Italy

Italy (Italia) or the Italian Republic (Repubblica Italiana) is a state in the South of Europe, in the center of the Mediterranean. It borders on land with France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia; on its territory there are two independent states - the Vatican and San Marino. Italy also includes the islands of Sicily (Sicilia) and Sardinia (Sardegna).

The regions of Italy keep the memory of the period of feudal fragmentation, when the Apennine Peninsula was filled with small cities by states united only in the middle of the XIX century, but retaining their original culture.

Holidays in Italy are as diverse as its types. It is difficult to choose the best: someone will be attracted by the sights of ancient Rome and aristocratic Florence; others will prefer the beaches of the Adriatic or Tiren coast; the third will go to the ski resorts in the Alps or the Apennines; the fourth will go shopping in Milan, famous for its sales.

Tours to Italy are unusually diverse, but many prefer to explore the Apennine peninsula on their own, armed with a good guide and a couple of Italian words, of which are key pasta and pizza.

Italian national cuisine
Italian cuisine is one of the most famous in the world. Only the uninitiated believes that it consists of some pasta. In fact, the Italian cuisine is notable for its extraordinary diversity, although the traditional menu includes several mandatory steps. It is customary to begin the Italian meal with antipasto (cold appetizers) - fresh or pickled vegetables, seafood, ham. Then comes primo (hot snacks), which certainly include carbohydrates: pasta (different types of pasta), or risotto (rice dish), or polenta (corn flour porridge). Secondo - the main dish, consists of fish or meat, with a side dish of vegetables. Then especially hardy can taste Italian cheeses that are not inferior in quality to the French. Completes the culinary orphan dolce (dessert) and a cup of strong espresso.