Next year, Italy will introduce a flurry of new train routes, especially for tourists.
19.07.2023 - 11:23 / roughguides.com / Benito Mussolini
There are plenty of fun facts about Italy. It's one of Europe's most visited countries. The history's long. The culture's rich. And the food's delectable. But what do you actually know? Here are our interesting facts about Italy. Time to test your knowledge.
The information in this article is taken from The Rough Guide to Italy — your essential guide to visiting Italy. Not only did you vote this one of the most beautiful countries in the world, but a trio of Italian cities — Florence, Rome and Venice — featured in our survey of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Italy has one of Europe's longest histories, yet it's only been a country since 1861. In Roman timesItaly was a single entity. It then divided into a collection of sovereign states and remained that way until 1861.
This long history of individuality is why the country today has such a wide range of cultural variations.
Statue of Victor Emmanuel II at Piazza Venezia in Rome © reuerendo/Shutterstock
Rome was founded in 753 BC and the Roman Empire was born in 27 BC. The Empire ruled Europe and parts of North Africa right up until 395 AD. After the fall of the Empire, Italy divided into separate states until 1861. Italy's national day is called Festa della Repubblica and it's celebrated each year on 2 June.
Planning a break in the Eternal City? Discover the best area to stay in Rome.
Benito Mussolini established a dictatorship in Italy in 1925 and ruled the country until 1945.
Known as Il Duce at the height of his powers, Mussolini wasn't always a fascist. In fact he began his political life as a radical socialist, and served as Italian PM until 1922.
During WWII, he aligned Italy with Germany and, in 1945, was executed by partisan troops.
1930s Italian stamp
Next year, Italy will introduce a flurry of new train routes, especially for tourists.
Travel has gotten weird. First, nobody did it for a couple of years. Then everybody did it at once and airports fell apart. “Revenge travel,” became a thing. Airports mostly figured out how to keep track of luggage, and people kept going places—too often the same ones. Major cities across Europe have enacted anti-tourism policies.
It’s hard to know if Milan’s fashionistas are bemused more by my driving or by my vehicle as I stall, splutter and crunch the gears while double-parking the tuk-tuk on Via Monte Napoleone, the city’s swankiest street. Both it and I look comically out of place on a thoroughfare dripping with designer shops and high-end motors. I’ve just seen a Hermès shirt with a €10,500 price tag and spotted the Argentina World Cup winner and Inter Milan star Lautaro Martínez laden with Gucci shopping bags, and bouncing into a blacked-out Hummer with his girlfriend and minder.
Wearing a crimson and sunshine-yellow flower crown, the young man is surrounded by his family, before there is the pop of the vino frizzante and the royal blue cups are filled for a merry toast to celebrate his graduation.
Dream tips like sailing around the Greek Islands or along the Amalfi Coast are only for the rich and famous, right? Not anymore.
Last year when Italy’s Cinque Terre decided to limit the amount of tourists that visit each year, overtourism once again came to the forefront of many people’s travel plans. While other popular landmarks and cities also had tourist caps or were exploring crowd-limiting options, iconic Cinque Terre’s cap has gained a lot of attention, and is part of a rising trend.
Here’s a secret: If you want to visit Europe during peak season without the crowds, take to the ocean. A small-ship sailing tour lets you explore the hidden gems of Croatia, Italy, or Greece, without having to fight traffic or cram yourself on a crowded train.
Top 10 lists are ubiquitous, especially in travel; it seems there’s one for everything. And when it comes to destinations, whether it’s a “most popular” or “up-and-coming” ranking, these lists tend to be a mix of well-known cities and semi-under-the-radar places. Unless you’re a Booking.com user planning 2020 travel, apparently.
Mama Doris is running late, as to be expected. She is the queen of the bingo hall, after all.
Tourists flock to Lake Garda in summer for the laidback lakeside lifestyle, cool water and pretty towns.
Experienced travelers know that transportation is not just about getting from point A to B — the journey must be savored. And what better way to enjoy the ride than spending the night in a moving train? Sleeper trains in Europe may not be as ubiquitous as they once were, but there are still enough of them out there to take you on a grand tour of Europe, from the wilds of Scotland to London, Istanbul, and even all way across the Arctic Circle.
Synonymous with fashion, finance, and on-the-pulse architecture, Milan hotels reflect the character of Italy’s wealthiest city. Five-star properties place you steps from the Duomo or feature rooftop hangouts with insane views. As the capital of the Lombardy region, Milan also serves as the gateway to Northern Italy’s Lake District and the Dolomites. Whether you’re flying in to shop or cheer on your favorite football team, surrender yourself to Milanese luxury at these vogueish hotels in Milan, Italy.