A country of rich, spectacular food and wines, artisans producing everything from fine olive oils to flawless tooled leathers, fashion designers setting style for the rich and famous throughout the world, and a disproportionate number of the world’s most famous art treasures, this is Italy. It has rolling hills, lush, verdant valleys, snow-capped mountains, ancient hamlets and bustling cities.

It is a country of magnificence! Glorious structures from thousands of years ago sit alongside grand palaces, exquisite piazzas boast ancient-sculpted fountains, arbors of grape vines climb up the side of mountains, ships slip into romantic ports, lavish hotels and authentic villas beckon the tourist, and small family hotels that only the locals know about are the hideaways of visitors who return again and again to the splendor that is Italy. It is where people from the world go to sun, sail, climb, explore, luxuriate, and experience a culture born of antiquity wrapped in modern times. There is no doubt that Italy is one of the most beautiful places on earth! Ask the Italians, they call their home Il Belpaese, the beautiful country.

Italy was the first place in the world to become a tourist destination, it’s been a pilgrimage site since Rome became the seat of papal power. In the 15th century, artists and scholars of the northern Renaissance were drawn to Italia’s centers of art and learning. And so its drawing power remains today. Italy remains a major cultural and religious pilgrimage site of Roman ruins, Renaissance art, incredibly beautiful churches and architecture. It is a friendly country where the people are gracious, welcoming and anxious to share their culture and traditions embodied in their lifestyle that have never strayed.

Italy should be experienced slowly, one region, possibly even one small section, at a time, there is just too much splendor to rush through; so much would be missed. Many have visited, all vow to return!