Tips for Traveling Italy

Italy is a country that boasts breathtaking scenery with its coasts and islands, long sandy beaches and rugged cliffs, snowy Alps and dense woodland. To complement this natural beauty is a culture steeped in rich history, a well-preserved archaeological heritage and fine wine and cuisine.

Italy is an impressive mosaic of natural and created attractions with tourist options as varied as visits to archaeological sites and ancient Roman ruins, opportunities to view Renaissance art, to ski in the Alps and swim off beautiful coastline, explore the canals of Venice and take in one of thousands of fascinating museums.

Considered by foreign poets and writers for hundreds of years as a place of indescribable charm with its various landscapes and historic beauty, time spent in Italy guarantees a memorable vacation. Known for its centuries of traditional hospitality, Italy is tourist-friendly with its vast selection of hotels at favorable rates, endless choice of excellent restaurants serving both local and international fare, and efficient road and transport systems that make travel worry-free.

There are times throughout the year when travel is experienced best in Italy. During April-May and October-November, the scenery is picturesque, temperatures are pleasant and crowds are few. Travel is not recommended during August when most Italians take their vacations and as a result, close their businesses and shops. Ski enthusiasts would most enjoy the slopes from December to late March; swimmers would enjoy the sea between June and September; and hikers would enjoy the Alps during July and September.

The following are some helpful tips to help you properly prepare and ensure an excellent vacation in Italy:

• The Lira has been replaced by the Euro as the currency in Italy. Euros can be obtained at    any bank or ATM machine.

• Credit cards are widely accepted in Italy but Visa is the easiest with which to obtain cash    advances from banks. Keep a photocopy of your credit cards and passport in a secure    place separate from the originals. Also be aware of pickpockets in the larger cities.

• Take out an insurance policy before you leave home, as Italy does not have a medical    program that covers residents of Canada or the U.S.

• Air travel in Italy is expensive so take the train or bus or rent a car to find the hidden    treasures of the country. Roads are in decent condition throughout Italy and there are    plenty of freeways although tolls are instituted.

• Residents of the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan are among those who    may enter Italy as tourists without a visa and stay there for up to 90 days. An additional    90-day extension can be obtained at police stations.

• Accommodations are numerous and varied in price and quality level. Expect lower rates    during the off-tourist season - usually November to March in tourist cities.

• Service charges are usually included in the restaurant bill, so patrons are not expected to    tip. Take note that prices in bars and cafés double if patrons choose to stay and relax there.

• For the best in Italian cuisine, choose restaurants that do not advertise tourist menus. Pay    attention to where the locals eat.

• Make phone calls from public phones using telephone cards. Hotels tend to overcharge for    long-distance and international calls. Better yet, set up web access mail before you leave    home and use an Internet café to connect with loved ones. There are many available    throughout Italy.