Italian holidays

You can take the whole world for yourself, but leave Italy to me.

Giuseppe Verdi

... Early morning in San Marino. I wake up to noise and glass breaking. From the sounds I understand that someone dropped the cart with glass bottles that I saw on the street the night before. A few seconds of silence, and then... no, not what you have first thought, but a sorrowful exclamation instead - “O mamma mia!” Yes, baby, it's Italy!

Italians love their country. The local bus driver kept repeating “Bella Italia!” And there really is something to love, because Italy is:

• the heart of European and world culture
• beautiful and varied landscapes
  
• vacation of any kind (excursion, sea, ski)
  
• gastronomic pleasure - a paradise for gourmets
  
• melodic light language
  
• open, hospitable people full of emotions
  

I’ll tell you a little about my favorite cities:

Naples.

Yes, I made no mistake. Naples is at the top of my list. I know that many people are not impressed by this city, but not me! A special atmosphere of lightness and freedom, a fresh sea breeze, fishing schooners, giant fruits and vegetables (I have never seen such huge lemons anywhere else!), and most importantly, the philosophy of the Neapolitans. People who live next to the dangerous Vesuvius have learned to take life lightly. Why waste time worrying in vain and chasing after something when the mighty volcano can wake up at any moment? Enjoy every day, every moment, live here in the moment - this is the real Happiness!

Pompeii.

A ghost town at the foot of Vesuvius. I went there twice on excursions. My advice is to come here not during summer, but in spring or autumn. The summer heat and crowds of tourists will not allow you to feel the atmosphere. And it is special here. If you have a rich imagination, you can easily “rebuild” the streets and houses. Life in Pompeii, judging by the remains of buildings, was comfortable (communications, roads) and beautiful (fragments of mosaic floors, statues in rich houses).

Venice.

My love and inspiration. Endless canals and bridges, gondoliers, postal and ambulance boats, narrow cobbled streets, cozy cafes, wrought-iron balconies, elegant architecture, fans and carnival masks with feathers of all colors, magical Murano glass products - all of it is Venice. And then there is also the solemn Cathedral of St. Mark, the Doge's Palace - a monument of Italian Gothic culture, the ceremonial Rialto Bridge and the sad Bridge of Sighs.

Verona.

 The most romantic city, located between Milan and Venice. The legend of Romeo and Juliet made Verona popular throughout the world. Lovers and romantics flock here to climb onto the balcony in Juliet’s house and stand in the cozy courtyard. But besides this famous location, there is more to see in the city! There are the Arena di Verona, the Scaliger Tombs, the Verona Cathedral, the Roman Theater and much more.

Milan.

The main financial and economic center of Lombardy, the capital of art, fashion and science. A majestic city that attracts fashion and design connoisseurs from all over the world, as well as shopping lovers. It is best to stay here for a few days. Landmarks to visit: Milan Cathedral, Sforza Castle, La Scala Theater, Sempione Park, etc.

Rome.

A museum city, you will be immersed in history at every turn. It is impossible to explore Rome in one day; plan to be here for several days. Don’t do what I did: one day in the afternoon heat or a night excursion “hitting the peaks and skipping the valleys”. In addition to the famous Colosseum, there is a lot to see here: the Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, Villa Borghese, Villa Medici, Square of the Knights of Malta, the National Museum of Rome. Here you will visit the smallest country - the Vatican. St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel with paintings by Michelangelo himself are worth seeing!

Florence.

The capital of Tuscany. An architectural and museum gem. A true paradise for art lovers! Here are just some of the famous attractions: Uffizi Gallery, Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore), Florence Baptistery, Ponte Vecchio, Medici Chapel, San Lorenzo Market, etc. Florence is also famous for its high-quality leather goods; you can plan to buy a new bag or a purse here.

Montecatini Terme.

A spa resort and a true oasis of relaxation in the Tuscany region. There is everything here to heal the body and soul, as well as spend time in comfort: gorgeous nature, hot springs, fashionable hotels and restaurants, bars and nightclubs, theaters.

Sienna.

If you are in Tuscany, be sure to visit this small ancient city. The historical center belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Twice a year, a spectacular event takes place here - the Palio horse race, which attracts both locals and tourists.

Turin.

It was once the capital of Italy and the cultural and economic center of the country. Now it is the capital of the Piedmont region, located on the Po River. Turin is a symbiosis of ancient architecture and modernity. The city is appreciated by fans of shopping; there are many luxury boutiques here. Lovers of culture and history come to see the masterpieces of world culture: Turin Cathedral, Risorgimento Museum, Castello Square, Shroud Museum, Palazzo Madama, Royal Palace, etc.

Pisa.

I have heard opinions that there is nothing to see here except the Leaning Tower of Pisa. I absolutely disagree! The city is small, but interesting with its Romanesque architecture, Gothic churches, and cozy squares. It is home to one of the oldest European universities, the prestigious University of Pisa, so there are a lot of young people in the city. But the Leaning Tower of Pisa is, of course, the first place to visit. This is the symbol of Pisa, a beautiful architectural project that, by the will of nature, could not stand upright and now delights the tourists with unusual photos.

Rimini.

The largest resort located on the Adriatic coast, the capital of the province of Emilia Romagna. The city attracts tourists with its wide sandy beaches. Many come to combine a sea holiday with an excursion. Relax by the sea and immerse yourself in the history of Italy - what could be better!

San Marino. 

San Marino - the oldest mini-country in the center of Italy, next to the Apennine Mountains, with a territory of ​​only 61 square kilometers! This small area has everything you need for a tranquil life. If you walk up the cobbled streets to the ancient fortress, you will see stunningly beautiful landscapes! Endless open spaces, plains, mountains and forests. There are cozy hotels located in ancient buildings, cute cafes and restaurants, and souvenir shops.

Of course, these are not all the cities and regions that deserve attention. Each tourist has his own personal top list. But one thing you can be sure of: in any corner of Italy you will feel happy. And with each subsequent visit you will fall in love with this country more and more. And the time will come when you will exclaim in admiration “Bella Italia!”

Оригинал статьи: https://howtomove.help/ru/articles/italianskie-kanikuly