It’s ridiculous to even think that a few hundred words here can convey how much there is to see in Italy – it is literally the home of so many cultures of the past, as well as being a cultural beacon in modern times. Anyone who breathes air and has life is sure to find something they enjoy in Italy and it would take a lifetime to list everything there is to see, never mind to see it all.

Rome is as good a place as any to begin, and the Eternal City has more than enough to keep anyone who visits occupied, and attracts countless tourists every year – the main tourist season being from around Easter time and running until October, when the city is full of gawking strangers being herded around by overworked tour guides. Outside of the season Rome is still just as spectacular to visit, even if the weather doesn’t hold up as well, and visitors are welcomed to a much calmer, more natural view of the magnificent city. It would be criminal, and let’s face it – insulting – to simply list what there is to see in the Italian capital, not to mention impossible to fit it all in, but anyone who experiences Rome has something that will stay with them forever.

The capital, however, is not the be-all of Italy, with the rest of the country home to even more delights the likes of which are just as spectacular as any of Rome’s, if not more so. Visitors to Florence are greeted by a city of renaissance-inspired wonder, home of elegance and masterpieces the likes of which the rest of the world could only dream of. The sinking city of water, Venice, greets visitors with the oft-lampooned gondolas and a genuinely mysterious air, along with a true sense of uniqueness. Those wishing to abandon the mainland are welcomed with open arms to the island of Sicily and the plethora of different cultures that have inspired the modern day island. Milan, Naples, Siena – the list could go on forever. There is nowhere in this country that isn’t worth visiting. Never mind what there is to see in the country though – a section on tourism in Italy couldn’t be complete without mentioning the food, and my word do the Italians enjoy it. If at all possible, experiencing a genuine Italian family meal is something everyone should do at least once in their lives – to see the absolute labour of love that the feast entails and gorge oneself for hours on end with the olive oil-coated delights. Even if it proves impossible to get involved with the family tradition, Italy has countless fine restaurants all waiting to impress visitors with the style and panache that their food is bursting with, not to mention the flavour! Just don’t forget to wash it all down with some locally-made wine or a fabulous latte.