One ENTIRE board for Italy

I suspect it's not a question of being "better", but rather is based on the number of questions regarding each area. Italy is a VERY popular destination, so perhaps that's why it rates it's own board?

Cheers!

Italy generates over 4 times more posts than the rest of Europe COMBINED! I expect eventually they'll need to break Italy up into North, Central, and South.

Here at the stats from a similar board I visit often, showing country and number of posts made:
Italy: 208,154
France: 33,993
UK/Ireland: 12,076
Spain/Portugal: 2,731
The Rest of Europe: 9,256

Maybe if that movie had been "Under the Burgundy Sun" the stats would be different :-)

When I first started reading on this and similar boards I was as surprised as you are. I had expected that Britain or France would generate the most questions. And my personal experience is quite different as well. I've seen 15 European countries to date. For me Italy will "only" be # 16.

But I guess Italy is really a very popular destination for American tourists. But just because it's more popular doesn't mean it's "better".

It is quite an interesting question for me why Italy is so popular. Any thoughts on this????

I love Paris and have been there 7 times. I think it is my favorite place in the world, and I want to explore more of France as well. In 2003 I made my first trip to Italy and I, like all others, have fallen in love with Italy also. I've been to Venice, Florence, Cortona and other cities in Tuscany, and Rome. It's pretty magical. I'm planning another trip to Tuscany next year. I think my trips to Europe will alternate between France and Italy forever more.

Why is Italy so popular?Food & wineSceneryArtArchitectureMusical traditionLiterary traditionHistory & classical originsSpiritual center of the Catholic worldFor someone with an interest in how our Western culture and worldview developed, Italy is a treasure: Rome obviously; Florence where the Renaissance began, etc...I'm guessing it has as many or more UNESCO world heritage sites than any other country in Western Europe Italy arguably has as many or more art treasures than any other country. Many of the greatest artists and architects that ever lived were Italian.Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, etc did all or most of their work in ItalyThe magic of Tuscany Hill TownsThe Vatican, spiritual home to the world's Catholics and a place of huge importance to all of ChristianityThe unique city of VeniceRoman ruinsGreek ruins (Paestum)