Greece and Italy: Two Amazing Vacation Spots, Essay Example

Introduction

Italy and Greece are popular vacation spots that are located in southern Europe. There are many similarities in the tourist attractions owing to the fact that both countries are on the Mediterranean. Both countries are good for sightseeing as well as visits to museums and historic sites. However, these sites are different in several ways. For instance, Greece is a smaller country compared to Italy

Greece

Greece is a small European country that is very famous for her tourist attractions like a Mediterranean coastline. This country’s natural beauty attracts tourists from all Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Visitors come into Greece during summer as well as during winter. The Mediterranean weather in this country is always temperate.

Greece offers many sporting opportunities to tourists who visit the country. People who like adventures may engage in sporting activities such as rafting, rock climbing, hiking, kite-surfing and windsurfing in areas like Crete, Thessaloniki and Rhodes. Tourists who prefer to engage in more relaxed sports may engage in golf, horse riding or biking in Athens. Additionally, lovers of snow sports will find this country very amazing.

In Greece, there are different types of accommodation that are offered to both local and foreign visitors. People who visit this country may choose to stay in luxurious villas, hotel rooms, or camping sites. Some accommodations services are cheap while others are expensive. The visitors must make the right choices depending on their needs.

Greece has a very rich culture, something that captivates tourists from all over the world. This is a land of numerous traditions that make places like Vergina, Acropolis of Athens, Delphi, and Ancient Olympia very popular with tourists. Additionally, many festivals take place in this country annually. Some tourists always ensure that the timing of their vacations corresponds with their favorite annual festivals. During these religious popular culture festivals, visitors have an opportunity to sample Greek cuisine. They also have an opportunity to buy souvenirs from local vendors.

People who come to Greece love spending the night in the country’s capital city, Greece. The nightlife in this city is vivid, and Greek music rocks the city every night. Visitors also love this city because of the association it has with many early philosophers as well as the fact that it is the cradle of western civilization. Alternatively, one may spend a week in one of Greek islands, among them Mykonos, Los, Corfu, and Rhodes. In each of these islands, the entertainment style is similar to the one that is found in Athens. Wherever a visitor is within Greece, he can be sure to have a wonderful holiday experience.

Italy

Similarly, Italy has diverse tourist attractions that attract millions of visitors from different parts of the world all year long. Some of this country’s attractions have been designated as World Heritage Sites. The country is also famous for her wonderful coasts, cuisine, lakes, and mountains. Italy is a beautiful city where everyone has a sense of fashion. For this reason, many art and cultural centers have been set up in order to attract tourists.  Additionally, there are many monuments, panoramic destinations and beautiful cities all over this European country. The best monuments are found in Campania and Sardinia. The best cities for one to have a panoramic view are Florence and Vienna.

Italian natural landscapes are as scenic as the country’s architecture, for example The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Rome, the capital city of Italy, is famous the world over for its architectural marvels. Some of the most stunning architectural marvels of all time are found here. Additionally, there are art galleries and museums where one can find numerous types of artifacts and collections of artistic masterpieces that reflect the richness of Italian cultures.

Just like Greece, Italy is a great place to visit both during winter and summer. Some of the best cities for sightseeing activities include Florence, Venice, Milan, Turin, and Sienna. Other than sightseeing, the country presents lovers of adventure with amazing opportunities to engage in bike tours, mountain hiking, and horse riding. The Dolomites and Alps are home to a number of the best ski resorts in the world.

Majority of Italy’s tourist attractions are found in the Rome. Some of them include beautiful basilicas, Castle Sant’Angelo, The Forum, Colosseum, Fontana di Trevi, and The Colosseum. The Duomo of Milan is a flamboyant gothic structure that is also second largest cathedral in the world. Additionally, it is difficult for visitors to come to Rome without visiting Vatican City. Vatican City is located at the heart of Rome. St. Peter’s Basilica is located in this independent city state. Both the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel are also located here. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is arguably the most popular Italian tourist attraction. It was once one among seven famous wonders of the world.

Further away from Rome, a trip to Turin reveals more attractions, including Museo Egizio, Antonelliana, and Pizza San Carlo. Museo Egizio is an Egyptian Museum, the largest of its kind to be found outside Egypt. Naples is another favorite city for tourists. People who love sightseeing may visit Pompeii, an ancient city that was buried when a volcanic eruption took place on Mount Vesuvius.  In Venice, beautiful gondolas and canals are the most important tourist attractions, a good example being Grand Canal Venice. In Florence, many museums, including The Uffizi Gallery, continue to attract tourists from all over the world, especially European countries. Collections of paintings by famous artists are stored in Uffizi Gallery. Some of these artists include Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Giotto, and Angelico.

Conclusion

Although both destinations seem to have everlasting features, Greece has become a favorite destination of mine. I spent a great time there, and it has definitely climbed up the charts on my best holidays. It encompasses all the aspects I look for in a vacation destination: great history, beautiful scenery, and, of course, packed with tons of fun.