• Around 60 million people currently live in Italy making it the fifth most populated European country.

Italy's official language is Italian and Italy tours offer a great opportunity to practise this passionate language. There are also some parts of the country that speak their own regional languages and each one of Italy’s 20 regions has its own dialect.

Why not learn Italian in Italy?

Italy is considered a world leader on many topics including wine, fashion, film, theatre, literature, poetry and painting and you will experience all of these elements on your Italy tours. For centuries, Italy has had been a pioneer in the world of art and architecture, from the era of the Roman Empire to the Renaissance. The field of music has also been significantly touched by the Italians, from the lungs of Luciano Pavarotti to the operas and musical compositions of Giacomo Puccini, Verdi and Alessandro Scarlatti. No doubt music will embrace your Italy tours in one way or another.

Italy is officially a Catholic country with over 51 million Italians identifying as Catholic. This is important to remember when visiting churches and other religious structures or statues on Italy tours. The second most prominent religion is Orthodox Christian, followed by the Protestant Church.

• Italy extends over an area of 301,000 square km, from the Alps in the north to Sicily in the South, meaning Italy tours offer a diverse range of landscape and activity.
• Almost 80% of Italy’s landscape comprises of mountains and hills, perfect terrain for hikers and mountaineers on Italy tours. Its 8,000 km coastline varies from smooth and sandy beaches to rocky cliffs and green hills.
• You should also include a visit to one of the country’s many islands on your Italy tours such as Sicily, Sardinia, Elba, Ischia and Capri.
• Italy also lays claim to two famous volcanoes: Mt. Vesuvius and Mt. Etna, the later being the most active volcano in Europe, both are well worth a visit on Italy tours.
• The South of the country is surrounded by the sparkling Mediterranean Sea and filled with orchards of olive trees and vineyards. The perfect surroundings for relaxation on Italy tours.

Those going on Italy tours are almost guaranteed great weather, the climate is pleasant and exceptionally mild, but obviously varies depending on the region.

The north is dominated by a central European climate while the southern and central parts of the country are characterised by hot and dry summers and mild and wet winters. Italy tours should be planned around region and intended activity.
 
The perfect time for sight-seeing and activities such as hiking and mountain biking is either spring or autumn. Italy tours that include lounging on the beach are best between June and September.

• Every region you visit on Italy tours is guaranteed to be full of wonderful things to do and see. Popular holiday destinations like the Italian Riviera, Etruscan Riviera and the Gulf of Naples are located along the west coast of Italy.
• The east coast, known as the Adriatic Sea Coast, is home of the beautiful capital Rome, a city not be missed on Italy tours. This region also includes the historically important cities of Naples, Florence and Pompeii.
• The north is home to Italy’s fashion capital, Milan a vital stop-off for fashionistas on Italy tours. Other important cities in the north of the country include the water-city Venice and the beautiful university town of Bologna.
• The South is not to be forgotten on Italy tours either. Its pristine sandy beaches, magnificent natural landscape and active volcanoes attract many tourists each year.
• Italy tours would not be complete without a visit to the some of the other famous cities around the country including Turin, Genoa, Palermo, Verona, Catania, Bari and Lecce.
• The region of Tuscany is one of the most popular natural landscapes on Italy tours, with its beautiful vineyards, fruit trees and rolling hills, not to mention the cuisine. This region is also the location of the famous wonder of the world, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, an unforgettable sight on Italy tours.

Important public holidays and festivals to factor into planning Italy tours include:

• Christmas (December 25th and 26th)
• New Years Day (January 1st)
• Epiphany (January 6th)
• Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, a great time of good weather and celebration on Italy tours. 
• Labour Day (May 1st)
• Ascension Day (August 15th)
• All Saints (November 1st)
• The Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8th)