Almost all of European history was at one point determined more or less directly by the Roman Empire, from London to Valetta, from Lisbon to Byzantine. Though pizza and meat balls are still readily available in Birmingham as much as in Rome, to experience true Italian lifestyle 2000 years later we now have to travel across half the continent.
Italy is great for a family holiday (Italian’s are famous for their huge love and acceptance of bambini) as much as a romantic honeymoon. The enormous diversity of the country is only properly appreciated on a round trip through various regions, and the necessary mobility is easily acquired: simply hire a car.
You could start your journey in northern Italy (Milan has a fairly large airport served by British budget airlines) and work your way down. Up north you will find anything from sandy beaches on the Riviera to mighty mountains, from small, pretty towns like Bergamo, Mantua and Romeo and Juliet’s Verona to the historical metropolis of Venice, which ones ruled the Adriatic Sea.
A special historical region in the north is Piemont, which Italy shares with France. Turin, the biggest town in the area and certainly one of the most agreeable in Europe, once was the Savoy capital and for a little while even that of a united Italy. The Savioa family, one of the most powerful in Europe through ages, has left its marks all over the town and the region, and the clan’s history is documented in exhibitions in the Egyptian Museum, the weapons chamber, as well as the art museum, which features the precious Savioa art collection. Despite the rich history of the city, numerous visitors come for one reason alone: the Shroud of Turin in the main cathedral holds what is claimed to be the cloth Jesus was buried in.
Leaving Piemont, go to another historical landscape: Lombardi. The most popular holiday destination in this area is Lake Garda, the largest in Italy. When driving to Salo on Lake Garda make a detour if needed to approach it via the towns of Nago and Torbole. The last 24 miles (34 km) are a cultural experience worth the detour, as you will see 40 art galleries and tunnels carved into the cliffs and rocks which line the roads. Once you’ve reached the lake you are in for a few days of water sports, relaxation, and wellness, preparing you for a your remaining vacation.
No visit to Italy is complete without going to Rome. The mind-blowing Roman relics, the intense atmosphere and sense of history in the smallest state in the world, the Vatican, the infamous Roman chaos which does not seems to bother the locals at all, the sophisticated art and fashion – all these are reasons why tourist have always floated and will forever float into the Eternal City. And when in Rome, sit in a small café on St. Peter’s Square, trying to order some ice cream, whishing they had taught you Italian in school instead of Latin – you will learn to truly appreciate the friendly, humorous Romans.
Southern Italy has a completely different face to the rich north. What’s probably the world’s most famous volcano, Vesuvius, is still bubbling inside, and the ruins of Pompeii remind us of the enormous force which can be unleashed by the mountain. Not far from there Florence continues to be one of the most romantic towns in the world and an epicenter of arts and culture.
As far as driving is concerned, the speed limit is 30 mph in towns (50 kmph), 54 mph on country roads (90 kmph) and 66 mph on highways (110 kmph). Some highways are free of charge, others require you to pay a fee. Note that apart from the obvious right-hand drive you are also requested to have your headlines turned on at all times when leaving the towns.
