Italian Alps

The Alps: The highest and the most fascinating mountains in Europe, the Alps separate Italy from France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. Almost all of the sunny southern slopes are in Italian territory. The highest peaks include Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, the Cervino and the Gran Paradiso. These giants are all found in the Valle d'Aosta, which is not only unique, but perhaps the most beautiful in the whole Alpine range. It is a magic realm for the tourist with mountain climbing, holiday and winter sports centres. Among the most famous of which are Cervinia and Courmayeur. The Valle d'Aosta is rich in magnificent natural scenery, monuments and castles.

The Dolomites: To the east between the valleys of the Adige and Piave rivers lie the Dolomites - the most fantastic and spectacular mountains of the entire alpine range. A happy combination of factors has made the whole region - Trentino, Alto Adige, an immense park of natural beauty. And although it's the northernmost zone of Italy, it is one of the most favoured for its constant good weather and the frequency of its warm and sunny days. As a consequence, the fame of the Dolomites is worldwide. Around such centres of international renown such as Merano, Madonna di Campiglio, Canazei, Ortisei and Cortina d'Ampezzo have sprung up a host of smaller summer holiday and winter sports centres, health resorts and spas. These resorts can be found in the valleys, on the gentle uplands and beside the famous Alpine Lakes. Thanks to up-to-date transport facilities, cable cars and chair lifts, tourists can reach the highest and most celebrated viewpoints with ease.

The Apennines: "The backbone of Italy" runs the full length of the peninsula, from the hills of Cadibona (near Savona) down into Calabria. The Apennines reach their highest point in the Gran Sasso (9,558 feet) which, along with the Maiella (9,151 feet), forms a magnificent winter sports area. Variously named from north to south - the Apennines in Emilia and Tuscany, the Apuan Alps north of Lucca, the Lattari Mountains between the Gulf of Naples and Salerno, the Matese Mountains also in Campania, the Sila in Calabria and Aspromonte, the southern tip of the Apennines. The mountains of Sicily and Sardinia repeat the natural beauties of the Alps and the Apennines, Etna, an active volcano on Sicily's eastern coast and snow-capped most of the year, epitomises the incomparable contrast of nature, which is the miracle of Italy.

VENICE

Venice is a legendary city. 120 small islands connected by 450 bridges and home to 65,000. Her story begins as that of a hiding place and a refuge from barbarian invasions. Repeated attacks drove to the first buildings and settlements producing a republic that would unite to form one of the most important republics lasting for over a thousand years and creating a trading empire that would dominate the Mediterranean coast for more than 400 years.

Water is a major feature of this romantic city. Water that in winter will often cover the beautiful San Marco Square, on which the gondolas glide along all year round and which surrounds every magnificent building in the city.

Venice is a city of a multitude of moods and faces: lively and affectionate to the inhabitants that fill her streets with their chatter; Discover the narrow alleyways and secret corners of this historic city, such as the quiet district around Sacca della Misericordia or the unhurried Campo di Gheto Novo; join the locals at the colourful fish market near the Rialto bridge; enjoy a glass of wine or a cappuccino in one of the many backstreet cafès; admire the Gothic architecture of the palazzi along the Grand Canal or the splendid Renaissance paintings rity as a tourist destination, Venice cannot be likened either to an amusement park or to a museum; it is a living city, whose fragile beauty and romantic history succeeds in transporting the visitor back in time.

TRAVELLER's TIPS

Bring binoculars as some of Venice's best sights are on ceilings or at the top of columns. Don't wear sleeveless tops, or short skirts, as you won't be able to enter the city's many churches.

HOW TO GET THERE

The "Marco Polo" airport is 12 km from Venice by land and 10 km by sea. You can get to Venice by coach, taxi or by boat.
From Treviso airport there is a half hour train journey that leaves every half an hour. Other ways include taxi or hire car.

VENICE TOURIST BOARD
Castello 5050 - 30122 Venezia Tel: 041 5298711 www.turismovenezia.it

NOT TO BE MISSED

Piazza San Marco - with the Basilica, Clocktower and the Doge's Palace
La Fenice Opera House
Gallerie dell'Accademia
I Frari
Scuola Grande di San Rocco
Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni
A vaporetto tour up and down the Canal Grande - Ponte di Rialto e Ponte dei Sospiri.

Whilst in Venice we also advise you to visit, the Murano island - capital of the world's blown glass art; the Burano island - famous for lace production, visit the museum "Museo del Merletto"; Torcello whose historical centre hosts the basilica of Santa Maria Assunta.

ENTERTAINMENT

Music and theatre have always formed an intrinsic part of the spirit of Venice. As well as the three major theatres, concerts and plays are also held in numerous churches such as the Pietà, the Frari, S. Stefano, all ideal concert halls. See the Gazzettino for all information on concerts and shows in the city.

- Gran Teatro La Fenice - 041 78 65 11
- Teatro Malibran - 041 78 65 11
- Teatro Goldoni - 041 24 020 011
- Teatro a l'Avogaria - 041 520 61 30

WHAT TO EAT AND DRINK

Lunch or dinner in one of the trattorias is one of the pleasures of Venetian life. High up the list of things to try are the fish and seafood ( in particular the squid, cuttlefish, eels and mussels), as well as fegato alla veneziana ( calf's liver fried with onions).
There are some excellent local wines to accompany these dishes including Valpolicella, Bardolino and Amarone ( red ) along with Soave and Prosecco (white)

FESTIVALS

Carnevale di Venezia (Venice Carnival): for further information browse www.carnevale.venezia.it

Italy - Seaside Resorts

Italy is a peninsular in the Mediterranean Sea, with a coastline of more than 5,310 miles. Rocky, wooded cliffs are indented by an infinite variety of beaches and bays. Along the full length of Liguria extend the two Italian Rivieras with Genoa (Genova) in the middle. To the west, almost an extension of the French Côte d' Azur, is the Ponente including such famous seaside resorts as San Remo, Alassio and Varazze. The eastern (Levante) Riviera boasts Nervi, Portofino, Santa Margherita, Rapallo and Sestri Levante.

Other beaches popular with foreign visitors are Forte dei Marmi, Viareggio, Castiglioncello, Porto Santo Stefano, Porto Ercole and the Island of Elba in Tuscany; Ostia - Lido of Rome (Roma), Fregene, Anzio, Nettuno in Lazio; Capri, Sorrento and the Island of Ischia, Positano, Amalfi and Maiori on the Gulf of Naples (Napoli) and Salerno; Sardinia; and from North to South along the Adriatic Coast: Grado, the Lido of Venice (Venezia), the Lido of Jesolo, Lignano Sabbiadoro and then the enchanting string of towns along the Coast of Romagna, among which Milano Maritima, Cervia, Rimini, Riccione and Cattolica stand out. On the coast of Apulia, one finds the Lido of Siponto on the Gulf of Manfredonia, the Gargano peninsula and the Tremiti Islands.

Address details

ITALIAN STATE TOURIST BOARD - 1, Princes Street - London W1B 2AY - Tel. 020 7408 1254 - Fax. 020 7399 3