Overview:
Italy dips down out of Europe and into the Mediterranean like a
women's leg firmly planted in a sleek stiletto, so it's hardly
surprising that Italians are known for their impeccable style and
fashionable dress sense. They're also known for once having an
empire that stretched across the globe, and for having the most
spectacular churches, frescos, sculptures and Renaissance paintings
in all of Europe.
The Italy of today is littered with the relics of more than
3,000 years of history, and an atmosphere that ranges from the
Armani-wearing-scooter-driving-espresso-drinking buzz of its cities
to the quiet, pastoral existence of its hillside olive farms and
seaside fishing villages.
From the depths of the canals in Venice, which floats on a
series of islands in an Adriatic lagoon, and the bleached sands of
San Remo on the Riviera, to the rocky crags of the Alps, Dolomites
and Apennines, Italy has everything from beach holidays to luxury
mountain ski resorts.
Italy's cities reveal awe-inspiring architecture from the curved
arches of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence to the crumbling
magnificence of the Colosseum in Rome. Home of da Vinci,
Michelangelo, Carvaggio and Botticelli, its artworks are a visual
delight to all visitors.
Nestled into the outskirts of Rome is the independent Vatican
City, the seat of the Pope and home to the famous St Peter's
Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. The influence of the Holy Catholic
Church on the people of Italy is still evident today in a series of
holy festivals, carnivals, and parades involving young and old
alike in almost every city, town and village.
Climate:Italy has a largely temperate climate with regional
variations. In summer the Northern parts of Italy are warm with
occasional rainfall, the central region is somewhat stifled by
humidity and the south scorches under the dry heat. In winter,
conditions in Milan, Turin and Venice are dominated by cold, damp
and fog and Tuscany's winter temperatures approach freezing, while
temperatures in the south of the country are more favourable
averaging 50-60ºF (10-20ºC). Most people visit Italy between June
and August, however the best time to visit is in Spring (April-May)
and Autumn (September-October) when the weather is good and the
tourists are few. The sea is warm enough for swimming between June
and September. Most Italians take their vacation in August and many
shops and restaurants are closed during this period. The ski season
runs between December and April and the best time to walk in the
Alps is between June and September.
Money:The Euro (EUR) is the official currency, which is divided
into 100 cents. Those arriving in Italy with foreign currency can
obtain Euros through any bank, ATM or bureaux de change. ATMs are
widespread. Travellers cheques can be exchanged with ease in the
large cities, not so in the smaller towns. Credit cards are
accepted in upmarket establishments and shops around the cities.
Banks are closed on weekends, but tend to have better rates than
casas de cambios.
Passport and visa:The borderless region known as the Schengen area
includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. All these
countries issue a standard Schengen visa that allows the holder, in
principal, to travel freely within the borders of all. Travellers
are advised to have a return or onward ticket plus all documents
required for their next destination, and sufficient funds to cover
period of intended stay in Italy.
Tipping:Tipping is customary in Italy and 10% of the bill is
acceptable in restaurants (unless a service charge has already been
included). Hotels add a service charge of 15-18%, but it is
customary to tip the service staff extra. Italians rarely tip taxi
drivers, but 5-10% is usual. Most other services expect some small
change.
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