Raahe Guide Raahen Esittely
Italy is located in southern Europe on the Apennine peninsula and nearby islands. Its neighboring countries are Slovenia, Austria, Switzerland and France. The population of Italy is about 59.2 million, the area is about 300,000 square kilometers and the official language is Italian.
Attractions in Italy
If you are planning a trip to Italy, it is good to know that it would take months to see all its treasures. The Roman architecture, the Renaissance art, the picturesque towns and the breath-taking nature, every corner of Italy is stuffed with beauty. Here are a just a few must-see destinations in this amazing country.
Rome
Rome is packed full of iconic landmarks and beautiful places that require weeks to explore. Colosseum is the most famous attraction in the city, topping the list of every tourist.
It is followed on the list by Trevi Fountain, a 17th century architectural gem where tourists throw a coin to make sure they return to Rome.
The historic center of Rome, called Centro Storico, is another favorite of tourists, attracting them with lively squares, beautiful churches, flowered stairs and splendid palaces. It’s a perfect place to relax and absorb the genuine atmosphere of Rome.
Borghese Gardens are one of the city’s largest parks, the gardens feature two museums with precious paintings, sculpture and mosaics, some fancy villas dating back to 1910s, a zoo, a picturesque pond and many walking trails with idyllic views. Other must-see attractions in Rome include Vittorio Emanuele II Monument, the Roman Forum, Capitoline Museum and Basilica of St. John Luteran.
Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is a group of five picturesque villages perched between steep hills and rocky cliffs on the Mediterranean coast. The villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore are connected by walking paths and a railroad tunneling through the hilly headlands.
Most tourists come here for a scenic hike where they savor the beautiful landscapes and the Mediterranean. However, the villages themselves are also well worth exploring, featuring eye-pleasing alleys, rock-bound harbors and cheerfully colored houses.
Florence
Art lovers should not miss the chance to visit the heartland of Italian Renaissance art, Florence. Many museums showcase finest collections of paintings and sculpture, while other masterpieces serve as ornaments in churches and palaces. The largest and most representative museum is Uffizi Gallery that is filled to the brim with Renaissance art and offers an insight into the evolution of this current through centuries.
Capri
The isle of Capri is famous for the Blue Grotto, a sea cave formed in its cliffs, boasting a bright azure color that leaves you speechless. You can visit the cave on a boat tour that takes you around the island. Aside from its main attraction, Capri seduces visitors with its stunning scenery, pine forests, craggy cliffs, idyllic gardens and scenic walking trails.
Ancient sites
Italy has a considerable number of ancient sites with great historical importance. If you are a history enthusiast, be sure you will not get bored. Besides the well-known Colosseum, visit the Pantheon, a former temple of the Roman Empire and Catholic church built in AD 113, Verona’s Amphitheatre stuck in ancient times yet well-preserved, and the Roman Forum with the remnants of temples, public buildings and market halls that keep the memory of the great empire alive.
Also, explore the remains of Pompeii. Even though destroyed by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius’ volcano in AD 79, some of the city’s treasures were preserved, being encased by the cooled lava. Centuries of excavations revealed sculptures, frescoes, ruins of houses, temples, theatres and streets which are on public display today.
