Italy is a country of wondrous variety; you can visit Roman ruins, admire Renaissance art, visit tiny medieval hill towns, go skiing in the Alps, explore the canals of Venice and see more beautiful churches than anywhere else in the world.
Renaissance Florence is the place to go to see arts and culture in true Italian style. The remarkable Duomo is the main highlight and Michelangelo's David, which guards the Palazzo Vecchio. Across the way are the gem-filled Uffizi Gallery, the shop-lined Ponte Vecchio and the turreted Piazza della Signoria - all within walking distance of each other. Milan is the fashion, cuisine, and opera centre of Italy, with its Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the world's most elegant shopping mall.
The sights in Rome are endless and showcase Italy's Roman history. They include the Temple of Saturn, the House of the Vestals, the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, the Arch of Titus and of course the Colosseum. A panoramic view can be had from atop the Palatino - a nearby ridge also covered in ruins. Lying at the centre of it all is the proud Vatican City.
Venice is the place for leisure, with its endless canals, ornate balconies and incredible churches. The Grand Canal wraps around the city, emerging at the unforgettable vista of Piazza San Marco with its campanile, Doges' Palace, St Mark's Basilica and elegant piazza. Overlooking the gondolas on the Grand Canal are some stunning churches, Santa Maria della Salute, San Giorgio Maggiore and del Redentore.
For a day out of the city areas, drive the switchbacks of the Alps or explore the beautiful valleys around Lake Maggiore. In winter the Dolomiti are popular for skiing and provide beautiful landscapes. The spectacular Bay of Naples is overshadowed by Mt Vesuvius, with the excavated ruins of Pompeii nearby. The Amalfi Coast curves along a steep cliff from Sorrento to Salerno and features some of Europe's most beautiful coastal scenery.
Rome and Milan handle most the international air traffic, though it's possible to fly to Naples too. Venice, Florence, Genoa, Bologna, Palermo and Cagliari are all accessible by air from European cities. Leonardo da Vinci Airport, also known as Fiumicino, is west of Rome and handles international traffic. Ciampino (Southeast) is smaller, servicing domestic flights and Europe.
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