Italy Travel

Overview

Italy is located in Southern Europe, on the Italian Peninsula and it’s bordered by the Mediterranean Sea. Together with Greece, it is acknowledged as the birthplace of Western culture. Not surprisingly, it is also home to the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world. Italy is a great country full of history and culture, beauty, art and fashion, all these are mixed to give Italy a magic atmosphere and to captivate tourist from every corner of the world. High art and monuments are to be found everywhere around the country. It is also famous worldwide for its delicious cuisine, its trendy fashions, luxury sports cars and motorcycles, diverse regional cultures and dialects, as well as for its many beautiful coasts, alpine lakes and mountains (the Alps and Apennines).

Climate
Due to being largely mountainous, Italy's climate is variable. In the Alps, temperatures are lower and winters can be long and severe. Generally the weather is warm from July to September, although rainfall can be high in September. While the first snowfall is usually in November, light snow sometimes falls in mid-September and heavy falls can occur in early October.

Winters are severe and summers torrid in the Po valley. Venice can be hot and humid in summer and, although not too cold in winter, it can be unpleasant if wet or when the sea level rises and acque alte (literally ‘high waters’) inundate the city.

In Florence, encircled by hills, the weather can be quite extreme but, as you travel towards the tip of the boot, temperatures and weather conditions become milder. Rome, for instance, has an average July and August temperature in the mid-20s (Celsius), although the impact of the sirocco (a hot, humid wind blowing from Africa) can produce stiflingly hot weather in August, with temperatures in the high 30s for days on end. Winters are moderate and snow is rare in Rome, although winter clothing (or at least a heavy overcoat) is still a requirement.

When to go
The best time to visit Italy is April to June, when the weather is sunny without being stifling, the countryside bursts with spring flowers, and the flood of summer tourism, largely dictated by school holidays, has yet to crash over the peninsula. Most Italians hit the road in July and August, so those two months – in which prices soar, tempers flare and the country broils – are best avoided.

Language
Italian is the official language. Dialects are spoken in different regions. German is spoken in the South Tyrol region (bordering Austria). French is spoken in all the border areas from the Riviera to the area north of Milan (border with France and Switzerland). English, French and German are also spoken in the biggest cities and in tourism and business circles.

Hotels
There are about 38,000 hotels in Italy. Charges often vary according to class, season, services available and locality. The Italian State Tourist Board publishes the official list of all Italian hotels every year. Service charges are included in the rates. VAT (IVA in Italy) operates in all hotels at 20% (21% in deluxe hotels) on room charges only. Visitors are required by law to obtain an official receipt when staying at hotels.

Shopping
Florence, Milan and Rome are very fashionable centres for your purchase. You can shop marble in Carrara (Tuscany), writing paper made of cork in Sardinia, handmade violins in Cremona (Lombardy), etc.

Shopping hours: Generally Mon-Sat 0830-1230 and 1530-1930, with some variations in northern Italy where the lunch break is shorter and the shops close earlier.

Entertainment
Restaurants and cafés throughout Italy will invariably have tables outside. In Rome, open-air concerts in summer are organised by the Academy of St Cecilia and the Opera House, while there is open-air theatre at the Baths of Caracalla. Jazz, rock, folk and country music can all be heard at various venues.

Tipping
Service charges and state taxes are included in all hotel bills. It is customary to give up to 10% in addition if service has been particularly good.