I have travelled to many different parts of Italy over the years. When I visited Rome I fell in love with the art and the mighty Colosseum; Florence and Tuscany have the most amazing food and wine. I cruised the canals of Venice on a gondola and explored the leaning tower of Pisa. One of my favourite things to do in Italy is sample the food and wine. I hope this short summary of Italy helps you plan your trip.
Best Time to Visit
Italy has a Mediterranean climate and can be visited all year-round. The summers are hot and dry with July been the hottest month. January is the coldest month of the year.
Things to do and see
- Venice Gondola ride can be done any time of the day. You can ride on your own or share a gondola with six other people. A Gondola ride is a great way to enjoy Venice sites and landmarks.
- The Colosseum is an ancient Roman sight, where gladiators use to fight. A tour of the Colosseum includes looking at the chambers, fighting stage, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
- Leaning tower of Pisa is a UNESCO World heritage site. And worth the visit.
- The Jewish Ghetto in Rome is a selection of neighbourhoods which form the oldest districts in the city. You can take a guided tour of the neighbourhoods and learn about the sites.
Food
The national dish in Italy is pasta and is cooked in many different ways in Italy. Pizzas, risottos, Parma ham, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, panettone, gelato and of course cannoli, are also very popular. Italy is also one of the oldest wine-producing countries in the world. So apart from the great food there is so much amazing wine to try.
Transportation
Air: They are direct flights from London to Italy, the domestic airlines are, Alitalia airline, Air Italy and Ryan Air.
Roads: The Roads in Italy are paved and well maintained, there is also an extensive network of privatised motorways. Some of which have tolls at different prices. Drivers drive on the right-hand side of the road.
Rail: There is a network of trains in Italy connecting the country, there is also an international service. Trams and metros operate in all the major cities.
Taxi: Uber operates in Italy. There are also metered taxis and an app called itTaxi that functions like Uber.
Ferry: There is a collection of ferries operating in all the Italian ports. Regular boats and ferries connect all the islands. Venice public transport is a collection of taxi boats and ferries.
Bus: Italy has a network of coaches connecting the country and there is also a international service. Prices are often cheaper then the train. In the high seasons it is recommended that you buy your ticket in advance for intercity travel by bus.
Visa
Visas are not required for all E.U, U.S, Canadian and Australian nationals for stays of up to 90days over a 6month period.
Language
The official language spoken in Italy is Italian. English is also widely understood.
Money
The official currency in Italy is the Euro (EUR) You will find ATMs accepting all major credit and debit cards in all cities and larger towns, but if you are visiting rural areas you should make sure you have enough cash as they may be harder to come by.
Tipping
10% is customary, restaurants add a service charge and taxes to the bill.
Social etiquette
Italy is a predominantly Roman Catholic country where the family is important.
A handshake with eye contact is the correct greeting. With a kiss on both sides of the cheek. Smoking is banned in all public places.
Adaptor
There are three plugs associated with Italy.
Wi-Fi
There are Wi-Fi hotspots in Milan, Comiso, Florence, Trento, Bologna and Rome. Internet cafes are available in most cities and towns. You can access free wifi at majority hotels and restaurants.
Ruth’s Lonely Planet 