Driving in Italy: Advice & Tips
Driving is beyond doubt one of the best — and most adventurous — ways of discovering Italy. However, before you think you can easily hop into the driv...
Find out more about driving in Italy
Other places to visit in Italy
Rome, the capital of Italy, was the center of a great empire and is the seat of the Catholic Church. As such, it is home to many fascinating and histo...
Popular tourist destinations to visit in Italy
History of Italy
Although the united country of Italy has only existed since 1861, the land we know as Italy has been a potpourri of cultures and civilizations since prehistoric times. The Etruscans, for instance, flourished on the west coast 3,000 years ago, but left little evidence except strikingly modern art. Greek settlers lived along the southern coast before the rise of the Roman Republic and later, the Roman Empire.
The Roman Empire is one of the greatest civilizations the world has ever seen, at least by some measures. The empire brought infrastructure and organized government to most of present-day Europe, the northern coast of Africa, and parts of the Near East. By the 5th century A.D., however, Rome was overrun by “barbarian” invasions from the north and east of Europe. Several hundred years of chaos followed, but by the 14th century, Italy was organized into city-states that saw the beginning of the Renaissance, a great flowering of art, science and philosophy. Italy continues to this day to be a center of all that is artistic and fashionable.
Many remarkable sights accompany Italy’s extraordinary history, hire a car in Italy to see this incredible country, which, in many ways, gave birth to modern Europe.
The geography of Italy
Italy is a peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea located in Southern Europe. Its most prominent feature is its boot-like shape that appears to be kicking the island of Sicily. The majority of the country is surrounded by the crystal blue Mediterranean Sea, giving the country nearly 8000 km (5000 miles) of pristine, white sand beaches. The rural landscape of the country is dominated by rolling green hills dotted in olive groves and wineries, while the city life juxtaposes ancient structures with more modern buildings. To explore the vast and varied landscape of this beautiful country, opt for a cheap car hire in Italy and fill up on your appetite for geographical curiosity! There are two major mountain ranges in Italy — the Alps in the north and the Apennines, stretching from north to south, dividing the east and west coasts, that create the backbone of the mainland. They cover almost 75 percent of the landscape. Sicily and Sardinia are two large islands off the southern coast. Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and features active volcanoes.
Weather in Italy
The weather from the top to the toe of this boot-shaped country can vary dramatically throughout the year. With its the long coastlines and mountain ranges, the temperature can change in a matter of minutes as you go from town to town. The northern part of Italy has hot summers and cold winters, although the temperature is rarely known to drop below freezing during the daytime. The south of the country enjoys mild winters and long, dry, hot summers. Mountain areas such as the Alps and the Apennines have long, cold winters and short, cool summers. The question of when to go to Italy is a tough one to answer, as it depends largely on what kind of trip you want to take, what is on your list of “must-see” sights, what your budget is and what you are expecting from your Italian vacation. Generally, spring and autumn are more pleasant seasons to go, although many go in the winter for ski vacations. Spring and autumn also offer better prices. Hotels, transport and options for hire car in Italy are cheaper and abundant at these times of the year.