Italy is the boot-shaped land of plenty. With some of the world’s finest art and architecture, well-preserved ruins of ancient civilisations, unspoiled natural landscapes and life-changing food culture, the bel paese has it all. Around 50 million visitors a year make it the world’s fifth most visited country – and here are its star attractions.
Inaugurated by the emperor Titus in 80 AD with a 100-day spectacle of gladiatorial combat, exotic animal hunting and public executions, the Colosseum is the iconic symbol of ancient Rome. This awe-inspiring monument is the largest amphitheatre ever built and attracts over six million visitors each year.
Intricately carved from travertine stone, the Trevi Fountain is a masterpiece of Baroque art. It depicts the sea-god Oceanus and is supplied by the Acqua Vergine aqueduct, an evolution of the ancient Aqua Virgo that was constructed by Agrippa in 19 BC. Tradition says that tossing a coin into the fountain will ensure your return to the Eternal City.
Filled with temples, marketplaces and public buildings, the Forum was the epicentre of ancient Rome. From the meeting of the Senate to vendors hawking their wares at the market, all aspects of political, social and commercial life took place here. Today, the site stands in ruins but it hasn’t lost any of its ability to fill visitors with awe.
In 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted and covered Pompeii in a thick layer of volcanic ash and rubble. The city and its inhabitants were rediscovered in the 16th century in a remarkable state of preservation, giving archaeologists and historians precious details about what life was like in ancient Roman society. Today, visitors to the site can explore the very same streets, houses and even a brothel this city’s ill-fated inhabitants frequented millennia ago.
Known in English as St Mark’s Square, Piazza San Marco is Venice’s social, political and cultural hub. Aside for crowds of tourists, this gorgeous square also contains a number of the city’s top sights – the Basilica di San Marco and its instantly recognisable campanile, the Doge’s Palace, and the Museo Correr, which chronicles Venetian art, history and culture.
Declared the most beautiful lake in the world by the Huffington Post, Lake Como combines over 100 miles (161 kilometres) of winding shoreline with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Aristocrats have been holidaying here since Roman times and today’s rich and famous, with their elegant waterfront villas, continue the trend. It’s also a popular destination for sailing, kayaking and other outdoor activities.
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