Italy - culture

If you love culture and sightseeing, Italy will never disappoint you. As a colourful, rich, bold and romantic hub of today's western culture you will find something for everyone. The vibrant country of Italy has produced the world's best art, architecture, music and literature. From Venice with its scenic canals to Rome with its ancient Coliseum, Italy is rich in history. Florence has its heritage of art, music and literature while Tuscany bursts with colour and diversity, and then there is the seashore, hundreds of miles of magnificent coastal villages and sandy beaches.

It is very obvious all over the country that Italians are proud of their artistic heritage. Museums and churches proudly display the work of some of the greatest artists, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael, to name just a few. Courtyards also feature magnificent statues and sculptures. Besides fine art, Italy is known for its music. Opera is an Italian creation, it is well-known and loved by Italians from all walks of life. Many opera fans in this country know entire scores of operas by Rossini, Verdi and Puccini. Opera performances throughout Italy are always well attended.

Food is another staple in Italian culture. For native Italians, food is a thing of beauty. Seafood, veal and chicken are served with spicy sauces and an abundance of herbs. Fresh fruits and vegetables, and of course, pasta, are always prepared with tender loving care. The Italians like their coffee strong and cap every meal with decadent layered desserts. Mealtime is never rushed in Italy. You won't find fast food. Italians enjoy their food and the socialisation that comes with it. Visitors to Italy will love touring a vineyard of one of the several villages known for their production of fine Italian olive oil or vinegar.

In Modena, Villa San Donnino is a traditional balsamic vinegar maker. The production of the traditional balsamic vinegar of Villa Donnino is still selected and limited even though the business of vinegar making has been a family tradition for many generations. The Traditional Balsamic Vinegar here is aged over 12 years while another type, called Extravecchio, is aged over 25 years. A third type of vinegar dressing only has to be aged for a year. The traditional balsamic vinegar of Modena is obtained through the slow and natural fermentation of grape commonly called 'mosto'. The grape is cooked over a direct heat and then allowed to age. It is kept in various types of wooden containers made of cherry, oak and juniper. Visitors here will be able to tour the vinegar plant and will learn more about the processes.

There are over 5,000 special events and festivals each year in Italy. If you are more interested in handicrafts, you may want to take the Sicilian Ceramic Tour which takes you through five towns near Sicily, all known for their ceramic and pottery work.

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