The source of all our happy foods, Italy, a country in Western Europe, is the land that gave us pizza, pasta, risotto and that sinful devil called gelato. The history of this country goes way back before Christ, to the Romans that once ruled here. Italy was also at the centre of the revolutions in art and science during the Renaissance ages. Today it is home to some of the greatest sites of the world, from the Colosseum of Rome to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Duomo in Florence to the canals of Venice. If you are planning a trip to Italy then there are so many places to visit here, and such diverse fun to indulge in. Read on to discover some of it.

Rome has been considered one of the most beautiful cities of the world, what with its everlasting cobbled streets and iconic landmarks that take your breath away. It is also the capital of Italy. Visit the Colosseum here and stroll across the city square, check out the Trevi Fountain, devouring a gelato or two. Also do visit the many ancient churches, including the Vatican at the centre of the city. St. Peter’s Basilica is an amazing site to behold. You must also explore the Vatican Museums for its paintings and sculptures, The Sistine Chapel for the lovely frescoes and Trastevere for its night life and amazing line of cafes and bars.

The fashion hub of the world, Milan is a large city in northern Italy, that is home to not only one of the most booming fashion labels of the world but also to numerous business conglomerates. It can, for all intents and purposes, be called the modern capital of Italy. You will find the Duomo at the centre of Milan, a messiah dome rising above the cityscape like a reminder of all that the past holds. Also do visit the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent that conserves the mural of Leonardo da Vinci - The Last Supper. Milan is also known for its great culinary scene, housing Italy’s best chefs and restaurants. Do try out one of the Micheline star restaurants.

Florence is like a golden bird of Italy, the centre of all that made Italy such a coveted place during the period of Renaissance. In fact, Renaissance was born here, in the court of Lorenzo di Medici, who also patronised Leonardo da Vinci. The city today is an ode to to its history and fore-bearers,  from the beautiful Ponte Vecchio bridge to the masterpieces of Michelangelo studded throughout the city. The streets of Florence are still cobbled with ancient stones and Botticcelli’s works are still an everyday thing here. The Duomo Cathedral is a great site, as is the Uffizi Gallery (displays Botticelli’s ‘The Birth of Venus’) and Galleria dell’Accademia (displays Michelangelo’s ‘David’).

Contrary to travel memes proclaiming Venice as the ‘Dharavi of Italy,’ this city is a beauty that robs you of your breath at first glance. It looks something out of a fairytale, with its long flowing canals and small footbridges built with stone across creeks, gondolas with their oarsmen and houses on ether side in stunning bright colours of blues and reds and yellows and whites. The Grand Canal is the best place to go boating in gondolas, Piazza San Marco is also must-see. Visit Venice in February as it hosts the famous Venice Carnival at this time.

A southern city, Naples is built on the cliff rising from the Bay of Naples. The nearby Mt. Vesuvius is still an active volcano, the same one that once upon a time destroyed the fabled city of Pompeii. Naples goes back to the 2nd Century BC and is a stunning burst of architecture, art, culture and love. Some of the best places to visit here are the Duomo di San Gennaro, Royal Palace, Castel Nuovo and Castle dell’Ovo. Naples is a smaller city but has some amazing food on its menu, from chic cute cafes to boat diners that are docked by the shore. It is an unforgettable city.

As the name suggests, this city is home to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, one of the wonders of the world. Once it was a harbour and trading hub, but today Pisa is majorly a tourist driven economy and shows off its brilliant architecture and ancient art in style. Some other major sites here are Piazza dei Miracoli, Caposanto Monumentale cemetery and Piazza dei Cavalieri, Torre Guelfa. The fact that the city has a huge university makes its nightlife great and cafes and pubs always buzzing with students.

Sicily is one of the most precious jewels of the Italian Mediterranean sea, located just off the southern shore of Italy. It has a rich history of Romans, Italians as well as the native Sicilians (whose ancestors were considered pirates that settled here). Some of the best towns and smaller islands here include Taormina, Mt. Etna, Aegadian Islands, Madonie National Park and Aeolian Islands. Palermo is the largest city of Sicily and its capital, home to many beautiful streets, winding ways and churches. Sicily has a heavy Greek influence as well as Roman; the temples here have a Byzantine touch to them. Enjoy Sicilian beaches, trek in the untreated thickets of Mount Etna, enjoy Sicilian and Italian food and live a laid back vacation life here.

We have all eaten spaghetti bolognese, but do we know where it came from? Bologna is a lively city in the north of Italy, home to Italy’s tallest leaning tower - Asinelli Tower, the town of Parma (home of Parmesan cheese) and the Piazza Maggiore or the plaza. You must also visit the Fountain of Neptune, San Petronio Basiica and the Bologna Cathedral. The city of Bologna is like a fusion of two worlds, a time thread running with past and present, tall studded structures and graffiti filled walls. The city also boasts of the world’s oldest university at the same time hosting lively bars and cafes.