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Introducing Italy
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Italy is a moveable feast of seemingly endless courses. Rome bristles with reminders of its Imperial past; Florence and Venice are virtually outdoor museums; Naples is full of Baroque bombast and Palermo locals view their Byzantine-Norman treasures with a shockingly laissez-faire attitude. But Italy’s riches extend far beyond the obvious. Ski in chic Courmayeur or climb the snow-coated peaks of the Sesto Dolomites; strap on your boots and take to the hills of Tuscany or don designer shades and island hop around Sicily; sleep in converted farmhouses and dine in country kitchens on food so good you’ll swear no other cuisine compares.
Last updated: Nov 26, 2008
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Latest headlines for Italy
From BBC News
Profile: Silvio Berlusconi
3 May 2009 6:24PM
Silvio Berlusconi is among Italy's richest men, and one of its most controversial and colourful.
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Berlusconi vow on quake-hit homes
2 May 2009 9:47PM
Half of the homes in Italy's quake-hit city of L'Aquila are now habitable, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi says.
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Italy marks 'historic moment'
1 May 2009 5:38PM
Fiat is perceived as one of the very symbols of Italian industrial pride. Its deal with Chrysler has been broadly welcomed by the US media.
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See more news at bbc.co.uk/news
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HOTELS & HOSTELS IN ITALY
Hotel Principe di Savoia
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Hotel Pineta Palace
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Hotel Bellevue Genova
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ITALY
Italy Overview Places in Italy When to go & weather Getting there & around Practical information History Work & study Show map
OUR TOP PICKS FOR ITALY
1 Rome
Seat of the Empire and the Church, a phenomenal concentration of history, monuments, style and energy
2 The Dolomites
A winter wonderland of glistening forests, frozen waterfalls and adrenaline-pumping ski runs
3 Bologna
The Red City, a busy university town of echoing porticoes, medieval towers and hearty home cooking
4 The Lakes
Wedding-cake villas, tiered gardens and elegant towns adorn the shores of Italy's great lakes
5 Valle d'Aosta
Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn are the backdrop for one of the most exhilarating mountain-sports areas in Europe
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FAST FACTS ABOUT ITALY
Coffee consumption Italians drink 600 cups per head a year, according to one study!
Tourism contribution to GDP 11.5%
Population 58.8 million
Inflation 1.7%
Highest point Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) at 4807m
Unemployment rate 6.7% (10-13.5% in the south)
GDP €1475 billion (€25, 085 per head)
Average life expectancy 77.6 years (men), 83.2 years (women)
Area 301, 230 sq km
GDP growth 2.3%
OUR FAVOURITE ITALY BLOGS (BETA)
My Big Fat Greek Layover
Blog: Everything Everywhere - 2 May 2009
I only have a few hours left in Israel. At 4am tomorrow I take off to the airport for my 7am flight to Rome. I’ll have an eight hour layover in Athens, so I’m going to try and make the best of it and so see the Acropolis in the time I have. It should [...]
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The Unicycle Diaries 1: All Roads Lead...
Blog: Aerohaveno: A Travel Blog - 27 January 2009
Nothing is more fascinating than rediscovering forgotten experiences via an old travel journal. This inaugural wander down memory lane (part of an irregular series) is written by fantasy novelist Narrelle M Harris.
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Molto Bene (Part Due: The Search for the perfect Spiaggia)
Blog: Bec and John in the UK - 26 November 2008
After such an idyllic first day, we could probably be excused for thinking we would enjoy similar splendor on each subsequent day in "The Cinq". Unfortunately, though, our luck was about to run out. We woke the next day to a grey sky, a light, constant drizzle, and the discovery that there really isn't all that much to do in the Cinque Terre when it rains. There's eating, of course, but believe it or not, there is actually a limit to how many trattorias, ristorantes and pizzerias you can handle in one day!
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