While famed for its pizza and pasta, Italy has so much more to offer, from its regional cuisine and wine, to its rich history, art and architecture and its diverse landscapes, which include stunning countryside, mountains, cities and coastlines. Discover the land of 'la dolce vita', where you can slow down, relax and enjoy the sweet life. Learn the country's language, its customs, where to travel and what treasures to uncover.
BENVENUTO WELCOME
ITALIA
HISTORY STORIA
EARLY ITALY • BEFORE THE ROMAN EMPIRE, THE ITALIAN PENINSULA HAD ALREADY SEEN THOUSANDS OF YEARS OF DIFFERENT CULTURES AND INNOVATIONS
THE ROMAN EMPIRE • ROME GREW FROM A SMALL CITY BESIDE THE TIBER IN ITALY TO BECOME MASTER OF THE MEDITERRANEAN WORLD
EXPANSION OF THE EMPIRE • How Rome came, saw and conquered: the rundown of all the territories Rome gained over time
BECOMING ROMANS • Many non-Roman peoples adopted Roman language and customs during the long centuries of imperial rule
UN PEACEFUL PAX ROMANA • The Roman Peace was less pacific than is commonly thought
ROMAN EMPIRE TIMELINE • FROM MONARCHY TO EMPIRE AND BACK AGAIN, THIS IS YOUR GUIDE TO THE POTTED HISTORY OF THE ROMAN CIVILISATION
FROM ROME TO RENAISSANCE • THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD WAS FULL OF IMPERIAL AMBITION, RELIGIOUS CONTROVERSY AND VICIOUS POWER STRUGGLES
GOLDEN AGE THE RENAISSANCE • AS THE MIDDLE AGES CAME TO A CLOSE, ITALY BECAME THE BIRTHPLACE OF A CULTURAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT THAT RESHAPED THE EUROPEAN CONTINENT
RISORGIMENTO THE UNIFICATION OF ITALY • DURING THE 19TH CENTURY, THE PEOPLE OF ITALY SOUGHT TO FREE THEMSELVES FROM THE RULE OF FOREIGN EMPIRES OR SMALL KINGDOMS AND ACHIEVE ‘RISORGIMENTO’: ITALIAN UNIFICATION
MODERN ITALY • THE MOST RECENT CHAPTER IN ITALY’S HISTORY SEES IT NAVIGATING UNITY, FASCISM, TWO WORLD WARS AND A GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS
RELIGIOUS SEPARATION • How Italy battled the mighty Catholic Church from unification to divorce
VIAGGIO TRAVEL
TURIN • UNCOVER THE CULTURAL GEMS FOUND IN THIS INTRIGUING CITY
MILAN • THIS NORTH ITALIAN CITY IS PEERLESS WHEN IT COMES TO ART AND DESIGN – IT’S NOT BAD FOR A SPOT OF RETAIL THERAPY EITHER
VENICE • NAVIGATE THE UNIQUE WATERWAYS OF ITALY’S CITY OF BRIDGES
THE RIALTO BRIDGE • Cross an iconic monument that connects Italy’s floating city
BOLOGNA • FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD! IN A COUNTRY THAT IS FAMED FOR ITS GASTRONOMY, BOLOGNA IS THE CHERRY ON THE CAKE
PISA • THIS ANCIENT CITY HAS A LOT TO OFFER FOR HISTORY AND ART LOVERS
THE LEANING TOWER • See the world from a different angle atop Italy’s famous tilting tower
FLORENCE • A SHRINE TO THE RENAISSANCE ERA, THIS CITY IS BRIMMING WITH ART AND CULTURE
SAN MARINO • THIS MICROSTATE IN THE HEART OF ITALY HAS SO MUCH TO OFFER
ROME • IF YOU WANT BOTH ANCIENT AND MODERN, THE ETERNAL CITY IS EVERYTHING YOU NEED
ST PETER’S BASILICA • The Vatican’s St Peter’s Basilica is an enduring symbol of the Catholic Church
THE TREVI FOUNTAIN • See the grandiose waterworks that grace the heart of Italy
THE COLOSSEUM • An enduring symbol of Rome’s majesty, Italy’s Colosseum is one of the world’s great ancient relics
THE PANTHEON • Thousands of years old, the Pantheon is the only temple still in its original state
POMPEII • STEP BACK IN TIME IN ITALY TO THE HEIGHT OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE
NAPLES • NAPLES IS EXCITING, EXOTIC AND MAKES THE HAIRS ON THE BACK OF YOUR NECK STAND ON END
SICILY • HERE’S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VISITING ITALY’S SUNNY SOUTHERN ISLAND
SARDINIA • PURE SHORES AND LAVISH STAYS MEET GRANITE ROCK AND ANCIENT WAYS ON THIS SANDY...