Italy taps a rich heritage

ITALY’S popularity as a holiday destination continues to grow, with 250,000 Australians visiting in the past year, a 16% increase from the previous year.

At a joint event yesterday hosted by the Consulate General of Italy, Italian National Tourist Board (INTB) and Rail Europe, INTB Australia and New Zealand Manager Emanuele Attanasio also confirmed that Italy was the second biggest destination for travel by Europeans after the UK.

The INTB’s focus for 2019 will be to promote Leonardo da Vinci and the 500th anniversary of the death of the Italian genius, with celebrations taking place across Milan and Florence.

Consul General Arturo Arcano identified the city of Matera, located in Southern Italy, as another focus and “must-visit” destination for tourists next year.

The relatively undiscovered city, accessible by rail or car, has been proclaimed a cultural heritage site by UNESCO and is made up of natural caves that are filled with restaurants, bars, hotels and souvenir stores.

Rail Plus Australia Head of Sales James Hooper said the Italian rail network was “one of the best in the world where everything is extremely well connected”.

Point-to-point rail passes are recommended for travel across Italy, available through Rail Plus.

Pictured yesterday at Ventuno restaurant in Sydney are James Hooper, Arturo Arcano and Emanuele Attanasio.