Italy is a land of art, history, architecture, romance and Vespas. Italys exceptional scenery, rich history and deeply entrenched culture have made this enticing country a popular destination for both straight and gay travel, as well as a popular setting for books, movies and plays. Singles, couples, families and groups of friends flock to Italy throughout the year for the fashion, the food and some of the most famous art and architecture in the world. Whether your ideal gay vacation includes meandering narrow, ancient roads in Rome or Venice, languid drives through the countryside searching for lesser known historical sites and visiting wineries, wiling away an afternoon in a museum in Florence or experiencing Milans enticing nightlife, Italy is an ideal destination for gay vacations.

While Rome and Milan have the widest selection of gay bars and clubs, gay travel participants will find that Geneva, Florence, Bologna, Venice, Padua and many other tourist hotspots also have gay-owned and gay-friendly establishments offering a welcoming atmosphere for a night on the town during your gay vacation to Italy. Gay-owned and gay-friendly hotels can be found throughout Italy, such as the Hotel Porta Rossa " which is the second oldest hotel in Italy and just a short walk from numerous world-famous attractions, such as Michelangelos David in the Galleria dellAccademia " or the gay-owned La Quircia Rosa and Villa le Masse in Tuscany.

Italys larger cities have established gay and lesbian communities, providing many options for your Italian gay vacation. Milan is often thought of as the most accepting city in Italy, with Florence, Rome and Bologna also topping this list with larger gay and lesbian populations, which make each of these popular choices for gay vacations. There are gay pride celebrations in many cities and three lesbian and gay film festivals, including Milans Festival del Cinema Gay Lesbico e della Cultura Queer, the Turin International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and the Florence Queer Festival.

In order to get the most out of your gay holiday to Italy and to more fully experience and learn about the culture, history and art, you may want to consider participating in an organized tour. If you partake in well-organized group vacations or work with a gay travel agency to arrange tours for you and your travel partners, you are sure to find that knowledgeable tour guides.

Whether you go to Italy for the food, the art, the wine, the history or the legends, there is bound to be a tour related to your interests and this really is the best way to take in all that Italy has to offer. Another tip for utilizing your time in Italy well is to book museum reservations ahead of time whenever possible. Italy is well-known for its remarkable museums and this will save you from standing in some very long lines.