Why do I Love Italy?
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Let me count the ways!
First, the landscape is varied and stunning. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the rugged cliffs of the Amalfi coast and the dreamy canals of Venice, Italy has so much to offer travelers. We are constantly discovering new regions to explore. Our latest favorite is Umbria after spending two weeks there in 2018 during an exhibition of Gregg’s paintings in the charming town of Galdo Tardino.
When I’m not admiring the landscape of Italy, I’m immersed in its history. Between the Etruscans and the Romans, Italy is brimming with ancient sites. Every town and village traces its roots to at least Roman times and all have a central medieval core. The Middle Ages is my preferred historical period, and Italy brings both the medieval and the Renaissance periods to life every day, sometimes literally.
I don’t think I’ve ever visited Italy and not seen people dressed in medieval garb at one of the many festivals and demonstrations of medieval life.
Food is another big draw in Italy. Tuck into steaming plates of pasta swimming in amazing sauces, eat your plate-sized paper-thin pizza with a knife and fork like the locals do, enjoy exquisitely prepared main courses, and finish off with desserts to die for. Italy is a gastronomic paradise.
Check out Stanley Tucci’s book about gastronomy in Italy. He captures the flavors of each of Italy’s distinct regions.
And finally, there’s the art. From the Etruscans to the moderns, art is everywhere in Italy. Some of the most beautiful artworks in the western world were created in Italy and are still there to be admired, which is excellent news for the Artsy Traveler.
For more about what to see in Italy art-wise, check out these posts:
- Siena Cathedral in Siena in Top Cathedrals in Europe – My Best Picks
- The Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice and the National Gallery of Modern Art in Rome in Top Ten Modern Art Museums in Europe
- The incredible variety of art in Tuscany in Tuscany Art
Also, take a look at posts for individual regions:
Here is one of my favorite artworks in Itlay, the fresco featuring the Empress Theodora in Ravenna.
