Cities

The Italian Capital rises on the banks of the Tevere, and is home to over two thousand years of history. The majestic architectural and artistic treasures to be found across the city are known throughout the world and are now set in the frenetic metropolis that is modern Rome.

The Colosseum, Arch of Titus, Castle of St. Angelo and the Aurelian walls are just a few of the major historical cites to be found in a city rich in culture and diversity.

Milan, Milano (Lombardia)

Milan is not only the capital of its Province and Region but it is also the financial and economic centre of Italy’s industrial heartland, the North. A city of 1,371,000, Milan is known for having high culture, high fashion and high prices, but despite its prices, the city is known in Italy as a shopping Mecca.

Nearby places of interest include Pavia, Como and Bergamo all between 30km-45km, but Milan itself, like all major Italian cities, has considerable historic value as well as the modern hustle and bustle. The Basilica di San Lorenzo Maggiore, the Sforzesco Castle and Leonardo Da Vinci's "Last Supper" ("Il Cenacolo") are just a few of the significant sites.

Naples, Napoli (Campania)

Napoli, the largest trading port in Italy is a city blessed with a warm climate and welcoming people. A city of contrasts: on the one side Napoli is blessed with an idyllic setting, which is complemented by the history and culture of the city itself, on the other, political and social problems ravage the South as a whole.

Not far from Napoli are the coastal towns of Positano, Amalfi, Capri and Sorrento; some of the most beautiful places in Europe. Being Italy's largest port, the tourism and import-export industries are important and ever-growing potential places to find work.

Turin, Torino (Piemonte)

Italy’s fourth city, in terms of population, after Rome, Milan and Naples, Turin is another of the major industrial centres of the North. Its industrial capacity is supported by its domination of Italian car manufacturing. The Fiat Group, which includes Alfa Romeo, Lancia and Ferrari, the latter produced at Maranello (near Modena), sustains a host of traditional industries and therefore helps to keep the local economy buoyant.

Turin’s international airport is 15km north-west of the city, which is well served by three train stations and like most has an economical and well planned public transport system.

Venice, Venezia (Veneto)

Capital of the Veneto region, Venice has 310,000 inhabitants and is a unique city. Sometimes known as ‘The City of islands’, Venice is built on over 100 separate islands 4km from the mainland and subsequently has a historic centre crissed-crossed by canals and bridges.

These unique characteristics coupled with legendary charm, beauty and atmosphere plus architectural treasures such as the Basilica di San Marco, the Piazza of the same name and the Grand Canal itself make Venice a must-see city.

The fact that that at high tide the city's streets flood seems to be an attraction for most and few pay attention to the considerably polluted canals which, particularly in summer time, can give off a less than pleasurable smell.

Venice’s airport, Marco Polo, is 13km from the city and the Santa Lucia train station is located near the final stretch of the Grand Canal. Getting around the city itself, particularly the centre, is limited to the use of water taxis, streamers (vaporetti) and gondolas.

Padua, Padova (Veneto)

An energetic and lively university city, Padova is just 30 minutes by train from Venezia, but is by no means put to shame by its more famous neighbour. A city of pilgrimage for millions of Catholics, Padova is another wealthy north-eastern city with a strong artistic and cultural tradition. The Basilica di Sant’ Antonio is what attracts the pilgrims but many come to see the best preserved collection of Giotto’s work and experience another Italian city full of character and verve.

Florence, Firenze (Toscana)

Capital of the Italian State from 1865-1871, Florence rises on the banks of the Arno River, which neatly divides the city in two. Recognised as being the city at the centre of the Italian renaissance, Florence is another Italian city blessed with numerous cites of historical, artistic and architectural value. Major areas of interest include the Basilica di San Lorenzo, the Brancacci Chapel, the Church of the Holy Annunciation and the Baptistry.

Trieste, Trieste (Friuli-Venezia Giulia)

Trieste lies in the far north-east of Italy, and was in dispute with Yugoslavia until its hand over in 1954. It has a strong Slav contingent, with Slavic a common language on the streets. Trieste is known as a city of political extremes, a situation exacerbated by the conflict in the Balkans and an influx of Slav refugees.

Bari, Bari (Puglia)

Bari is the Capital and commercial centre of the Puglia region, Italy’s ‘heel’. Known as the Milan of the South, the city has 350,000 inhabitants with a massive student contingent.The city itself is divided in to two distinct parts: a logical, planned, modern 19th century city and a medieval town designed to protect its citizens from invaders and the Adriatic sea winds. An active port, Bari is Italy’s main link with Greece, with an extensive network of ferries linking the two countries.

Genoa, Genova (Liguria)

Genova, the provincial capital of Liguria, as well as being a working commercial port is also a relaxed seaside resort. It is home to an active shipbuilding industry that helps to support primary and secondary economic activity including steel, oil refineries, cement and paper. The birthplace of Christopher Columbus now has 700,000 inhabitants and has named its airport, which is 16km from downtown Genoa, after its most famous son. The City’s historic centre is best appreciated on foot and the museums and palaces make for major tourist attractions.

Palermo, Palermo (Sicilia)

The Sicilian Capital is also the island's largest port, a city of wide boulevards and traditional Old Italian streets. An exotic, multicultural architectural backdrop includes monuments in Arabic, Norman and art noveau styles. Sicily, an island of undisputed natural beauty, is served by Palermo’s international airport, Punta Raisi at 32km from Palermo.

Sicily’s traditional problems are perhaps worse than those of Napoli as the City is overcrowded and in considerable disrepair.Unemployment is high among the 900,000 who live in Palermo, but tourism as well as the export of raw materials are growing industries.