Italy was already awarded first place in the Conde’ Nast Traveller Travel Awards 2009 as “Favourite country in the world” last month. Now Italy has won top place at the prestigious Sunday Times Travel Magazine Travel Awards 2009 in the category “Favourite European Country for a longer holiday”, with Greece and Spain in 2nd and 3rd place respectively.

“Food! Fashion! Culture! Scenery! In truth this was a runaway victory for la bella donna. With its mix of the best sights, smells…and designer bags” “you know there is a holiday for everyone in Italy”, this was the fitting comment of the magazine.

To complete Italy’s success, Rome was 3rd in the category “Favourite Short Break City Outside the UK” and the Hotel Villa San Michele was also 3rd in the category “Favourite European Boutique Hotel”

The Sunday Times Travel Magazine is one of the most important travel magazines in the UK and its Awards are assigned to the best of the best in travel voted by its readers who compile a questionnaire every year.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the press that have written or intend to write about our country and that do so much to keep the love for Italy alive in the UK.