Opera composer Giuseppe Verdi famously said, “You may have the universe if I may have Italy.” Today, the destination’s appeal remains undeniable: In 2018 alone, Italy was named the number-one global destination on Virtuoso’s Luxe Report (it also made the list as a top destination for millennials, honeymooners and families) and ranked third on Travel Leaders Group’s annual Travel Trends Survey of top international destinations, among other distinctions. 

“The people are endearing and receptive to Americans, and want visitors to see the best of the country,” says Jody Bear of New York’s Bear & Bear Travel to explain the destination’s everlasting appeal.  For Alicia Diez, senior leisure advisor and leisure development manager at Valerie Wilson Travel, the timeless appeal of Italy lies in a simple fact that visitors discover everywhere from the streets of Rome to the most modest tavern in Umbria: “People love life there.”