Sport
If you are at all interested in the game, it would be a shame to leave Italy without attending a partita or football match; calcio is the national sport and is followed fanatically by millions of Italians. The season starts around the end of August, takes a break during the latter part of December and early part of January, and finishes up, with the Italian Cup final, in June. The Italian League is split into four principal divisions, Serie A, Serie B, and Serie C1 and C2; matches are normally played on Sunday afternoons, occasionally Sunday evenings, and there is a good chance that on any weekend there will be a team from one of the above divisions playing not too far away. Serie A, is of course, the most prestigious division, comprising eighteen teams; the bottom-placed four are relegated each season, to be replaced by the top four from Serie B, although there are some clubs whom it would be unimaginable to see in Serie B - teams like Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan. Inevitably, tickets for Serie A matches are not cheap, starting at about GBP30,000/?15.49 for "Curva" seats at each end of the ground, where the tifosi or hard-core fans go, rising to GBP50,000/?25.82 for the Distinti or corner seats, and up to GBP70,000-150,000/?36.15-77.47 for seats in the "Tribuna", along the side of the pitch. We've given details of where to buy tickets for the major clubs and how to get to their grounds in the "Listings" sections at the end of major city accounts. Once at the football match, get into the atmosphere of the occasion by knocking back borghetti - little vials of cold coffee with a drop of spirit added. Italy's chosen sport after football is basketball , introduced from the United States after World War II. Most cities have a team, and Italy is now ranked among the foremost in the world. Other stateside imports are baseball and American football . In a country that has produced Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Fiat, it should come as no surprise that motor racing gives Italians such a buzz. There are grand prix tracks at Monza near Milan (home of the Italian Grand Prix) and at Imola, where the San Marino Grand Prix is held. The other sport popular with participants and crowds of spectators alike is cycling. At weekends especially, you'll often see a club pack out, dressed in bright team kit, whirring along on their slender machines. The annual Giro d'Italia (tour of Italy) in the second half of May is a prestige event that attracts scores of international participants each year, closing down roads and creating great excitement.
South ItalyLeila says "the southern coast of italy" www.italiana.co.ukClaire McDonough says "Italiana.co.uk was formed in late 2005 to offer a unique reference point on everything about italian food and drink.
Italian food is enjoyed by people the world over. This great site offers a plethora of information about Italian cuisine and culture.
Our features and articles are written by professional journalists and experts - who have a particular interest or background in this area.
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