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Italy travel guide - Italy
holidays, flights & hotels.
Top destination guides for Italy holidays;
Florence
| Milan
| Rome
| Venice
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Bologna
| Catania
| Rome -Ciampino
| Rome -Fuimicino
| Genova
| Naples
| Palermo
Pisa
| Torino - Turin
| Verona
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Italy Holidays, Italy Holiday Packages 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.
Tourist Offices - Italian Tourist Office: +39 06 49711 or
www.enit.it
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Entry Requirements
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.
- For Australians -
Australians must have a valid passport. No visas are
required for stays of up to 90 days.
- New Zealand citizens must have a valid passport. No
visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
- United States citizens must have a valid passport. A
visa is not required for stays of up to 90 days.
- United States citizens must have a valid passport. A
visa is not required for stays of up to 90 days.
- British passport holders, irrespective of endorsement
regarding national status, do not need a visa to visit Italy for up
to 90 days.
Italy Holidays - Currency of Italy
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.
Italy
Telephone Access Codes and Communications
The international access code for Italy is
+39. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code
(e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). All numbers must be preceded by
0, whether originating in Italy or out, unless calling a mobile
phone. City/area codes are in use, e.g. 02 for Milan and 06 for
Rome. There can be high surcharges on calls made from hotels and it
is generally cheaper to use a calling card. Public telephone boxes
take phone cards for local and international calls, which can be
bought from newsagents. The local mobile phone operators use GSM
networks and have roaming agreements with most international
operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and
resorts.
Italy
Duty Free Allowances & Restrictions
Travellers over 17 years from non-EU countries
do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50
cigars, or 250g tobacco; 1 litre spirits with alcohol content
higher than 22%, or 2 litres dessert wine not exceeding 22% alcohol
content and sparkling wine, and 2 litres of table wine; perfume up
to 50g or 250ml eau de toilette, and other goods for personal
consumption to the value of EUR175 per adult or EUR90 for children
under 15 years. Prohibited items include narcotic drugs, medicinal
products, arms and weapons, explosives and protected animal and
plant species.
Italy
Holidays & Packages- Tipping Information
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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