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How To Retire Without Money
By Bob Belmont
CHAPTER 11 ITALY
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11
IN A NUTSHELL. The Republic of Italy is approximately the size
of Arizona and if her population continues to grow at its
present rate, will soon have the largest number of citizens of
any European country save only the Soviet Union.
To give a
quick rundown on Italy is a task beyond the meager abilities
of this writer for there is probably no land in the world
about which so very much can be said. To describe her
geographically alone would take up pages since Italy runs from
the Alps, the grandest mountains in Europe, down to the
tropical-like Italian Riviera with its palm trees and its long
golden beaches. It's northern industrial cities such as Milan
are as modern as Detroit, while the sleepy villages in
Southern Italy and Sicily are some of the most backward and
poverty stricken in Europe. Such islands as Capri, right off
Naples, have been noted since Roman times as resort spots and
it was here that the notorious Emperor Tiberius built his
retirement palace. Vesuvius, also near Naples, is probably the
most famous volcano in the world—what school child doesn't
remember Pompei and how it was destroyed over night by the
belching mountain? Sicily, studded with Greek and Roman ruins,
is considered by many travelers to have the most impressive
coastline in Europe.
And her
cities! If you were to name the dozen most beautiful cities in
the world, Italy alone would boast at least two of them and
possibly three. Venice, of course, with her canals, her
medieval atmosphere, her different qualities; Rome, probably
the most impressive city anywhere, with the weight of her
centuries heavy on her shoulders; Florence, that medieval
center which contains more of the great art of all time than
any other city on earth.
Nor are these
three alone. Naples has one of the most beautiful natural
harbors in the world; Portofino, has one of the most beautiful
natural settings anywhere; Positano, on the Amalfi Drive,
south of Naples, is the loveliest art colony I have seen; San
Remo on the Italian Riviera rivals anything on the French,
including casinos, race tracks, luxury hotels and outstanding
restaurants. There are many, many others.
Somehow, of
all the countries in the world Italy packs more feeling of art
and of history into her atmosphere. Not an hour goes by but
that you are conscious of her heritage. Here is a Roman temple
once built to Jupiter; there is a medieval castle rich with
the wealth of the Medeci; over here is a cathedral ornamented
by Michelangelo; the road over which we drive in spots still
shows the ruts once caused by chariot wheels. Here Ceasar
passed on his way to Rome; there Napoleon was exiled on the
tiny island of Elba; and from this house Marco Polo, the first
tourist, took off on his way to far Cathay; and from this port
the Crusaders left to wrest the Holy Land from Saladin.
>>> CHAPTER 11 ITALY
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