Venice at dusk with the river in the middle and many houses on its margin

Italy

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WHAT TO FIND IN THIS TRAVELLING TO ITALY PAGE

Snapshot | When to travel to Italy | Cost of travel to Italy | Films to watch | Blog Posts

italy flag

Located in south-central Europe, the Republic of Italy is a peninsula (stripe of land projected into the water) in a shape of a boot. It is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea on its right, the Adriatic Sea on its left and France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia on the north. Italy overflows art, culture and history. We lived in Italy for over one year and have been travelling to Italy constantly. We love the fact that it is impossible to define Italy in a simple way. The country is so diverse that, just around the corner, you see a different town, with different habits, accent and even a signature dish. Italy is just the perfect country to enjoy throughout the year.

Snapshot of Italy

Capital: Rome
Population: 60 million (2020) (23rd)
Rank in territory: (72nd)
Currency: Euro
Currency to US$: approx 1.17
Rank in GDP: 28th (495.69 billion)
Electric socket: 230V (50Hz) two prong plug

Safety

Italy is a fairly safe country. However, don't fantasise that, just because it's in Europe there will be no crime over there. Remember that Italians pretty much formalised crime with their mafia. Nevertheless, you will be just more susceptible to petty crimes, if you are not careful enough. For instance, don't leave your belongs un-watched, mainly in train stations. Don't leave the key of the cars when parking on car parks if you have luggage in the boot. Preferable carry your wallet and mobiles on the front pocket. And always travel insured!

Language

Italian – You can get by with basic English, but will have difficulties to engage in long conversation, particularly in the south.

Religion

Christianism (84%), Agnostic (12%), Islam (3%), others (1%)

Regions and cities

  • North – Aosta Valley; Piedmont; Liguria; Lombardy; Veneto; Trentino Alto Adige; Friuli Venezia Giulia; Emilia Romagna
  • Center – Tuscany; Umbria; The Marches; Lazio
  • South – Campania; Basilicata; Abruzzo; Molise; Apulia; Calabria
  • Islands – Sardinia; Sicily
  • Most populated cities - Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, Palermo
  • Most visited cities - Rome, Milan, Naples, Venice, Florence
  • Top 5 Monday Feelings places - Rome, Naples, Florence, Polignano A Mare (or the whole Puglia), Syracuse (or the whole Sicily)

Visa

As part of Schengen Agreement, all the 26 countries who agreed on Schengen have abolished their borders for free and unrestricted movement of people.

Click here to see all the countries that are part of the Schengen Agreement
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Therefore, it's only needed to show any form of identification document to enter Italy. However, if staying longer than 90 days, you must register at Ufficio Anagrafe (Registry Office).

If you are not part of Schengen Agreement, then you must apply for a visa at any Italian consulate.

When to travel to Italy

* Best time to travel to Italy is APRIL to JULY *

Weather in Italy

Even though you can actually enjoy Italy throughout the year, there are still some particular time you might want to avoid. Let's start with the temperature. As it is located in the northern hemisphere, Italy has it's coldest months in January, February and March; and hottest months are June, July and August. It can get really cold, particularly in the mountains of the north. So, unless you plan for this cold - for instance, they have one of the best ski resorts - you better avoid Autumn and Winter.

Approximate temperature in Milan in °C
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAgoSeptOctNovDec
2491217202323191373
Approximate temperature in Naples in °C
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAgoSeptOctNovDec
881013172023232016129

Seasons

In Italy, there is the Ferragosto, which is when everybody have their holiday at the same time. Ferragosto is celebrated on August 15th, the following two weeks is just chaos in most part of the country - and obviously completely desert in another. So, unless you are an Italian taxpayer, do not take your holidays during this time!

Low season: November to March
Mid season: April to June and September to October
High season: July to August

graph for the best season to travel in Italy

What to pack

If you are going for the hot season, don't forget sunscreen, hat, swimming clothes, sandals and so on.
If you are going for the cold season, consider skiing, bring appropriate clothes because it will get really cold.

Cost of travel to Italy

Low budget vs luxury

Italy can pleases many pockets. However, if you are travelling from a quite devalued currency, then it might not seem that cheap.

Accommodation

accommodation logo

budget - about €10
average - about €20
luxury - about €50+

FOOD

food logo

budget (pizza, panini) - about €2
average (tourist menu) - about €15
luxury (nice restaurants) - about €35+

TRANSPORT

logo of train

metro or buses - around €2
intercity trains/buses - about €15
intercity trains 1st class - about €70

What to see in Italy

Art and history

art and history symbol

Roman Empire
Florence

SPORTS AND WELLNESS

sports and welness symbol

Termes
Cycling

CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT

culture and entertainment symbol

Churches and Chapels
Carnival

What to eat in Italy

pizza
orichiette
diverse pastas

Films to watch

Il Postino film poster

Il Postino

When exiled Cuban poet Pablo Neruda (Philippe Noiret) arrives on a tiny Italian isle, there's so much new mail that Mario (Massimo Troisi), an unemployed, uneducated layabout, is hired as a postman. His job is simply to deliver Neruda's daily mail. Mario soon becomes a student of the poet, learning the art of poetry to woo a local barmaid (Maria Grazia Cucinotta) and tell about the struggles of the working-class villagers. A firm friendship develops, and the postman turns into a changed man.

Eat Pray Love film poster

Eat Pray Love

Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts) thought she had everything she wanted in life: a home, a husband and a successful career. Now newly divorced and facing a turning point, she finds that she is confused about what is important to her. Daring to step out of her comfort zone, Liz embarks on a quest of self-discovery that takes her to Italy, India and Bali.

La Dolce Vita film poster

La Dolce Vita

A Federico Fellini's film, the reporter Marcelo Rubini drifts through life in Rome. While Marcello contends with the overdose taken by his girlfriend, Emma, he also pursues heiress Maddalena and movie star Sylvia, embracing a carefree approach to living. Despite his hedonistic attitude, Marcello does have moments of quiet reflection, resulting in an intriguing cinematic character study.

film poster The English Pacient

The English Pacient

A tribute to the timeless beauty of Tuscany, this film is set in different locations in the region during World War II. After being seriously injured in a plane crash, Count László Almásy (Ralph Fiennes), is staying in an abandoned cloister where Hana (Juliette Binoche), a young Canadian nurse, a war widow, takes care of him. The man remembers nothing about his past: the only clues to tracking his identity come from the book the mysterious count carries with him. Most of the scenes were filmed in Pienza, in the Val D’Orcia, between the Monastero di Sant’Anna in Camprena, Piazza Pio II and the Castello di Cosona; outdoor scenes were filmed in Ripafratta, in the province of Pisa, on the beach of Forte dei Marmi and Viareggio, where, within the Principe di Piemonte complex, the British consulate was installed.

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