climate provides plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities like cycling around Tuscany's national parks, sailing to Sicily or Sardinia, fishing in Lombardy's Lakes region, white water rafting around the Marmore's Falls, or climbing up Cinque Terre's cliffs.
ShoppingMilan and Florence are Italy's major shopping hubs. Milan's Quadrilatero d’Oro is the easiest place to find clothing bargains in Italy's fashion capital. Another Milan market, Fiera di Sinigaglia, is known for high quality handicrafts. Antiques lovers may enjoy shopping at Florence's Mercato Centrale street market. Leather goods and gold jewellery are among the souvenirs shoppers can buy in Florence's Via Tornabuoni area.
