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ITALY
Capital:
Area:
Population:
Religion:
Currency:
Electricity:
Language:
Rome (ROM, FCO, CIA)
116,310 sq miles/
424,060 sq km
57,116,000
Roman Catholic
Euro (EUR)
220 volts
Italian
The history of Italy began with Rome before
the time of Christ. In 146 BC Rome was
already making its influence felt making
Greece a part of its empire. From 800 AD
on, the ruling powers, including Popes,
Emperors, and Normans, vied for control of
all of Italy, which consisted of individual
city states such as Genoa and Venice. These
small states flourished in the Middle Ages.
In 1713 many parts of Italy were given to
Austria. Between that year and 1961, when
unification was virtually complete, various
areas of Italy were exchanged frequently
between Napoleon, Austria, and other
powers. Italy began claiming areas of parts
of Greece, Yugoslavia, and Ethiopia, but
was forced to give them up in 1947.
Italy is surrounded by Switzerland and
France on the north, Slovenia and the
Adriatic Sea on the east, the Mediterranean,
Ligurian, and Tyrrhenian Seas on the west,
and the Mediterranean and Ionian Seas on
the south.
A peninsula, separated from the rest of
Europe by the Alps, Italy stretches about
758 miles/1,296 km south of Switzerland
and France, and includes the islands of
Sardinia, Sicily, and Isola di Pantelleria.
The country is divided into five principal,
distinctly physical regions of terrain:
Alpine—(most northern part) This area
consists of impressive majestic mountains
reaching over 13,000 ft/3,900 m along the
northern border. There are three major areas
of the Alpine region: western, central, and
eastern. The western portion includes views
of Mt. Blanc and the Gran Paradiso National
Park, the central portion includes the Italian
Lake District, and the eastern portion
includes the impressive Dolomite area. All
of these areas offer excellent skiing. At the
southern foothills on these Alps are terraced
areas for growing fruit, vines, and
vegetables. The higher slopes are
interspersed with beautiful meadows.
Valley of the Po—(industrial area in the
northern portion which follows the Po River
and includes Milan) Shaped like a triangle,
this broad lowland situated between the Alps
and the Apennine Mountains contains many
of the large cities, such as Milan (MXP,
LIN), and the largest concentration of
population in the country. It is highly
agricultural and industrial.
North Adriatic Lowland—(northeastern part
of the country such as Venice and Trieste)
This section is northeast of the Po Valley,
encompassing the area called the Karst and
including the city of Venice (VCE) and
Trieste.
Apennines—(700 miles/1,100 km of
mountains that start in the north and
continue along the Adriatic coastline)
Stretching more than 700 miles/1,100 km
down the center of the country, these
mountains tower above the Ligurian coast,
cross the Italian Peninsula, and follow the
Adriatic coast to the toe of Italy. Most cities
in the interior of Italy are in this region. The
mountain peaks average 4,000 ft/1,200 m,
but the highest, Monte Corno, is 9,650
ft/2,914 m.
Western Coastal Plain—(running from La
Spezia to Naples and includes Rome)
Following the Tyrrhenian Sea from La
Spezia in the north to Naples in the south,
this hilly land includes Tuscany and Rome
(ROM, FCO).
The Alps, which span the northern boundary
provide excellent winter skiing, beautiful
scenery, and lots of lakes. The two major
rivers, the Po and the Adige, flow southward
from the Alps.
There are thousands of beaches throughout
Italy ranging from good sand to rocks. Many
of them are relatively small by Caribbean
and Pacific standards, yet they are generally
set in lovely locations including at the
bottoms of cliffs. A popular region is the
northwestern Italian Riviera, which begins
on the French border. The water throughout
Italy is pleasant for swimming much of the
year, especially in the southern regions.
Italy is a beautiful, historic, interesting
country that should appeal to most of you. It
offers active volcanoes, shopping, history,
ruins, great food, a relaxing lifestyle, and a
fabulous experience. You can be reminded
that much of the Italian charm is comprised
of its people, architecture, music, food, and
history, not its need of a good paint job
(which would ruin it). All of you should
visit Italy at least once. Most of you will
love it with a passion.
Italy is great from April through October.
Even the winter offers great snow skiing and
can be quite acceptable in the southern
regions of the country. The farther south you
travel, the warmer and drier it becomes.
Touring
Most of you will arrive at the Rome (ROM,
FCO, CIA) or Milan (MIL, MXP, LIN)
airports. There is excellent air service within
Italy and from other European countries.
Rail service is comprehensive, although it
can be slightly less clean than that found in
the northern European countries.
Nonetheless, it should be experienced.
Rental cars and escorted motorcoach tours
are excellent ways to see the country. Many
cruise ships include various Italian ports on
their itineraries through the Mediterranean.
For you to gain a fairly good overview of
Italy, we suggest the following itinerary:
Day
1-4
Arrive Rome (ROM, FCO, CIA). We
suggest you avoid car rental to tour Rome as
they will never find a place to park and they
will waste too much time. We recommend
they take local escorted tours and local
buses, taxis, and walk to see the sites. We
suggest the National Museum, the
Catacombs of St. Sebastian, the Coliseum,
Trevi fountain, the Piazza Venezia, stroll
along Via Veneto, climb the Spanish Steps,
and do everything they can in this “Eternal
City.” On one day, we suggest you head
south to Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii for a day
trip. (See Vatican City country listing for the
Vatican City.)
Day
5-7
Pick up car at Rome (FCO) airport and
depart to Sienna (FLR) to see the Piazza del
Campo, which is where the famous horse
race occurs, and enjoy this medieval city. In
the afternoon continue to Florence (FLR).
We suggest you stay outside of Florence in a
small town and take the train in, as parking
is a premium, and it makes it easy to see the
rest of Tuscany. While there, we suggest
you see Piazza del Duomo, various
churches, the Piazza della Signoria, Palatine
and Uffizi Galleries, walk across the Arno
River bridges, and enjoy this city. A day trip
to Pisa, to see the Leaning Tower, might be
an enjoyable option.
Day
8-9
Drive to Venice (VCE). It will take half a
day or so, but it is a fairly scenic drive. We
suggest you see St. Mark’s Church, St.
Mark’s Square, ride a gondola, boat to the
Lido, and spend a lot of time walking. It’s a
fun place to walk.
Day
10
Depart for Milan (MIL, MXP, LIN) and
depart Italy, or see other parts of the
country. You need to overnight in Milan, as
it is a long drive. They might want to see
Padua and Verona of Shakespeare fame on
the way.
Should you have additional time, we
suggest:
Amalfi Drive Area (uh MAHL fee)
(NAP)—This peninsula, also called the
Sorrento or Amalfi Peninsula, is located
south of Naples and Pompeii, jutting out into
the sea toward the Isle of Capri. What a
place! Small villages with spectacular
jagged coastal views, fairly good, yet small
beaches, excellent food, fabulous and quaint
hotels, and gorgeous scenery are found here.
Tell you to take the local buses, and driving
at night around the Amalfi Drive is to be
avoided, as it is an experience to be seen
from a safe vantage point. (4 days to a life
time)
Capri (NAP)—Capri is reached
either by hydrofoil or ferry from Naples and
Sorrento. It also is a most impressive island
with the fabulous blue water, the Blue
Grotto, wonderful places to stay, and is a
great place to vacation. (3 days)
Lake District (MIL, MXP, LIN)—
Located just north of Milan along the Swiss
border, Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta, and Lake
Como are fabulous places to stay, relax, and
enjoy a unique Italian experience. Travel
into southern Switzerland for the day is
easily possible. (3-4 days)
Milan (MIL, MXP, LIN)—Do not
we recommend staying here in this industrial
city unless you have to overnight to catch a
flight, want to shop for leather and other
goods, or want to attend a performance at La
Scala Opera House. Other than seeing the
Church of S. Maria delle Grazie with
Leonardo’s “Last Supper”, there is little else
to do here. (1/2 day max for most people)
Sardinia (CAG, OLB)—Quite a
majestic island in the Mediterranean west of
Rome, Sardinia offers pink sand beaches,
the ruins of the city of Phoenician Tharros,
several museums, and great resorts. (4 days)
Sicily (PMO, CTA)—Located
southwest of the Italian toe, Sicily is a
mixture of Phoenician, Arab, Roman, and
Greek ruins, active volcanoes, great food,
nice beaches, rugged scenery, olive groves,
great scuba diving, museums, and other
wonderful attractions. (5 days)