Italy Culture, Geography and History

With the Renaissance, Vespa, slow-food movement, opera, Valentino, espresso, the Colosseum and the Sistine Chapel, the culture of Italy is as rich as its food. And with iconic cities like Rome, Venice, Florence and Naples featuring reminders of the past around every corner, it's easy to see why Italians are so very proud of their heritage. Italy drips with sensational artwork, ancient icons, ornate architecture and historic sights. The streets are filled with people and places that exude character and charisma, and the famous Italian artists, inventors and public figures that have contributed so much to the world are openly adored and celebrated.

In general, Italians place great value on family, food and the enjoyment of life. Good quality food made with the best ingredients is preferred to processed, fast food. Eating is a pleasure to be enjoyed with friends and family, not a necessary inconvenience. Respect for the family unit is paramount, with many families choosing to live close to each other for life. Community is also an important element of Italian life and this can be seen with neighbours enjoying a passeggiata (an after dinner stroll and chat).

Italians certainly live their lives with passion and this is evident in their zealous approach to driving, passionate patronage of football (soccer) matches and exuberant social life. It's common to see Italians debate politics, fashion, sport and current affairs with ferocious verve, which can sometimes be quite confronting for people from meeker cultural backgrounds. But lying underneath the bold, animated exterior of most Italians is a deep, passionate love of life itself.