Why do people love to visit Italy?

Italy is intimate, romantic, noisy, dirty, and generally an "in your face" experience. I have always felt comfortable traveling in groups at all hours in the cities I have visited. Like most places theft is a problem so the tourist should be aware. There is a lack of safety both for the driver and pedestrians on roads; informational signage is absent on many roads other than the autostrada (highway). Once again, caution is required. Also some things such as hours of service are not so convenient. For example, many food vendors and markets are open only in the morning. Even gas stations are not always attended. But once you accept the difference in the culture it is very possible to enjoy yourself immensely in Italy. Living there is very different from visiting. The cost of living is high and the wages and hours are modest. Many people work more than one part-time job in their fields. Getting an education, even though it is almost free at public universities, is a long difficult task and many professional programs have cuts. Taxes I believe are high and pensions are low. Therefore, Italy desperately needs and wants our tourism dollars. So go as often as you can afford to and experience Italy as deeply as your love for culture, food, art, natural beauty, etc. indulges you.