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Italy, known to be the cradle of one of the ancient civilizations of the World is a top travel destination today. The country, located in South-central Europe has a large number of grand romantic ruins, millennium-old historical monuments and several stunning landscapes that attract tourists from all over the world.
The resplendent natural beauty of Italy is not limited to ancient architecture and natural landscapes alone. The travelers can have their fill from the three incredible Italian cities-Venice, Florence and Rome. These cities house some of the greatest architectural gems on Earth. These historical monuments reveal the amazing and incomparable marvels of early Roman architecture.
Italy boasts of more Unesco World Heritage sites than any other country in the World. Several photogenic landmarks such as the Colosseum, Roman Forums, the Pantheon, Grand Canal in Venice, the Sistine Chapel, St.Peters Basilica, Capitoline Museum, Trevi Fountain and ruins at Pompeii- contain major works of art and architecture. There are an estimated total of 100,000 monuments, which include museums, palaces, statues, churches, art galleries, fountains and archeological remains.
Places like the Vatican City, referred to as the Eternal city and the Catacombs- the man made underground burial places are certainly some of the must visit spots during a trip to Italy. Besides the cultural and historical richness, Italy also offers an abundance of adventure mixed with leisure. Be it skiing on the Alps, hiking on the Dolomite terrain or diving off Sardinia's golden coast- these adventure trips make the ingredients of a perfect holiday. Adding to these attractions are the serene beaches stretched across South Italy and the white sandy beaches of the Elba Island, where tourists throng for a long relaxing holiday.
The Uffizi Gallery, in Florence exhibits great paintings by the legendary Italian artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli etc. forming one of the major urban attractions. Among the country's other lures, are the world famous Italian cuisine and the flamboyant fashion trends.
Shopping in the city is a great experience in itself. The city is lined with scores of fashion stores and shopping malls. Milan, Florence and Rome are the best places for shopping where everything from designer fashion outfits to fine stationary and gold can be found. The city of Milan hosts the Fiera Milano, one of the biggest design fairs of Europe, which attracts numerous fashion enthusiasts.
Travelling to this attractive European destination is quite easy and inexpensive with frequent cheap flights. Many international flights, packed with thousands of tourists from around the world arrive daily at Italy's' major international airports- Leonardo da Vinci and Ciampino Airport. The splendid city offers profusion of accommodation options ranging from luxury hotels to idyllic farmhouses and modern apartments.
Besides hotel accommodation, a wide array of beach side resorts, bed and breakfast inns also provide budget accommodation. As with most major tourist destinations, surface transport is also well maintained. Bus, tram, express trains and taxis ply to specific destinations within the country making it easy for tourists to access their preferred destinations. As Venice is surrounded by water, water buses or water taxis are also abundantly available.
A compelling combination of art, history, stunning natural landscapes make Italy one of the most alluring holiday destinations in the world. Being one of the most culturally rich nations of Europe with a proud history, outstanding architectural and various landscapes, Italy definitely offers its travelers more than just a pleasant stay and lingers in their experience forever. Sumathi Yuvraj
