As the temperature drops to an average maximum of around 16 °C in June, we are stuck with cool days and chilly nights in South Africa.
Why not escape to summer in Europe? If you are looking for sunshine, great food and fine wine then a trip to Italy during their summer (June to August) is ideal. For many people, visiting Italy is on their bucket list and the rest of this blog shows you why you should travel there.
Italy certainly does have much to offer: beautiful cities, historic museums, ancient ruins, gorgeous beaches, soaring mountains and beautiful natural scenery. Let's uncover what makes Italy unique and deserving of your hard-earned cash.
Rome: The eternal city
- Rome celebrated it's 2,771st birthday on 21 April 2018.
- The city is one large archaeological site.
- Take a walk back in time through the Roman Forum and the Colosseum, where Julius Caesar, Romulus, and Nero once ruled.
- There's a possibiliy of catching a glimpse of the Pope and viewing the Vatican City, the seat of the Catholic Church.
Florence: The Cradle of the Renaissance
- Given its size, the city is one of the most walkable places in Italy.
- The heart of Florence is the grand Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (Florence Cathedral).
- This city is arguably the birthplace of the Renaissance and is full of wonderful art, architecture, and the finest museums in the world (Uffizi gallery and the Galleria dell' Accademia).
- The Galleria dell' Accademia displays Michelangelo's 17-foot marble statue of the "David" sculpture.
Venice: The City of Masks
- Gondola rides are a must in Venice. Spend the extra money - €80 for a 40 minute ride.
- Gondolas hold 6 people and can be shared without affecting the cost.
- Wildly popular for its traditional annual carnival and attracting millions of tourists each year.
- Venice continues to be one of the most loved cities for tourism in the world. Places like the Grand Canal and St. Mark's Basilica draw millions of visitors on an annual basis.
Milan: Italy's fashion and design capital
- With its esteemed history and current status as the financial capital of Italy, it is home to the national stock exchange, and also known for its posh restaurants and stores.
- Leonardo da Vinci's mural "The Last Supper," is housed at the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent, a testament to centuries of art and culture.
- What largely draws visitors is the city's fine shopping, designer shops in the Quadrilatero D'Oro district, while outlets, high street shops and boutiques are found in all corners of the city.
Are you ready for your summer in June?
