| Every year, the | | | | 500 protected nature preservesthat are protected by |
| U.S. Tour Operators Association, a professional | | | | the government. There are sea cliffs and |
| association of travel agentsand tour operators who | | | | alpinemountains, rolling hills and open plains. And there is |
| arrange travel for more than 10 million travelers | | | | always, of course, thesea with its ever-changing yet |
| everyyear, runs an informal survey among members | | | | everlasting face. |
| to name the world's top vacationdestinations. Year | | | | Come to Italy for the |
| after year, one country tops the list of | | | | Food |
| internationalvacation destinations - Italy, the heart of | | | | Italian food andhospitality is famous the world over for |
| civilization, the cradle of romanceand the home of the | | | | its abundance. Abondanzais a concept that is |
| Holy Sea. | | | | well-understood in the Mediterranean country. |
| What is it that makes Italy sospecial? The spectacular | | | | Everywhere you go, you'll find groaning tables and |
| scenery and warm, wonderful climate are only | | | | open, welcoming arms invitingyou to mangia! Mangia!! A |
| thebackground of the picture. Italyis a colorful mosaic | | | | full tour of Italy is a gustatory delight, forthere is no |
| of travel experiences, a delicious mélange of | | | | single style of Italian cooking. Instead, each region of |
| flavors andcultures that offers something for every | | | | Italy has itsown unique flavors and combinations that |
| traveler. From cosmopolitan culturebuff to adventurer, | | | | are drawn from the local specialtiesand available |
| from the serious student of history to the socialite, Italy | | | | foods. Tuscany is famous for itsseafood, Milan for its |
| truly isthe country that caters to them all and everyone | | | | rich sauces and complexflavors, Bolognafor its |
| in between. | | | | traditional red sauce. Eating and drinking well is a way |
| Italy's citiesand countryside offer a true | | | | of life in |
| embarrassment of riches. You could easily | | | | Italy, and whether you treat yourself to a fine meal in |
| spendmonths touring the countryside and never see | | | | one of Rome's five-starrestaurants, or stop at a |
| half of what the country has tooffer. What is it that | | | | roadside ristorante in a small province, you're sureto be |
| brings so many to bella Italia every year? | | | | served the best of the best. |
| See Italyfor the Art | | | | To Your |
| Italy was thecenter of the Renaissance, and is one of | | | | Health! |
| the most artistically rich countriesin the entire world. | | | | Italy has beenfamous for its thermal spas and springs |
| According to UNESCO, half the world's artistic | | | | since the times of Hippocrates. Italianspas enjoy the |
| andhistoric treasures are located in Italy. In Florence, | | | | benefits of both sea and fresh water springs. Hot |
| Venice, Rome, Naples, Milanand other cities, you'll find | | | | water thermalsprings are plentiful, thanks to the |
| artistic and architectural wonders that you won'tfind | | | | country's geological peculiarities and thenetwork of |
| anywhere else. Michelangelo, da Vinci, Botticelli, | | | | underground volcanic springs. Today, the thermal spas |
| Tintorello, Correggio, | | | | are a popularattraction in nearly every region of Italy, |
| Donatello - the most famous artists of all the eras | | | | and have become popularholiday destinations in their |
| worked and left theirlegacies in frescoes, paintings and | | | | own rights. Italian health spas offer more thanjust the |
| statues throughout the country. And whilemuch of the | | | | baths. Many are located close to cultural and leisure |
| art is held in museums in nearly every city, there is | | | | attractions, andmake a wonderful base of operations |
| arteverywhere, from the stunning stained glass | | | | for your stay in the country. |
| windows in a tiny chapel in Abruzzi to the | | | | Travel |
| paintedceilings of cathedrals. | | | | Gems in Italy |
| See | | | | If you visit Rome, spend at least oneday just walking |
| Historic Italy | | | | around the city. You'll discover many tiny sites |
| History lives in Italy. Longknown as the cradle of | | | | andhistorical finds that are not on any tourist map. |
| Western civilization, Italy's cities and countryside area | | | | These sites may have beenuncovered during the |
| treasure trove of historical sites. You can walk the Via | | | | construction of another building and never |
| Appia and feel theweight of centuries drop away as | | | | completelyexcavated, but are there to stumble across |
| you realize that two thousand years ago, thisvery road | | | | and enjoy away from the bustlingcrowds. |
| was traveled by the armies and citizens of Imperial | | | | By all means, visit thewell-known museums in the |
| Rome. Visit the | | | | major cities, but for a real treat take a driveoutside the |
| Coliseum in Rome, or wander through thepreserved | | | | cities and seek out small towns and villages. You'll |
| city of Pompeiiand become a part of history. And of | | | | discover someof the most amazing and unexpected |
| course, there is the Vatican, the walled city inside | | | | treasures tucked into alcoves or painted onthe walls of |
| Rome that is the home and the heart of the | | | | village churches throughout the country. |
| Catholic Church, where scholars come to study | | | | Skip the hotels andrent a villa or cottage in a small |
| ancient texts andtreasures. | | | | town if you're staying in Italy for morethan a few days. |
| Visit | | | | In many cases, it won't cost much more - and will |
| Italy for the Scenery | | | | often beless - than a stay in a good hotel, and your |
| The scenic vistas of Italy are asvaried as its twenty | | | | hosts will treat you as part ofthe family while you're |
| regions. From snowcapped mountains to sweeping, | | | | there. |
| white sandbeaches, the natural beauty of Italyis as | | | | Italy is acountry of contrasts and beauties whose |
| alive and vivid as the paintings of its most famous | | | | charm grows deeper and warmer withevery visit. It's |
| artists. When youventure beyond the cities, you'll still | | | | no wonder that it regularly tops the list of |
| find the untamed beauty of the Tuscanhills with their | | | | holidaydestinations worldwide, or that so many who |
| craggy, winding paths and terraced vineyards. You can | | | | visit return again and again to itswarm and welcoming |
| wanderthrough twenty three national parks and nearly | | | | arms. |