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Holiday Rentals Italy Italy stretches from its Mediterranean peninsula to run against Austria and the Alps in the north. This length of land was once the seat of one of the world’s greatest empires. At the height of the Roman Empire it was the largest contiguous territory on the face of the earth. Although brutally efficient, the beauty of Roman ruins has left a lasting mark up on modern day Italy. For groups as diverse as government leaders and students of art, Italy’s past is instructive.
As historians and current politicians mine Italy’s history, a perennially festive younger generation awaits travelers. National holidays turn out students and workers for days at a time, converting streets and squares into playgrounds. Recreation is seen as the other side of work throughout Italy, and a moment of pure leisure is as valued as any of the work to emerge from the Renaissance.
Protected farmlands in many regions remain much as they have been for centuries. Booking resorts or other accommodation during peak summer seasons can be difficult in tourist favorites such as Tuscany. The plus side of the increasing popularity of rural Italy is that hidden gems are being discovered. Despite growing into a booming tourist destination, rural Italy is a European breadbasket that has managed to hold onto its past.
The broad range of climates in Italy has created a regionally diverse society that makes extended stays worthwhile. The southern-northern Italy cultural split prompts visitors to tour Italy as they would two countries. Italy sees its beaches fill up with tourists in the summer, while in the winter months its Alpine ski resorts attract customers from throughout Europe.
Expect plenty of lively street life in Italy’s cities. Traffic is chaotic by European countries and famously combative. Italy’s highly expressive society creates an ebullient atmosphere that thrives on conversation and public events. Italians approach meals—from a coffee and biscuit to steaming bowls of pasta—as minor celebrations, and tourists can’t help but be drawn in to the festivities. |
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