The presence of the Mediterranean, with its warm waters, and the Alps, which form a barrier against the cold northern winds, help to soften the climate.
A trip to Italy is pleasant at any time of the year.
In mountain areas winter is ideal for skiing and summer for excursions.
Seaside and lake resorts, with their excellent hotel facilities, have an intense tourist season in the summer, while the cities which are rich in art treasures attract visitors in spring and autumn.
In the north fog can present problems for air and road traffic in autumn.
Italy is divided in 20 regions, here the names and the link to the web-site for any useful information:
Daylight Savings Time (+ 1 hour) is in force from the end of March until the end of September, as in almost all European countries.
In the chief towns of the provinces and almost all the tourist centres there are various bodies which provide information about staying in Italy. These organizations can be identified by their initials: APT (Azienda di Promozione Turistica), IAT (Informazioni Accoglienza Turistica), AAPIT (Azienda Autonoma per l'Incremento Turistico). Information offices are also widespread.
Minors travelling with parents, and who do not have a personal identity document, must be included in the passport of one of the parents.
Driving licenses and other traffic documents valid in other countries are recognized in Italy. A green card (or an equivalent international insurance certificate) is required for citizens from non-EU countries.
Pets are allowed to enter only if they are in good health and vaccinated against rabies.
A permit issued by an Italian consulate and endorsed by the frontier police, is required to bring in a hunting weapon.
Italian currency in circulation consists in euro.
The Italian customs authorities allow duty-free importation of the following articles (for non-commercial reasons and subject to declaration at the frontier): 200 cigarettes or 100 small cigars or 50 cigars or 250 gr. of loose tobacco: 1 liter of alcohol over 22 degrees or 2 liters of alcohol under 22 degrees; 2 liters of wine; 50 cc of perfume; 500 gr. of coffee.
Tourists from EC countries can import larger quantities of duty-free goods (enquire at customs).
In addition to personal effects, visitors are also allowed to bring in jewellery, two cameras, one video camera, one radio, one television, one tape recorder, one bicycle, one boat (with or without motor), two pairs of skis, two tennis rackets, one canoe, one surf board. These limits apply only to non-EU citizens.
Citizens of other countries are advised to take out insurance before their journey to cover possible health care and hospital expenses.
The new highway code recently introduced in Italy following EC directives also stipulates that one must not drive at a speed which is so slow as to hinder the flow of traffic.
There are speed limits of 80 km/h on all roads outside urban areas and 100 km/h on motorways for cars towing trailers or caravans.
The wearing of seat belts in front and rear seats is obligatory. An appropriate harness system, taking account of height and weight, is obligatory for children from 3 to 12 years of age and less than one and a half metres tall.
The use of portable telephones is prohibited if they require intervention by hand to function.
The wearing of a helmet is obligatory on two wheeled vehicles.
The flashing of headlights is permitted to signal an intention to overtake. The vehicle being overtaken must facilitate the manoeuvre and not accelerate. In cities the use of dipped head-lights is allowed on all vehicles.Finally it should be noted that, because of air pollution, the authorities in large cities may restrict the movement of motor traffic.
On the motorways breakdown services can be called through the yellow emergency posts located approximately every 2 km.
Information about breakdown services is provided by the 18 ACI representatives at the frontier posts for entry to Italy.
The fuel distribution network for gas-propelled vehicles is reasonably developed, especially in central Italy (ask for information at the ACI offices).
Service stations are open from 7.00am to 12.30pm and from 3.00pm to 7.30pm. At weekends and on public holidays they operate an alternating shift system, generally only in the mornings. Service is guaranteed 24 hours a day on the motorways.
Automatic pumps, which accept euro banknotes, function in the evenings and at night. Carrying petrol in jerry cans is prohibited.
The rail network is adequately developed and widespread, especially between major urban centres and tourist areas. In recent years rail transport has experienced numerous technical innovations which have led to greater efficiency and speed (see Ferrovie di Stato for information about the routes and timetable).
Rail ferry services, carrying cars, depart from Civitavecchia (Rome) and Villa San Giovanni (Reggio di Calabria) providing access to Sicily and Sardinia .
Special tariffs are available for tourists (information in travel agencies and railway stations). Note that train tickets must be stamped, before the journey, using the special machines provided in the stations.
Car ferries and hydrofoils link the mainland with the two main islands (Sicily and Sardinia), the Tuscan and Campania Archipelagos, the Aeolian Islands, Ustica, the Egadi Islands, the Pelagie Islands and Pantelleria (see traghetti for information). Regular shipping services operate on the pre-Alpine lakes (Maggiore, Como, Garda, Iseo).
Public and private coach services link the cities and almost all population centres.
There are bus, tram, trolleybus and taxi services in the cities. Rome, Milan, Naples and Genoa also have underground railways.
The main international car hire companies have branches all over the country (see eurorent). For informastion about the Highway routes, tolls and the weather forecast see autostrade
Carabinieri: 112
Fire brigade: 115
ACI (Automobile Club of Italy) emergency breakdown: 116
The ACI assistance centre can be contacted through the number (06) 4477.
News about motorway traffic conditions can be requested through the number (055) 2697.
The telegram service can also be contacted by telephone, number 186.
Throughout Italy direct dialing is possible for continental and intercontinental communication. If there are difficulties an operator service can be contacted by dialling 15 for European countries or 170 for countries outside Europe.
Public telephones are available in every provincial chief town and there are also public telephones in over 300,000 bars and other premises.
In addition there is an extensive network of public telephone boxes which function using coins or phonecards, sold in values of 5, 10 or 20 euro at branches of SIP (the state telephone company), tobacconists, stations and other public places.
Branches of SIP also provide a telephone credit card allowing phone calls in Italy and abroad without any time limit.
Foreign exchange bureaus are available for tourists at airports, railway stations, major hotels and popular tourist resorts. abroad without any time limit.
Enquiries about opening times and tickets can be made at the tourist offices or the museums themselves.
Department stores and shops in tourist centres may remain open all day and, sometimes, until later in the evening.
The shops where one can buy typical products with the "made in Italy" label (clothing, leather goods, shoes, jewellery, art objects) are located in the historical centres of the cities. Via Montenapoleone and Via della Spiga in Milan, Via del Corso and Via Condotti in Rome, Via Toledo in Naples and the shops on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence are famous worldwide.
Shopping is less expensive in the department stores, found in various cities, and in the chainstores run by major clothing companies.
Many other towns have flea markets and small markets for antiques and collector's items, generally during weekends.
Rome: 29th June (St. Peter);
Milan: 7th December (St. Ambrose);
Naples: 19th September (St. Gennaro);
Turin: 24th June (St. John);
Palermo: 11th July (St.
Rosalia);
Bari:
5th December (St. Nicolaus);
Genoa: 24th June (St. John);
Bologna: 4th October (St. Petronio);
Florence: 24th June (St. John);
Venice: 25th April (St. Mark).
Camping sites, of which there are thousands, are also classified by a star system, from one to four, according to comfort. As far as free camping is concerned, it is advisable to enquire at the local tourist information office or with the local authorities.
There are dozens of youth hostels enrolled with AIG (the Italian Youth Hostel Association) spread around the country. The minimum age for access to youth hostels is 8 years.
Tourist villages run by major travel and holiday organizations can be found in seaside areas and some skiing resorts.
The farm holidays sector is developing, especially in Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, Tuscany and Apulia.
Further information can be obtained at tourist offices or through the offices of farm holiday associations in the chief towns of the provinces.
Italian National
Organization for Tourism (ENIT)
DiscoverItalia
Portale turistico DeAgostini e Seat Pagine Gialle
Pagine turistiche del Comune di
Siena
