Full time travel writer Rebecca focuses on Britain and Italy when writing. Contributing regularly to the Daily Express and Sunday Express, Rebecca has also written for over 25 guidebooks and has won 2 awards from the British Guild of Travel Writers. Rebecca reveals to ebookers why Italy inspires her creative writing.
I’ll never get tired of visiting Italy. Well, who could tire of a country that has given us everything from Michelangelo’s David to Dolce and Gabbana? The scenery is stunning and extraordinarily varied: dramatic mountains in Piedmont, sunflowers and sleepy vineyards in Tuscany, picture-perfect fishing villages in Liguria, and smoking volcanoes on the southernmost islands. Add to that warm, lively people; delicious food and wine; fabulous fashion; chic cities; oh yes, and world-class art and culture, and you’ve got a combination that’s hard to beat.
Fabulous Food
Italy has only been a unified country since 1860 and strong regional differences still exist. The alpine South Tyrol in the north, for instance, is mainly German speaking; while the hot blooded island of Sicily is a potent blend of Greek, Arab, Roman and Spanish influences. These differences are reflected in the delicious cuisine (you might as well abandon the diet while you’re here, the food’s just too good to miss). Sicilian dishes are strong on seafood, as you’d expect for an island, but you’ll also find all sorts of pastries and sweetmeats that look distinctly North African – a legacy of generations of Arab rule. Market stalls burst with pistachio nuts, almonds, figs and lemons. Don’t miss the ice-cream – it was invented here. The Sicilian speciality is cassata, a wicked mix of ricotta cheese, sponge and candied peel.
Pasta is the dish that most people associate with Italy, but don’t just stick to eating that on holiday. Look out for traditional risotto and polenta (corn meal) dishes if you’re in Piedmont or Lombardy; apple strudel and Germanic style dumplings in the South Tyrol, and pizza of course in Naples – where it’s always deliciously thin and crispy, never ‘deep pan’.
Taste the Wine
If you like a glass or two of wine then you can put together some great wine tasting tours, especially in Tuscany. One popular route is to drive the chiantigiana, the quiet road that cuts through the Chianti region. Alternatively you can explore the hill-towns of southern Tuscany, many of which are surrounded by vineyards and glorious rolling countryside. Most popular stops are Montalcino, famous for its rich red Brunello, and Montepulciano, noted for its Vino Nobile. Even if you don’t buy the wine it’s fun to take a tour of the cellars – and you’ll generally get a tasting too.
Fashion Heaven
The Italians are noted for their style (they can even make a simple jeans and t-shirt combo look fabulous) and everyone – men and women - takes their shopping seriously. The fashionistas’ favourite city is Milan, with big name stores clustered around the Quadrilatero d’Oro – the Golden Quadrangle - which takes in the area of Via Borgo Spesso and Via della Spiga. Rome comes a close second, with the slickest – and most expensive shops, lining Via dei Condotti. However other Italian cities also have plenty to offer fashion bunnies. Turin is particularly good, with loads of choice and some good prices – especially along the Via Garibaldi. It’s in the north too, so just a short flight from the UK – ideal for a shopping weekend. If your heart’s set on designer clothing at bargain prices, then base yourself in Florence or Arezzo. Both these cities are within reasonably easy reach of Tuscany’s designer discount outlets, such as The Mall at Leccio Reggello. They stock goods by big names such as Gucci, Armani, Prada and Dolce and Gabbana. Come early – they’re very popular.
Sparkling Seas
The Italian coastline is as varied as its countryside. Some of its resorts are large and lively – like Rimini on the Adriatic, which is great for beaches and bustling nightlife. Others are quieter and more romantic, such as Sorrento and Positano – both of which are within easy reach of historic Pompeii, the perfectly preserved Roman town which was destroyed when Vesuvius erupted in AD79. You can climb up Vesuvius if you want: it’s still an active volcano.
Italy’s islands are also well worth a trip. Sicily, to the south, is the largest but there are plenty more. The Aeolian Islands, just off Sicily, are a group of seven volcanic islands which attract a fashionable crowd. Stromboli is the most striking: it’s crowned with one of the most active volcanoes in Europe, continually spurting smoke and lava into the air. Sardinia is different again: wild and rugged, with a strong Catalan influence.
One of the most picturesque coastal areas is in the north. The Cinque Terre, or Five Lands, are five fishing villages in Liguria – the region of Italy that borders with France. Their pastel coloured houses cling to the cliffs so dramatically, they look as if they might topple into their tiny harbours. A short distance along the coast is one of the ritziest resorts in Europe: Portofino. This former fishing village is where the rich and famous come to top up their sun tans. They generally anchor their yachts just outside the gorgeous little harbour, then come ashore to eat in the evening.
Cultural Treasures
You don’t have to be a culture vulture to be impressed by Italy’s treasures. The trouble is there are so many that it’s difficult to know where to start. Top of the list in Rome are reminders of the ancient city, such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Forum – the heart of the Roman Empire. Then there’s the Vatican of course, with Michelangelo’s lavish frescoes on the ceiling of the (surprisingly small) Sistine Chapel. Romantic Venice is a treasure in itself while Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, is heaven for art lovers. The Uffizi gallery alone is crammed with works by Michelangelo, Botticelli, Fra Angelico and Leonardo da Vinci. But don’t forget Italy’s smaller cities. Siena, for example, makes a great weekend destination. It’s an extraordinary maze of medieval buildings ranged around the Campo, a stunning shell-shaped piazza. Then there’s Lucca, a pretty walled city in the north of Tuscany; Bologna, with its elegantly decorated porticoes and…well, you just have to go and discover for yourself.
