Vacation Rentals in Italy
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Travel destination Italy.
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Destination
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(1)
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(1)
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(415)
Bardineto (2), Castellaro (12), Cavi di Lavagna (2), Cervo (1), Costarainera (3), Genova (79), Grimaldi Inferiore (1), La Torrazza (2), Lavagna (3), Marina d'Andora (7), Ortonovo (1), Ospedaletti - San Remo (1), Perinaldo (1), Prela (12), Riviera di Ponente (258), San Bartolomeo (6), Sestri Levante (3), Tellaro Di Lerici (1), Valloria Marittima (8), Villanova d'Albenga (4), Villatella (1)
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(51)
Antey-Saint-André (1), Aosta (14), Bionaz (2), Cervinia (2), Courmayeur (5), Pila (1), Saint Nicolas (1), Saint-Pierre (6), San Nicolas (6), Sarro (8), Valtournanche (3), Verres (1), Villeneuve (1)
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(1607)
Aprilia Marittima (13), Belluno (585), Este (2), Mira (3), Montebello (3), Padova (136), Povoletto (2), Rovigo (162), Treviso (20), Venice (44), Verona (145), Vicenza (492)
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Overview of Italy |
| Size |
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301,250 sq km (117,487 sq mi) |
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| Population |
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57.6 million |
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| Language |
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Standard Italian and numerous dialects are spoken in different
regions. Plus - German and Ladin
in the South Tyrol region (bordering Austria); French in all the border areas from the Riviera to the
area north of Milan (border with France and Switzerland); German around the Austrian border; English,
German and French are also spoken in the biggest cities and in tourism and business circles. |
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| Time Zone |
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1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+1 GMT). |
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| Electricity |
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220V, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are widely used; adaptors recommended. |
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| Clothing |
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Lightweight cottons and linens are worn during the summer, except in the mountains. Light- to
mediumweights are worn in the south during winter, while warmer clothes are worn elsewhere. Alpine
wear is advised for winter mountain resorts. |
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| Religion |
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85% Roman Catholic, 5% Jewish and Protestant. |
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| Currency |
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Euro (EUR)
Currency Converter |
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Location of Italy
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Italy is situated in Europe and attached in the north to the European mainland. The country's instantly
recognisable boot shape kicks its way into the Adriatic, Ionian, Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Seas - all of
which form part of the Mediterranean Sea. To the north, the Alps separate Italy from France, Switzerland,
Austria and Slovenia. The islands of Elba, Sardinia, Ischia, Capri, the Aeolians and Sicily lie offshore.
Mountains feature prominently in Italy's topography, and bolster its landlocked borders all the way
from Genoa in the west to Trieste in the east. Italy's backbone is formed by the Apennines, extending
from Genoa right down to the soccer ball that bounces off the toe of Calabria: Sicily. The Po River Valley
in the country's northeast forms the largest lowland area, and is heavily populated and
industrialized as a result. Underground rambunctiousness is evident from the country's three active volcanoes -
Stromboli in the Aeolian Islands, Vesuvius near Naples and Etna on Sicily - and the devastation wrought
by earthquakes, especially fierce in 1908 and 1980. Beauty abounds in Italy but, unfortunately,
so does pollution, particularly in the big cities and along the coast. |
Climate in Italy
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From mid April to mid June or mid September to the end of October the temperatures are usually
around 20-32°C (70-80s°F), with nights around 10-20°C (50-60s°F). July, August and the first half
of September are generally quite hot 34-37°C (high 90s°F), humid and very crowded with tourists. The
winters in the north are chilly - 8-12°C (50s°F) or colder in the day and much colder at night
(often below freezing). In the south, winters are milder, but you'll still find it too cool to lie
on the beach or too drizzly to tour happily. |
Best Time to Travel to Italy
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Italy is at its best in spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November). During these seasons,
the scenery is beautiful, the temperatures are pleasant and there are relatively few crowds. Try to
avoid August, as this is the time that most Italians take their vacations, and many shops and
businesses are closed as a result.
The ski season generally lasts from December to late March;
sea swimming is best between June and September; and July and September are the best months for
walking in the Alps. The further south you go, the longer you can linger into November and December
without feeling the pinch of winter. Italy's multitude of festivals and traditional events may
be a factor in planning your visit. Easter, in particular, is celebrated fervently, and every
second town has a festive Saint's day. |
Events in Italy
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Religious, cultural and historical events pepper the Italian calendar. The pre-Easter Carnivale
is closely associated with Venice; Holy Week Easter processions are especially flamboyant
at Taranto, Chieti and Sicily; and Florence explodes a cart full of fireworks on Easter Sunday.
Festivals honouring patron saints are also particularly colourful events; for example the Fiestas
di San Nicola in Bari and San Gennaro in Naples, the Festival of Snakes in Abruzzo
(May) and the Fiesta of Sant'Antonio in Padua (June). Events betraying more than a hint of
history include the Race of the Candles and Palio of the Crossbow in Gubbio (May),
the Sardinian Cavalcade (May), the Regata of the Four Ancient Maritime Republics
(which rotates between Pisa, Venice, Amalfi and Genoa, and is held in June), Il Palio in
Siena (July & August) and Venice's Historic Regatta (September). |
Society in Italy
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The social structure is heavily influenced by the Roman Catholic church and, generally speaking,
family ties are stronger than in most other countries in Western Europe. Normal social courtesies
should be observed. Dress is casual in most places, though beachwear should be confined to the
beach. Conservative clothes are expected when visiting religious buildings and smaller, traditional
communities. Formal wear is usually indicated on invitations. Smoking is prohibited in some public
buildings, transport and cinemas. Visitors are warned to take precautions against theft, particularly
in the cities.
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. |
Food in Italy
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Italians are quick to tell you there's no such thing as Italian food. Rather, each city or region
has its own distinct cuisine. In the north of the country, you'll find risotto, polenta and cream
sauces that are not at all native to the south. And the south offers spicier foods, the original
pizza recipe and buffalo mozzarella. Always try the specialties of a region - they are often absent
from menus elsewhere, or of a lesser quality. In Tuscany, for example, one generally finds more
gamey foods, such as fagiano (pheasant), cinghiale (wild boar) and tartufi
(truffles) . You can't visit Genoa without trying real pesto, traditionally served with a mixture
of pasta, potatoes and green beans. Roman food is typically less refined with plates like spaghetti
carbonara, bucatini all'amatriciana (pasta with a spicy tomato-and-bacon sauce) and trippa
(tripe), which, if cooked well, can be delicious. Many visitors are already familiar with Parma's
famed prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. For spicy food try anything from
Reggio di Calabria, but in particular the ultra-hot salami. Sicily, the birthplace of Italian
pasta and gelato, has synthesized the culinary traditions of the many different cultures that
have passed through the island. Overall, Italian chefs continue to remain faithful to seasonal
produce, which is one reason everything tastes so good.
As prosaic as it may sound, one of our favorite meals is pizza and ice cream. Check out where the
locals eat and join them for lunch or dinner at a pizzeria. The standard tomato-and-cheese variety
is called a margherita, but there are so many more choices, you'll want to try a few. Then
take a walk around the block, gelato in hand. It is, in and of itself, a reason to visit the country.
Wine in Italy is excellent and comparatively inexpensive. Two categorizations that are helpful
to know are D.O.C. (denominazione d'origine controllata, meaning that it has been
inspected and guaranteed by the government) and vino da tavola (table wine). Wines and
spirits with the D.O.C. label are generally of superior quality, but table wine is usually very,
very drinkable and is sometimes preferable. Red wines are made just about everywhere, while the
Piemonte and Veneto regions in the north are better for white wine. Nice local wines, which evoke
the place they're made, include Chianti Classico Riserva, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Orvieto
Classico, Pinot Grigio and Montepulciano d'Abbruzzo. Stop by an enoteca (wine shop and bar)
in any major city and you will find bottles from all over the country and knowledgeable clerks
to help you. In an enoteca you can also pick up some of Italy's unique liqueurs.
Besides amaretto, which is primarily from the north, other popular choices are limoncello,
a sweet, lemon liqueur made in the south around Naples, Sorrento, Amalfi and on the island of Capri;
amaro, a bitter liqueur produced thoughout Italy; and grappa, a stronger digestivo
(digestive liqueur) made in several regions.
There are three categories of restaurants:
From most expensive to least, the classes are ristorante, trattoria (more of a home-cooking style)
and osteria. Eat a meal in each category - just because it's cheap doesn't mean it's bad,
and each has its own atmosphere. |
Visa for Italy
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Italy, along with Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and
Spain, forms part of the border-free travel zone subject to the Schengen Agreement. EU passport
holders can come and go as they please. Citizens of the USA, Australia, Canada, Japan and New
Zealand are among those who may enter Italy as tourists without a visa and stay up to 90 days. |
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