Travel Advice for Italy

If you were to make a list of the most beautiful places to visit in the world, then the Amalfi coast in Italy would have to be in the top ten category.

This is the coast which is famous for hairpin turns, breathtaking views, sweet lemons (I mean sweet) charming hotels and picturesque towns.

Arriving in Ventimiglia, our first real stop over the border from France, (Monaco was also along the way) into Italy I was pleased to see a distinct difference between the Italian locals and the French ones I’d left behind. Admittedly there is a real sense of the Mediterranean life all the way along the Cote D’Azur, with fairly laid back individuals, all there to soak up sun and wine, but these locals appeared even more so. The Carabinieri on the platform as we pulled up were looking so relaxed as to almost appear asleep, even the sniffer dog didn’t look at all bothered that 15 sweaty backpackers had just arrived. Nobody moved, no passports were checked, just a few cheery ‘ciaos’ and a ‘benvenuti’.

Before traveling, especially to learn Italian in Italy, I was warned to not be the ugly American tourist. We must be sensitive and respectful. We must be open and understanding. We must not wear leisure suits and track shoes. I pride myself on my cultural sensitivity, which is probably why I was so traumatized when, during one of my first outings while I went to learn Italian, a fruit monger accused me of calling him a communist.

Italy, owing to its great landscapes, has several golf courses all over the country. While traveling within Italy, one can play golf in the mountains, by the sea, in and around historical cities and in many of the tourist resorts.

Golfing near the lakes of Grada, Maggiore and Como is an unforgettable experience, with the gentle slopes, flat grounds and small clearings amidst trees. Miles and miles of green area dot the picturesque surroundings. One can walk for hours while playing round after round of golf without feeling tired. The golf courses around these lakes provide an experience which is different from playing golf in traditional golf courses.

Italy has been a favored holiday spot for tourists the world over and vacationing in Italy can be an unforgettable experience. There are many places in Italy that arouse interest and the prominent among them are the cities of Rome, Milan and Venice. These cities are famous for their architectural brilliance.

Rome is the country’s capital and consists of the Roman Forum, with its amazing array of ruined temples. The sites of the world-famous Colosseum, symbol of the Eternal City; the eloquent Pantheon and St Peter’s Basilica are located in Rome.

Italy can be ranked as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, so there is an abundance of information available for anyone who wants to travel to Italy. Italy travel guides can be broadly classified into two categories–the first category includes those guides which contain all the relevant information about various tourist spots in the country, and the second category includes those travel guides which give information about a particular region or city.