The Alpine foothills are characterized by large lakes: Lake Maggiore and the lakes of Como, Iseo and Garda. The Apennines form the backbone of the peninsula, stretching in a wide arc concave to the Tyrrhenian Sea. The Corno Grande (Gran Sasso d'Italia) is the highest peak. A large part of central Italy is characterized by a green hilly landscape, through which the rivers Arno and Tevere (Tiber) run. The southern section of the chain pushes out to the east forming the Gargano promontory and, sloping down further south, the Salentine peninsula. Itthen proceeds to the west with the Calabrian and Peloritano massif stretching across the Strait of Messina into Sicilia.The principal islands are Sicilia, rising up to the great volcanic cone of Etna (10,860 feet) and Sardegna. The main archipelagos are the Tremiti Islands in the Adriatic Sea, the Tuscan Archipelago, the Pontine Islands, the Aeolian Islands and the Egadi Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the coast of Sicilia.
People have visited Italy for centuries, yet the first actual tourists to come to Italy for touristic reasons were aristocrats during the Grand Tour, beginning in the late 17th century, and flourishing in the 18th century.
Rome, as the capital of the powerful and influential Roman Empire attracted thousands to the city and country from all over the empire, which included most of the Mediterranean, Northern Africa, mainland Great Britain (England) and the parts of the Middle East. Traders and merchants came to Italy from several different parts of the world.
Islands such as Capri became popular in the late 18th century and first decade of the 19th century
When the empire fell in 476 AD, Rome was no longer the European political and cultural epicentre, yet the base of the papacy, which then governed the growing Christianity meant that Rome remained one of Europe's greatest religious centres and places of pilgrimage. Pilgrims, for centuries and still today, would come to Rome, and that would have been the early equivalent of "tourism" or "religious tourism". The trade empires of Venice, Pisa and Genoa meant that several traders, businessmen and merchants from all over the world would also regularly come to Italy. In the 16th and early 17th century, with the height of the Renaissance, several students came to Italy to study Italian architecture, such as Inigo Jones.
Grand Tour
Despite some previous forms of tourism, real "tourism" only began in Italy in the second-half of the 17th century, with the beginning of the Grand Tour. This was a period in which European, notably British, aristocrats travelled parts of Europe, most famously, Italy, to study architecture and the culture of those places. The Grand Tour was in essence triggered by the book "Voyage to Italy" by the Roman Catholic priest Richard Lassels and published in 1670,which mentioned the several sights and the different culture of the country. The Tour in Italy would begin with the tourists visiting Turin for a short while. On the way there, Milan was also a popular stop, yet visiting the city was not considered essential, and several passed by or simply stayed there for a very short period of time. If a person came via boat, then they would remain a few days in Genoa, which was also considered a significant stop in the tour. Yet, the main destination in Northern Italy was Venice, which was considered a vital stop, and also the cities around it such as Verona, Vicenza and Padua. Tourists rarely, yet occasionally, got to Trieste.
As the Tour went on, Tuscan cities were also a very important stops, which was significant, yet not essential. It was considered better for a person to stop in Florence, and several would if they had the time. Other Tuscan towns, such as Siena, Pisa, Lucca and San Gimignano were considered important itineries. The most important stop in Central Italy, however, was Rome, the most important city in Italy and the essential itinery for any Grand Tourist. Later, the tourist would go down to the Bay of Naples, and after 1756, when they were discovered, Pompeii and Herculaneum were popular too. Sicily was considered a significant part of the trail, and several, such as Goethe visited the island, yet it was, like Tuscany, not a vital stop.
Mass tourism
An old poster from the 1910s advertising Amalfi as a holiday destination.
The Grand Tour was, in the 17th century, mainly only for academics, priests and important people, yet by the 18th century, wealthy families also commonly took part in the Grand Tour. However, by around 1840, when rail transport was introduced and the Grand Tour began to slightly fall out of vogue, visiting Italy was no longer considered something for the elite, and the first form of mass-tourism was introduced. The 1840s saw the period in which the Victorian middle-classes began to tour the country too, unlike the Georgian upper-classes in the 18th century. Several Americans were also able to visit Italy, and several more tourists came to the country. Places such as Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples and Sicily still remained the top attractions. By the 1850s, less-cultural visits began to be made, and several tourists also came to Italy for its nature and weather. The first sea-side resorts, such as those in the Ligurian coast, those around Venice, coastal Tuscany and the Amalfi coast became popular. This vogue of summer holidays heightened in the 1890s and first decade of the 20th century, when the first "Grand Hotels" and holiday resorts began to be built, notably in Sanremo, Lido di Venezia, Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi. Islands such as Capri, Ischia, Procida and Elba became more popular, and the Northern Lakes, such as Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and Lake Garda became more frequently visited, notably by wealthy foreigners and academics. Tourism to Italy remained very popular until the late-1920s and early-1930s, when, with the Great Depression and the economic crisis, several could no longer afford to visit the country, and the increasing political instability in the country meant that less and less tourists came. Only old touristic groups, such as the Scorpioni in Tuscany remained alive.
Resorts such as Rimini became popular with Italians in the 1960s and 70s.
After a big slump in the number of tourists beginning from approximately 1929 and lasting after World War II, tourism became popular again in Italy, with the Italian economic miracle and raised living standards, and also the popularity of Italian films such as La Dolce Vita abroad, whose depiction of the perceived lazy and idyllic life in Italy brought back tourism to the country. By this point, with higher incomes, Italians could also afford to go on holiday, and new holiday resorts opened up in the coastline, especially in the Romagna coast. Cheap hotels and pensioni (hostels) were built in the 1960s, and with the rise of wealth, by now, even a working-class Italian family could afford a one-week holiday somewhere along the Italian coast. The late-1960s also brought mass-popularity to mountain holidays and skiing, which, from the 1930s, was something reserved for the elite. In Piedmont and the Aosta Valley, ski resorts and chalets began to be built. The 1970s also brought a wave of foreign tourists to Italy, since Mediterranean resorts saw a rise in international visitors.
Despite this, by the late-1970s and early-1980s, economic crises and political instability meant that there was a significant slump in the Italian tourist industry, as more foreign destinations such as in the Far East or South America rose in popularity. Yet, by the very-late 1980s and early 1990s, the tourism re-arose in popularity, and cities such as Milan became more popular destinations. Milan saw a rise in tourists, since it began to ripen its position as an international fashion capital, and several came there to shop and see the different designer labels of the city.
Regions
Northwest Italy
Home of the Italian Riviera, including Portofino, and of Cinque Terre. There are many historic cities in this part of Italy such as Turin, the manufacturing capital of Italy, Milan, the business and fashion capital of the country, and the important port of Genoa share the region's visitors with beautiful landscapes like the Lake Como area.
Northeast Italy
This part of Italy also boasts several important tourist attractions, such as the canal-filled city of Venice, the cities of Verona, Vicenza, Padua, Trento, Bolzano, Bologna, Ferrara, Piacenza, Parma, Ravenna and Trieste. There are also several mountain ranges such as the Dolomites, the Carnic and Julian Alps and first-class ski resorts like Cortina d'Ampezzo and Madonna di Campiglio.These four regions offer much to see and do. The area has a unique cuisine, including wines and dishes such as Prosecco and Tiramisu in Veneto and Cotechino, Ragu and Parma ham in Emilia Romagna, San Daniele ham and white D.O.C. wines in Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
Central Italy
This area is possibly the most visited in Italy and contains many popular attractions. Rome boasts the remaining wonders of the Roman Empire and some of the world's best known landmarks such as the Colosseum. Florence, regarded as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, is Tuscany's most visited city, whereas nearby cities like Siena, Pisa, and Lucca also have rich cultural heritages. Umbria's population is small but it has many important cities such as Perugia and Assisi.
Southern Italy
Naples is the most visited city in the area, and the ruins of Pompeii are the most visited sights. Other important tourist destinations include the Amalfi Coast and Ravello, Apulia and the beaches and sights of Calabria, as well as up-and-coming agritourism make this less visited region become increasingly popular.
Sicily
The largest island in the country is a diverse and popular tourist island, famous for its archaeology, seascape and unique Sicilian cuisine.
Sardinia
Large island some 250 kilometers west of the Italian coastline. It includes several popular tourist attractions and has several beaches and archaeological ruins.
Ancient resorts
The Forum with Vesuvius in the distance. Pompeii is Italy's third and the world's 48th most visited destination, with over 2.5 million tourists a year.
Italy has some of the world's most ancient tourist resorts, dating back to the time of the Roman Republic, when destinations such as Pompeii, Naples, Ischia, Capri and especially Baiae were popular with the rich of Roman society. Pompeii is currently Italy's third the world's 48th most visited tourist destination, with over 2.5 million tourists a year
Cities
Rome
Main article: Tourism in Rome
The Colosseum, Rome's second and the world's 39th most popular tourist attraction, with 4 million tourists a year.
Rome is one of the most visited cities in the world, with an average of 7-10 million tourists a year. The Colosseum (4 million tourists) and the Vatican Museums (4.2 million tourists) are the 39th and 37th (respectively) most visited places in the world, according to a recent study. Other main sights in the city include the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, St Peter's Basilica, the Roman Forum, Castel Sant'Angelo, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Spanish Steps, Villa Borghese park, Piazza del Popolo, the Trastevere and the Janiculum. In 2005 the city registered 19.5 million of global visitors, up of 22.1% from 2001. and also, in 2006 Rome has been visited by 6.03 million of international tourists, reaching the 8th place in the ranking of the world's 150 most visited cities.
Milan
Main article: Tourism in Milan
The Vatican Museums are the world's 37th most visited tourist destination, with over 4.2 million tourists a year.
Milan is one of EU's most important tourist destinations, and Italy's second; with 1.902 million arrivals in 2007 and 1.914 million in 2008, it places itself 42nd and 52nd respectively, most visited city in the world. According to a particular source, 56% of international visitors to Milan are from Europe, whilst 44% of the city's tourists are Italian, and 56% are from abroad. The most important European Union markets are the United Kingdom (16%), Germany (9%) and France (6%). According to the same study, most of the visitors who come from the USA to the city go on business matters, whilst Chinese and Japanese tourists mainly take up the leisure segment. The city boasts several popular tourist attractions, such as the city's Duomo and Piazza, the Teatro alla Scala, the San Siro Stadium, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the Castello Sforzesco, the Pinacoteca di Brera and the Via Monte Napoleone. Most tourists visit sights such as Milan Cathedral, the Castello Sforzesco and the Teatro alla Scala, however, other main sights such as the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, the Navigli and the Brera district are less visited and prove to be less popular. The city also has numerous hotels, including the ultra-luxurious Town House Galleria, which is the world's first seven-star hotel, ranked officially by the Société Générale de Surveillance, and one of The Leading Hotels of the World. The average stay for a tourist in the city is of 3.43 nights, whilst foreigners stay for longer periods of time, 77% of which stay for a 2-5 night average. Of the 75% of visitors which stay in hotels, 4-star ones are the most popular (47%), whilst 5-stars, or less than 3-stars rapresent 11% and 15% of the charts respectively.
Other cities
Florence and the River Arno, with Ponte Vecchio in the foreground
- Bologna—home of the first university in the western world. This city has a rich history, culture, and technology. Bologna is well known for its cuisine.
- Florence (Firenze)—the city of Renaissance. This city is known for its architecture and art and for the impact it has had throughout the world. Florence is also home to Michelangelo's famous statue of David. Home to many other well-known museums of art.
- Genoa (Genova)—it was one of the most important medieval maritime republic. Very wealthy and diverse city. Its port brings in tourism and trade, along with art and architecture. Genoa is birthplace of Columbus and jeans.
- Naples (Napoli)—is one of the oldest cities of the western world, with a historic city centre that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Naples is also near the famous volcano Vesuvius and the ruins of the ancient Roman towns of Pompeii and Ercolano.
- Pisa—one the medieval maritime republic, is home to the unmistakable image of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Very touristy city. Streets are filled with vendors who will try to sell you anything. Famous too for the University "La Normale".
- Turin (Torino)—first capital of Italy, after being the capital of Kingdom of Sardinia (actually Piedmont-centred), what had promoted national reunification. Home of the FIAT, the most important industry in Italy,. Turin is a well known industrial city, based on the aerospace industry and, of course, automobile industry. Home of the 2006 Winter Olympics.
- Venice (Venezia)—known for its history (the most important, beside Genoa and Pisa, of the medieval maritime republics), art, and world famous canals. One of the most beautiful cities in Italy; it is home to Island of Murano, which is famous for its hand-blown glass. St. Mark's Square is where most of the tourists are and can get very crowded in the summertime.
Other popular destinations
The popular tourist hotspot Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Apart from Rome, Milan, Venice and Florence are the top destinations for tourism in Italy. Other major tourist locations include Turin, Naples, Padua, Bologna, Perugia, Genoa, Sicily, Sardinia, Salento and Cinque Terre. Two factors in each of these locations are history and geography. The Roman Empire, middle ages, and renaissance have left many cultural artifacts for the Italian tourist industry to use. Many northern cities are also able to use the Alps as an attraction for winter sports, while coastal southern cities have the Mediterranean Sea to draw tourists looking for sun.
The church of Santa Maria della Salute, in Venice.
The Uffizi art gallery in Florence. It receives an estimated 1.6 million tourists a year
Italy is home to forty four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, more than any other country, including many entire cities such as Verona, Siena, Vicenza, Ferrara, San Gimignano, and Urbino. Ravenna hosts an unprecedented eight different internationally recognized sites.
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