We're off to Italy! Italia is a country that has influenced the world so much and continues to do so. It's an amazing land of interesting cities, landscapes, food, people, art, and history. Italians are proud to wave their green, white, and red striped flag, although many of them still owe more allegiance to their region. It's a fairly new country in a very old land.
As you know, Italy is shaped like a "boot." We are going to start in the north and travel most of the length of the peninsula in our week there. We will see the contrasts in the North and South, city and country, very ancient and very modern.
As you know, Italy is shaped like a "boot." We are going to start in the north and travel most of the length of the peninsula in our week there. We will see the contrasts in the North and South, city and country, very ancient and very modern.
Italy has not always been "Italy." Yes, the Ancient Romans had a very unified empire for hundreds of years, but until just about 136 years ago Italy w
as really a bunch of different kingdoms, principalities, city-states, and other forms of government. During a lot of the late Middle Ages, Italy was caught between the Popes in Rome wanting more land and power and the "Holy Roman Empire," centered in the Germanic lands to the north, which also wanted more land and power. Amidst that tug-of-war, great city-states such as Venice, Genoa, and Naples became rich through sea trading and such inland cities as Milan and Florence became commercial centers.
Italy fi
nally was unified in 1871 and its first monarch was Vittorio Emmanuale. There is a large white marble monument to him right in the center of Rome on Piazza Venezia. Many Romans and visitors alike think this monument sticks out like a sore thumb. It overlooks the remains of the Roman Forum to the south and looks north to the historical center of Rome. People call it the "wedding cake" or the "marble typewriter." In any case, it represents the beginning of Italy as "nation" like we think of it.
Modern Italy is one of the most advanced, cultured nations on Earth. It has a thriving economy and people know how to live well. On the map below you can find the principle areas we will visit. We will land in Milan, but take a bus to Florence, in the heart of the region of Tuscany. After Florence, we will travel south to Rome and then on to the area near Naples. We will visit the Isle of Capri, stay in Sorrento, and visit the ancient city of Pompeii. Brindisi, on the "boot's heel," is where we will sail from.
North Italy is also very industrialized. The majority of Italy's weatlth and productivity is centered in the North. Modern office buildings and factories can be seen along with reminders of times past.
Italy has a large auto industry. Generally smaller cars, such as the Italian-made Fiat and other European cars, are what you see on the narrow streets, country roads, but also the high-speed Autostade. The cost of gasoline is high, so cars are more fuel-efficient than here.
Italy is extremely style-conscious. Some of the most famous fashion houses in the world such as Armani, Gucci, and Prada are located in Milan. This has an effect on what people wear in general. People pay more attention to clothing fashions in public.
Italian women generally know how to handle themselves with Italian men. It will be helpful to observe not only how Italian women dress, but also how they behave in public.
Italian design is world-famous. Not only are cars and clothing very stylish, but furniture and housewares tend to be very modern and elegant.
Italy not only creates beauty, but like other European countries that have a high standard of living and cost of labor, it must produce things such as industrial parts that fill a niche market and can compete against
as really a bunch of different kingdoms, principalities, city-states, and other forms of government. During a lot of the late Middle Ages, Italy was caught between the Popes in Rome wanting more land and power and the "Holy Roman Empire," centered in the Germanic lands to the north, which also wanted more land and power. Amidst that tug-of-war, great city-states such as Venice, Genoa, and Naples became rich through sea trading and such inland cities as Milan and Florence became commercial centers.Italy fi
nally was unified in 1871 and its first monarch was Vittorio Emmanuale. There is a large white marble monument to him right in the center of Rome on Piazza Venezia. Many Romans and visitors alike think this monument sticks out like a sore thumb. It overlooks the remains of the Roman Forum to the south and looks north to the historical center of Rome. People call it the "wedding cake" or the "marble typewriter." In any case, it represents the beginning of Italy as "nation" like we think of it.After World War I Italy became a republic but sank into a fascist dictat
orship under Benito Mussolini. He allied with Hitler and Italy suffered much during World War II.
orship under Benito Mussolini. He allied with Hitler and Italy suffered much during World War II.Modern Italy is one of the most advanced, cultured nations on Earth. It has a thriving economy and people know how to live well. On the map below you can find the principle areas we will visit. We will land in Milan, but take a bus to Florence, in the heart of the region of Tuscany. After Florence, we will travel south to Rome and then on to the area near Naples. We will visit the Isle of Capri, stay in Sorrento, and visit the ancient city of Pompeii. Brindisi, on the "boot's heel," is where we will sail from.
The North of Italy starts in the towering Alps. The Italian city of Torino hosted th
e 2006 Winter Olympics. Northern Italy is a land of mountains, beautiful lakes, and green, fertile river valleys.
e 2006 Winter Olympics. Northern Italy is a land of mountains, beautiful lakes, and green, fertile river valleys.
North Italy is also very industrialized. The majority of Italy's weatlth and productivity is centered in the North. Modern office buildings and factories can be seen along with reminders of times past.South Italy is much more rural and agricultural. The people of the South are often
viewed as the "poor cousins" by Northerners. The sunny south enjoys quite a bit of tourism and its traditions are maybe more familiar to us since many of the Italian immigrants to America tended to come more from the poorer south and the island of Sicily.
Soccer is something the Italians ae pssionate about. Soccer ( or calcio as it is known in Italy) is played everywhere and its fans follow the professio
nal teams fervently.
Italy is proud to have won the World Cup Championship in Germany in the summer of 2006. You can see proud reminders of their victory all over the country.
viewed as the "poor cousins" by Northerners. The sunny south enjoys quite a bit of tourism and its traditions are maybe more familiar to us since many of the Italian immigrants to America tended to come more from the poorer south and the island of Sicily.Soccer is something the Italians ae pssionate about. Soccer ( or calcio as it is known in Italy) is played everywhere and its fans follow the professio
nal teams fervently. Italy is proud to have won the World Cup Championship in Germany in the summer of 2006. You can see proud reminders of their victory all over the country.
Italy has a large auto industry. Generally smaller cars, such as the Italian-made Fiat and other European cars, are what you see on the narrow streets, country roads, but also the high-speed Autostade. The cost of gasoline is high, so cars are more fuel-efficient than here.
Italy is still famous for its exotic cars such as Lamborghini, Maserati, and Ferrari. These are expensive and shipped all over the world. More common on Italian streets are such sports cars as Alfa-Romeo.
Italy is extremely style-conscious. Some of the most famous fashion houses in the world such as Armani, Gucci, and Prada are located in Milan. This has an effect on what people wear in general. People pay more attention to clothing fashions in public.
Italian men have a reputation for being flirtatious. Although this may be an exaggerated stereotype, it is, like all stereotypes, somewhat based on reality. Parti
cularly foreign girls and women need to be cautious of male advances.
cularly foreign girls and women need to be cautious of male advances.Italian women generally know how to handle themselves with Italian men. It will be helpful to observe not only how Italian women dress, but also how they behave in public.
Italian design is world-famous. Not only are cars and clothing very stylish, but furniture and housewares tend to be very modern and elegant.
Italy not only creates beauty, but like other European countries that have a high standard of living and cost of labor, it must produce things such as industrial parts that fill a niche market and can compete against
Asian manufacturers in this very competitive world.
Italy will amaze you. Keep your eyes open. The things which you least expect will be what you may best remember.
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