Discovery Villas
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Holidays in Italy
Places to Visit - Italy
Renowned for being one of the most romantic countries in the world, Italy also has one of the oldest tourist industries. In the 18th and 19th centuries Italy was a popular holiday destination amongst rich European and American tourists, especially Venice, Florence, Tuscany, Rome and Naples.
Today, little has changed except that visitors now flock to Italy in their millions each year. So what makes Italy such popular holiday destination?
For many, the introduction of low cost, budget airlines now makes a romantic, short, weekend city break easier than ever. For others, the draw of a villa holiday amongst the rolling hills and olive groves of Tuscany, proves too great to resist.
In this section we look at some of the most popular Italian holiday destinations, including Rome, Milan, Venice and the beautiful Tuscany region.
Places to visit
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- Tuscany & Umbria
- Naples, Pompei & the Amalfi Coast
- Rome
- Milan
- Venice
With its pleasant climate, beautiful countryside and excellent wine & food, Tuscany is for many, the jewel in Italy's crown. So much so that many Brit's now either own their own holiday villas in Tuscany or have gone one step further and have moved there permanently.
To the north of Tuscany is Pisa, famous for its leaning tower, "Torre Pendente." Built between 1173 & 1350, the Tower started to lean in 1274. In 1990 it was closed to the public because it was leaning so much (about 5.5m) but was re-opened in 2001 following a great deal of restoration and structural engineering.
For an Italian villa holiday that offers a little bit of everything you've got to head for the Bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast. With over 30km of spectacular coastline, mixed with quiet traditional fishing villages, and amazingly turquoise waters, the Amalfi Coast provides an ideal base from which to explore the local region.
Pompei - Destroyed when Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD79, the ancient city of Pompei has been under excavation for over 250 years and provides a fascinating glimpse of everyday Roman life.
What makes Pompei so unique is due to the speed at which Vesuvius erupted and devastated the town. The first eruption occurred on the morning of August 24th 79AD. Within 24 hours a layer of fine ash and hot embers covered the town to a depth of over 6 meters making escape almost impossible. As a result about 10% of the population died and were "frozen in time" by the lava and ash. Casts of some of the bodies can still be seen today "frozen" in the position in which they died.
Whilst only a few of the excavated buildings are open to the public there is far too much to cover in just one day.
In the words of the Monty Python team..... "What have the Romans ever done for us...?" Well, apart from the aquaducts, sanitation, and roads, they've provided us with one of the most emotional, romantic (and sometimes "over-the-top") cities in the world.
If you want to be transported back in time, a trip to the Colosseum is a must. Built in the 1st century AD by Emperor Vespasian, the Colosseum could accommodate over 55,000 spectators.. just as well as it remains one of Rome's top tourist attractions!
For a complete contrast to the blood thirsty atmosphere of the Colosseum visit St Peter's & the Vatican.
St Peter's - At 187m long, St Peter's is one of the largest churches in the world (the length of other cathedrals are marked on the central nave). The dome was designed by Michelangelo and measures 132.5m high.
The Vatican - World famous as the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, the Vatican is also home to a huge museum which could easily take days to explore fully. However, it's well worth a visit as it provides a fascinating"who's who" of Italian architects, artists, emperors, and other important figures who have shaped it's history and development. Of course, no visit would be complete without a visit to the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512.
In contrast to Rome, Milan is regarded as Italy's most vibrant city with bustling streets, stylish bars & restaurants, and top names in fashion making it a Mecca for shoppers everywhere.
If shopping isn't your thing (or if your credit card needs a break!) head to Milan Cathedral which is the 3rd largest church in Europe measuring 157m long and 92m wide. Work started on "Duomo di Milano" in 1386 but wasn't completed until 1809. A trip to the roof offers a stunning view over Milan and out towards the Alps.
In front of the cathedral is a large open piazza which is almost as well known as the cathedral itself, and is a great place to have a coffee, relax and partake in a spot of "people watching" - another great Italian past time.
Whilst everyone think they "know" Venice nothing can quite prepare you for it's beauty as it emerges from the murky Venetian waters. For the romantics among us a trip on the Grand Canal in a Gondola is a must (but make sure you agree a price first), but if you don't mind sharing the journey with a few dozen strangers a river boat then you can see just as much.
For land lovers, set foot on dry land and head for St Mark's square. Virtually every surface inside the "Basilica San Marco" is decorated with mosaics and it's home to many gold, priceless artifacts.
For kids (or adults) with a gory disposition, the prison cells and torture chamber at Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace) hint that, at one time, not all was well in Venice.
Italian holiday accommodation
If you're still looking for your holiday accommodation then Discovery Villas have a wide selection of rental holiday homes with pools, ideally situated for exploring all parts of Italy including Tuscany, Milan, Rome and Naples.