Italy The Land of a Thousand Beauties

Italy is perhaps the richest country in the world when it comes to art, culture, architecture, and cuisine.

The surprises this country has to offer never end: just as you finish marveling at the narrow and winding alleys of Venice or watching gondoliers glide silently under the bridges, over the deep blue waters of the canals, you’re left breathless again before the wonder of Milan’s Duomo.

No sooner have you finished admiring the stunning Dolomites or the snow-capped Alps than you find yourself in awe before the ruins of the Roman Empire in the capital, the majestic Flavian Amphitheatre—better known as the Colosseum—and the immortal glory of the Pantheon.

After a visit to the perched, colorful villages of the Cinque Terre in Liguria, you might think the surprises are over—until the jewels of Sardinia and Sicily appear: ancient remnants of Roman and Arab rule, and Caribbean-like beaches nestled in Mediterranean vegetation.

From the Gulf of Naples to historic cities like Bologna, Trieste, or Turin; from the Renaissance palaces of magical Florence, resting on the Arno, to the pearl known as Capri; from the eternal snows of Aosta to the sunny balconies and loggias of Foggia—Italy can be described in just one way: the most beautiful country in the world.

Italy: our proposals

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Italy: things to know

LANGUAGE:
The official language is Italian, which derives directly from Latin. In some autonomous regions, such as Trentino-Alto Adige, German and French are also official languages and are often taught alongside Italian.

RELIGION:
Italy is home to the Vatican, where the Pope resides, and the traditional religion is Roman Catholicism of the Latin rite. However, there are also several other religious denominations in Italy, including a Muslim minority and a significant Jewish community.

TIME ZONE:
UTC +1 during standard time (winter).

DOCUMENTATION:
To enter Italy, citizens of the European Union and countries that are part of the Schengen Agreement on the free movement of people and goods need only present a valid identity card for international travel. Non-EU citizens wishing to travel to Italy for any reason must have a valid passport and a visa to present at the border.

SPORTS:
Italy has a strong sporting culture. The most popular and widely played sport nationwide is football (soccer), but the country has also achieved notable success in fencing, basketball, artistic gymnastics, martial arts, and equestrian disciplines.

CURRENCY:
Italy's currency is the Euro. Before its introduction, the national currency was the Lira.

Curiosity

Italy holds some records – some of them quite curious!

1)The oldest and largest tree in Europe is in Italy. It’s a chestnut tree known as the Tree of the Hundred Horses, located in Sant’Alfio, near Catania, Sicily. Experts believe it is at least 3,000 to 4,000 years old. Its name comes from a legend that tells of over a hundred horsemen who found shelter under its massive branches during a violent storm.

2)The shortest river in the world is in Malcesine, near Verona. It's called the Aril, though it's better known locally as “Vi.” Measuring only 175 meters in length, it flows through the village of Cassone and empties into Lake Garda.

3)The smallest restaurant in the world is Solo per Due (“Just for Two”). Located in Vacone, near Rieti, it accommodates only two guests at a time, offering an exclusive and luxurious dining experience.

4)The smallest municipality in Italy is Pedesina, in the province of Sondrio. With only 36 residents, it’s safe to say that everyone in town knows each other!

5)The highest highway bridge in Italy is on the Salerno–Calabria stretch, where it crosses the Lao River. It stands a dizzying 259 meters above the river—certainly not for the faint of heart!

6)The narrowest alley in Italy is in Ripatransone, near Ascoli Piceno. It measures just 43 centimeters wide, and narrows to 38 centimeters at its tightest point. Definitely not suited for everyone!

7)The narrowest house in the world is located in Petralia Sottana, in the province of Palermo. Just 100 cm (about 3.3 feet) wide, it's truly incredible that someone lives in it!

Our advices

TO READ:
Italy is a country that has given the world some of the most illustrious writers of all time—from Dante Alighieri to Boccaccio, from Petrarch to D’Annunzio, from Pascoli to Calvino, and from Buzzati to Manzoni and Leopardi.
We especially recommend Dino Buzzati, particularly his remarkable short story collection “The Sixty Stories” (I sessanta racconti).
To better understand southern Italian culture, we suggest reading some works by Leonardo Sciascia or Andrea Camilleri.

TO LISTEN TO:
Italian melodic music has made history. Every region has its own musicians and unique musical traditions, but some artists are especially beloved across the country, such as Pino Daniele, Ligabue, Vasco Rossi, Fabrizio De André, Zucchero, and Lucio Dalla, as well as singers like Fiorella Mannoia.

TO WATCH:
Among the most famous Italian film directors are Dario Argento (Deep Red), Vittorio De Sica (Bicycle Thieves), Luchino Visconti (La Terra Trema), Pier Paolo Pasolini, Ermanno Olmi, and Roberto Benigni (Life is Beautiful).

TO EAT:
Few culinary cultures are as rich as Italy’s. Among the most beloved dishes are the timeless pizza—especially from Naples, though enjoyed all over Italy (there's hardly a town without a pizzeria); lasagna, a traditional dish from Bologna; abbacchio alla romana (Roman-style roast lamb); and, of course, pasta, served in countless variations. Also worth mentioning are risotto alla milanese and many types of cured meats.
Italy’s dessert tradition is especially rich in the South, and excellent wines—among the finest in the world—are produced throughout the entire country.