Italy, the Bel Paese
At the simple mention of the name Italy, the mind is flooded with the most tantalising of images: pizza, gondolas, red Vespas, fashion, ancient Rome, the Leaning Tower of Pisa… not to mention Julius Caesar, Leonardo da Vinci, Romeo and Juliet, Pavarotti, Fellini…the list goes on! From the wine country of Piedmont to the authentic sights of Puglia, from the Italian lake district to the slopes of Mount Vesuvius, Italy has an enchanting power that it’s impossible to resist. Maybe it’s the omnipresent sun, the cobbled streets winding through sleepy villages, the squares lined with lively terraces, the sound of the gentle breeze whispering through the olive groves: whatever it is, everything in Italy impels you to slow down.
From the Roman Colosseum to the ancient ruins of Pompeii, a trip around Italy is an epic adventure that takes you through three thousand years of history. Sicily with its archaeological marvels, Milan, its magnificent Duomo with its intricate marble lacework, the culturally rich cities around Lombardy, Florence with its UNESCO-classified masterpieces… the destination nicknamed Il Bel Paese (the beautiful country) promises unforgettable experiences galore for lovers of ancient history and art.
A haven for gourmets
Along the heady Tuscan wine route, the spectacular roads snaking through the Dolomites or the panoramic stretch of the stunning Amalfi Coast, Italy’s scenery scrolls by like a film you never want to end. Among the hills studded with the unmistakable silhouettes of cypress trees emerge so many villages, seemingly unstirred for centuries and beautifully frozen in time. The best way to shut out the outside world? Make like an Italian and find a sunny terrace to sip a strong, black ristretto coffee. Depending on the time of day, your cappuccino break will gradually segue into aperitivo hour, which will keep you pleasingly occupied through to dinner.
The delicious aromas of a glass of Chianti and freshly pressed olive oil, the mouthwatering whiffs of pizza crisping up in the wood-fired oven, the sweet perfume of pistachio gelato … in Italy, the flavors, as familiar as they might be, sing and explode on the palate. Plus, the dishes reflect the surrounding landscape: generously proportioned and gorged from the sun. To get the full measure of Italian gastronomy, your best bet is to wander around the stalls at local produce markets in family-run trattorias or in the street food, this is a cuisine that knows how to elevate the simplest of ingredients. Just the source of energy you need to go off exploring the treasures of Umbria and the hilltop villages of the Cinque Terre… or simply enjoy some downtime on the glorious beaches of Sardinia and the Bay of Naples. The choice is yours!
