Did I miss the announcement that summer 2025 was dedicated to Italy? Maybe it was my own foray onto Italian soil this summer that skewed my perception, but I swear every time I’ve opened Instagram this holiday, a new person has landed for their own Italian summer. As other European countries and their own cities are forgotten, photos from Florence and Rome have peppered my social media, making me marvel at how I managed to narrowly miss supo partners in the line to tourist attractions.

So, what is it that makes Italy the perfect summer holiday destination and why did 20 people I know all see the Birth of Venus this August?

“Why did 20 people I know all see the Birth of Venus this August?”

The food

Let’s get the obvious over and done with first; Italian cuisine is undeniably one of the most popular – and for good reason. Whether it’s pizza, pasta, or gelato, Italy promises the perfect menu for your time abroad. Though Italian food is probably a staple for most people’s food at home, there is just no comparing it to the real thing – and it seems that everyone agrees. When my friends and I visited Florence, our TikTok feeds were full of ‘The best food spots’ in the city. While we did visit a few of the recommendations, the truth is that good food can be found on almost every corner of the city’s ancient streets (undeniably, each also contains at least three tourist traps – but these are still probably better than most Italian food elsewhere). It’s not just the restaurants that promise culinary perfection – but personally, we were just as happy with the local supermarkets. Somehow there is no better shopping experience than in a small air–conditioned Carrefour express, and as long as they promised us fresh bread, cheese, and ham for lunches, we were pretty happy.

“Somehow there is no better shopping experience than in a small air–conditioned Carrefour express”

While Italy has a wider variety of foods available for those with a more diverse culinary palette, most of our trip revolved around a cycle of either sandwiches, pizza, or pasta – because why would you ever divert from perfection?

The art

Maybe it’s the A-level art student in me, but a holiday is incomplete without at least one gallery trip. And in Italy, with its rich, renowned art history, it wouldn’t just be incomplete – but criminal. It’s hard not to be in awe of the works displayed in these galleries – ranging from iconic statues to beautiful oil paintings, each with their own distinct history and meaning. So while parting with almost €30 for a ticket sometimes can seem painful – they are undeniably worth it, and can often offer a much needed break from the unrelenting Italian sun. Speaking from experience though, this isn’t always the case. Two hours in Florence’s Uffizi Gallery – with its limited air conditioning and crowds – almost broke even the most seasoned gallery-goer among us.

“Paris may officially be the city of love, but it’s got some pretty tough competition”

The romance of it all

Paris may officially be the city of love, but it’s got some pretty tough competition coming from the south-eastern border. Whether it’s the gondolas of Venice, the Tuscan vineyards, or even Juliet’s balcony in Verona, there’s no lack of romantic scenery in Italy. The latter may or may not have been inspired by a recent viewing of Amanda Seyfried in Letters to Juliet – and personally, I just don’t think the film would’ve been as good in Paris. The Italian atmosphere just has a different kind of feel to it – and whilst there’s no evidence Shakespeare ever travelled to Italy, I think if you sat him down with a quill and an aperol spritz he could easily write an ode to Italia.

Fair warning though for those not in their loved up bubble; the PDA can be a bit much sometimes – especially in the tourist spots. The Piazzale Michelangelo steps in Florence, for example, are a honeytrap for those wanting to watch the sunset over the city’s horizon, with a market atop for the essential souvenir shopping. But in just 20 minutes of sitting there, my friends and I witnessed 3 public proposals – each with their own professional photographer and seemingly choreographed poses. Despite the bad weather, they all said yes. And I don’t blame them, when in Rome…