The capital and largest city is Rome. Other major cities are Florence, Milan, Naples, and Venice. The country is known for its great culinay and wine traditions, ice cream, art, antique architecture, gardens, opera, fast expensive cars, fashion, film, football, nature, a life of exuberant pleasure and luxury. Italy has given rise to a number of architectural styles, including classical Roman, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical. Italy is home to some of the most famous structures in the world, including the Colosseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The concept of a basilica — which was originally used to describe an open public court building and evolved to mean a Catholic pilgrimage site — was born in Italy.

Italy also is home to many castles… Opera has its roots in Italy and many famous operas — including “Aida” and “La Traviata,” both by Giuseppe Verdi, and “Pagliacci” by Ruggero Leoncavallo — were written in Italian and are still performed in the native language. Italy is also home to a number of world-renowned fashion houses, including Armani, Gucci, Valentino, Cavalli, Versace and Prada.

Italian cuisine has influenced food culture around the world and is viewed as a form of art by many. Wine, cheese and pasta are important part of Italian meals. For Italians, food isn’t just nourishment, it is life.”Family gatherings are frequent and often centred around food and the extended networks of families,” said Wagner. Last but not least, Italy is the country of the thousands little towns and villages, all different and to be discovered for their art, history, traditions and human heritage.