Italy

Italy

It is easy to understand why Italy is one of the world’s most celebrated tourist destinations. This is a country that truly does have it all: exquisite landscapes, an abundance of art and architectural treasures, world renowned museums and a national obsession with decadent food and fine wine. Not to mention the country’s sun-kissed olive groves, glacial lakes, fiery volcanoes and snow capped peaks. Dive the clear green waters of the Mediterranean, browse the market stalls in Naples or experience the diverse wildlife inhabiting the country’s national parks. And if you find the vast range of choices overwhelming, take some advice from the locals: sit back, relax and take a moment to indulge in the “bella vita” (the good life). As they say: when in Rome!

Read More: Italy

Regions


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  • Florence
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  • Lake Como
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Travel Information


General

Language:The official language is Italian.National Emergency Numbers:Ambulance 997Police 112Fire Service 115Public Holidays:The dates of certain public…

Electricity

Plug Type: Type C, Type F Voltage (V): 230V Frequency Hertz (Hz): 50Hz *Travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending…

Banking

Currency Local currency: Euro Symbol: € ISO code: EUR Subunit: Cent Banknotes: €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200, €500 Coins:…

Cuisine

Food and water safety: Can you drink the tap water: Yes Fresh fruit and veg: Yes Ice: Yes Meat: Yes Street food: Yes Local…

Climate

Annual rainfall: Varies by region Average temperature: Varies by region Summer: Average highs: 25°C – 30°C Average lows: 15°C -…

Transport

Air: Main airlines: Alitalia, Ryanair, EasyJet International Airports: Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (Rome), Malpensa Airport (Milan),…

Dress

Spring and Summer Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes Lightweight warm clothes: No Winter and Autumn Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters,…

Health

We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance with medical benefits and that you bring any personal medication with you. Please also check…

Safety

Italy is safe in general. We recommend normal precautions be taken as you would for any city in the world. Be aware of your surroundings and stay in well-lit…

Visa

U.S. citizens do not require a visa for stays under 90 days. Non U.S. citizens should consult with your local embassy.


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General

Language:The official language is Italian.National Emergency Numbers:Ambulance 997Police 112Fire Service 115Public Holidays:The dates of certain public holidays change from year to year – refer below. If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, then the Monday is also declared a public holiday.Jan 01 New Year’s DayJan 06 EpiphanyApr 3 Good FridayApr 5 EasterDay after Easter Easter MondayApr 25 Liberation DayMay 1 Labor DayJune 2 Republic DayJune 24 Feast of St. JohnAug 15 Assumption of MarySep 19 Feast of Saint JanuaruisTime Zone:Italy is on Central European Time and is 6 hours ahead of USA Eastern Time Zone.Tipping:Gratuities are left to your discretion and always appreciated. It is our recommendation that the quality of service should determine the extent of any gratuity. We are pleased to provide you with the following guidelines. Please feel free to offer more if you receive superlative service.Driver guides:About €50 - €120 per day.Biking guides would be at the higher end of this scaleDrivers & One Day Guides:About €35 - €50 per day. The driver guide or driver will normally remove himself at meal times. However this time can be awkward for both guides and clients so if the clients would like to invite the guide or driver to join them they should make it very clear and would be expected to pay for the meal.Transfers: For a short Airport Transfer €5-10 is sufficient. For longer transfers €10-30.Restaurants:Generally there are three options, outlined on the menu.· A Service Charge of x % will apply" - this means what it says, your final bill will be subject to an additional charge; no further tips are necessary. · "Service included" - this means that the prices are a flat rate, no tips are required and the prices are final. Again if the server has been attentive a €5 or €10 left on the table will always be appreciated.· If none of these apply servers will usually expect a tip of around 10-15%Hotels:Service is always included and in general no tips are expected but they are welcome nonetheless. For excellent or unusual services a few Euros (the classic "fiver", a €5 note) are appropriate left for the housemaid or the porter who brings your bags up.Taxis:Tips are not really expected but no taxi driver will object if you round the bill up a bit to the nearest euro. Pubs:If you try to tip in a pub you'll more than likely earn a happy but incredulous stare!US EMBASSYMailing Address: Via Vittorio Veneto, 121, 00187 Roma, ItalyTel: +39 06 46741Website: italy.usembassy.gov

Electricity

Plug Type: Type C, Type F 
Voltage (V): 230V 
Frequency Hertz (Hz): 50Hz 

*Travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances.

Banking

Currency 

Local currency: Euro 
Symbol: € 
ISO code: EUR 
Subunit: Cent 
Banknotes: €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200, €500 
Coins: 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €1, €2 

Banking 

Card Transactions: Yes 
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Yes 
Diner’s club: Yes 

Banking Hours: 
Weekdays: 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM 
Weekends: Closed 
Public Holidays: Yes (Limited hours) 
Foreign exchange services: Yes 

Cuisine

Food and water safety: 

Can you drink the tap water: Yes 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes 
Ice: Yes 
Meat: Yes 
Street food: Yes 

Local cuisine: 

Italian cuisine is celebrated globally for its diversity and flavors. From pasta dishes like spaghetti carbonara and lasagna to pizzas with various toppings, Italian food delights the palate. Risotto, gnocchi, and antipasti are also popular. Italy is renowned for its wine, with varieties like Chianti and Barolo. Limoncello, grappa, and espresso are notable local drinks. 
Tipping: Not expected, but rounding up the bill is appreciated. 

Climate

Annual rainfall: Varies by region 

Average temperature: Varies by region 

Summer: 

Average highs: 25°C - 30°C 
Average lows: 15°C - 20°C 

Winter: 

Average highs: 8°C - 15°C 
Average lows: 0°C - 5°C 

Best time to visit: 

The best time to visit Italy is during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) when the weather is mild and crowds are fewer. 

Transport

Air: 

Main airlines: Alitalia, Ryanair, EasyJet 
International Airports: Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (Rome), Malpensa Airport (Milan), Marco Polo Airport (Venice) 
Domestic Airports: Ciampino Airport (Rome), Bergamo Airport (Milan) 

Road: 

Driving on the: Right 
Tar roads: Yes 
Gravel roads: No 
Valid International Driver's License needed: No 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
E-hailing services: Yes 

Bus: 

Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Yes 

Rail: 

Railway system: Yes 
Subway System: Yes 

Water: 

Ferries: Yes 
Water taxis: Yes 
Leisure cruises: Yes 

Dress

Spring and Summer 

Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: No 

Winter and Autumn 

Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: Yes 

General 

Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: Yes 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

Health

We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance with medical benefits and that you bring any personal medication with you. Please also check with your health department prior to departure for any changes in health regulations.

Medical facilities are available, but may be limited outside urban areas. Public hospitals, though generally free of charge for emergency services, may not maintain the same standards as hospitals in the United States. It is not possible to obtain an itemized hospital bill from public hospitals, as required by many U.S. insurance companies, because the Italian National Health Service charges one inclusive rate for care services and room and board. Private hospitals require you to pay for all services up front, and get reimbursed later from your insurance company.

Prescriptions

According to the Ministry of Health, foreigners entering Italy are allowed to bring personal medications for the whole period of their stay but it is recommended that travelers also bring a copy of their prescription with them. Travelers should not bring excess supplies of prescription drugs into the country and cannot bring prescription drugs for other people.

Pharmacists sell over-the-counter medication and can advise on minor illnesses. They can also point you in the direction of more specialized help, if required. They keep the same hours as other shops, although some remain open at night on a rotation basis for emergency purposes. A list of those is usually on display in the window, or can be found online at www.miniportale.it (click on ‘Farmacie di Turno’ and then on the relevant region).

Safety

Italy is safe in general. We recommend normal precautions be taken as you would for any city in the world. Be aware of your surroundings and stay in well-lit areas. Don’t flash wealth. If you have items of sentimental value, leave it at home. Visitors should avoid all political gatherings and demonstrations.

Visa

U.S. citizens do not require a visa for stays under 90 days. Non U.S. citizens should consult with your local embassy.