Italy is an art lover's paradise. It has been likened to one vast museum. No other country in the world has such a rich heritage of artistic creativity. A UNESCO study placed 40% of the art of the world in Italy. Italian art has engendered great public interest and involvement, resulting in the consistent production of monumental and spectacular works. In addition, Italian art has nearly always been closely allied with the intellectual and/or religious currents of its day while retaining its own remarkable past as a continual source of inspiration.

Italian art in all its forms of expression magically spans the passing of the centuries, from the Roman Empire to the present day, in a continual succession of visual surprises for visitors to enjoy. Italy is the land of Donatello, Tintoretto, Titian and Giorgione, all painters of extraordinary calibre who produced vast quantities of works. Italy have special art festivals, particularly in the central part of the country - based in ancient amphitheatres or other ruins or marking the work of a native composer. Perhaps the most prestigious is the Venice film festival in August and September. Spoleto 's summer Festival dei Due Mondi (Festival of the Two Worlds) is also well known, a two-month-long event of classical concerts, films, ballet, street theatre and performance art, with its venue the open spaces of the ancient walled town, that is the biggest arts festival in the country nowadays. The Sferisterio in Macerata in Marche and the Roman arena in Verona are two equally dramatic places to hear music in the summer months. Similarly there's the Panatenee Pompeiane music festival, held in the ruins of Pompeii during the last week of August. Bologna 's summer festival often tries something different, with live bands playing in its medieval palace courtyards and screenings of soap opera or art movies in unexpected places. Other festivals remember a particular composer: Puccini's music is celebrated from the end of July to mid-August in Torre del Lago, near Viareggio , Rossini's in Pésaro from mid-August to September. And it's worth noting the dates of the Italian opera season, which begins in December and runs through until May or June. The principal opera houses are La Scala in Milan, the Teatro dell'Opera in Rome, La Fenice in Venice (currently closed after fire, but there is a temporary replacement), the Teatro Comunale in Florence and the Teatro San Carlo in Naples. But there are also other, more modest venues that have regular performances of opera throughout these months.

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