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Explore Italy

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Location:
Italy

Currency:
euro (EUR)

Communications:
The telephone code for Italy: + 39

About:
In the 6th century BC, the powerful Etruscans of central Italy were overthrown by the Latin-speaking peoples of Rome, and from there the Romans conquered most of the Mediterranean, and other lands from northern Europe to Africa.

The Holy Roman Empire slowly declined and eventually faded into the history books. Centuries of invasions, occupations and wars followed - events that forever changed the culture and legacies of this amazing country and its gregarious people.

Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the regional states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL II.

An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist dictatorship. His disastrous alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War II.

A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy was a charter member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC). It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification, joining the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999.

Persistent problems include illegal immigration, organised crime, corruption, high unemployment, sluggish economic growth, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared with the prosperous north.

Some say the Italians invented tourism in the 16th century, and it is safe to say that no country has given the world more cultural icons, including fine automobiles, architecture, fashions, operas, paintings, sculptures, tenors, and we certainly can't forget food.

Italy has so much to see and do - highlighted by skiing in the Alps, the popular Lake District of the north, the stylish cities of Florence, Milan, Naples, Siena, Turin, Venice, and of course Rome, and the Holy See (Vatican City).

The world famous boot-shape peninsula of Italy, extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, is a rugged, mountainous country of stunning scenery that includes two major islands; (Sardinia) to the west, and (Sicily) off the southern coast.

Airports:

AERITALIA (LIMA)
ALBENGA (LIMG)
AMPUGNANO (LIQS)
BERGAMO ORIO AL SERIO (LIME)
BIELLA CERRIONE (LILE)
BOCCADIFALCO (LICP)
BRESSO (LIMB)
CAPODICHINO (LIRN)
CASALE (LIBR)
CATANIA FONTANAROSSA (LICC)
CIAMPINO (LIRA)
ELMAS (LIEE)
FALCONARA (LIPY)
FIUMICINO (LIRF)
GENOVA SESTRI (LIMJ)
GINO LISA (LIBF)
GROTTAGLIE (LIBG)
ISTRANA (LIPS)
LEVALDIGI (LIMZ)
LINATE (LIML)
MALPENSA (LIMC)
MATTARELLO (LIDT)
MONTICHIARI (LIPO)
OLBIA COSTA SMERALDA (LIEO)
PONTECAGNANO (LIRI)
RONCHI DEI LEGIONARI (LIPQ)
SIGONELLA (LICZ)
TRAPANI BIRGI (LICT)
URBE (LIRU)
VENEGONO (LILN)
VENEZIA TESSERA (LIPZ)
VERONA BOSCOMANTICO (LIPN)
VILLAFRANCA (LIPX)

Airlines:

Links

Italy online
Italy Tourism
Italy.com
Lonely planet guide
Italy Hotel | Hotel Italy | Hotel in Italy StayResitaly.com brings detailed information about Italy Hotel with description of each hotel. Read, compare the price, and make up your mind to book your accommodation at Italy Hotel. See special offers on hotels in Italy with a up to 70% discount.
Accommodation Venice | Apartment Rentals Venice apartments & flats for rent. Holiday accommodation in Venice apartment rentals, fully furnished flats ideal for self catering vacations. Special offers and easy on-line booking.
Savour the Sannio Cultural and culinary visits in Italy inland from Naples and the Amalfi Coast. Travel to Italy south of Rome, Italian Cooking School, Italian cuisine secrets. Cooking Retreat. Customized tours of wines and food, traditions and history of the Sannio.
Apartments in Rome Top vacation rental website Rome apartments for rent. Over 200 apartments in Rome center listed. Save up to 70% on hotels in Rome.
Cinque Terre Cinque Terre information for travelers to this gem on the Italian Riviera in the Liguria region of Northern Italy.
Lets Travel Rome An information and marketing site featuring all aspects of travel to Rome. The authors share their personal experiences of the City, and recommend great places to eat, stay, shop and relax. Free hotel guide available from the home page.
The Hill That Breathes The Hill That Breathes allows you to enjoy yoga holidays Italy, holistic holidays Italy and alternative holidays Italy.

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