Italy
Inspire / plan / Discover / experience
Contents
Discover Italy
Welcome to Italy
Explore Italy
Reasons to Love Italy
A Grand Tour of Italy
Unearthing Italys Ancient Past
Italys Renaissance Masterpieces
Italys Incredibles Architecture
Italy for Foodies
Italy for Natural Wonders
Italys Breathtaking Beaches
Italy For Families
Italys Spectacular Shows
Italy For Inspiration
Italy for Photographers
A Year in Italy
A Brief History
Experience Italy
Northern Italy
Venice
The Veneto and Friuli
Trentino-Alto Adige
Milan
Lombardy and the Lakes
Valle dAosta and Piedmont
Liguria
Central Italy
Rome
Lazio
Florence
Tuscany
Umbria
Le Marche
Emilia-Romagna
Southern Italy
Naples
Campania
Abruzzo, Molise and Puglia
Basilicata and Calabria
Sicily
Sardinia
Need to Know
Before You Go
Getting Around
Practical Information
Phrasebook
Acknowledgements and Imprint
KEY TO BOOK ICONS
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price guide
Throughout the guide the following price categories have been applied:
On a budget Mid-range Splurge
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DISCOVER ITALY
t Lake Orta, Piedmont
Welcome to Italy
Explore Italy
Reasons to Love Italy
Italy Itineraries
Italy Your Way
A Year in Italy
A Brief History of Italy
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Welcome To
Italy
t A picturesque canal in Venice lined with boats
Magnificent piazzas, turquoise seas and rolling hills Italy has it all. And thats before you add iconic art, more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than anywhere else on earth, and the Italian knack for la dolce vita. Whatever your dream trip to Italy entails, this DK Eyewitness Travel Guide will prove the perfect travelling companion.
Italy only became a country in 1870 before that it was a turbulent collection of rival city states. Happily for the visitor, their conflicting allegiances and histories resulted in a variety of architecture and art not seen anywhere else in Europe. From the mighty architecture of ancient Rome and Pompeii to the pretty Teutonic mountain villages of the north, and from the lacy Gothic palazzi of Venice to the refined Renaissance churches of Florence, a tour along the Italian peninsula is a roller-coaster ride through European history.
The landscape, too, is incredibly diverse. Ski the spectacular slopes of the Dolomites or witness volcanic pyrotechnics on the summit of Mount Stromboli. Lose yourself in the wilderness of the maquis-clad Sardinian mountains or spot wild ibex in the rocky valleys of the Gran Paradiso national park. Bask on the unspoiled beaches of Puglia or sip vintage wine in the vineyard-cloaked hills of Tuscany. However you choose to experience its natural beauty, Italy will not disappoint.
Italy can easily overwhelm with the sheer number of unmissable cities, towns, villages, archaeological and natural sites that pepper the peninsula. Weve picked out themes and planned itineraries to whet your appetite, broken the country down into easily navigable chapters, and created colourful, comprehensive maps to help you plan the perfect visit. Whether youre staying for a weekend, a week, or longer, this Eyewitness guide will ensure that you see the very best the country has to offer. Enjoy the book, and enjoy Italy.
Flowers in bloom in Monti Sibillini National Park, Umbria.
Traditional Italian food.
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Explore
Italy
This guide divides Italy into three distinct regions: . These regions have been divided into 20 colour-coded sightseeing areas, as shown on the map below.
n Double-tap image to read the labels
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Reasons To
LOVE Italy
Evocative ruins, extravagant palaces, vineyards, strong espresso and freshly baked pizza: there are so many reasons to love Italy. Here, we pick some of our favourites.
The Aperitivo
t Theres no better way to fill the hours before dinner. Designed to whet your appetite, this Italian tradition consists of a cool sparkling drink served with snacks ranging from olives to exquisite little antipasti.
Discover Reasons to Love Italy
Cruising Down the Grand Canal
t Everyone should sail down Venices great waterway at least once in their life. Take the slow boat, Vaporetto 1, and stand on the deck for the best views not only of the lacy palace faades, but of life in a city in which everything happens by water.
Discover Reasons to Love Italy
Pizza
t Probably originating in Naples, pizza is, of course, now available all over Italy. Thick crusted in Naples, thin in Rome, sold by the slice, or folded over as a calzone, pizza comes in endless varieties. Wherever you eat it, you can be sure it will be fresh from the oven.
Discover Reasons to Love Italy
The Passeggiata
t In every town, village and city in Italy, locals put on their finery and head out for an evening stroll. They might do a little window shopping or stop for an aperitivo, but the main purpose of the passeggiata is to see, be seen and bump into friends.
Discover Reasons to Love Italy
The PaLazzo