The timeless galleries of Florence, the shopping arcades of Milan, the tumbling pastel-coloured houses of Positano, the turquoise lakes, the sandy beaches – Italy has charm to spare. It’s a nation of great power and prestige, the birthplace of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance, but it’s probably the glorious food that will leave you dreaming.
Cram in the culture
No country can compete with the number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites that Italy boasts. Arrive and you’ll probably drive straight by one. In Rome, they’re around every corner, from the Pantheon to the Colosseum, while in Florence there’s so much to see you’ll want every day to last 48 hours. Even in areas given over to sun-seeking and gelato – hello, Sorrento – you’re only minutes from Pompeii, its DNA preserved in lava.
Straying away from the big hitters to quiet, unspoiled towns, you’ll still chance upon churches housing a Renaissance masterpiece, or a bold basilica with a story that spans centuries. Art lovers will be in their element, choosing between da Vinci and Michelangelo, frescoes and ceilings, the hidden corners of Venice. No matter where your trip takes you, Italy delights with its preservation of a glorious past.
Gastronomic Italy
There’s no Italian cuisine, as such, rather a constantly shifting landscape of regional specialties. It’s one of the simplest joys of the country, moving from region to region and bearing witness to how the foods change, whether in the ritziest restaurants or served up on the street.
If you’re in the mood for risotto, there’s no finer place than Milan, where the saffron imbues the rice and stock with its tell-tale red hue. Naples is the home of pizza, where simple is better and the traditions are fiercely guarded.
Head to Piedmont for the bosky scent of truffles shaved over fresh pasta, or savour the freshest, pesto you’ve ever tasted in Genoa. In Bologna, prove you’re a clued-up tourist by not asking for Spaghetti Bolognese – there’s no such thing here. The real deal is Ragu alla Bolognese, and it’s always dished up with tagliatelle.
Coastal cool
What makes Italy great – beyond all the things listed above – is that it combines sensational cities with enviable beach life. Often the two live cheek by jowl, such as Pisa with its famed leaning tower, which is only a stone’s throw from the coastline.
In Venice, the sea merges into the city, unforgettably, creating a unique landscape best explored via the winding canals. On the spectacular Amalfi coast, buildings are stacked on hillsides, leading to the rocky but peerless coast.
Head out from Sorrento to Capri, a storied isle that’s home to the rich and famous, but whose beauty is free to admire. Head to Sicily and you’ll find quiet coves just around the corner from where the bold and the beautiful take their nightly stroll in the finest Italian designer wear.
Carve out the piece of this indulgent nation that’s perfect for you, from the city streets to the mountain tops. With car hire in Italy from Hertz, you can do it all exactly how you want to.
