Of the world’s 195 countries, it should come as no surprise that with 44 world heritage sites, Italy has more than any other country. Italy is steeped in history and myth, with the Roman Empire ruling a large part of the world for hundreds of years, its effect on the progress of Western society cannot be overstated. This is felt deeply throughout the continent, from its wondrous architectural remains to the food and wine, the clothes worn, the cars driven, and the art loved, not to mention many linguistic roots.

All this from a country that is famous as one of the most beautiful and charismatic on the planet. Italy is made up of 20 regions, five of which are autonomous; Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Valle d’Aosta, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, Sicily and Sardinia. Italy covers a land area of ​​294,020 square kilometers and has a population of around 62 million as of 2011.

In the north is the Aosta Valley, where we find the mountainous region of Italy. Here are some of the most impressive peaks in the Alps; the Gran Paradiso, Monte Rosa, the Matterhorn and Monte Bianco which is surrounded by an amazing national park where you can see a wide variety of wildlife from ibex and chamois to eagles. Beyond Trentino and Alto Adige the alpine circle continues, with layers of mountains and valleys. This is rugged Italy on an epic scale and it’s the place for those looking for both wilderness and great history. There are many ancient castles that visitors can visit and book as vacation rentals, to enjoy a taste of old world hospitality.

For those looking for world-class skiing, Italy offers skiing on a par with any other European or North American country and you’ll find incredible slopes throughout the Northeast, known for the Dolomites, a spectacular set of peaks that run through the area. . You can find many holiday apartments and hotels here that offer luxury accommodation to complement a ski holiday in Italy.

Another northern region to highlight is Veneto, home to the famous mythical city of Venice, which is itself a world heritage site. Also known as “The Floating City” and “The City of Masks”. Luigi Barzini, writing in The New York Times, described it as “undoubtedly the most beautiful city built by man.” The city is connected through 117 small islands that are located in the Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea. A network of watercourses unites the most beautiful collection of buildings built in one place. This is a must for anyone visiting Italy.

In the center of the country is the region of Tuscany, flanked by Umbria and the Marche. All loved for its impressive fertile land, hills and valleys. This part of Italy has become famous thanks to artists from all over the world and is considered the cradle of the Italian Renaissance. Some of the greats of history such as Puccini, Galileo, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli and Dante hail from Tuscany. With world-famous wines and a myriad of world heritage sites and hundreds of nature reserves in this part of the country, it’s no surprise to learn that Tuscany attracts over 10 million visitors each year, making it one of the most visited places. in the world.

A little further down the country, in the Lazio region, we find Rome, the capital of Italy. A city that spans over two thousand five hundred years and gave rise to an Empire that lasted seven hundred years. Rome is a magical city that breathes history through all its pores. No other city comes close to second place after this great metropolis. A living monument, where the past meets the present, with a reverence that only Rome knows. Here, fashionistas in fancy clothes, street performers, withered priests and the roar of Vesper bikes play against a backdrop of ancient wonders.

Moving on and we come across the southern section of the mainland mainland and two large islands, namely Sardinia and Sicily. To the south we can also find a large number of much smaller islands. This part of Italy is the ideal place for those looking to escape the large crowds of the central and northern parts, as it accounts for just under half of the total land mass but with a fraction of the population. The south has incredible beaches but attracts fewer tourists than some of its European neighbors simply because Rome, Florence and Venice are often the first stop for anyone traveling to Italy. As such, this can make southern Italy a great option if you’re looking for golden coastlines without the crowds you might expect in Spain or Portugal.

As you might expect, property prices vary considerably depending on where in the country you choose to buy. Apartments in Rome, Venice and central Florence can run into the millions. However, for the most part, Italy is a great country to find classic properties at very competitive prices and in most of Italy it is possible to find country properties to restore from as little as €15,000. Anyone interested in undertaking a restoration project should keep in mind that the actual cost of bringing your dream home to life will be considerably higher once you factor in the necessary construction materials and labor.

One-bedroom houses can be found in the central regions of Abruzzo and Umbria for as little as €30,000. With two-bedroom coastal apartments from €35,000. In fact, Italy is one of the best countries in Europe for finding property at great prices, and since it’s so prized for its history, culture, cuisine, and natural beauty, investments here pay off very well as vacation rentals. A truly stunning country that is perfect for the aesthetically pleased.

Some tips for buying a property in Italy:
• Find a respected real estate agent and surveyor, or technical expert to help you deal with legal operations and the ‘famous’ Italian bureaucracy. Once this is in place, the purchase procedure is fairly straightforward but a little slow, so make sure you are patient throughout.
• If you are looking for an Italian mortgage, you must open an Italian bank account. Once this is done, you can borrow up to 80% of the purchase price, as long as the loan lasts no more than 35 years.
• Make sure the property is really what you want before signing a “Commitment” as this is a legally binding document.
• Make sure exit clauses are written into the draft contract for anything that hasn’t been fully verified.
• Make sure your property is properly inspected.
• Before buying, you must obtain a deed of sale through the Italian consulate in your home country.
• The signing of the deed (rogito) must be observed by the seller, the real estate agent, the notary and the mortgage lender.