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ITALY
Brimming with culture, style and good humor - Italy, with its golden light, its beautiful scenery and cultural heritage, has inspired poets and painters for centuries. The influence of Italy in the course of European development, particularly in the fields of culture and political thought, might be more significant than others.
The first inhabitants were the most important enigmatic Etruscans, who established settlements in northern and central Italy in the sixth century BCE In the third century BC, the mighty city state of Rome replaced the Etruscan culture, and began extending their influence.
In its heyday, the Roman Empire stretched from Egypt to England for several centuries and gave its inhabitants the benefits of the Pax Romana: culture (of Greek origin), law, relative peace and prosperity.
In the fifteenth century, parts of Italy were in full flowering of art and culture (the Renaissance), associated with artists such as Fra Angelico, Raphael, Botticelli, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.
Today, besides the well known cities of Venice, Florence, Siena and Naples, each with its own identity and architecture, Italy is also very romantic medieval towns like San Gimignano in Tuscany, and picturesque fishing villages like Positano on the coast Amalfi. Opera productions are represented in the ancient amphitheater of Venice, while the influence of Federico Fellini is celebrated in the museum of cinema in Turin.
Italy combines art, history and contemporary fashion with stunning natural landscapes: the turquoise waters of the Costa Smeralda offer one of the best beaches in Europe, while the slopes of the Dolomite mountains are the perfect place for enthusiasts winter sports.
You will see vineyards and wineries around the country, where you can enjoy the fantastic Italian wines. Also there are many craft workshops and trattorias where you can taste the delicious Italian cuisine.
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