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Planet In1 Destination Europe - Italy
If you are looking for a quality hotel at the right price, you have come to the right place. We have hundreds of hotels throughout the continent of Europe, from Norway to the sunny Greek Islands and from the Ukraine to the Emerald Isle. We feature accommodation to suit your every requirement, whether you want to improve your golf handicap in Portugal or visit your Swiss banker.

Bordered by France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia to the north, the peninsula of Italy is shaped like a boot, jutting out into the Ligurian, Tyrrhenian, Ionian and Adriatic Seas.

The climate is mainly Mediterranean, with more extreme weather in the Alpine regions in the extreme north.

At one time the country had one of the largest empires in the world and helped spread the tentacles of civilisation; roads, aqueducts and cities, to many parts of the globe.

Italy has a well-deserved reputation as a centre of culture. Leonardo da Vinci and Michaelangelo, Puccini and Rossini, Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli are all household names, while second generation Sinatra and Madonna are as well known as sliced bread.

Italian cuisine is enjoyed all over the world, from the pizza aficionado to those preferring the long, leisurely family pasta meals so favoured by Italians. All washed down of course by a bottle or two of one of the many varieties of wine produced in Italy.

It produces and exports more than any other country and offers the greatest variety of types, being one of the first areas to grow grapes especially for winemaking.

The fashions of Versace, Armani and Valentino are appreciated by men and women alike and have brought fame to the fashion houses of Milan. The Italian motor industry has made an impact worldwide, from the family Fiat to the sporty Ferrari and continues to play a big part in the country's economy.

Rome, the eternal city, is synonymous with history, Julius Caesar, The Vatican, the Pope, churches, monuments, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Forum, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps. The list is endless. Rome is a big city; its population roughly equals that of the Republic of Ireland and bustling is a good description. The old, the ancient and the modern exist side by side and it is definitely a city for sightseeing, with a good guidebook and comfortable walking shoes. Speaking of shoes, it's also great for shopping.

Vatican city, the country within a city, is the world's smallest independent state. St. Peter's Square can be seen packed with Catholic pilgrims every day of the week, hoping for a glance at or a blessing from the Pontiff.

Milan, in the industrial north of Italy, is the country's business and finance centre. Visitors come for fashion shopping and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is one of the world's most beautiful shopping malls.

Milan's Duomo was built in 1386 and is the world's largest Gothic cathedral. The famous La Scala theatre and museum is a must for lovers of opera. There are numerous museums and art galleries, with Michaelangelo's last unfinished work, Pieta Rondanini, to be seen in the Museum of Historic Art in Sforza Castle. The Leonardo da Vinci National Science and Technology Museum contains models of the many machines designed by the artist.

Turin, the car capital of Italy, contains one of the largest car museums in the world on the banks of the river Po just outside of the town. Leaving the car behind and walking is the best way to enjoy the city's baroque architecture, pleasant streets, fountains and monuments.

Florence cannot be considered without thinking of Renaissance art and paintings, sculptures, stained glass and works of art by the likes of Brunelleschi, Michaelangelo, Boticelli, Donatello, Rafael and Vasari can be seen in the many churches, museums, palaces and galleries throughout the city. The Pitti Palace is a treasure trove of the Medici family's huge art collection. The Medici Chapels are decorated with precious marble and semiprecious stones and the most powerful Medicis were buried here.

Venice, the city built on 117 little islands, is of course famous for its network of canals, bridges and romantic gondolas, in place of streets and motors. This is a unique pedestrian city. The Piazza San Marco with its campanile, Doges' Palace, St Mark's Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs are just some of the sights worth seeing. The Galleria dell'Accademia has a collection of Venetian masters and the Peggy Guggenheim Gallery has more modern works.

Naples, a busy, densely populated city, is located on the lovely Bay of Naples, overlooked by Mount Vesuvius. Its lively narrow streets are thronged with scooters and motor cycles. The National Archaeological Museum contains the priceless treasures discovered at nearby Pompeii, the wealthy resort town buried under ash and mud from an eruption of Mt Vesuvius in 79 AD. The ruins are well worth a visit. Mount Vesuvius is the only active volcano on the mainland of Europe.

The Amalfi Coast stretches from Sorrento to Salerno and contains some of the loveliest coastline in Europe. The 50 km drive along winding curving cliff roads is unmatched. Positano, Amalfi, Ravello are the main stops along the way, all overlooking spectacular views of blue seas.

The island of Sicily, largest in the Mediterranean, is a mix of Greek temples, Roman ruins, Norman churches and castles, and Arab and Byzantine domes. Palermo is its capital. Sicily has beautiful beaches and not to be missed is Mt Etna, one of the world's most active volcanoes, with dormant periods being extremely rare.

The rugged island of Sardinia, although invaded by outsiders many times through the years, still manages to retain its identity and traditional culture. Cagliari, the capital, is an interesting town, with a lovely beach, just one of many along the coastline.