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ITALY VOTED THE HOME OF CULTURE – BUT THE UK STILL ROCKS THE BEST

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May 26, 2025 #ITALY VOTED THE HOME OF CULTURE

Holiday season is fast approaching and if it’s fashion and culture you’re after, you want to be heading to Italy this summer – according to new research.

A new nationally representative poll of 2,000 adults asked Brits which of five countries – and top European holiday destinations – they regarded to be the best for various aspects of arts and culture this summer.  Of the five countries surveyed – UK, France, Italy, Spain and Germany – Italy won hands down as the home of good food (39%), fine art (35%), architecture (37%), opera (58%), great fashion (37%) and famous painters (40%). It was also voted the home of ice cream (62%).

Whilst France was voted top for fine wine (48%) and seen to be the home of romance (44%) – Spain and Germany came top for none of the categories surveyed.

Brits voted the UK top for literature (73%) and history (56%) – and it roared to runaway glory with rock music – bagging a dominant 78% of the total vote, with arts-rich Italy stumbling at a mere 3%.

The research was conducted by Italian indie-metal band Violet Blend ahead of their London show at the end of the month. Voted Band of the Year by listener of a UK radio show in 2024.

Giada Celeste Chelli, songwriter and lead singer of Italian band Violet Blend commented: “We did this fun survey to better understand the UK audience before we come over in a few weeks’ time. Ferruccio in the band runs a rock ice cream parlour here in Florence and he was delighted Italian ice cream got such a vote of confidence by people in UK. We are fortunate in Florence to be the home of the Renaissance but as the survey shows, Italy has much room for improvement on the rock n roll front. That’s why we’re coming over to the UK – still the home of rock – to develop our craft and help be part of the UK’s greatest export to the world.”

Ahead of a UK tour later in the year, Violet Blend return to London on 30 May 30th to headline a show at The Hope and Anchor in Islington – a legendary venue that has hosted the likes of The Ramones, The Police, The Stranglers, U2, The Cure, and many others. The London show follows the band’s successful 10-date UK Calling Tour in June 2024, which solidified their reputation as one of the most compelling rising acts on the European rock circuit.

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