
Welcome to Italy!
Welcome to Italy! È bellissimo! That means it’s beautiful in Italian!
The capital city of Italy is Rome, which some people call the ‘Eternal City’. Rome was once the capital of the Roman Empire, and you can visit amazing ancient buildings like the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Rome is also where you’ll find the Pope and the Vatican City.
Interesting historical facts
Have you heard of the Renaissance? It was a very exciting time hundreds of years ago that changed how mediaeval people saw the world and made art. Important men like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Galileo lived and worked in Italy during the Renaissance.
Interesting animals
In the Apennine Mountains, you can find rare Italian wolves, and in the seas around the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, you might see Mediterranean monk seals and playful dolphins.
Interesting geography
Italy is shaped like a big boot and it stretches into the Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by beautiful islands, rocky coastlines, and tall mountains. In Italy, there are active volcanoes, like Mount Vesuvius near Naples.
What makes Italy super interesting
Italy is very famous for its art and architecture, but also for music. Opera was invented in Italy! It’s also famous for its delicious ice cream.
Where people live
While many people live in big, busy cities like Milan, Florence, and Venice, others live in pretty countryside villages or in towns on Italy’s beautiful coastline.
Language
In Italy, people speak Italian. Ciao (Hello/Goodbye), Grazie (Thank you), and Per favore (Please) are useful words to learn before you go.
Food
People all over the world love Italian food, and it’s no wonder! Pizza was invented in Naples, and everyone eats pasta here with lots of different sauces. Grown-ups love Italian coffee, too.
Interesting things to see and do
If you travel in Italy, you can visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa, take a gondola ride through the canals of Venice, or explore the ruins of the city of Pompeii. Gardaland Theme Park near Lake Garda is a great place to go with your family.