Italy dips down out of Europe and into the Mediterranean like a women’s leg firmly planted in a sleek stiletto, so it’s hardly surprising that Italians are known for their impeccable style and fashionable dress sense. They’re also known for once having an empire that stretched across the globe, and for having the most spectacular churches, frescos, sculptures and Renaissance paintings in all of Europe.
The Italy of today is littered with the relics of more than 3,000 years of history, and an atmosphere that ranges from the Armani-wearing-scooter-driving-espresso-drinking buzz of its cities to the quiet, pastoral existence of its hillside olive farms and seaside fishing villages.
From the depths of the canals in Venice, which floats on a series of islands in an Adriatic lagoon, and the bleached sands of San Remo on the Riviera, to the rocky crags of the Alps, Dolomites and Apennines, Italy has everything from beach holidays to luxury mountain ski resorts.
Italy’s cities reveal awe-inspiring architecture from the curved arches of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence to the crumbling magnificence of the Colisseum in Rome. Home of da Vinci, Michelangelo, Carvaggio and Botticelli, its artworks are a visual delight to all visitors.
Nestled into the outskirts of Rome is the independent Vatican City, the seat of the Pope and home to the famous St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. The influence of the Holy Catholic Church on the people of Italy is still evident today in a series of holy festivals, carnivals, and parades involving young and old alike in almost every city, town and village.
Basics
Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in September).
Electricity: 230 volts, 50Hz. A variety of plugs are in use including the European-style two-pin one.
Money: The Euro (€) is the official currency, which is divided into 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Those arriving in Italy with foreign currency can obtain Euros through any bank, ATM or bureaux de change. Travellers cheques can be exchanged with ease in the large cities, not so in the smaller towns. Credit cards are accepted in upmarket establishments and shops around the cities.
Language: Italian. English is understood in the larger cities but not in the more remote parts of the country.
Entry requirements for Americans: Travellers from the US do not need a visa to visit Italy for three months or less.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK passport holders, irrespective of endorsement regarding national status, do not need a visa to visit Italy for up to 90 days.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Travellers from Canada do not need a visa to visit Italy for three months or less. Visas are required for travel exceeding three months.
Entry requirements for Australians: Travellers from Australia do not need a visa to visit Italy for three months or less. Visas are required for travel exceeding three months.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South African nationals require a valid passport and visa for travel to Italy.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealanders require a passport to enter Italy but may stay up to 90 days without a visa.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a valid passport, but no visa is necessary for a stay of up to 90 days.
Passport/Visa Note: The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. Travellers are advised to have a return or onward ticket plus all documents required for their next destination, and sufficient funds to cover period of intended stay in Italy.
Health: There are no specific health risks associated with travel to Italy. EU citizens can make use of Italy's health services provided they have completed an E111 form (British travellers can get a form at UK post offices).
Tipping: Tipping is customary in Italy and 10% of the bill is acceptable (unless a service charge has already been included).
Safety: The Italian Government has warned that the risk of an international terrorist attack in the country has increased, and tourists should be vigilant in public places and tourist sites. Domestic terrorism continues, but targets are usually Italian authorities. Tourists are vulnerable to pick-pocketing and muggings in the bigger cities, particularly on public transport, in crowded areas and around tourist sites, and should exercise caution when carrying large amounts of cash and valuables. Strikes by transport workers are taking place throughout Italy and delays are possible.
Communications: The international access code for Italy is +39. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). All numbers must be preceded by 0, whether originating in Italy or out, unless calling a mobile phone. There can be high surcharges on calls made from hotels and it is generally cheaper to use a calling card. Public telephone boxes take phone cards for local and international calls, which can be bought from newsagents. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts.
Italian Tourist Office: +39 06 49711 or www.enit.it
Italian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 612 4400
Italian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7312 2200
Italian Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 232 2401
Italian Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6273 3333
Italian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 430 55 41/2/3/4
Italian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 660 1744
Italian Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand, Tel: +64 4 4947 170
US Embassy, Rome: +39 06 46741
British Embassy, Rome: +39 06 4220 0001
Canadian Embassy, Rome: +39 06 445 981
Australian Embassy, Rome: +39 06 852 721
South African Embassy, Rome: +39 06 852 541
Irish Embassy, Rome: +39 06 697 9121
New Zealand Embassy, Rome, Tel: +39 06 441 7171
Emergencies: 112 (Police); 118 (Ambulance
MAIN AIRPORTS IN ITALY
Bologna G Marconi (BLQ)
Location: The airport is located 4 miles (6km) northeast of the city centre. Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in September). Contacts: Information desk: +39 051 647 9615. Transfer to the city: The airport is a 20-minute taxi or bus ride away from Palazzo Re Enzo, in central Bologna, from where other public transport is available; Bologna Centrale, the city's principal railway station, is a 10-minute walk away. Taxis should cost around €5 to the city centre. Car rental: Care hire companies include Avis, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty. Facilities: Facilities at the airport include bars, restaurants and shops (including duty-free), left-luggage facilities, Internet access and VIP lounges. There are also banks, ATMs and bureaux de change. Disabled facilities are good and wheelchairs can be arranged through the airlines. Website: www.bologna-airport.it
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Milan Linate International Airport (LIN)
Location: The airport is situated 4 miles (7km) from downtown Milan. Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in September). Contacts: Telephone: +39 02 74851. Transfer to the city: Buses leave regularly for the Central Station in Milan and the Piazza San Babila underground station; the journey takes 30 minutes and costs €2. Taxi services are also available; the journey takes between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on traffic, and costs around €20. Car rental: Cars can be hired from Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Thrifty and other local representatives. Facilities: Facilities at the airport include banks and bureaux de change, ATMs, and a variety of cafes and restaurants. In addition, as one would expect in Milan, the shopping is excellent. Website: www.sea-aeroportimilano.it/eng
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Milan Malpensa Intercontinental Airport (MXP)
Location: The airport is located 28 miles (45km) northwest of Milan. Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the last Sunday in September). Contacts: Tel: +39 02 2680 0613 or 7485 2200. Transfer between terminals: The two terminals are connected by a shuttle bus. Transfer to the city: Buses leave every 60 minutes to Porta Garibaldi Station and Stazione Centrale (the central rail station); the journey takes around an hour, and costs around €5. Trains run every 30 minutes from Terminal 1 to Milano Cardona Station; a ticket costs €9, and the journey takes 50 minutes. Taxis are also available outside Arrivals. Car rental: Car hire companies include Europcar, Hertz, Maggiore-National, Avis and Sixt. Facilities: Facilities include a bank, bureau de change, and a wide variety of snack bars and other eateries throughout the airport. In addition, as one would expect in Milan, the shopping is excellent. Other facilities include airline lounges/travel clubs, left luggage, business services, disabled and first aid facilities, a pharmacy, child facilities, a post office and a tourist information desk. Website: www.sea-aeroportimilano.it/eng
Location: The airport is located 5 miles (8km) north of the city centre. Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in September). Contacts: Flight enquiries: +39 081 789 6259. Transfer between terminals: The terminals are within walking distance of each other. Transfer to the city: Buses leave regularly for Napoli Centrale railway station and the city centre. Taxis are also available. Car rental: The following car hire companies are represented in Arrivals: Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Maggiore, Sixt and Thrifty. Facilities: There are ATMs and exchange bureaux in both Arrivals and Departures. Other facilities include VIP lounges, meeting facilities, hotel reservations, fax and telephones. Website: www.naples-airport.com
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Pisa International Airport Galileo Galilei (PSA)
Location: The airport is located 1 miles (2km) northeast of Pisa. Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in September). Contacts: Switchboard: +39 (0) 50 849 111. Flight Information: (0) 50 500707. Transfer to the city: A bus service travels regularly to Pisa city centre, and trains go to Pisa Centrale station, from where connections can be made to other cities. Taxis are also available, the average fare within Pisa ranges from €4 to €8. Car rental: Car hire companies include Avis, Sixt, Europcar and Hertz and Thrifty. Facilities: Facilities include left luggage, business services, disabled and First Aid facilities, banks, bureau de change and ATMs, bars, duty-free shops, a post office, restaurants and tourist information. Website: www.pisa-airport.com
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Rome Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) Airport (FCO)
Location: The airport is 19 miles (30km) southwest of central Rome. Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in September). Contacts: Telephone: + 39 06 65 951 Transfer between terminals: A free shuttle service connects the international and domestic terminals. Transfer to the city: An express train departs every hour for Termini Station in the centre of Rome; the trip takes 30 minutes and the fare is around €10. There is a late night bus service to Tiburtina Station. Taxis are available and should cost around €25 to the city centre. Before you leave, make sure the meter is running, and if not, agree a fare in advance. The journey will take 40 to 60 minutes to central Rome. Car rental: Car hire companies include Avis, Budget, Europcar and Sixt. Facilities: Facilities include lounges/travel clubs, left luggage, business services, disabled and First Aid facilities, banks, bureaux de change, ATMs, bars, duty-free shops, restaurants and tourist information. Website: www.adr.it
Location: The airport is located 10 miles (16km) northeast of Venice. Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in September). Contacts: General information: +39 (0)41 2609240 or 2609250. Flight information: +39 (0)41 2609260. Transfer between terminals: A free shuttle service connects the two terminals. Transfer to the city: A waterboat service and water taxis run from the airport to Venice. Taxis are also available. A bus service runs every 20 minutes to Venice-Mestre railway station. Car rental: Car hire companies include Avis, Europcar Italia, Hertz and Thrifty. Facilities: Facilities include lounges/travel clubs, baggage/left luggage, business services, disabled and First Aid facilities, banks/bureau de change, bars, duty-free shops, a chemist, restaurants and tourist information. Website: www.veniceairport.it
