Italy has inspired painters and poets for centuries with its stunning landscapes, golden light and rich cultural heritage. It is stylish, passionate and volatile and, perhaps more than any other country has strongly influenced the course of European development, particularly in political thought and culture.
Italy offers enormous variety in its natural scenery and historical backgrounds due to a large part of it growing up as a collection of independent city-states. Customs and food therefore vary greatly from region to region and the country’s rich history is preserved in the colourful folklore festivals that take place in all of Italy’s regions throughout the year.