Sharing its northern alpine boundary with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia, Italy is one of the most coveted and frequented travel destinations of the world. Located within the Italian territory, the independent states of the Vatican City and San Marino make Italy one of the most visited countries of the world. Florence, Milan, Naples, Venice, and the Italian Capital – Rome make Italy, one of the most sought after vacation destinations of the world.

Italy is a small country with a treasure of cultural heritage including delightful churches, glorious museums and galleries, neo-classical structural designs, graceful stores, elegant edifices, theaters, and lively nightlife. Italy is widely known for its scenic beauty & variety of its landscapes on the Italian Riviera; the majestic Alps in the north, the soft and mesmeric hills of Umbria and Tuscany, the romantic rugged landscape of the S Apennines, the Bay of Naples dominated by Mt. Vesuvius, charming beaches, and the beautiful lakes of Lago Maggiore, Lake Como, and Lake Garda. Some of the best places to visit in Italy are:

Established by Gregory XIV in 1837, the Etruscan-Gregorian Museum is your place for an extensive collection of Etruscan art including sarcophagi, bronzes, urns, jewelry, a chariot and terra-cotta vases, the Regolini-Galassi tomb and a bronze sculpture dating from the 5th century B.C. This ethnologic museum also provides a collection of artistic works and objects from the entire world. The museum delineates the Vatican story, exhibits arms, uniforms, armory, typically from the early Renaissance period and shows the carriages used by popes and cardinals in religious processions.

The Capitoline’s Piazza Campidoglio (Piazza Campidoglio Hill) is a fine place to start out your trip of Ancient Rome. The Capitoline Hill was a seat of power in early Rome and continues a governmental center even today. The Piazza and its buildings were either constructed or altered based on designs made by Michelangelo.

Heart of ancient Rome, the Colosseo district is your place for the Roman Forum, the Forum of Augustus, the Forum and Markets of Trajan, the Capitoline and museums. Situated between the Colosseum and the Roman Forums, Arch of Constantine is the major and best preserved of the antique Roman arches. It offers a sense of the past and exhibits the opulence of the Roman Empire.

Castel Sant’Angelo offers you panoramic views along the Tiber. It is one of Rome’s exceptional architectural repositories. The Castel Sant’Angelo has served sovereign of the Roman Empire, a number of popes and as a bulwark of the defensive wall that once surrounded Rome. The Cinque Terre is your place for five charming towns – Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Rigmaggiore. The place serves both as a National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Designed by Brunelleschi, commissioned by the authoritative, charitable Medici family, San Lorenzo Florence Church is one of the oldest churches in Florence. The church exhibits various examples of spiritual Renaissance artistry by Bronzino, Donatello, and Lippi. St Mark’s Basilica or Basilica di San Marco, located on Piazza San Marco or St Mark’s Square, adjacent and connected to the Doge’s Palace, is one of the major attractions of Venice. The cathedral offers you the finest expression of Byzantine architecture.

Italy has beckoned tourists from all over the world for centuries, luring them in with picturesque rolling hills, stately Roman landmarks, the sacred Vatican City, and some of the world’s best food and finest fashion. Whether it’s food, music, relaxation, shopping, culture, history, art or your heritage you’re interested in, Italy serves up the best in the world with a lush and vibrant style all its own.

A visit to Italy offers a glimpse into one of the greatest and most influential empires the world has every known. Italy’s rich cultural history dates back thousands of years, and traces its roots to the flourishing Roman Empire (27 BC to 1453 AD), which helped create the moral and cultural foundation for what is now the modern Western world. Italy is home to the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites (43) to date.

For a land so rich in culture, the hardest part of traveling to Italy is limiting your list of sights to see because there are so many historical landmarks to choose from, all surrounded by the beauty and charm of an artfully crafted setting.

No trip to Italy would be complete without a visit to Rome, the capital and largest city. Rome, founded in the 8th century BC, offers a tourist’s dream, filled with larger-than-life relics from the great Roman Empire scattered throughout a lively, bustling city. The Colosseum still stands in the center of Rome, a breathtaking testament to Rome’s enduring culture. The amphitheater, the site of many gladiatorial battles and famed Roman theatrical performances, casts an awe-inspiring silhouette to the city’s luscious culture.

For art lovers and religious and cultural travelers, the Sistine Chapel offers unmatched beauty, splendor and architectural triumph. The ornate structure, home to the Pope in Vatican City, is full of religious symbols and masterpieces and includes work by the greatest Renaissance artists, including Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini, and Sandro Botticelli.

In addition to offering unparalleled cultural opportunities, Italy gives women the opportunity to spoil themselves, and nothing says luxury like shopping the day away in Milan, the country’s second largest city, and more importantly, the fashion and design capital of the world. The streets are lined with shops bearing the names of famed designers that have defined fashion throughout the world. Milan’s breathtaking views of the Alps are matched in style by the abundance of budding trendsetters honing their skills in one the city’s many fashion academies. Milan also houses a wealth of culture, with an abundance of museums and historic sites that are a quick stroll, subway or tram ride away.

Italy is also home to Venice, the picturesque city that has provided the backdrop for numerous films and beautiful memories. Venice’s canals are legendary for their awe-inspiring romance, breadth and sense of history. There is nothing in the world like a gondola ride through the city, an experience that will leave you transformed. The sights, sounds and smells will stimulate your senses and the impression they leave will remain with you for a lifetime. Besides, where else can you experience the burgeoning of new love while blissfully gliding down the canals of one of the world’s most famous cities? Venice is also home to a wealth of extraordinary museums, palaces, churches and villas. The city also offers tourists the chance to people watch as they enjoy a sun-kissed afternoon in the breathtaking Piazza San Marco.

Tuscany is a region of immense beauty and cultural influence. Furthermore, it is home to some of the world’s most beautiful geography, architecture and art. Tuscany has six UNESCO protected sites. The region also houses the world’s most beautiful wine country and contains the historic city of Florence. Florence, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, is world renowned for its rich artistic and architectural histories. The impressive artistic legacy is found in the city’s museums, which overflow with works from a who’s who of legendary artists. Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli are a few of the pedestrian names around these parts and their work is on display for travelers’ enjoyment.

And where would a trip to Italy be without Italian food, world-renowned for its tradition of tasty pasta, mouth-watering seasonings and enticing array of desserts? Each city adds its own unique culinary flavor to the mix, offering a bevy of delectable dishes for every palate. Italians pride themselves on their cuisine and what better way to experience it than to dine at one of the hundreds of trattorias lining the streets, serving up homemade gelato and fresh pasta with sauces that will make you never want to leave because you won’t find such perfect concoctions anywhere else in the world.

After experiencing the artistic beauty, world-class shopping, miraculous architecture, wine and savory cuisine, you will leave Italy with memories of a lifetime and the resolution to come back soon.