One Giant Leap …with Joanne Harris
Acclaimed author Joanne Harris recounts an eye-opening trip to the Republic of Congo.
Read moreThe long booted leg of Italy stretches out into the Mediterranean Sea, tapping the island of Sicily with its toe. This slender peninsula is brimming with beautiful scenery, gastronomic delights, world-class art and architecture, glorious music, timeless literature and ancient history. Its splendid cultural heritage is the result of a complex past, where centuries of conflict between states, nations and world powers have shaped the land and its people as different rulers have come and gone.
Once at the heart of the great Roman empire, as well as the Christian world and western civilisation, Rome’s influence extended from North Africa through to present-day Iraq in the east and as far as Great Britain in the north. After the collapse of the empire, powerful city-states began to emerge such as Venice, Siena, Florence, Milan and Lucca. These sparring states then became engulfed by greater powers such as Spain, France and Austria. Unification of Italy only came about in the mid-19th century and, even today, the different cultures of the various regions of Italy still persist.
From the mountains, castles and Austrian ambience of the South Tyrol in the far north to the Greek temples, bustling markets and faintly Arabic feel of Sicily in the far south, Italy has an extraordinary range of sights to see and differing cultures to experience, all within one country, not to mention sumptuous hotels and villas and food to die for.
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Italy is a food lover’s heaven. Each region has its particular specialities and the local markets are the best place to discover the ingredients, as well as daily life and some enthusiastic gesticulating and shouting. Suggestions include the Rialto fish market in Venice, which displays a beautiful (although some might say ugly) array of fruits from the sea; Mercato Centrale in Bologna, beautifully located among a maze of medieval streets selling a mouth-watering range of pasta, meats, fruits and vegetables; and the Ballarò market in Palermo where the southern energy of the Italians is particularly palpable.
Pompeii and Herculaneum were buried under ash and mud during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79AD. Considered the most important archaeological sites in Europe due to their exceptional preservation, these towns offer a rare insight into daily Roman life. See houses, shops and public buildings with their contents still intact, as well as the chilling plaster casts of the victims of the eruption.
Some of the finest buildings in Italy are its theatres, and the greatest opera and ballet companies in the world perform in them. One of the most beautiful is La Scala in Milan. The performance schedule here runs from December to July: visit the Museo Teatrale alla Scala for a behind-the-scenes tour and an insight into its magnificent history since its first performance in 1778. Venice has two theatres: La Fenice, which has burned to the ground twice, and the Teatro Verde, an open-air theatre on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore with romantic views across to St Mark’s Square. For something a little different, book tickets for the Arena di Verona, a well-preserved Roman amphitheatre, still used for magnificent open-air opera performances.
Some of the finest buildings in Italy are its theatres, and the greatest opera and ballet companies in the world perform in them. One of the most beautiful is La Scala in Milan. The performance schedule here runs from December to July: visit the Museo Teatrale alla Scala for a behind-the-scenes tour and an insight into its magnificent history since its first performance in 1778. Venice has two theatres: La Fenice, which has burned to the ground twice, and the Teatro Verde, an open-air theatre on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore with romantic views across to St Mark’s Square. For something a little different, book tickets for the Arena di Verona, a well-preserved Roman amphitheatre, still used for magnificent open-air opera performances.
Acclaimed author Joanne Harris recounts an eye-opening trip to the Republic of Congo.
Read moreAcclaimed author Joanne Harris recounts an eye-opening trip to the Republic of Congo.
Read moreAcclaimed author Joanne Harris recounts an eye-opening trip to the Republic of Congo.
Read moreAcclaimed author Joanne Harris recounts an eye-opening trip to the Republic of Congo.
Read moreDiscover the temperatures and rainfall you can expect when visiting the main areas of Italy, along with the best time to travel.
Find out more about what you can expect from travelling in Europe – from internal flights to accommodation standards and local transport.
Learn more about the airlines we use to fly to Europe, chosen for reliability and good service; as well as any available upgrade facilities.
Before travelling to Europe, please read more about the entry requirements for each country, as well as any general health advice.
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