Italy, a European country with a long Mediterranean coastline, has beautiful places and remarkable sights. LA BELLA ITALIA is geographically divided into twenty regions and each region has a capital. The regions are as follows: Valle d'Aosta, Piedmont, Liguria, Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Emilia Romagna, Tuscany, Umbria, Marche, Lazio, Abruzzo, Molise, Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria, Sicily and Sardinia. Italy's capital, Rome, is home to the Vatican as well as landmark art and ancient ruins.

The seas that bathe the Italian coasts are six: the Adriatic, the Ionian Sea, the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Ligurian Sea, the Sicilian Sea and the Sardinian Sea. To the north lie the alps and the germanic nations of Austria and Switzerland. To the est lies the Balkans, to the west France and several African nations to the south. The inside of Italy is usually mountainous, with the exception of the Po valley to the north. In southern Italy are many signs of volcanic activities such as Mount Etna. The variety is quite amazing, from sandy, palm lined beaches to Swiss like mountain pastures with cows and everything in between.

Italy is probably the friendliest place to cycle in Europe. Italian people are warm curious and friendly. As in most European nations, real cycling is considered racing. This incredible country has everything and is very highly rated in my point of view for any cycle tour of Europe. As in most European nations, cycling is a national sport, on weekends you are sure to encounters group's of racing cyclists - of all ages any sexes!

The Italian peninsula is shaped like a boot and between landscapes, cities, culture, art, cultural variety in terrain, and climate, this country has a lot to offer!

A little bit of History, Culture and Economy

The Italian's have seen a large variety of people intermixing over the aeons, asa diverse as the Austrians and moors. So much happened in Italy - the roman, the Etruscans, the Gauls the greeks and the Germans have influenced the language  and culture.

In the middle ages, city states flourished. In 1861 Italy became a unified kingdom and Vittorio Emanuele was the first king. Following world war II, Italy become republic.

Italy currently has the third - largest economy  national economy in European Union and is the eight - largest in the world.

Climate

Mediterranean climate. Great cycle weather. Often you will experience thundershowers. Very hot in summer. You can cycle just about anywhere except the alpine regions in February thought mid November. Lots of sunshine. August is not only the hottest month, but also the month when everyone takes a month off - so you will find all beaches and resorts crammed to overflow. Try to see Italy either before August.

Food

You will already be a virtual expert in iItalian food - it is hard to imagine a person who has never eaten pizza, spaghetti, lasagna and similar foods made by famous by the Italian's. Once in Italy however, you will find the quality of food to be exceptionally high and always fresh and well made - I think the most important subject for any Italians is food.

For breakfast, try a cappuccino (not scalding hot as is made in north america) or latte with brioche (sweet roll). Or simply have a hot cioccolata/chocolates ( like pudding and excellent). Virtually any bars in Italy will be open and serve breakfast.  Could be difficult at first to get used to such a light beackfast - but with time you will get used to it and enjoy it.

In Italy there will generally be a major meal about 1 or 2pm called " Pranzo" which generally consist of a starter such as antipasto or spaghetti followed by grilled meat or fish and will end with salad and dessert/fruit. The dinner tends to be given later and can be light. In southern Italy dinner will be served extremely late and your stomach will be paining with hunger by the time is eaten at 9 or 10 pm.

When eating in Italian restaurants, food will usually be billed with a separate charge for "coperto" it was introduced in the Middle Ages for customers who consumed the food they brought with them in the inns which will cover table ware, plates and bread. Additionally, there may or may not be a separated charge for "servizio" it was customary to pay waiters when employment contracts did not yet exist. Tipping is not common only tip on truly exceptional service or when dining in the tiniest restaurant. even then they usually tip 10 or 15 percent, or the change left over from the bill.

Most store and shops will be closed from about 2 or 3 pm. However, shops will be open into the evening to about 8 or 9 pm usually.

Accommodations

There are not many youth hostels in Italy  - I would recommended camping or cheeper hotels. A wide variety of Italian camping sites are easy available tough out the nation. Camping carnet are likely to be required. When you check the campsite, you will usually be asked part with your passport one sites may also charged for the bicycle! Many campsites are year around.

Hotels will generally be acceptable, although often can be surprising pricy for the budget traveller. Albero's a usually a little cheaper. Pensione are usually the cheapest accommodate and will not often showers or washrooms in the room not tv's or luxuries. Generally, the lower the number of starts, the lower the grade of accommodation. Try to get a safe place for the bike, indoors and is locked room - in my experience most Italians have always been happy to oblige, although you may need to push a little. You should never leave a bike in the outdoors even with a lock (even when camping, have your bike right beside you and locked.

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