Italy Travel Guide


The latest travel Information on Italy, includes ideas on Things to See and Do, Local Events, Consulate & Embassy Contact Addresses and much more, all from a first-time visitors point of view.

Italy Information

Overview

Stylish, cultured, good humoured and volatile –Italy, with its golden light, stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage, has inspired poets and painters for centuries. Perhaps more than any other country, it has influenced the course of European development, particularly in culture and political thought.

The most important early settlers were the enigmatic Etruscans, who had established settlements in northern and central Italy by the sixth century BC. By the third century BC, their culture had been displaced by the mighty city state of Rome, which was intent on extending its influence.

At its greatest extent, the Roman Empire stretched from Egypt to England and for several centuries conferred on its inhabitants the benefits of the Pax Romana: culture (mainly Hellenic in origin), law, relative peace and comparative prosperity.

In the 15th century, parts of Italy were at the heart of the greatest ever flowering of art and culture (the Renaissance), associated with artists such as Fra Angelico, Raphael, Botticelli, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.

Today, besides the renowned cities of Venice, Florence, Siena and Naples, each with its own unique identity and architecture, Italy features romantic medieval hill towns, such as San Gimignano in Tuscany, and unspoilt fishing villages, like Positano on the Amalfi coast. Operatic productions are staged in Verona’s ancient amphitheatre, while the influence of Federico Fellini is celebrated in Turin’s museum of cinema.

Italy combines art, history and contemporary fashion with stunning natural landscapes: the turquoise waters of the Costa Smeralda offer one of Europe’s most beautiful stretches of sand, sea and sunshine, while the snow-covered slopes of the Dolomite mountains are a haven for winter sports enthusiasts.

Throughout the country visitors can find vineyards and cellars to taste the very best regional wines, workshops where crafts are produced by hand, and friendly trattorie where simple but superb dishes are served.

Author

Jane Foster


Top Things To See

Be fascinated by Rome’s historical sites – the Colosseum (website: www.archeorm.arti.beniculturali.it), the Forum and the Pantheon. The elegant shopping streets include Via Condotti which leads to Piazza di Spagna (the Spanish Steps). At the Trevi Fountain, visitors guarantee their return to Rome by throwing a coin into the waters.

Enter the Vatican City (website: www.vatican.va), an independent sovereign state best known for the magnificent St Peter’s Basilica. Among the principal features of the Vatican Palace (the Pope’s residence) are the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum.

Explore Venice ( Venezia ), a work of art in itself. St Mark’s Basilica (website: www.basilicasanmarco.it) and the Doge’s Palace (website: www.museiciviciveneziani.it), overlooking St Mark’s Square, have gained fame through Canaletto paintings. Fine gothic and Renaissance palazzi (buildings) line the Grand Canal. The Galleria dell’Accademia (website: www.gallerieaccademia.org) displays hundreds of Venetian paintings.

Discover Turin, LaParigid’Italia (the Italian Paris). Its Egyptian Museum (website: www.museoegizio.org) is the second-largest in the world after Cairo. The city’s symbol is the Mole Antonelliana, housing the Museum of Cinema (website: www.museonazionaledelcinema.org). A copy of the famous Turin Shroud (www.sindone.org) may be viewed in the cathedral.

In Milan ( Milano ), appreciate Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, TheLastSupper, which may be viewed at the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie (website: www.santamariadellegrazie.it). La Scala (website: www.teatroallascala.org) remains the undisputed world capital of opera.

Visit Genoa ( Genova ), the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. The Galleria di Palazzo Bianco (website: www.museopalazzobianco.it) has an exceptional collection of paintings by Genoese artists.

Soak up the romance of Verona, the setting of Shakespeare’s RomeoandJuliet. The Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s House) attracts thousands of visitors each year. The Roman Arena, built in AD290, is the site of an annual opera festival.

Discover early Byzantine and Christian monuments decorated with stunning mosaics in Ravenna (website: www.turismo.ravenna.it), including the splendid Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site.

Visit Florence ( Firenze ) and see Brunelleschi’s revolutionary design for the Duomo (cathedral, website: www.duomofirenze.it). Walk across the medieval shop-lined Ponte Vecchio bridge or see the impressive art collections of the Uffizi Gallery (website: www.firenzemusei.it). Michelangelo’s famous statue of David may be viewed at the Galleria dell’Accademia.

Take a picture of the famous Leaning Tower (website: http://torre.duomo.pisa.it), a free-standing campanile or bell tower in Pisa.

Visit the place where pizza was invented, Naples (website: www.inaples.it). The impressive Museo Archeologico Nazionale houses an excellent collection of Greco-Roman artefacts, including mosaics from Pompeii.

Understand how first-century Romans lived their daily lives at the remains of Pompeii (website: www.pompeiisites.org) and Herculaneum, engulfed in the great eruption of AD79.

Visit the Basilica di San Francesco in Assisi, the birthplace of St Francis, founder of the Franciscan order of monks.

Stand in the stunning Piazza del Campo in Siena, the shell-shaped heart of this walled medieval city in southern Tuscany.

Sail to Sicily, littered with the remains of successive invading cultures. The most important ancient Greek sites include the temples of the Valle dei Templi at Agrigénto, said to be better preserved than any in Greece itself. The catacombs at the Capuchin Monastery contain thousands of mummified bodies.

See ContactAddresses for further tourist information.


Top Things To Do

In Rome, wander around the district of Trastevere, the city’s alternative focus which is home to numerous bars, restaurants and nightclubs.

Go shopping in Milan ( Milano ), Italy's most sophisticated city.

Learn a new skill: Italian language and art courses are available throughout Italy. Language courses are often complemented by subjects such as cooking or architecture. Art courses are offered by the PalazzoSpinelli (website: www.spinelli.it) and UniversitàInternazionaledell’Arte (website: www.uiafirenze.com) in Florence.

Rejuvenate at one of Italy's thermal spas, some famous since the Roman era. The best-equipped health resorts are Abano Terme and Montegrotto Terme (Veneto); Acqui Terme (Piedmont); Chianciano Terme and Montecatini Terme (Tuscany); Fiuggi (Lazio); and Porretta Terme and Salsomaggiore Terme (Emilia-Romagna).

Do not miss the chance to wear an elaborate costume and mask at the Venice Carnival (website: www.carnivalofvenice.com).

Head to the coast: all types of watersports are available. Popular spots include the Italian Riviera in Liguria, the Adriatic and Amalfi coasts. Less busy are the beaches in Sicily, which has large sandy stretches on the southern coast, and in Sardinia.

Get wet: many of Italy’s best dive sites are located in Sardinia, while Italy’s first surfing school is based in Mauro.

In Capri, one of Italy's most visited islands, take a boat trip from the Marina Grande to the Blue Grotto.

Go skiing in the Italian Alps. To the west of Turin, in the Piedmont region, major resorts include Bardonechia, Sauze d’Oulx and Sestriere. Further north, the Aosta Valley’s resorts include Cervinia, Courmayeur and La Thuile. Italy’s most upmarket resort is Cortina D’Ampezzo in the Dolomites.

In the Valle d'Aosta region, go hillwalking or climbing in the Gran Paradiso National Park and Mont Avic Regional Park, home to wildlife including the chamois and ibex. The Dolomites on the Swiss border are also ideal for hiking and climbing.

Look out for Marsican brown bears (unique to Italy), wolves, chamois and eagles in the National Park of Abruzzo. In the Molise region, the Matese mountain range is still the haven of wolves and various birds of prey.

Make sure to see a bareback horse race on Piazza del Campo in Siena. The event, known as Palio, dates back to the 13th century and is held twice a year, in July and August, attracting crowds from all over the world.

Go mushroom picking in Calabria, the toe of the ‘boot’, a spectacularly beautiful region of high mountains and dense forests. Porcini (boletus edulis), fresh and dried, adorn the shelves of all the speciality shops of the region.

Visit wine cellars in Tuscany. The landscape of Tuscany is, typically, one of vine-covered hills, cypress woods, fields of sunflowers and remote hilltop villages. Chianti, the best-known Italian wine, is made in the area north of Siena, and several wine cellars are open to the public.

See ContactAddresses for further tourist information.


Going Out

Food and Drink

Pasta and pizza plays a substantial part in Italian recipes, but there are many regional specialities. Tuscany, for example, is noted for its bean dishes; the Po Valley for its rich risottos. Cheeses include mozzarella, pecorino (hard, sheep’s cheese) and gorgonzola.

National specialities :
Rome :
• Gnocchi alla romana (semolina dumplings).
Piemonte :
• Bagna caoda (an anchovy dip, served with vegetables).
Lombardy :
• Panettone (Christmas cake with sultanas and candied fruit).
Liguria :
• Pesto (sauce of basil, pine nuts and pecorino cheese ).
Emilia-Romagna :
• Parmigiano (parmesan cheese).

National drinks :
• Wines are named after grape varieties, village or area of origin. The most widespread is the Chianti group of vineyards in Tuscany.
• Roman wines include Albano and Frascati (whites); Barolo in Valle d’Aosta; Valpolicella in Veneto; Pinot Bianco and Pinot Grigio (whites); Cabernet and Pinot Nero (reds) in Friuli-Venezia; and Chianti, Nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello in Tuscany.
• Vermouths are popular in Piemonte.
• Aperitifs such as Campari and Punt e Mes are excellent appetisers.
• Italian liqueurs include Amaretto, Limoncello, Grappa and Strega.

Legal drinking age : 16. The government has proposed raising it to 18.

Tipping : Service charges and state taxes are included in all hotel bills. It is customary to give up to 10% in addition if service has been particularly good.

Nightlife

Nightclubs, restaurants and bars with dancing can be found in most major towns and tourist resorts. In Rome, English-language films can be found at the Pasquine Cinema, VicolodellaPaglia, just off Santa Maria in Trastevere, and at the multiscreen Warner Moderno (website: www.warnervillage.it) on Piazza della Repubblica. Restaurants and cafes throughout Italy will invariably have tables outside. Open-air concerts in summer are organised by the AcademyofStCecilia and the OperaHouse, while there is open-air theatre at the BathsofCaracalla. Jazz, rock, folk and country music can all be heard at various venues.

Shopping

Many Italian products, especially clothes, shoes and bags, are world-famous for their style and quality. Florence, Milan and Rome are famous as important fashion centres. Some places are known for particular products, eg Carrara (Tuscany) for marble. In several parts of Sardinia writing paper made of cork is produced. Cremona (Lombardy) is famous for its handmade violins. Valenza (Piedmont) has a large number of goldsmiths, and Sulmona (Abruzzo) produces ‘confetti’, sugar-coated almonds used all over Italy for wedding celebrations. Ravenna (Emilia-Romagna) is famous for mosaics and Volterra (Tuscany) for alabaster goods.

Rome : Designer names are focused around the fashionable Via Condotti. Old books and prints can be bought from bookstalls of Piazza Borghese. Rome’s flea market is at Porta Portese in Trastevere on Sunday mornings.

Milan : The city’s industrial wealth is reflected in the chic, elegant shops of Via Montenapoleone. Prices tend to be higher than in other major cities.

Venice : Famous for its glassware made on the island of Murano, where there are also art dealers and skilful goldsmiths.

Florence : Boasts some of the finest goldsmiths, selling from shops concentrated along both sides of the Ponte Vecchio. Florentine jewellery has a particular quality of satin finish called satinato.

Siena : Full of individual shops selling fatto a mano (made by hand) goods, such as paper, clothes, ceramics and candles.

Southern Italy : In the south, there are still families handmaking the same products as their ancestors: filigree jewellery and products of wrought iron in Abruzzo; products in wood in Calabria; and a variety of textiles, including tablecloths, in Sicily and Sardinia.

Shopping hours : Generally Mon-Sat 0830-1230 and 1530-1930, with some variations in northern Italy where the lunch break is shorter and the shops close earlier.


Climate

Summer temperatures in the south are far hotter than in the north – especially in the mountain regions which have heavy winter snowfalls. The north is the wettest area, while the wettest months are October to December.

Required Clothing

Lightweight clothes are worn during the summer, except in the mountains. Winter demands light- to mediumweights in the south, but warmer clothes elsewhere. Alpine wear is advised for winter mountain resorts.


Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
6 Jan Epiphany.
24 Mar Easter Monday.
25 Apr Liberation Day.
1 May Labour Day.
2 Jun Anniversary of the Republic.
15 Aug Assumption.
1 Nov All Saints’ Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec St Stephen’s Day. 

2009
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
6 Jan Epiphany.
13 Apr Easter Monday.
25 Apr Liberation Day.
1 May Labour Day.
2 Jun Anniversary of the Republic.
15 Aug Assumption.
1 Nov All Saints’ Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec St Stephen’s Day.

Note

In addition, local feast days are held in honour of town patron saints, generally without closure of shops and offices. These include:

Turin/Genoa/Florence : 24 Jun (St John the Baptist).
Milan : 7 Dec (St Ambrose).
Siena : 2 Jul and 16 Aug, Palio horserace.
Venice : 25 Apr (St Mark).
Bologna : 4 Oct (St Petronius).
Naples : 19 Sep (St Gennaro).
Bari : 6 Dec (St Nichola).
Palermo : 15 Jul (St Rosalia).
Rome : 29 Jun (St Peter).
Trieste : 3 Nov (St Giusto).


Health

Diphtheria

Special Precaution: No

Hepatitis A

Special Precaution: No

Malaria

Special Precaution: No

Rabies

Special Precaution: No

Tetanus

Special Precaution: Yes

Typhoid

Special Precaution: No

Yellow Fever

Special Precaution: No

Health Care

For European visitors who are taken ill or have an accident, free or reduced-cost treatment is available – in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC gives access to state-provided medical treatment only. Note that the EHIC replaces the Form E111, which is no longer valid. Most dentists are private.

Note

Further Health Information

We advise you to check health requirements for the country you are traveling to with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic as health requirements and vaccinations can change at short notice.

Money

Currency

Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Currency Exchange

Traveller’s cheques, cheques and foreign money can be changed at banks, railway stations and airports, and very often at major hotels (generally at a less convenient rate). Many UK banks offer differing exchange rates depending on the denominations of currency being bought or sold. Check with banks for details and current rates.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

Diners Club, MasterCard, American Express and Visa are widely accepted.

Traveller's Cheques

Traveller’s cheques are widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.

Currency Restrictions

Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours

These vary from city to city but, in general, Mon-Fri 0830-1330 and 1500-1600.


Passport/Visa

British

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: No

Australian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: No

Canadian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: No

USA

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: No

Other EU

Passport Required: 1
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: No

Passport Note

(a) Italy is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement. (b) The regulations stated below also apply to San Marino and the Vatican City.

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:
(a) nationals of EU countries for an unlimited period;
(b) nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).


Contact Addresses

Italian Embassy in the UK

14 Three Kings Yard, London W1K 4EH, UK
Tel: (020) 7312 2200.
Website: www.amblondra.esteri.it
Political enquiries only.

Italian Consulate General in the UK

38 Eaton Place, London SW1X 8AN, UK
Visa section: 136 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9SA, UK
Tel: (020) 7235 9371 or 7823 6519 (visa section) or 09065 540 770 (appointment booking; calls cost £1 per minute).
Website: www.conslondra.esteri.it
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1200.

Italian State Tourist Board (ENIT) in the UK

1 Princes Street, London W1B 2AY, UK
Tel: (020) 7408 1254.
Website: www.enit.it or www.italiantouristboard.co.uk

Embassy of the Italian Republic in the USA

3000 Whitehaven Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 612 4400.
Website: www.ambwashingtondc.esteri.it

Italian Government Tourist Board (ENIT) in the USA

630 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1565, New York, NY 10111, USA
Tel: (212) 245 5618 or 4822.
Website: www.italiantourism.com


Travel Advice

Warning

Most visits to Italy are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners. There continues to be isolated cases of domestic terrorism in Italy by extreme left wing and seccessionist groups which are aimed primarily at official Italian targets.

There is currently a risk of unannounced wildcat strikes by municipal transport workers in cities across Italy. Travellers are advised to check local travel reports for dates of pre-planned strikes.

Visitors should be alert to the dangers of car and street crimes in cities.

There continues to be non-violent volcanic activity on the island of Stromboli. Italy is in an earthquake zone.

Visitors to ski resorts should take advice on weather and avalanche conditions before they travel and should make themselves aware of local skiing laws and regulations throughout their visit (see: www.goski.com/italy.htm and www.avalanches.org).

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice.

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel




Disclaimer
We've tried to make the information on this page as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information with the relevant authorities before you travel.