Italy: Museums, Exhibitions & Discounts

Italy is a country in the south of Europe. The country has more than 60 million inhabitants and the capital of the country is Rome. The sovereign states of San Marino (in the north) and the Vatican City (in the capital city of Rome) are enclaves within Italy. In addition to the mainland, a large number of islands belong to Italy, of which Sicily and Sardinia are the largest.

The country has a long history dating back to ancient times. In the first century BC, the Roman Empire emerged in Rome as the dominant power in the Mediterranean Basin. The country is known for its gastronomy with typical pastas, ice cream, pizzas, tomatoes and olives and coffee and wine. Every region in Italy has its own special culinary specialties and wines.

Italy is a popular holiday destination with destinations such as the Lake Garda, the Italian Alps and cities such as Rome, Venice and Naples. The city of Milan is known as a fashion city and the city of Pisa is known for its leaning tower. It is the country that has the most sites listed on the UNESCO World Heritage sites list, with 51 sites.

The most famous cultural period in Italian history is the Italian Renaissance. It is said to be the golden age of painting; spanning the 14th through the mid-17th centuries. Music has also always played an important role in Italy, with La Scala in Milan ranked the best opera house in the world.