Italy Travel

Italy Travel Tips Book Online or call (800) 682-3333 Europe Asia Americas Caribbean Mediterranean Pacific Cruises Home Hotels Find a Vacation Specials Contact Us Italy & Sicily Spain & Portugal Britain & Ireland France Belgium & Holland Central Europe Scandinavia Greece River Cruises China & Japan Southeast Asia Thailand India South America Brazil Peru Costa Rica Bahamas Caribbean & Mexico Bahamas Cancun Riviera Maya Punta Cana Jamaica Greece & Turkey Israel Egypt Morocco Australia & New Zealand Tahiti China & Japan Southeast Asia Sea Cruises River Cruises Italy & Switzerland Travel Tips Climate / Clothing Language Code of Conduct Currency Holidays Travel Insurance Car Regulations Luggage Local Emergency/Phone Health Precautions Passports and Visas Driving Electricity Shopping Tipping Venice Transfers Departure Tax Papal Audiences Climate /Clothing Italy : Spring and Fall: 55 - 75F; Summer: 70 - 85F; Winter: 40 - 55F. Bring comfortable shoes, a sweater, clothes you can layer and an all-weather coat. On the cruises, informal dress is the general rule but there may be some occasions were formal dress is required. Some religious sites may require modest dress to enter (no shorts or sleeveless tops). Italy Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/italy-travel/weather/italy-weather.htm . Switzerland : The Alps cause many climatic variations throughout Switzerland. In the higher Alpine regions temperatures tend to be low, while the lower land of the northern area has higher temperatures and warm summers. Switzerland Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/italy-travel/weather/switzerland-weather.htm . Language Italy : Italian is the local language. Limited English is generally spoken as well. Switzerland : German, French, Italian, and Raeto-Romance are the official languages, but English is widely spoken. Passports and Visas Italy : Passport required. Visa not required for tourist or business stays up to 90 days. Switzerland : Passport required. Visa not required for tourism/study stay of less than 90 days. For more information, please see www.gate1travel.com/visas.htm . Currency Italy : Euro Switzerland : The Swiss Franc Tipping Italy : This is a matter of personal discretion. Tips are appreciated and expected for good service in restaurants and other places. Although restaurant bills often include a service charge, this amount is not typically for the waiters/staff. A typical tip is approximately 10%. Switzerland : A service charge is included in all hotel, restaurant, cafe, bar, taxi and hairdressing services by law; further gratuities are not usually required. For specific guidelines, please refer to www.gate1travel.com/tipping.htm Electricity Italy & Switzerland : The voltage used is 220 volts. *Note: The U.S. uses 120 volts and you can purchase a converter and transformer at most hardware stores for your 120V appliances. Shopping Italy : Shops are generally open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., with some variations in Northern Italy, where the lunch break is shorter and shops close earlier. Prices are reasonable and the quality of goods is very high. Department stores such as La Rinascente, Coin, Upim, and Standa are found in many Italian cities and towns. Things to buy: Clothes for men & women (dresses, shoes, gloves, silk ties, shirts); lacework, jewelry, leather goods (handbags, cases, boxes, luggage), ceramics, gold and silver items, alabaster; woodwork, straw, embroidery, glass and crystal ware. It is advisable to carry merchandise purchased with you in order to avoid any inconvenience. All major credit cards are honored in Italy. A proof of purchase (receipt) must be kept. Switzerland : Special purchases include embroidery and linen, Bernese woodcarving, chocolate, cheese, Swiss army knives and luxury handmade clocks and watches. Shopping hours usually run Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1:30 -6:30 p.m., Sat 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1:30-4 p.m. Most shops are closed on Monday mornings. Health Precautions Italy & Switzerland : No inoculations are necessary when arriving in Italy or Switzerland from the U.S. but you should consult with your health care provider before traveling. To prevent "Montezuma's Revenge," avoid the tap water, including raw fruits and vegetables washed in tap water. Your stomach may still become upset due to the change in diet. Bring anti-diarrhea medicine just in case.*For the latest overseas travel health information, call the Center for Disease Control's traveler's hotline at 404-332-4559. Or visit their web site at www.cdc.gov Conservation/Code of Conduct Italy : 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 major cities. Switzerland : Avoid red roses; never give chrysanthemums or white asters as they are considered funeral flowers. Informal wear is widely acceptable. First-class restaurants, hotel dining rooms and important social occasions may warrant jackets and ties. Black tie is usually specified when required. It is customary to give unwrapped flowers to the hostess when invited for a meal. Luggage *Gate 1 tour packages allow one piece of luggage per person, plus carry-on bag. Additional baggage will be subject to handling charges of up to $100 per piece. As Gate 1 will not be responsible for loss or damage to luggage and personal belongings, you MUST report any loss or damage immediately at the time of the incident and obtain a written report from the local authority for submission to your insurance provider. If you luggage is lost or damaged by the airlines, a baggage claim form MUST be filed with the carrier before leaving the airport. See www.gate1travel.com/destinations/luggage.htm for Important Baggage Information for U.S. Travelers. Departure Tax Italy & Switzerland : There are currently no departure taxes in Italy or Switzerland, please see www.gate1travel.com/Destinations/departure_tax.htm for more information. Travel Insurance We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance as additional security in the case of cancellation or interruption of travel plans, lost or damaged luggage, travel delays, illness, or accident. Keep all boarding passes, ticket copies and receipts for expenses paid during your trip if it later becomes necessary to file a claim. Local Emergency Phone # Italy : ambulance/medical: 118 fire, disasters: 115 police & general emergency: 112 Switzerland : general emergency: 112 Holidays Italy : January 1 New Year's Day January 6 Epiphany Mar 28 Easter Monday April 25 Liberation Day May 1 Labor Day June 2 Anniversary of the Republic August 15 Assumption of the Virgin November 1 All Saints Day November 7 World War 1 Victory Anniversary Day December 8 Immaculate Conception December 25 Christmas Day December 26 St Stephens Day *Note : In addition, local feast days are held in honor of town patron saints, generally without closure of shops and offices. These include: Turin/Genoa/Florence: Jun 24 (St John the Baptist) Milan: Dec 7 (St Ambrose) Siena: Jul 2 and Aug 16, Palio horserace Venice: Apr 25 (St Mark) Bologna: Oct 4 (St Petronius) Naples: Sep 19 (St Gennaro) Bari: Dec 6 (St Nicholas) Palermo: Jul 15 (St Rosalia) Rome: Jun 29 (St Peter) Trieste: Nov 3. Switzerland : Public Holidays: January 1 New Year's Day January 2 Berchtolds Day Mar 25* Good Friday Mar 28* Easter Monday May 5* Ascension May 15* Whit Monday Aug 1 National Day Nov 1 All Saints Day Nov 7 World War 1 Victory Anniversary Day Dec 8 Immaculate Conception Dec 25 Christmas Day Dec 26 St Stephens Day *Note : (a) *These holidays may not be observed in certain cantons. (b) There are additional regional holidays which are observed in certain cantons only. Driving Italy : Traffic drives on the right. There are more than 185,500 miles of roads in Italy, including over 3700 miles of motorway (autostrada) which link all parts of the country. Tolls are charged at varying distances and scales, except for the SalernoReggio Calabria, PalermoCatania and PalermoMazara Del Vallo stretches which are toll-free. Secondary roads are also excellent and require no tolls. Road signs are international. Many petrol stations are closed 12 -3 p.m. Visitors are advised to check locally about exact opening times. Switzerland : Traffic drives on the right. Road quality is generally good. Many mountain roads are winding and narrow, and often closed in heavy winter conditions; otherwise chains and snow tires may be necessary. Rail is often more efficient than driving. Car Regulations Italy : Driving licenses and other traffic documents valid in other countries are recognized in Italy. Distances are indicated in kilometer ( 1 km = 0.621 miles). An international insurance certificate is required for citizens from non-EC countries.The wearing of seat belts in front and rear seats is obligatory. An appropriate harness system is obligatory for children from 2 to 12 years of age. Gasoline : Almost all the service stations in the country are equipped with pumps for lead-free (95 octane) and diesel fuel. The fuel distribution network for gas-propelled vehicles is reasonably developed (ask for information at the Automobile Club d'Italia offices). Service stations are open from 7 am to 12:30 pm and from 3 pm to 7:30 pm. Service is guaranteed 24 hours a day on the motorways. Automatic pumps, which accept 10,000 and 50,000 lire banknotes, function in the evenings and at night. Carrying gasoline in gas cans is prohibited. Traffic Tips : On highways (autostrade) no U-turns are permitted and stopping is permitted only in emergency parking areas or parking lanes. The Italian Highway Code follows the Geneva Convention and Italy uses international road signs. Driving is on the right, passing on the left. Violators of the highway code are fined; serious violations may also be punished by imprisonment. In cities and towns, the speed limit is 50 km/hr. Papal Audiences, Vatican City General audiences with His Holiness are usually held once a week (Wednesdays at 11 a.m.) in Vatican City. They may be held inside the Basilica itself or in the hall of the Papal Audiences (Aula Paolo VI, Seating 7000), and in summer in Saint Peter's Square or in the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. Catholics are requested to have a letter of introduction from their parish priest. For this audience women should dress modestly, with arms and head covered. Dark or subdued colors are requested. Men are asked to wear a tie and jacket. Return to the Italy brochure More TravelInformation Email This Page to a Friend © 2005 Gate 1 Travel Home | About Us | Travel Agent | Free Brochure | Help | Site Map | (800) 682-3333 Read our privacy policy . Contact Us . 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Italy Travel Resources: Rome

Italy - Travel and Tourism Information for Italy You are here: About > Travel > Italy for Visitors Travel Go Italy Essentials Italy Profile Top Ten Cities to Visit in Italy Eating Out in Italy Ski in Piedmont New Year's Celebrations in Italy Articles & Resources Planning and Information Florence, Italy Rome, Italy Venice, Italy More Italian Cities Regions of Italy Italy Pictures Food and Wine of Italy Language and Culture Festivals and Events Gay and Lesbian Travel Italian History Things to Do in Italy Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Italy for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses Search Italy for Visitors From Martha Bakerjian , Your Guide to Italy for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Travel to Milan, Italy Milan is one of Italy's most fashionable and richest cities but it also has many great artistic and historical sights and a thriving cultural scene. Home to the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the famous opera house, La Scala, Milan has a lot to offer the traveler. If you want to travel in northern Italy, Milan, with 2 airports, makes a convenient starting or ending destination. Read our Travel Profile of Milan, Italy , to learn more about Milan. You don't have to spend as much money as the CIA did on their stay in Milan. If you want to look for a hotel, here are some Milan Hotel listings with links to Kayak so that you can compare prices and even book online if you find one you like. Tuesday December 27, 2005 | permalink 2006 Winter Olympic Update According to Northern Italy's Torino 2006 Blog , the Olympic Village in Turin is complete and ready for the Winter Olympics starting in February. The village has 750 apartments as well as service buildings and will be converted to residential and student housing following the games. Meanwhile, the Olympic torch is spending the Christmas holidays with friends and family in Sicily and will resume its travels on December 26. The travel route will take the torch into southern Italy where it will arrive in Naples on New Year's Eve. Naples has one of the best New Year's Eve fireworks displays in Italy. More on Celebrating the New Year in Italy . Sunday December 25, 2005 | permalink Where Are Italians Going This Christmas? According to AGI News , 7 million Italians will travel outside their city during the long Christmas weekend this year. 30% are families who will return on the 26th or 27th but 70% will take an extended vacation and travel through at least January 1. Where will they go? 65% will visit relatives or friends or their second home. The rest will travel to a mountain resort or visit one of the Italian art cities - Rome, Venice, or Florence. Most of those who plan to travel outside Italy will visit another European capital. Italy Travel Resources: Rome Travel Resources | Venice Travel Resources | Florence Picture Gallery | Winter Sports in the Piedmont Mountains Saturday December 24, 2005 | permalink Italy in the Travel Blogs: St. Nick and the Government Wine Bar Italians celebrate St. Nicholas in a feast day on December 6th. But did you know that St. Nick is buried in the coast town of Bari after sailors stole his body from Myra, Turkey? Gadling has the goods. Attitudes toward wine are different in Italy than in the US. Imagine the outcry in the US if the government financed a wine bar, just like the Italian region of Lazio did recently. Check out Gridskipper's Your Government Wine Bar . Friday December 23, 2005 | permalink Relive Casanova's Venice--or not Perhaps it was the movie Casanova ,but the old libertine's lusty ways seem to be undergoing a sort ofRenaissance. As you know, the legendary lover's heritage includes theoft publicized use of the early condom, which for Casanova consisted ofa reusable sheep-gut sheath tied on with a pink ribbon and rinsed, whenrequired, in the Grand Canal. Now, according to Venice Word ,"fourteen million tourists a year can now leave with a new"serenissimo" gadget that appears destined to be a hit: the Casanovacondom packed in a single-unit package with the image of GiacomoCasanova." You probably won't need to stand in line at Venice pharmacies toprocure a Casanova special, they'll be available in 2006 attobacconists and newspaper kiosks, the same place you get your bustickets, usually. And hold on you your...hats, "Beginning in January, the Casanova will also be sold in a seven-condom package shaped like a... gondola." Italy Travel Resources: Venice Tuesday December 20, 2005 | permalink Florence Picture Gallery The off season is a wonderful time to capture the best light of Florence. Check out our new photo gallery: Florence Pictures - Monuments, Buildings and the art of Florence, Italy . The pictures, taken on Thanksgiving day, include a Florence street decorated for the winter holidays and two cow sculptures, part of Florence's CowParade open air exhibit that runs through January. Saturday December 17, 2005 | permalink Ski in Northern Italy's Piedmont Region The mountains of Piedmont featured at the Torino 2006 Winter Olympics provide a unique backdrop for winter sports, especially skiing. Piedmont features 53 ski resorts with 1,300 kilometres of run. Winter sports that can be practiced in the Piedmont region include alpine and cross-country skiing, telemark, snowboarding, ice climbing, free riding, ski mountaineering, horse trekking, driving sleighs pulled by Siberian huskies, paraskiing, and heliskiing. The Piedmont region is also noted for gastronomic specialties and wine. With early snows in Italy, the region is ready for winter sports. Read about where to go to Ski in Italy's Piedmont region . Friday December 16, 2005 | permalink Celebrating New Year's Eve in Italy Italy is a great place to be on New Year's Eve for the celebration of La Festa di San Silvestro . No matter where you are there will probably be a celebration including fireworks. In the bigger cities, you will find music and dancing in the squares. Food is a part of any Italian celebration and New Year's Eve is no exception. Here's how the Italians celebrate New Years and some special places to go for a big New Year's festival or party . You'll also find out where the Olympic torch will be on New Year's Eve! Monday December 12, 2005 | permalink A Look at Turin, Italy Turin, Torino in Italian, will host the 2006 Winter Olympics. As a result, the city of Turin is frantically spiffing up for an influx of visitors on February 10. Turin's central piazza , the Piazza Castello , will become the stage for the awards ceremonies, integrating the Olympic outcome with Italy's famous piazza culture. Turin is a beautiful city with a great cafe culture, excellent museums, Baroque palaces, and arcaded promenades. It also has some of the best food in Italy. It's often overlooked by tourists but well worth a spot on a travel itinerary. Take a look at our Profile of Turin Travel Essentials . Sunday December 04, 2005 | permalink Florence Hotel Recommendation I've just returned from Florence where I stayed in a very nice and comfortable 4-star hotel for just a little more than I paid last November for a cramped and smoky 2-star with a terrible bathroom! The Hotel Adler Cavalieri is conveniently located, has a helpful English-speaking staff, and is very quiet. Both the common rooms and bedrooms are attractive and welcoming. I would definitely stay here again! The hotel also gave us a great restaurant recommendation where we enjoyed a wonderful and relaxing dinner. The Club Culinario Toscano da Osvaldo , although centrally located, is a little difficult to find but well worth the search. This was definitely one of the best meals I've had in Florence! Sunday December 04, 2005 | permalink Display Latest Headlines | | | Read Archives powered by Movable Type Advertisement Most Popular Naples, Italy Overview Italian New Year Celebrations Top Ten Cities in Italy Italy Information Rome Italy Travel Essentials What's Hot Italian New Year Celebrations Florence Pictures - Copy of Michelangelo statue David in fro... Florence Pictures - View of the Tuscan countryside from the ... Florence Pictures - Pitti Palace Fountain from Boboli Garden... Florence Pictures - Florence CowParade - Cow Art Related Topics France for Visitors Europe for Visitors Greece for Visitors Italian Cuisine Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Italian New Year Celebrations Florence Pictures - Copy of Michelangelo statue David in fro... Florence Pictures - View of the Tuscan countryside from the ... Florence Pictures - Pitti Palace Fountain from Boboli Garden... Florence Pictures - Florence CowParade - Cow Art Headlines Travel to Milan, Italy Milan is one of Italy's most fashionable and richest cities... 2006 Winter Olympic Update According to Northern Italy's Torino 2006 Blog, the Olympic Village... Where Are Italians Going This Christmas? According to AGI News, 7 million Italians will travel outside... Italy in the Travel Blogs: St. Nick and the Government Wine Bar Italians celebrate St. Nicholas in a feast day on December...