ITALY IN GENERAL

taly has long been a popular tourist destination due to its abundant cultural and historical sites, great cuisine and extensive Mediterranean coastline.

Each region of Italy has something to offer its visitors. The North is where you will find the city of Venice, which has been built across more than one hundred small islands, the fashion centre of Milan and the picturesque area of Lake Como. This is also a popular area for skiers visiting the many resorts dotted along the mountain ranges. The capital city of Rome can be found in Central Italy and is home to many famous landmarks such as the Roman Forum, the Colosseum and the Pantheon, to name but a few. Other well known cities in this region include Florence, Pisa and Siena. Southern Italy encompasses the city of Naples and the idyllic island of Capri as well as the Amalfi Coast. This is also where you will find the ruined city of Pompeii and the source of its destruction: Mount Vesuvius. Further south is the region of Calabria, off the coast of which lies the island of Sicily.

A Mediterranean climate dictates the weather patterns throughout Italy meaning summers become very hot, especially in the south. The north of Italy, especially around the mountainous areas can become very cold in the winter. The best months to visit, to avoid the summer holiday crowds, are September and October.