There’s a reason they call Italy the Bel Paese or the Beautiful Country. The country is littered with the relics of more than 3,000 years of history and is home to more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country on earth. The birthplace of da Vinci, Michelangelo, Caravaggio and Botticelli, there are some seriously blockbuster artworks to be seen. Its cities reveal awe-inspiring architecture from the curved arches of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence to the crumbling magnificence of the Colosseum in Rome. Nestled into the outskirts of Rome is the independent Vatican City, the seat of the Pope and home to the famous St Peter's Basilica and Sistine Chapel. Whether it’s the Armani-wearing, scooter-driving, espresso-drinking buzz of its cities or the quiet, pastoral existence of its beautiful hillside olive farms and seaside fishing villages that most appeals, grab yourself a gelato and start making memories.
