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TRAVEL
MAGAZINE
15
TRAVEL ADVICE, TRAVEL INSPIRATION,
FOOD INSPIRATION AND MORE...
WHERE ARE THE ITALIAN ALPS?
The Italian Alps sweep in an arc from Monaco in the west to Trieste in
the east, covering the northern tip of Italy.
They are made up of 3 main areas. The western side is the southern
end of the high Alps: a dramatic mountainous playground bordering
Switzerland. The central region comprises large lakes framed by small-
er hills, while the northeast section is the Dolomites – jagged rocky
peaks framed by lush alpine meadows. One of the best things to do
in the Dolomites involves strapping on your hiking boots and heading
off on a scenic adventure. Read about all our favourite hikes in the
Dolomites.
The Italian Alps are also easily connected via Venice in the south and
Innsbruck (Austria) in the north, both of which make great bases for an
itinerary in the Dolomites.
VENICE
Venice is a city of immense beauty and historical signifi cance, but it
is also unique and not like any other city in Italy. As the capital of the
Veneto Region of Northern Italy, Venice actually lies on 117 small islands
that are connected by a series of bridges and separated by a network
of canals. With a population of around 250,000, Venice is not one of
the largest cities in Veneto, but it is one of the most visited tourist desti-
nations in the country.
During the Middle Ages and the Italian Renaissance, Venice was an
extremely powerful stronghold and served as a major fi nancial and
military centre. Furthermore, it was a place that saw great cultural and
artistic development and was renowned worldwide.
OPERA IN VERON
You don’t need to be an opera lover, or even like music, to be en-
thralled by the spectacle of a full-scale production in Verona’s
third-century Roman arena. And for those who do love opera, it’s a thrill
of a lifetime, right up there with opening night at La Scala.
The arena itself is one of the largest and best preserved Roman am-
phitheaters, with all its vaulting and full 44 rows of seating intact to
accommodate 22,000 opera-goers. The Verona Opera Festival, held ev-
ery year in July and August, is one of Europe’s most important summer
music events, ranked with the Salzburg and Bayreuth festivals.
ITALIAN CUISINE
To Italians, eating is something that should be enjoyed with both
passion and patience. So much more than just pizza and pasta, and
a million miles from Spaghetti Bolognese, real Italian food has an
authenticity that is hard to match. Traditional local dishes are the truest
representation of the diverse personalities of Italy’s regions. We invite
you to join us on a journey around our favourite food hotspots to show
you where to eat in Italy to indulge in some delicious delicacies
Al dente spaghetti or tagliatelle is tossed in egg yolks before Pecorino
cheese and crispy pancetta are added with plenty of crushed black
pepper. Do not confuse this with the bland cream-based ham and
mushroom pasta served outside Italy! Enjoying traditional Carbonara is
an altogether diff erent and much more delectable experience..