Home Tours World Tours Italy

A creative and vibrant country, Italy is the epitome of what a holiday destination should be. Italian ideas and tastes, which are felt round the world, are set in a country of variety and natural beauty.

The ranges of its northern Alpine semicircle with its pristine lakes and popular ski resorts give way to the rich Pol Valley. On either side of the boot-shaped country, there is a sea yielding outstanding coastal resorts.

The Tuscan landscape, with Florence as its capital, is spotted with hilltowns of the Middle Ages-vivid reminders of Giotto, Bellini and Donatello. Works by Da Vinci and Michaelangelo appear even in relatively minor sites along the way.

Through the Marche, the savage and mountainous Abruzzo to Latium and the "Eternal City" of Rome. Down through Campania to the sleepy area of Naples, Capri (Jewel of the Tyrrhenian Sea) to Pompeii with its well-reserved forum, baths and mosaics, plus the neighbouring villages surrounding Herculaneum where exciting archaeological finds are being unearthed even today. The rugged terrain leads down the toe towards Sicily, where Mount Etna grumbles in perpetual moodiness. Italy - with its reverberating greats both past and present, as well as its astonishing monuments, is both timely and timeless.

Seasons to Visit: Italy is at its best in spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November). During these seasons, the scenery is beautiful, the temperatures are pleasant and there are relatively few crowds. Try to avoid August, as this is the time that most Italians take their vacations, and many shops and businesses are closed as a result. The ski season generally lasts from December to late March; sea swimming is best between June and September; and July and September are the best months for walking in the Alps. The further south you go, the longer you can linger into November and December without feeling the pinch of winter. Italy's multitude of festivals and traditional events may be a factor in planning your visit. Easter, in particular, is celebrated fervently, and every second town has a festive Saint's day.

Entry Requirements: Italy, along with Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain, forms part of the border-free travel zone subject to the Schengen Agreement. EU passport holders can come and go as they please. Citizens of the USA, Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand are among those who may enter Italy as tourists without a visa and stay up to 90 days.

Dress: There is no Italian dress code but a cultural perception of casual attire does exist. Italians sacrifice comfort for style and elegance. Wear neutral colors like navy, beige, white. Business travellers should pack formal clothing. Carry a light jacket even if you're visiting in the summer. The Alpine regions are fairly cool even in the summer. Pack your clothes according to the season and purpose of your visit.

Food/ Restaurants: There is a wide a range of restaurants offering menus to suit all budgets in Italy and food is of a high standard. Many restaurants offer set menus which offer good value for money, although vegetarian and ethnic food is not as widely available as in the UK.

Shopping: Many Italian products are world-famous for their style and quality. Prices are generally fixed and bargaining is not general practice, although a discount may be given on a large purchase. Florence, Milan and Rome are famous as important fashion centres, but smaller towns also offer good scope for shopping. It is advisable to avoid hawkers or sellers on the beaches.

Transportation: Visitors travelling to Italy will find flights are numerous and fares are competitive. Unless you're pushed for time, train travel is a great way to enter Italy from within Europe. Buses are numerous but can't really compete with the convenience of the train. Ferries connect the country with Greece, Turkey, Tunisia, Malta, Albania, Croatia and Spain.

Health risks: None

[top]