We all love Italy and its culture, gastronomy, festivals, beautiful beaches, colourful cities and the rare treasures it has to offer. Italy is multi-faceted and is a land of a multitude of cultures and traditions. Though from a foreign perspective we might consider the country to be homogenous and unified in terms of culture and traditions, it is surprising to find that Italy is very diverse internally. So today we are going to explore the north and south of Italy and see how diverse and different these two regions are from each other to help you decide better which region is best suited for you to spend your vacations.
Geographically, the region above Rome is considered the northern part of Italy. Northern Italy is generally recognised as the industrial capital of Italy where it is more westernized and industrialised. The cities are cosmopolitan and tourism is at its peak. Major Italian cities such as Milan, Rome, Venice are all located in Northern Italy. This region of Italy also has the Vatican City which is the smallest country in the world. Northern Italy is close to Switzerland and France and has the Alps. The culture of Northern Italy is more influenced by the cultures of Central Europe because of its proximity and its historical past where Northern Italy was mainly ruled by the Germans and Celts. The dialect of part of Italy is also shaped by the influences of their former rulers, such as "Swiss-Italian" or "Franco-Provençal".
In terms of cuisine, there are also marked variations, the best-known dishes being tortellini, risotto, panettone and Parmigiano Reggiano, the all-time favourite cheese, all of which come from northern Italy. Besides, Bologna is one of the main gastronomic centres of Northern Italy. Northern Italy is also the ideal place for all ski lovers, as it has the Alps and the Dolomites to the east. Two of the most underrated and less-visited cities in northern Italy are Turin and Verona which has a lot to offer. This region also has incredible hiking and beautiful lakes such as Lake Como and Lake Garda, just a short distance from Milan. The island of Burano, in the north of Italy, is also considered one of the most colourful cities in the world because of its colourful buildings and houses.
The South of Italy is a real beauty! Surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea on all sides, southern Italy is known for its dreamy coastline, breathtaking scenery and a more traditional way of life than its northern counterpart. Southern Italy is blessed with plenty of sunshine, many historical sites and is totally unspoiled. The Puglia region in southern Italy is one of the most unexplored places and we highly recommend a visit. Campania is another of those regions that will take you back in time. The jewel of southern Italy by far is Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, which is home to exquisite beaches, beautiful coastal towns, archaeological treasures and a gastronomy to die for! There is also the island of Sardinia, which is also the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea after Sicily. Sardinia's culture is very different from the rest of Italy, with its exotic and unique traditions, distinctive gastronomy and isolated lifestyles.
Last but not least, if we had to highlight the most special factor of southern Italy, it would be of course the "Pizza" for sure! Yes, Southern Italy is the homeland of pizza, which is everyone's favourite thing, wherever you are in the world! Naples is the inventor of the famous pizza margarita, the Amalfi Coast, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its incomparable beauty and unrivalled uniqueness, has one of the best seafood in the world.
Nevertheless, both parts of Italy are equally amazing, unique and have their own specialities. Now it's up to you to choose where you want to go and take a respite in Italy, the land of love, expression and life!
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