Visit the Birthplace of Italian Opera

Italiano: Autore Pasquale Matrisciano, fonte fotocamera personale, foto dell'interno del Teatro di San Carlo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Naomi S Wilson

When we think of the word Opera many of us think about Italy and operas in Italian. Italian opera is a mixture of the beautiful language and the history of the Italian people. Opera originates in Italy and still today it inspires people to learn the language, history and the culture from the stories and the experience. It is a very romantic experience, listening to opera sung in Italian at one of the famous opera houses in a majestic city. Especially as the majority of Opera's are about telling the story of love or heartbreak. Many opera lovers. travel to Italy to see an opera and visit the famous Italian opera houses although this experience isn't just for opera fans. These kind of holidays are suitable for anyone who wishes to encounter a new European culture which is rich with historical significance. Why not visit the beautiful cities of Italy which are full of exquisite buildings from throughout the centuries.

Top Things to Do in Milan

Milan Duomo (Photo credit: underflowR) By Mark McLaine


Milan is one of the best cities in the world where you can visit and explore. This city is called as the 'Fashion Capital of World'. The city has a number of options for those who are interested in the art and culture of Italy. There are a number of things which you can do in Milan when you come here. Here are some of the top things which you can do once you come to Milan.
a. Pay a Visit to Duomo: This is undoubtedly the number one suggestion one can give you when you come to Milan. The Duomo or Cathedral is one of the largest Gothic Cathedrals of Italy. The church provides you some of the best views of the nearby areas.

The Best Opera Houses in Italy

Teatro alla Scala, Milan (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We all know that the country of Italy is famous for it's art, food, people, soccer (calcio), fine fashion and great natural beauty. On the artistic side, there are famous churches, cathedrals, paintings, sculptures, piazzas, etc.



And if you are an opera buff, Italy is home to many famous and beautiful opera houses. Below is a listing of the famous opera houses in Italy.

10 Places Worth Seeing in Italy

Image via Wikipedia

By Orson Johnson


A truly multi-faceted land, Italy has seen a remarkable growth in tourism. Here is a list of ten hot-spots that you just cannot afford to ignore!
1. The Roman Coliseum - One of the first Roman Amphitheatres which was inaugurated after the death Vespasian in 79AD by his son Titus, the Roman Coliseum has witnessed innumerable historical gladiatorial shows of death and violence. With a capacity of 50,000, this overwhelming historical monument is a must-see in Rome, Italy.
2. The Leaning Tower of Pisa - This marvellous work of art which started in the 12th century and took around 177 years to be completed needs no introduction. One of the third oldest structures in Pisa's Cathedral Square, the tower leans at an angle of 3.97 degrees to the southwest and remains one of the most fascinating pieces of architecture to this day.
3. La Scala, Milan - While it is a known fact that opera is at the heart of Italian culture, the La Scala Opera House is one among the most famous theatres in the world. Inaugurated on 3 August 1778, this is one place an admirer of art and opera cannot afford to miss out on while in Italy.

The Best Italian Cities

Image by ryarwood via Flickr
By Matthew Kepnes


Traveling to Italy - The Best Italian Cities
The best Italian cities are difficult to pinpoint because there are simply so many beautiful places to go to it wouldn't be fair to pick out a list and say these should be seen, while ignoring all the others. If you truly want to experience Italy, then it's best if you spend a couple of weeks there or even consider staying there a while to work or study.
The following is a description of some of the best cities that you can visit.

Your Italian Holiday in Milan

Image by jrgcastro via Flickr

Milan, one the largest cities in Italy, is situated in Northern Italy and is the capital city of the region of Lombardy. It has a population of more than one million and is a great place to start your Italian holiday with some culture and shopping.

The oldest shopping mall in the world is said to be the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II which was designed and built in the 19th century. It features a glass and steel arch covering a street and in the centre a glass dome. You can shop for anything here, including haute couture and the world famous fashion houses. There are also plenty of restaurants where you can get a bite to eat and a drink and sit and watch the world go by for a while. The mall leads to two of Milan's most famous edifices, the Duomo and the Teatro alla Scala.

If you want to include some culture in your Italian holiday, then the Duomo is where to start. The residence of the Archbishop of Milan has incredible Gothic architecture and plays a major part in maintaining and spreading the Catholic faith. If you take a guided tour of Milan, this is sure to be included.

The Teatro alla Scala was built late in the 18th century after a fire destroyed its predecessor. The rich used to gather here but there was a gallery above the boxes where the poor were permitted to attend the opera. It has recently been renovated very sympathetically ensuring the preservation of the historical details.

The Castello Sforzesco or Sforza Castle is another landmark of Milan, home of the Sforza family who ruled here in the 14th and 15th centuries and surrounded by a walled hunting park. There are several museums, one of which is home to an art collection which includes Michelangelo's last sculpture, the Rondanini Pietà, Andrea Mantegna's Trivulzio Madonna and Leonardo da Vinci's Codex Trivulzianus manuscript.

No Italian holiday in Milan would be complete without seeing Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper which is a mural measuring 450 × 870 centimeters (15 feet × 29 ft) and covering the back wall of the dining hall at Santa Maria delle Grazie.

So, whether your preference is art and architecture or shopping for high fashion, you couldn't choose a better place for an Italian holiday than Milan.

For more hints and tips on how to make the best of an Italian holiday, click here.

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