Italy
Italy is one of the most revered destinations in the world, and it's easy to see why. This remarkable land is rich in centuries of history, ancient architecture, active volcanoes, stunning coastlines, diverse dialects, a unique culture, and, of course, exceptional cuisine.
Geographically, Italy is known for its distinctive boot shape located in the Mediterranean Sea. The islands of Sardinia and Sicily lie off the western coast, while to the north, it shares land borders with France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia. The landscape is varied and mountainous, featuring the towering peaks of the Alps, Apennines, and Dolomites. Italy is home to more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other nation, approximately 5,000 museums, and over 64,000 churches. Whether you are a historian eager to dive into the mysteries of Ancient Rome, an aspiring sommelier in search of the perfect robust Chianti, a photographer aiming to capture the beauty of Cinque Terre, or a food enthusiast hunting for exquisite truffles, Italy truly has something for everyone.
Most travelers start or conclude their journey in Rome. It's an essential destination for your first visit to the country. You will be enchanted by the city's rich culture, fascinating history, artistic legacy, welcoming people, and, of course, its delectable cuisine.
Italy is a wonderful destination for those traveling with children, and there are many family-friendly tour options ranging from Roman ruins and gladiator battlefields to ancient volcanoes and medieval villages. You’ll find a great selection of museums and monuments that will interest older children, while beaches and coastal locales are great for infants and children of all ages.
There is no shortage of shopping options in Italy – from high-end designer items in the fashion capital of Milan and the leather shops in Florence, to the costumes and jewelry in Venice’s Le Mercerie area, and Turin’s Via Polo where you’ll find books, antiquities, and vanguard shops. Meanwhile, in many seaside villages like Cinque Terre, you’ll find an endless array of goods offered by local craftspeople and artisans.
Markets are really what make the streets of Italy tick, and every village, town, and city has their own. Depending on the size of the locale and the products being sold, these can occur daily, weekly, or once a month. Markets are lively places where you can experience local customs, etiquette and see a cross- section of Italian society.
Milan is the second largest city in Italy and is located in the Lombardy Region.
Highlights include:
Duomo (Cathedral, Baptistery, and Treasury)
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
La Scala Opera House
Brera District
Sforza Castle
Santa Maria delle Grazie Church
Da Vinci's Last Supper
Rapallo, Santa Margherita and Portofino are towns along the Italian Riviera coastline.
Portofino and Rapallo are located less than 30 minutes away from each other by car or by ferry, and Santa Margherita is located right in the middle. You can also walk between all three for a very active adventure. The popular area of Cinque Terre is about a 1.5 hour drive away from these towns and not recommended to do in one day.
Portofino
Portofino is the main hub of activity, with its main square, La Piazzetta, located adjacent to the cruise port. The square is full of luxury yachts, restaurants, boutiques, and galleries.
Highlights include:
Castle Brown
Portofino's lighthouse
Giorgio's Church
Paraggi Beach
Santa Margherita
Highlight’s include:
Villa Durazzo
Baroque Chiesa di Santa Margherita d’Antiochia
Giò e Rino Beach
Rapallo
Highlight’s include:
Rapallo Castle
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montallegro
The Rapallo Cable Car
Spiaggia Minaglia Beach
Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a group of five towns located along the coastline of Italy. The towns can be visited by bus, boat, train, or by hiking trail.
It takes about 5 hours to hike the entire distance, not counting the time to explore in each town and can be done in either direction. In order to hike the trail, you have to purchase a ticket/card or be on a guided tour. You can purchase the Cinque Terre card at any of the welcome centres or with your hotel concierge.
The Amalfi Coastline is home to many scenic and charming towns including Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, Vietri sul Mare, Praiano, and many others. Salerno and Sorrento are at each end. A few towns are situated next to the sea, like Amalfi and Positano, while others are located higher up in the hills, such as Ravello and Praiano.
While some travelers will identify with the food culture of Italy, others will more closely align with the abundance of wine. While not an exhaustive run-through of suggestions, here are some of the more well-known regions and varieties:
For fruit-forward, full-bodied wines look to Puglia, where they use Negroamaro, Primitivo, and Uva di Troia grapes. The Veneto region is one of the largest wine producing regions, and due to its many microclimates you’ll find both hearty reds and fragrant sparkling specimens.
In Tuscany, the warm Mediterranean climate produces superb quality Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. Don’t overlook the regions of Montalcino, Montepulciano, Bolgheri, and San Gimignano for high quality reds.
Piedmont wines have a decidedly different profile due to the proximity to France and Switzerland, and you’ll find a wide range here – Nebbiolo, Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera, Dolcetto, Arneis, and Gavi.
Sicily’s dark soil and volcanic hills produce Nerello Mascalese, Frappato, and the celebrated Nero d’Avola reds, as well as some white varieties, including Grillo, Carricante, and Catarratto.
Culinary
Gelato: We would be amiss not to mention gelato, or Italian ice cream (although it is typically made with milk instead of cream). Non-fruit flavors are made only with milk, while non-dairy options are called sorbetto.
Burrata: A fresh cow milk cheese with an outer shell made of mozzarella, and a decadent inside of stracciatella and cream. When sliced open, the rich thickened cream flows out.
Arancini: These Sicilian deep-fried rice balls made with tomato sauce, eggs, and cheese are a southern Italian specialty.
Cornetti: Crescent shaped pastries which are similar to a French croissant; a cornetto and cappuccino for many Italians is a daily morning ritual. The cornetto is often filled with pastry cream, chocolate, jam, or Nutella, depending on what is on display.
Bistecca alla fiorentina: This style of porterhouse steak is one of the most popular dishes in Tuscan cuisine. It is a higher cut, which includes the bone, is cooked on embers or the grill, and is often three or four fingers high – steaks are measured in terms of fingers in Florence! These large portions are typically shared by two.
Pizza: Naples is considered the birthplace of pizza, serving what many consider the most “authentic” style. A Neapolitan is typically tomato and oregano, or tomato and mozzarella. You can also ask for the Napolitano specialty portafoglio – pizza folded up like a wallet and excellent for an on-the-run treat. Italian pizza cooked on a wood fired oven tends to have thinner crust and less cheese than those found outside of Italy.
Penne - Short tubes, either grooved or smooth, best known with spicy sauce (penne all’arrabbiatta) in Rome and the Lazio region.
Fusilli - Corkscrew shaped and native to Southern Italy. Farfalle - Bowtie or butterfly shaped pasta.
Orecchiette/Conchiglie - The former resembles an ear and is famous in Apulia served with meat sauce and turnip greens; the latter are the shape of a shell.
Spaghetti - A classic in need of no introduction, these elongated, thin strands of goodness can be enjoyed in a variety of sauces and flavors and are sometimes served in cut pieces, known as spaghetti spezzati.
Tagliatelle - Elongated pasta often served with bean or meat sauces, or mushrooms. Tagliatelle has notoriety in Italy with the song “Le tagliatelle di nonna Pina.”
Ravioli/Tortellini - Squared or rounded, these filled variety contain meat, vegetables, or cheese depending on the recipe. Tortellini is often served in broth at Christmas, and be sure to try it in Emilia-Romagna – where tortellini are especially delightful!
Limoncello - This lemon liqueur produced mainly in Southern Italy is traditionally served as an after-dinner digestivo. It is served in small, chilled ceramic glasses and has a slightly cloudy appearance. Consumed on its own, or used in various cocktails, pastries, and ice cream, it’s a true taste of Italy.
Rome - Venice: approximate travel time by train is 3.5 hours.
Rome - Florence: approximate travel time by train is 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Rome - Milan: approximate travel time by train is 2.5-3 hours.
Rome - Naples: approximate travel time by train is 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Venice - Milan: approximate travel time by train is 2.5 hours.
Venice - Florence: approximate travel time by train is 2 hours.
Venice - Verona: approximate travel time by train is 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Venice - Como: approximate travel time by train is 3 hours.
Venice - Verona: approximate travel time by vehicle is 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Milan - Venice: approximate travel time by train is 2.5 hours.
Florence - Milan: approximate travel time by train is 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Milan - Como: 1 hour by car.
Language
The native language of Italy is Italian, a Romance language closely related to Latin. There are also more than 30 other spoken languages and regional dialects including French, Greek, German, Sardinian, Sicilian, Albanian, Occitan, Croatian, Slovene, Ladin, Friulian, Catalan, and Franco-Provençal. Regionally, speakers from one area are typically aware of features distinguishing their own variety of language from those of others nearby. Most of the country (93%) speaks and understands Italian. English is also widely spoken by tour guides and hotel/restaurant staff.
Currency
The currency used in Italy is the Euro. Major credit and debit cards are widely accepted.
Electricity/Phone
In Italy, the standard voltage is 220-230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The plugs in Italy are Types C and F, which have two small round pins, and Type L, which has three small round pins. We suggest a multi-adaptor with different plug configurations.
International calling code (+39)
Films with scenes from Italy
Eat Pray Love
Only You
Enchanted April
The Talented Mr. Ripley
The Italian Job
Letters to Juliet
Oceans 12
Roman Holiday
Under the Tuscan Sun
The Tourist
The Godfather
Medici
Montalbano
