Why do people always just want to go to Italy when they think of Europe? (vacation, temple)
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Funny, I never thought of Italy as THE place people think of when they think of Europe. I would have said France, England or maybe Ireland were the most common places people mention when they think about traveling in Europe.
I'm excited about my upcoming trip to Italy in November, but when I was younger, London was the place I was most interested in, followed by Paris.
I hope to visit every country in Europe at some point in my life, because every country has some unique things that make it worthwhile - scenery, people, landmarks, art, etc.
i really don't see that italy is the first choice form speaking to people especailly those returning a second time. Its switzerland;germany and irelnad which sems to attract returnees. Italy ;france and england are worth seeing once but most say that is enough from comments. ;I have heard for years.
Italy is a great travel destination, but I agree with the OP, many people who claim it as their dream destination don't know why, they want to go, they just know they do because, as said, it is a cliche. In the late 20th century, it was Paris, now it is Italy, in twenty years it will be somewhere else. Flavor of the month.*
One of my co-workers is a prime example. She knew I had been all over Europe several times and was very excited to tell me about her upcoming plans for a trip to Italy. "Great!", I said. "Where in Italy do you want to go? What do you want to see? "I don't know. I was hoping you could tell me."
If you can't tell me why you want to go somewhere, my advice is don't waste your money.
Not to diminish Italy's legitimate appeal as a travel destination, but the best travel experiences are those that come with some sort of meaning. Otherwise, just go to Cancun and drink froofy drinks on a beach and save yourself several thousand dollars.
<edit: The one tourist destination in Italy she could come up with was "The Acropolis", I kid you not :-) >
Italy was a dream come true for me as I love wine and art. No where else on this earth do the two have a confluence like they do in Italy, particularly in Florence and Rome. Yes, you could argue France, but I'd have to disagree. There's just something otherwordly about standing in the Sistine Chapel gaping at the ceiling or in the Accademia di Belle Arti staring at The David (it's impossible to understand that sculpture without seeing it in person) or weeping in St. Peters Basilica at the power of The Pietà .
Italy was a dream come true for me as I love wine and art. No where else on this earth do the two have a confluence like they do in Italy, particularly in Florence and Rome. Yes, you could argue France, but I'd have to disagree. There's just something otherwordly about standing in the Sistine Chapel gaping at the ceiling or in the Accademia di Belle Arti staring at The David (it's impossible to understand that sculpture without seeing it in person) or weeping in St. Peters Basilica at the power of The Pietà .
This actually makes a great point. Italy is a very important locus in the worldview of Christians, and Catholics in particular, a worldview which even in this secular day and age still grips the majority of Westerners. The sheer amount of art and architecture that bolster the validity of the Christian/Catholic worldview in Italy, especially Rome, is mind-boggling.
As for myself, I like to see artwork that speaks to the heathen part of my soul :-) The carvings on the outside of Oslo's Radhus, for example, with their depictions of Norse mythology. Then when I hike in the hills around the city with its views of the sunny fjord, I am reminded that this was the very environment that molded men's souls to create such a mythology. That's what stirs me.
There's so much more to Europe than just Italy...it almost seems like the cliche American tourist destination.
Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Greece, etc., have so much to see as well. Does anybody else also think Italy is uber predictable?
I know this is an old thread, but after reading it I couldn't help but wonder where the OP is from? Where I live in Ct., we have a large percentage of Italians, so a lot of people really focus on visiting Italy. But where I've lived in other parts of the country, most people wanted to visit England, France, Switzerland etc. instead. Personally out of all the European countries I've visted/lived in, Italy was my least favorite. But it certainly has it's historic appeal. I think if an American is planning a European trip though, they should try to squeeze in a few countries if possible, rather than just one.
There's so much more to Europe than just Italy...it almost seems like the cliche American tourist destination.
Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Greece, etc., have so much to see as well. Does anybody else also think Italy is uber predictable?
Well I am not one of those people and nor is anyone that I know. But Italy is a wonderful place to visit as it does have many historical sites.
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