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Destination information: Map of Europe Holiday Property Italy is of course a very historic and beautiful place. From Venice to Sicily you find the passionate, fiery Italian personality everywhere. If you are driving in Italy, especially Sicily, be very careful as the Italians drive very fast and rarely ware crash helmets when riding their scooters.
Venice upon arrival, makes you instantly say "Ahhh, Venice!" it really is that type of place. Beauty abounds, art is everywhere and so is romance. From gliding along the water in a Gondela with your favourite person to sipping espresso in St. Marco's Square you will be surrounded by and immersed in the beauty and culture of this watery paradise.
The pictures above give you an inkling of the beautiful architecture but it should be said that until you've been there you can't conceive fully just how magnificent Venice really is. Venice (Venezia), a city of pedestrians and water traffic, is so richly adorned that many visits are needed to fully explore it. Most popular are the Basilica of San Marco, mausoleum of Venice's patron saint, the Doges' Palace, and the Accademia, which any student of Venetian art should not miss. Of the other city museums, the Ca' Rezzonico (18th-century art), the Correr Museum, and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection (20th-century art) are the most important. Venice's other outstanding sites are her smaller churches: Gothic Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, Santi Giovanni e Paolo, the Gesuati, San Zaccaria, and the Redentore, with their paintings, tombs, sculpture and treasuries, are also museums. Beyond the city, there are the islands (Murano, Burano, and Torcello) where the pace of life is slower.
Italy
stretches from the Alps, on its northern borders with
Switzerland and Austria, down a thin peninsula to
the Mediterranean in the south. Few countries can compete
with Italy for its sheer wealth of art and architecture,
not to mention music, literature, the culinary arts, fashion,
and contemporary design. Ancient Roman ruins—the Colosseum,
the Pantheon, and the buried Roman city of Pompeii—and
the Greek temples in Paestum and Sicily, stand in stark
contrast to the beautiful lagoon-city of Venice and the
renaissance works of art in Florence and Tuscany. The
country's landscape varies dramatically, from the alpine
heights of the Dolomites and the Italian lakes in the
north, to the olive groves and vineyards of the Tuscan
and Umbrian countryside. The Italian peninsula is ever
popular for its bathing beaches, and more rugged beauty
is to be found in the south, and on the island of Sicily.
Italy was the seat of the Roman Empire two thousand years ago, ruling most of the known world from Rome. From the end of the 2nd century AD the capital city became the seat of the popes, and the most powerful centre of the Roman Catholic Church. From the 9th century, Venice grew rich from trade in spices and precious stones from the East, becoming one of the greatest maritime powers of all time. Italy's economic and cultural Golden Age came in the 15th and early 16th centuries, with the production of consumer goods on a grand scale, and generous patronage of the arts. The country has weathered much political turbulence over the centuries, and it was not until 1860 that the practical politics of Mazzini and Cavour, and the heroic deeds of Garibaldi, finally unified the country. After a long period of political and financial uncertainty in the mid-20th century, Italy is now enjoying a period of optimism. Milan, the country's industrial and commercial centre, is flourishing, and tourism is a sound source of revenue. Throughout Italy, beautiful churches, palaces, paintings, and sculpture testify to the artistic importance of the Italian Renaissance. This “rebirth” of classical art, which had its origins in Florence, produced some of the finest and most celebrated artists in the world, including Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, Donatello, and Botticelli. The Roman poet Virgil wrote the Aeneid around 30 BC, while Dante Alighieri's masterpiece The Divine Comedy, written in the 1300s, helped the Italian language to become the most prominent literary form in Europe. Librettist Lorenzo da Ponte helped Mozart marry Italian literature with music in the form of opera. Italy has produced a number of outstanding musical composers, from Scarlatti and Vivaldi in the early 18th century to the great 19th-century creators of opera, Rossini and Verdi. Creativity is still strong in modern Italy: many great fashion designers, such as Armani, Moschino, Versace, and Valentino, have kept Italy's profile high, while Italian film studios have produced some excellent films over the past 40 years, notably under the direction of Visconti, Pasolini, Fellini, and Bertolucci.
Turin (Torino) is one of Italy's most opulent cities, famous for its associations with Fiat, its fin de siècle cafés and a lovely baroque centre of ordered, elegant streets. Running through it is the River Po. This is a city of museums and palaces. Highlights include the important Museo Egizio, second only to the museum in Cairo, and the Galleria Sabauda, an art museum which contains the magnificent collections of the Savoy family. The Palazzo Carignano is an important baroque building; it contains in part the National Museum of the Risorgimento. The Carlo Biscaretti di Ruffia Motor Museum houses an important collection of classic Italian and foreign cars. The Duomo houses the Turin Shroud. Two sights lie outside the city—the baroque Basilica di Superga, Juvarra's masterpiece, and the magnificent rococo hunting lodge, the Villa Reale di Stupinigi.
Genoa (Genova) is a bustling metropolis with many important art collections, medieval and renaissance churches, and magnificent palaces and gardens. The best time to visit is during the Genoa Opera season (from January to April), the internationally important summer Ballet Festival, or the Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics. Highlights are the church of San Donato, Santa Maria di Castello, a 12th-century basilica; the ornate Cattedrale di San Lorenzo; and the Cathedral Treasury. The National Gallery of Palazzo Spinola, Palazzo Rosso Gallery, and Palazzo Bianco Gallery all house important collections of paintings, while the Museo d'Arte Orientale is Italy's finest museum of Oriental art. The Museum of the Risorgimento details the life of Giuseppe Mazzini, the 19th-century revolutionary idealist.
Milan is the powerhouse of Italy, trend-setting shopping capital, and scene of Europe's most important modern furniture fair, Milan (Milano) has much to recommend it. It has a wide range of important art galleries, museums, and churches, and its La Scala opera house is world famous. Highlights of the city include an extravagantly pinnacled Duomo, the Brera Gallery (containing works by Italian artists of the 14th to 20th centuries), and the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana (with works by Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, and Raphael). In addition, Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper dominates the Dominican monastery refectory next to the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. The huge 15th-century Castle of the Sforza houses a range of other museums and, elsewhere, the Contemporary Art Museum displays 20th-century art, while the Civic Gallery of Modern Art contains works by French and Italian Impressionists.
Rome (Roma), the capital of
Italy, is known as the Eternal City because of its great
antiquity. For centuries it was the most powerful city
in Europe, capital first of the mighty Roman Empire, then
of the Roman Catholic Church, which ruled Rome until the
Vatican City was created as a separate sovereign state
in 1929.
The compact centre of Naples (Napoli) is filled with museums, palaces, churches, catacombs, convents, and monasteries. A key sight is the National Archaeological Museum (with artefacts from Pompeii). Important churches include Gothic San Lorenzo Maggiore (with its medieval tombs), baroque Gesù Nuovo, 17th-century Monte della Misericordia, 16th-century Sansevero Chapel (which houses some remarkably realistic sculpture) and Gothic San Domenico Maggiore (famous for its fine renaissance sculpture). Fourteenth-century Convento di Santa Chiara has decorated cloisters, Monteoliveto is filled with renaissance sculpture, and San Giovanni a Carbonara contains glorious medieval and renaissance monuments. The Duomo houses the reliquary of San Gennaro whose coagulated blood miraculously liquefies annually amidst much celebration.
The main reason to visit Reggio di Calabria is to see its outstanding Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia. Reggio was once an important Greek city and its museum houses a fine collection of artefacts—sculpture, pottery, terracotta, jewellery, architectural ornaments, and coins—taken not only from Calabria's many ancient Greek sites, but from other sites dating from the Iron and Bronze Ages and from the Roman and Arab-Norman periods. Chief amongst its treasures, however, are the celebrated Greek Riace Bronzes, two large statues of warriors dredged from the sea off Riace, near Caulonia in 1972.
Florence (Firenze), cradle of the Renaissance, is renowned for its wealth of art and architecture. Most sights lie north of the River Arno—including the Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo, Giotto's tower, and the baptistery, with its magnificent bronze doors. Another cluster of sites is formed by the Bargello Museum with its stunning collection of renaissance sculpture, the medieval Palazzo Vecchio, and the statue-adorned church of Orsanmichele. Not far away, are the church of San Lorenzo and the Medici Chapels, housing Michelangelo's heroic sculptures of Day, Night, Dawn and Dusk. Further artistic riches are to be found in the church of Santa Maria Novella. Be sure to visit both the Accademia Gallery (which contains Michelangelo's David) and the Museo di San Marco (for Fra Angelico's frescoes). The Pitti Palace on the south bank of the river, across the medieval shop-lined Ponte Vecchio, houses yet more of the artistic wealth of the Medici family.
Rimini, heart of the Adriatic Riviera, is the main resort town for beaches that stretch from Viserbella in the north through Viserba, Rivabella, Marina Centro and Bellariva to Miramare. It is totally dependent on tourism and unashamedly supplies what its visitors want—sun, sea and beach, supported by amusement arcades, gift shops, and restaurants. Rimini's centre does have some more sober attractions—including a Municipal Museum and the 15th-century Tempio Malatestiano.
The largest city in Sicily is Palermo. At Palermo's centre, churches and ornate palaces are squeezed into medieval quarters whose narrow streets host souk-like markets. Many important sights are here, close to the route of the annual Procession of Santa Rosalia in July. Reflecting Islamic architectural influences are the Norman church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti, the magnificent interior of the Palatine Chapel inside the Palace of the Normans, and the red-domed San Cataldo. The cathedral, which houses the tomb of Frederick II, displays almost as many architectural styles as there have been rulers of Sicily. The excellent Museo Regionale Archeologico houses sculpture and artefacts from western Sicily's great sites, while the Regional Gallery of Sicily illustrates the development of Sicilian painting from its Byzantine origins. The Puppet Museum is also worth a visit.
Messina has suffered greatly from both earthquakes and World War II bombs. However, its many surviving historic treasures (including paintings by Antonello da Messina and Caravaggio) are housed in the Regional Museum. Richly decorated, the church of Annunziata dei Catalani exhibits the typical eclecticism of 12th-century Norman architecture. It surpasses even the huge Duomo which, despite faithful post-war reconstruction, is only a ghost of its former self. More interesting is Orion's Fountain (1547), designed by Montorsoli, one-time collaborator of Michelangelo. Neptune's Fountain (1557), dominated by a huge figure of the god at sea, celebrates Messina's role as an important Mediterranean port.
Characterised by an awe-inspiring blend of Italian, east Mediterranean, and North African vivacity, Catania is not to be missed. Its chief attractions, apart from the view of Mount Etna rising menacingly at the far end of Via Etnea, lie in its largely baroque centre—the Duomo, the Collegio Cutelli, the ornate Palazzo Biscari and the vast monastery of the Benedettini beside the huge church of San Nicolò. Via dei Crociferi, built on an ancient lava flow, is lined with baroque palaces, churches, and convents, and near it are the ruins of the Roman amphitheatre built from lava.
Much of Sicily was once an important colony of ancient Greece. One of the best places to explore the remains of this period is the Museo Regionale Archeologico in Syracuse (Siracusa) which contains sculpture, gems, ceramics, and other Greek artefacts. The monumental ruins of the ancient city have also been well preserved. The Duomo is a Greek temple within and a baroque cathedral without. In the Archaeological Zone are the ruins of the Greek theatre, the Nymphaeum, the Altar of Hieron II, and the Roman amphitheatre. There is also a series of huge pits (latomie) in which 7,000 Athenians were imprisoned in 413 BC. The Regional Museum of Medieval and Modern Art houses an important collection of paintings and sculpture.
Entry RequirementsCitizens of the European Union (EU) Schengen area countries, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland and Vatican City can enter Italy with a valid national identity card. Citizens of other EU countries, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Hungary, Iceland, Malta, Monaco, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia , Turkey and Vatican City need a valid passport but not a visa. Other nationals should consult the Italian embassy or consulate in their country of residence for details of any visa requirements.
Emergency phone numbers
Ambulance, fire brigade, and police: 113
Time zonesCentral European Time (GMT plus one hour). Clocks are put forward one hour from the last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the end of October.
DrivingVehicle documentsCheck with your motor vehicle insurance company regarding any documents you will need and whether additional insurance is required. If you are a citizen of the European Union, you will need an Italian translation of your driving licence, unless you possess a UK licence. If you belong to a country outside the European Union, you will need an International Driving Permit. Motoring organisations in your country of residence can advise. Drivers must carry a red warning triangle in the car, as its use is obligatory in the event of a breakdown.
Rules of the road
Always carry your full valid driving licence (or International
Driving Permit, if necessary), vehicle registration
and insurance documents, and national identity card
or passport with you at all times.
Roads, tolls and speed limitsThe quality of roads varies, but autostrade (motorways marked with the prefix “A”) are mostly toll roads and are well maintained. National roads are prefixed with the letters “SS” and provincial roads (strade provinciali) with “sp”. Speed limits on the autostrade are 130 kilometres per hour (81 miles per hour) for cars, and 100 kilometres per hour (62 miles per hour) for camper vans. The speed limit for cars on secondary roads is 90 kilometres per hour (56 miles per hour); 110 kilometres per hour (70 miles per hour) on dual carriageways, and 50 kilometres per hour (31 miles per hour) in built-up areas.The maximum level of alcohol permitted in the bloodstream when driving is 0.8 grams per litre (80mg/ml).
Driving tipsDriving is one of the best ways to get about the Italian countryside. Roads are generally good and well signposted. However, long journeys can be expensive, both because of the motorway tolls and the relatively high price of petrol. Always carry some loose change to pay for tolls.
AssistanceEmergency (SOS) phones are located on autostrade every 2 kilometres (1.2 miles). For assistance, telephone 116 or the ACI on (06) 49981.
Electrical devicesThe electrical current in Italy is 220 volts AC. Generally, round two-pin plugs are used, although you may also find round, three-pin plugs in use. An adapter is essential for UK and Irish appliances.
MoneyNotes and coinsItaly is one of 11 European Union countries which adopted the Euro (€) as its currency on 1 January 2002.
Currency exchangeAmerican Express, Visa, Access/MasterCard, and Diners Club are accepted in Italy. Eurocheques, accompanied by a valid Eurocheque card, and travellers cheques are also accepted. You will need your identity card or passport when cashing either. Not all shops and restaurants accept credit cards, so it is worth checking in advance. Travellers cheques are the safest way to carry cash, and you should buy these in your own country before departure. In general, banks offer a better rate of exchange than hotels and airports. Banking hours are usually 08.30 to 13.00 on weekdays. Some branches reopen from 14.30 to 15.30 (or 15.00 to 16.00).
TippingAt restaurants, the service charge is included in the bill, although an additional small tip is usually expected. It is common to tip hotel staff, porters, taxi drivers, tour guides, lavatory attendants, and hairdressers.
Public holidays1
January: New Year’s Day
Travellers with disabilitiesIn general, Italy is not well adapted to the needs of travellers with disabilities, but attitudes are, by and large, helpful. Wheelchair access is not very common, except in large museums and galleries. Check in advance what special facilities are available at your destination. Italian State Railways (FS) have reception centres that provide assistance to travellers with disabilities. A pamphlet on their services and facilities is available at FS information points. Other organisations that can provide information and/or assistance are Associazione Italiana per l’Assistenza agli Spastici (AIAS), via Cipro 4/H, 00136 Rome, tel: +39 6 3973 1829 and +39 6 3973 1704; and AIAS Milano, via San Barnaba 29, 20122 Milano, tel: +39 2 5501 7564, fax: +39 2 5501 4870. The association CO. IN. provides special tourist and access information (for Rome only), to travellers with disabilities. They are located at via E. Giglioi 54/A, 00169 Rome, tel/fax: +39 6 2326 7504/5. In Venice contact Informa Handicap, Via Catalani 9/A, 30171 Metre, Venezia, tel: +39 41 976 435, fax: +39 41 974 457.
Metro, buses and trams
Main bus stations are usually found near the town’s
train station, and tickets can be bought in the station
or in Main bus stations are usually found near the town's
train station, and tickets can be bought in the station
or in tabacchi (newsagents). Once on board-ascend at
the rear, alight at the front-passengers must validate
their tickets in the machines provided. Urban buses
are frequent, comprehensive, and inexpensive (usually
about L1,500). Tickets must be purchased at tabacchi,
news-stands, or at bus-stop kiosks before entering the
bus.
FerriesFerries depart from Genoa, Civitavecchia, and Naples for Sicily, and Sardinia. There are also ferries from Naples, Pozzuoli, Salerno, and Sorrento for the islands of Capri, Ischia, and Procida, and hydrofoils and ferries between Anzio and Ponza and the Pontine islands. The Aeolian islands are best reached by ferry and hydrofoil from Messina, Milazzo, Palermo, Reggio di Calabria, Naples, and Capri, while the Egadi Islands and Pantelleria can be reached from Trapani, Ustica from Palermo, Linosa, and Lampedusa from Porto Empedocle. From Manfredonia, Vieste, Vasto, Ortona, Rodi Garganico, and Termoli, there are boats to the Tremiti islands. To Elba, boats leave from Piombino and Livorno. There is a choice of routes across Lakes Maggiore, Como, Garda, and Iseo.
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