Why a Holiday in Italy Is a Must for Every Travel Enthusiast?

If you are looking for a good reason for planning a holiday in Italy this amazing place is definitely going to spoil you with unlimited choices! Italy is a wonderful amalgamation of stunning locales, architecture and rich culture which has transformed this place into a year round vacation spot for travelers from all across the globe. The country has such diverse experiences to offer that tourists are now being able to avail cheap holidays to Italy very easily and without much bother at all. What's more with the country's tourism industry flourishing like never before renting out beautiful Italian villas for whole seasons has now become a very popular and budget friendly option for vacationers.

Stunning Scenic Locations

Located in the south of Europe, Italy is home to some of the most spectacular alpine ranges, pristine beaches, gorgeous lakes and lush green national parks all of which offer a variety of diverse destinations for planning a holiday in Italy. Tourists can avail some great vacation options through cheap beach holidays amongst which the beaches across Sicily like those of Mondello and Taormina are some of the most beautiful and budget friendly seaside destinations.

If you love the tranquility of a lakeside vacation then you are on for a delightful surprise as there are some gorgeous Italian lakes holidays for you to choose from especially the magnificent Lake Como and Lake Garda in the north of Italy surrounded by beautiful chestnut woods! If you are in love with the wilderness you must plan for holidays to Sardinia and Puglia which are home to a number of impressive national parks having some of the most diverse endemic flora and fauna in Europe.

Rich Culture and History

Another great reason for planning a holiday in Italy is the country's rich culture and history. Venice and Florence are a must see destination for every museum aficionado while the capital city of Rome is steeped in the history of its imperial past. Visiting Rome is akin to stepping back in time and makes for a truly beautiful romantic option for a holiday in Italy. The lovely city of Palermo in Sicily is divinely rich in history, art and music and is especially famous for its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque churches, palaces and buildings, and its vibrant nightlife and music.

Historical and Cultural Highlights of the Haute Savoie

Home to the world famous resort and its catered chalets, the ski resort of La Tania is a typical centre of Haute Savoie culture.

When you are off on your next skiing holiday you might like to think about the cultural background of your resort. La Tania is an example of the sort of centre that rewards an exploration of the area's history and culture. Nestled in the mountains of La Savoie, La Tania was a small hamlet half way between Courchevel and Méribel known locally as La Tagna. When you discover that this name means 'lair of the bears' in Savoyard Patois, you might not feel so snug in your cosy catered chalets. The ski resort of La Tania is based in the Tarentaise forests that were known for their bear population until the beginning of the 20th century, when they were driven out of the valley by the inhabitants.

History Highlights

The resort is part of the French Haute Savoie, which is rich in history. Between 1416 and 1847 the House of Savoy ruled the Duchy after Sigismund, the Holy Roman Emperor, granted the territory to Count Amadeus VIII. In the 15th century the duchy was made up of Moriana, Valle d'Aosta and the Piedmont. It soon expanded to the coastal area around Nice. Under Amadeus La Savoie became established as a cultural centre in art, architecture and literature long before the emergence of catered chalets. The ski resort of La Tania was a tiny village of little significance at this time but nonetheless has developed a strong Savoyard nature.

Between 1536 and 1559 the French had the upper hand during the two-decade occupation by King Francis I. A century later the Frankish influence was maintained under the leadership of Duke Charles Emmanuel II. Savoy was occupied from 1792 to 1815 by French Revolutionary forces, and finally in 1860 the duchy was annexed by France.

Language

In the Savoyard region a vernacular language developed, traces of which one might hear spoken around the catered chalets. The ski resort of La Tania is home to some of the 35,000 remaining speakers of this Patois.

Cuisine

Savoyard food is a rich cuisine based on potatoes, Savoyard cheeses, sausages and patés. There are plenty of opportunities within this resort for visitors to sample some of these tasty dishes. La Savoie is equally renowned for its ancient tradition of viticulture, producing some of the world's best wines from ancient times to the present day.