Today we fly to Italy!

Italy is probably our favourite country in the world! Why? You have some of the most beautiful beaches for the summer, plenty of ski resorts for the winter, and arguably the best food and wine in the world, all year round. What’s not to love! Italy is the fifth most visited country by tourists each year, and thanks to its rich history and culture it also has the most UNESCO world heritage sites in the world (50!).

Food and wine are certainly one of the main reasons people visit the country. Not only is Italy the largest exporter of wine in the world, it is also is the birth place of some favourite international cuisines. Pizza and Pasta were of course invented here, and can be dated back as far as 2BC, meaning we’ve had plenty of time to perfect our recipe! Italy’s food is so good in fact, that on several tourism surveys it has been voted the best country in the world. When you are here, remember that the food is slightly different depending on region, if you are after Pizza the best can be found in Naples and if you want some of the best truffles in the world then Alba serves them by the bucket.

Coffee is another huge commodity in Italy, Italians consume 14 billion espressos a year, and although the coffee is not necessarily grown in Italy, attention to detail is taken over the grinding, temperature and even the kind of water used. Again, Napoli is probably the best place in the country to grab a great espresso, but the consistency is unparalleled throughout, so you’ll struggle to find a bad coffee wherever you go.

The temperature can reach 40°C in parts of Italy, and in the cites humidity levels can be unbearable, so you’ll want to find a spot to cool off. Italy’s coastline is a paradise, crystal clear blue sea and white beaches paired with mammoth portions of sea food and wine are hard to beat anywhere in the world. Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany and the Amalfi coast are some of our favourite regions for beaches. There are also many islands around the coast which can be accessed by a short trip on a yacht, there you’ll find some mystical gems and feel more in touch with the local’s way of life than on the mainland.

If its hiking and skiing you’re after, then Italy has you covered there too. The country is connected to the highest mountain ranges in Europe – the Dolomites and the Alps, with part of the Mont Blanc sitting nicely inside Italy. Italy also holds the only active volcanoes in Europe: Etna, Stromboli and Vesuvius which make for jaw dropping hikes. If skiing’s your thing, then resorts such as Cortina d’Ampezzo and Courmayeur offer world class skiing as well as the quality of food expected across Italy.

Tourism is one of Italy’s most profitable sectors and there’s no surprise why. The country is full of world famous monuments, bursting with culture and history. All of which are on most people’s bucket list. Some of the main attractions can be found in Rome – including the colosseum, the Trevi fountain and the world’s smallest country/ centre of the catholic church – the Vatican City. In other parts of Italy, you can find delights such as the ancient ruins of Pompeii, where time stands still after a volcano eruption preserved the city in 79AD, the leaning tower of Pisa and the canals of Venice.

If its glitz and glamour you’re after, you can’t miss a chance to visit lake Como, the upscale resort situated beside Italy’s third largest lake, is home to many celebrities including Madonna, George Clooney and Richard Branson. With picturesque views of the alps and bags of wildlife, it is one of the most beautiful and luxurious places to visit in Italy.

Lastly, how could we not mention the art in Italy. Several of the most influential Renaissance artists in the world originated here and the work certainly stands the test of time. Littered around all of Italy’s largest cities you can find work by Michelangelo, Da Vinci and Botticelli to name a few. You can see amazing sculptures such as Michelangelo’s Statue of David in Florence or world famous paintings such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper in Milan.

Are you tempted to make an impromptu trip to Italy yet? We’d love to help you explore our beautiful country by flying private. Just give us a call or contact us through our websites live chat, and we’ll arrange flights to as many cities as you can cram in! If there’s anything you’d like to hear us discuss in more detail, why not send us a message on Facebook. We’d be happy to write about it in the future!