Everyone would agree that no other nation could have represented class as convincing as Italy’s. Known to the world as the hub of luxury goods, elegant restaurants, and idyllic attractions, Italy is no wonder the luxury hub of Europe.
Italy is a peninsula cradled at the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. The boot-shaped island makes up more than 60 million of the world’s population. While most of the population are Italians, eight percent of Italy’s populace are ex-pats. The country is considered a melting pot and is a leading go-to destination for tourists and immigrants.
Italy takes up 301,340 square kilometers of land area in the European continent.
A Bit of History
Wars, captivity, and fallen empires wielded Italy’s rich history. Italy’s first inhabitants were the Etruscans around 800 BC, based on historical accounts. The Etruscans were skilled engineers and craftsmen who built roads, wielded jewelry pieces, and developed marshes for settlement. The upper-class settled in huge houses with deluxe furniture and an expansive courtyard, while the lower class resided in huts made of bricks and wood. The Etruscans also introduced pottery painting.
In 265 BC, the Roman Empire captured Italy leading to the fall of the last Etruscan city, including the other ethnic groups in Sicily. Seven kings ruled Italy until 509 BC when the assembly reformed the constitution. On the side, barbaric forces still tried to invade Italy, leading to the Dark Ages. In the 14th century, the city-states recovered and revived the economy through trade.
Uprisings still sparked, especially in 1859 when Italians aimed to drive out foreign forces from their land. In 1861, the parliament established the Kingdom of Italy, and King Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia was proclaimed as the ruler.
Italy’s Climate
Italy experiences a mild Mediterranean climate on the south and oceanic on its north. It often only snows in mountainous areas while places along with the coastline experience hot summers. Other regions of Italy may also encounter varying temperatures and seasons because of the country’s longitudinal structure.
It is ideal for exploring during spring from April to May since there’s little chance of rain and sunny days are not scorching hot. It is also the best season to see the country’s ancient attractions. Visitors also flock even in summer, the spectators aiming for beach trips and trekking activities. Costs are high during the peak seasons.
On the other hand, the wintertime from December to February is considered the low season in Italy. There’s a high chance of rain during November and the preceding months typically gives freezing temperature. It is the best time to visit if you are a fan of snowfall and skiing.
Transport System
This luxurious country is also at the forefront of making the transport system comfortable for everyone. Italy has a well-developed and extensive transport system connecting major cities. The busiest airports you may land on are Rome Leonardo Da Vinci Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa, and Bergamo Caravaggio International Airports. These ports are connected to the city via train.
Besides the impressive train system, commuters can also take buses, taxis, Uber, and the metro to explore the beautiful city. Car rentals are also available if you travel in large groups. The excellent way to travel around Italy is via train for economical travelers since Italy’s rail company offers an unlimited ride rail pass. These rail passes can be used in major cities, and high-speed trains are also available even at late nights.
Luxurious Attractions
Italy is the home to renowned luxurious brand companies like Ferrari, Ducati, Armani and Versace, Prada, and Gucci. Besides its reign in the luxury goods production industry, Italy’s tourism is undeniably another revenue driver. Italy has 20 regions to explore with tourist spots evenly dispersed in its major cities – Rome, Milano, and Napoli. To date, there are 50 heritage sites in the country.
The natural and man-made attractions of Italy have been overwhelming. Make sure to allow ample time to discover Italy from north to south and see for yourself why Italy is associated with everything luxurious. Northern Italy is regarded as the country’s financial district and iconic for local cuisines such as polenta, gnocchi, white truffles, and pesto. Meanwhile, the Southern part gives off a rustic vibe with a touch of German culture.
Italy is bordered by the Alps Mountains on the north and the Apennine Mountains extending to the south. This geographical feature of Italy makes it a country rich in natural formations such as the Dolomiti Rocks and the inviting lakeside of Lake Garda. The abundant reserves are home to around 57,000 European fauna species, of which 4800 are endemic.
Italy also has 30 volcanoes and has about three active, such as Mount Etna, Stromboli, and Mount Vesuvius. The volcanic soils are ideal for farming, making Italy’s soils arable.
