Regions Of Italy

ABRUZZO AND MOLISE

These two regions became independent of one another in 1963. They offer the visitor a vast landscape of unspoiled wilderness encompassing the highest peaks of the Apennines and are the natural habitat of Iy's unique species of bear. Molise, the smaller of the two regions, is enclosed by mountains and has remained relatively un-influenced by the rest of the country.

APULIA

Apulia, the "heel" of the Italian boot, probably offers more variety than any other region in the south. From the dense forests and coastal cliffs of the beautiful Gargano in the north, to Lecce in the south, the finest Baroque city in the Mediterranean. The region is also famous for the magnificent caves at Castellana and the Trulli houses with their cone shaped roofs which, can be seen in the town of Alberobello.

BASILICATA

The interior of this region is amongst some of the wildest, unpopulated terrain that can be found in Italy. If you are seeking isolation, then it is well worth driving through the mixture of mountain roads and rolling hills between its two principle towns, Maratea, a pretty hill top town between the mountains and the sea and Matera, a fascinating ancient town to the north of the region, where up until the 1960's people still lived in cave dwellings known as the Sassi.

CALABRIA

The toe of the Italian boot, known mostly for its long broad beaches, which attract thousands of Italian holidaymakers each year seeking guaranteed sun and warm seas, it offers a wide range of budget accommodation and beach complexes. The interior of this region is made up largely of a forested highland area known as the Sila. Calabria is also home to an impressive collection of Greek artefacts not least the Riace Bronzes housed in the National Museum of Magna Graecia.

CAMPANIA

The region of Campagna is home to Naples, the great metropolis of the south, a city pulsating with life and steeped in history, Embraced by the bay of the same name are the beautiful islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida and further south, beyond Sorrento is the Amalfi coast, probably the most beautiful stretch of coastline in Europe where the mountains meet the sea and tiny towns linked only by the winding coastal road cling precariously onto the mountain side. Further south still the land sweeps gently towards the sea and the small resorts of the Cilento offer a contrasting peace and tranquillity. Campagna is also home to Pompei, Herculaneum and Paestum. Archaeological centres of International importance.

EMILIA ROMAGNA

Below Venice and the Veneto on the flat plains south of the River Po is the region of Emilia Romagna. A wealthy powerhouse of Italian culture and politics. Home of musical giants such as Verdi, Toscanini and more recently Pavarotti. It is also the cradle of great film directors such as Fellini and Bertolucci and the engineering giants Marconi and Ferrari where the famous marque is still built at Maranello. The region is notable for its noble and beautiful cities such as Ferrara, Bologna, Modena, Parma and Ravenna the artistic centre of the region famous for its Byzantine mosaics, whilst on its Adriatic coast you will find Rimini, Italy's busiest beach resort.

FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA

Perhaps one of the more obscure regions of Italy, situated to the east of Venice and the Veneto, bordering with Slovenia and only reinstated with Italy in 1954. Trieste, a bustling Adriatic port is probably the best? known city here but also notable are Aquileia an important Roman city of its day and Udine a city of art. Friuli known also for its good wine has seven of its own DOC regions. It can offer the visitor quieter alternative mountain resorts to the Dolomites.

LAZIO

With regard to tourism, Lazio, the region of Italy's capital, Rome has remained virtually un-chartered territory by both the visitor and the native Italian, choosing instead to head directly for the eternal city. Because of this, many parts of the region have remained splendidly untouched. Ancient towns, historical sites, castles, thermal spas and beautiful landscapes are preserved in time as if stepping back through the centuries.

LE MARCHE

On the east side of central Italy tucked between the Appenines and the Adriatic this region is one of the greenest corners of Italy, much of which resembles the English Yorkshire dales. It also has two lovely Renaissance art towns: Urbino with it's fairytale Ducal palace and Ascoli Piceno, famed for it's magnificent Piazza del Popolo reputed to be the loveliest Piazza in Italy. A drive east will bring you to the sandy beaches of the Adriatic, whilst a drive west will take you through marvelous old towns leading up to the snowy peaks of the Sibeline Mountains.

LIGURIA

Known as the Italian Rivera, this thin crescent shaped region forming the shore of the gulf of Genoa is one of Italy's most beautiful coastlines. Liguria is a natural extension of the French Riviera but it adopts a far more relaxed character. The Cinque Terre with it's colourful old fishing villages tumbling down the hillsides and tiny resorts nestled in enchanting bays typifies the area whilst to the north and south Portofino and Portovenere offer ultra chic yacht resorts.

LOMBARDY

The spectacular Italian lakes dominate the landscape of this region. Garda, como and Maggiore the largest of the group are the main attractions but the less busy and smaller lakes of Orta, Varesa, Lugano and Iseo have a charm of their own. Milan, famous as a shopping haven with landmarks such as the Scala opera house and the Dourmo is the capital of this region and needs little introduction but of equal interest are the ancient cities of Mantua one of the most atmospheric old cities in the country offering dazzling examples of Renaissance art and Cremona a city of elegant brick and ornate terracotta palaces and home of the Stradivarius Violin. Further to the north, Lombardy offers some first class winter ski resorts.

MINOR ISLANDS

Italy has twelve groups of minor islands dotted around the coastline all offering unique characteristics: some can provide you with complete escapism and tranquility, whilst others offer chic chic exclusive resorts. the main groups are Aeolian, Aggadian, Maddalenian, Paelagian, Pantellaeria, Phlegraean, Pontine, Sulcitan, Tremiti, Tuscan, Ustica and the islands of the Venetian Lagoon.

PIEMONTE

Not only is this region the centre of Italian industry, the birthplace of the Fiat motor industry. It is also a region of great beauty and diversity. To the north and west are some of the highest peaks of the Alps, Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa. Piemonte is also the home to some of the most prestigious vineyards in the world and Europe's most important rice fields. The region's capital, Turin is an elegant Baroque city of beautiful squares and arcades.

SARDINIA

The popularity of Sardinia in recent years speaks for itself. Italy's second largest island offers vast white sandy beaches with crystal clear waters and isolated coves and caves. Consequently high quality beach hotels and accommodation have sprung up along the coastlines in recent years and it has gained a reputation as an ideal port of call for the yachting fraternity particularly along the Costa Smeralda. Sardinia has much more to offer though than just it's coastline, venturing inland you will find incredibly varying landscapes of green, lush tree covered rolling hills and pastures contrasting with spectacular 'Arizona' like rock formations.

SICILY

Only two and a half miles separate Sicily from mainland Italy but the largest of these Italian islands has an individuality, which almost defines it as a separate country. The proximity of Sicily to North Africa guarantees very hot summers and in spring wild flowers seem to blossom everywhere. The beautiful and cosmopolitan hill top town of Taormina overlooking the sea and the ancient Grecian coastal towns of Siracussaand Agrigento are amongst the main resorts located on the east and south coasts. The interior of the island offers a rolling landscape punctuated with hilltop towns and Greek temples. Citrus, olive groves and vast vineyards sweep down into the valleys. Palermo on the northern coast, struggles to keep up with the modern world, it's crumbling buildings of past civilisations provide an atmospheric backdrop to life in a fascinating city.

TRENTINO

Trentino Alto Adige in the north of Italy borders with Austria. Trentino is the italian speaking part of this region whilst Alto Adige or Sudtirol(south tyrol) is german speaking. Both cultures share the wonderful landscape of the Dolomites capped with snow for three months of the year, offering top skiing facilities and in spring, transforming to a mountain landscape carpeted with exquisite alpine plants.

TUSCANY

No introduction is needed to what is probably for the British visitor the most popular and well known region of Italy. The famous Chianti area offers rolling hills of fertile wine growing land punctuated by luxurious stone farmhouses and villas. Medieval fortified hilltop towns and cypress trees clumped together pointing dagger like to the large blue sky. The birthplace of Renaissance it gave rise to the great cities of florence, Lucca, Siena and Pisa and cradled the genius of Leonardo di Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and Botticelli. Tuscany has for centuries magnetised the traveller in search of beauty and culture.

UMBRIA

Cocooned between Tuscany, Lazio and Le Marche. Umbria is considered to be the green heart of Italy. The gentle beauty of the blue green hills, even through the hot summers and the tranquility and stillness of the region makes it an ideal retreat for the soul. Umbria has been the spiritual home of countless saints including St Francis of Assisi, St Benedict, St Claire and St.VAlentine and is, even today, an inspiration for painters following in the steps of Perugino. Manyof it's evocative medieval towns contain artworks that rival even Tuscany.

VENETO

Venice the capital of this region is one of the most famous and unique cities in the world and because of this, visitors often overlook the treasures that the Veneto region has to offer. Only a boat ride from the city is the Brenta canal. Lined with magnificent period summer palaces it provides an historic insight into the extravagant and stylish lifestyles of the past Venetian aristocracy. Padua, only a half hour drive from Venice is rich in art and Architecture. The exotic Basilica of St. Anthony attracts art and religious pilgrims the world over. Verona is second only to Rome for it's magnificent Roman ruins. The 1st century AD open air Arena is now the setting for major operatic productions and Lake Garda lies only a few miles to the west. Vicenza " The city of Palladio' is an architectural haven to followers of this most influential architects.