Italy Travel Guide
What You Need To Know: The Bare Bones
Population: 58 Million
Area: 300,000 Km2
Religion: Solidly Roman Catholic
Currency: The Euro
Passports, Visas etc.
UK and US citizens need only take a passport for stays less than three months. US citizens are restricted to this three-month period before they need to get a visa. Passports should be used as ID but it is advisable to carry a photocopy and leave the real thing safely at your hotel.
Safety Advice
Italy is a safe place to visit overall. The main concern is crowded tourist areas that attract small time pickpockets and bag snatchers. Never openly carry anything of value and be careful of possessions at all times. Follow normal common sense rules, avoid badly lit areas, try not to travel alone, tell someone what your itinerary is, and don't leave things on display in vehicles.
The Roads
Roads are good quality and cover the country comprehensively. Cities can be congested and parking may be a problem. Other drivers can be a little on the aggressive side.
Stay Healthy
There are no more worries here than in any other European country, no inoculations are required and the water is clean. UK citizens carrying an E111 form can get free medical help. US citizens should ensure that they have ample insurance. Take sensible precautions against the effects of the sun.
Insurance
Take out adequate insurance to cover health, accident, and theft of money and possessions.
Law and Order
Do not traffic or pedal drugs of any kind.
Cash and Plastic
Traveller's cheques are easily changed, credit cards are readily accepted and ATM machines are widely available.
Climate and When to Go
The climate varies widely from the Mediterranean heat of the south in summer to the Alpine cold in a northern winter. Generally, however the weather is warm in summer and mild in the winter although the mountain regions are cold enough for snow and skiing.
The summer months are the tourist high season and many of the main attractions can get very crowded.
Food, Drink and a Place to Rest Your Head
Italy is famed for its cuisine but the four cities are tourist centres so prices may be a little high. Italians enjoy their food so restaurants of all sorts can easily be found.
As major tourist attractions each of the four cities also have the range of accommodation available, that one would expect to find in a modern European country.
So, What is it Really Like?
Italy is an astonishing place. Certainly, it is a country of some diversity. From the Mediterranean Islands of Sicily and Sardinia in the south to the Alps in the north. From the dusty, troubled farmlands in the south to the bustling, industrial north. From the sophisticated high fashion of Milan to the wildness of Naples, Italy has it all.
Italy is a modern 21st century country but it has historical monuments by the score. The remnants of the glory that was Rome can still be seen, as can examples of the splendour of the Italian Renaissance.
The differences between North and South are part of the countries historical heritage. Italy was only unified in 1861. Prior to that, the network of quarrelling city-states that had dominated and even driven the Renaissance period was in place. This historical perspective still colours the relations between the two parts of the country but there is one point where North and South meet and that is...Rome
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