Travel Outward: Destinations: Italy, Europe

Italy

Italy was the center of the world for much of early history; naturally, when you go there, you'll want to immerse yourself in the past. Once upon a time the Italians were letting it all go to waste, but not any more. Now Italy has one of the biggest budgets in the world for restoration and upkeep of it's historical buildings and artifacts. The problem is, there are so many pieces that need attention, it's hard to keep up with it all. Whether they're keeping the leaning tower of Pisa from leaning too far, or restoring a piece of renaissance art, Italy has more public historical treasures than most other countries combined.

Italy
Population:
57.6 million
Government:
Republic
Square Miles:
301,250 sq km (117,487 sq mi)
Capitol:
Rome (pop 3.8 million)
Official Language:
Italian
Religion:
85% Roman Catholic, 5% Jewish and Protestant
Major products/industries:
tourism, engineering, textiles, chemicals, food processing, motor vehicles, clothing and footwear
Web Sites:
Lonely Planet Italy
Rome Buddy

Traveling in Italy
For a fairly small country, seeing all that Italy has to offer can be tough. From the Roman coliseum to the canals of Venice, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence to fashionable Milan, Italy's major cities all have something to offer. But there is so much to see and do off the beaten track--for instance, a cliff-top hike in pristine Cinque Terra--that just going to the cities doesn't cut it. When traveling in Italy, be more like the laid-back Italians: have a plan but don't worry about breaking it. Like the old saying goes, when in Rome...

Weather in Italy
The weather in southern Italy is warmer than many other places in Europe throughout the year. This brings tourists to the country's Mediterranean coastline even in the winter months. The northern mountainous region is a favorite ski destination through winter, spring, and into the summer, and the autumn months are good for hiking in the Italian Alps. Like most European countries, August is vacation time for the locals, and many stores will be closed. But because of the huge number of tourists that Italy attracts, you can generally go any time of year and find plenty to do.