Italy is one of the most strategic and accessible countries to visit, and most especially one of the best places to retire. Based from Italy’s tourism council there are ten prominent airlines flying between New York and Rome. Accordingly, most of the rates are the same base from popular demand of tourist around the world---the first class is now $550.40 while its tourist class is $380.30 both one way in season.
But aside from that there are numerous steamship lines running between New York and Genoa or Naples. These are, Italian Lines, American Export Lines, Home Lines, Lauro Lines and the Greek Line. There are also Freighter lines carrying passengers—the Concordia Line, Costa Line, Barber Mediterranean Line and the Hellenic Lines. The minimum one way passenger rates for both freighters and liners since 2002 is $175. First come first serve basis is still strictly followed to avoid over-crowded passengers, and for tourists to enjoy the journey even if they are not yet in Italy.
The tourism office of Italy also offers the most affordable ways of reaching Italy as part of further promoting its foremost cities and country sides as best travel destinations and best places to retire, the instant popular "student ship" from New York to Holland or France or a train or bus going to Genoa.
Those who have already seen and tasted “the grandeur of Italy" have found all means of transportation in Italy as good as anywhere in the entire Europe—or even more efficient, more convenient, and faster. Not to mention Italy’s renowned world class qualities, artistry and friendliness of its people are felt as you travel around the country, whatever means you choose. This is one of the primary reasons why Italy belongs to the top and best places to retire.
Moreover, tourists planning to visit Italy by car or any other private vehicles, will be given by the Italy’s tourism offices pamphlets on Visit Italy in Motor Car, which is distributed free. This allows visitors or tourists a complete rundown including a road map of the country. Visiting Italy before you finally settle here for good, would be a perfect way for you to get familiar with the place, its culture and its people.
Another reason why Italy is one of the best places to retire is its people. Italians are very loving, caring, friendly, and sociable people, which most of the tourists who come to Italy love most. Many are smitten by Italians’ warmth that they decide to settle here for good. Actually, Italy is a great a melting pot of nations—greater than any European and American countries, which probably convinces everyone else this country is one of the best places to retire.
Prices in Italy compared to other prominent places in Europe and America is not as expensive though there are selected places that seem to be pretty expensive---to name a few these are: Rome, the Piazza Amerigo Capponi, not far from the famous Vatican---which is considered as one of the most highly visited places in the world not just by Roman Catholics.
In downtown cities of Italy, about two O.N.A.R.M.O. restaurants that have been established for students and pilgrims on a tight budget and the Via del Mascherino, one block from St. Peter's, offer very affordable food. Majority of those who visited the place said that in these places you could eat well with wine worth for seventy cents only.
It’s really proven that food and dining in Italy is one of the foremost if not the best in the world. France also has the best restaurants but it is only in Italy that most tourists will really find the excellent meals in even the medium priced restaurants. If you love food, certainly, Italy would qualify as one of the best places to retire for you.
Italy, as one of the best places to retire, offers a lot of places that will make you always in good mood. Of course there’s Rome, which is considered by many as a very inspiring city. If you want a less complicated lifestyle in your retirement, Italian Riviera or Sicily would be the perfect haven for you. Also there’s a small yet very dynamic town, Levanto, which is very accessible if you wish to go to nearby tourist attractions in Switzerland, France, Monaco or even Yugoslavia. All of them are less than a day's trip by car, bus or train.
But let’s not forget numerous islands just off the toe of the boot of Italy, especially Sicily, which is known for its very colorful countryside way of life. Also, there’s Messina a town famous for its rugged mountains and highly productive farm life. The towns of Taormina and famous Mt. Etna, snow topped, is in the distance built atop a high cliff, which rises almost perpendicularly out of the sea. Another beautiful island Capri, right off Naples, has been known since ancient Roman times as resort and tourist spots Vesuvius, also near Naples, is probably the most famous and highly recorded volcano in the world. All these natural sceneries make Italy truly one of the best places to retire.
Alluring places like Venice, noted for its grand and very busy canals, the presence of its undying medieval atmosphere; Rome, the most impressive city in Italy; and Florence, known for being the center for arts, culture, history, literature; Naples, known for being one of the most beautiful natural harbors in the world; Portofino, known for its beautiful natural settings around its territory; and Positano, on the Amalfi Drive, south of Naples, where ancient collection of arts is also preserved here, make Italy not just the best place to retire but the loveliest or most romantic place to retire.