Holidays in Italy
Tourism in Italy – a long tradition
There's a long tradition of tourism and holidays in Italy. Globetrotters and artists like Goethe have been travelling to Italy ever since the 18th century. Back then, having an actual holiday played second fiddle to the cultural and artistic treasures of the Mediterranean country. The real touristic boom started in the 1960s when many millions of German and Austrian tourists populated the northern coasts of the Adriatic Sea to spend their holidays in Italy.
Tourist draw Venice
Holidays in Italy: Start of the tourist boom
One of Italy's very first tourism draws were the great Roman achievements for all of mankind. Travelling to Italy, to Rome and the Vatican has been courteous from very early on. World travellers, believers and princes from all over Europe travelled through Italy and were enchanted by the country's splendour and charm. Architecture, sculpturing, painting and a distinct artistic tradition were at the centre of attention.
Italy's image changed in the late 18th century steering away from the exclusive focus and cultural sights and art now attracting ordinary people. The interaction of the naive rural population and a country with a glorious past struck a chord with the spirit of the Enlightenment idealising holidays in Italy in the 18th century.
Beach holiday in Italy
Tourism in Italy – development to this day
Since journeys to Italy initially used to be culture-heavy and motivated by the desire to experience the ancient world and romantic notions, the idea of what is today known as a holiday in Italy only really developed during the 20th century. While the coastal areas might have already opened up for tourism around 1850, the modern Italian holiday boom only began in the 1960s.
Back then millions of Germans and Austrians travelled to Italy to spend their holidays on the sandy beaches. Nowadays Italy has become a highly versatile holiday destination offering a little something for everyone ranging from the classic beach holiday to culture-heavy city trips to ski weeks in the Alps to shopping weekends in the nation's fashion capitals. But that's not all as a continuing stream of new ideas, events and products constantly attracts new guests and visitors to the Italian cities creating the desire for a Trip to Italy.
The highly successful mix of culture, entertainment and culinary art, the friendly population and, most of all, lots of sun continue to make Italy an irresistible holiday destination.
Tweet