Italy is a destination unlike
any other that is sure to satisfy even the most discriminating
traveler. From the majestic Alps, to the rolling hills of Tuscany,
to the bustling streets of Rome or even the quaint serenity of
Cinque Terre, there is something for everyone to enjoy in this
beautiful place. On our recent visit we experienced some of the most
delectable food, amazing views and rich culture! Our travels took
us first to Rome, then on to Chianti, Siena, Cinque Terre, Florence
and finally to Venice.
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Castello DiTornano, Gaiole in Chianti, Tuscany
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| We did this trip in only 12 days, but I
would recommend either visiting fewer cities so that you could spend
more time in each one, or planning for a longer trip. The trip was
unforgettable, but I left each place wishing that I had a little
more time to enjoy it. Each place has its own special character and
charm, so I would suggest incorporating the most time in the
destination that most suits the purpose of your trip. |
For the
active leisure traveler, I would highly suggest spending some time
in Cinque Terre hiking one of the trails that connect the 5
villages. You will see some of the most breathtaking views from the
trails and get quite a workout in the process. For groups
interested in having a large convention or conducting business
internationally, I would of course suggest one of the major cities
such as Rome or Milan, mostly for the easy access, abundant hotel
space and most up to date technology.
For smaller groups looking
for more intimate settings such as incentive travel, weddings or
corporate retreats, you simply cannot go wrong with a small hotel
(or castle, please see Castello di Tornano featured in this guide)
in Chianti, Florence or Venice. Every restaurant and social setting
seems to be entirely focused on you, and you feel like you are more
entrenched in the culture of the area. Siena is also a very nice
town, but I would suggest visiting on a day trip from Florence or
Chianti, not staying there.
I could probably write a book
on our experiences in Italy, but instead, I will simply provide
information on the various aspects of traveling to Italy that I
believe are important, and if you have any questions, I would be
happy to answer them. If you are planning to take a group of 10 or
more people to Italy, please contact us
today for assistance. The following information is derived from
numerous sources and verified to the best of our ability.
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| Transportation |
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| Demographics |
Climate  Location Population Predominant Religion Administrative Regions Capital Languages Currency |
| Time Zone Geographical Profile |
| Travel Necessities |
| Passport/Visa Requirements Currency Exchange Credit Cards Travelers Checks ATMs and Debit Cards |
| Banking Hours Currency Regulations |
| Accommodations and Meeting Planning |
| Hotels Meetings |
Transportation
Major Airports: There are two main airports in Rome: Fiumicino (FCO) and Ciampino (CIA), and the two main airports in Milan are: Linate (LIN) and Malpensa (MXP). Other major airports include: Naples (NAP), Venice (VCE), Genova (GOA), Bologna (BLG) and Pisa (PSA). Most airports have connections with the smaller towns.
Ports/Harbors: Savona, Genova, La Spezia, Livorno, Napoli, Salerno, Gioia Tauro, Taranto, Venezia and Ravenna
Public Transportation: The Italian railway network, managed by Trenitalia S.P.A., spans over 16,000 km. Connections with France run along the Nice-Ventimiglia-Genoa coastline and through the Frejus tunnel via Modane, Bardonecchia, and Turin. The lines from Switzerland run through the Sempione Pass tunnel and across Ticino Canton from the Chiasso border crossing towards Milan. The Brennero and Tarvisio lines link Italy to Austria and then to central and western Europe. There are also a few private railway companies. The rail network is adequately developed and widespread, especially between major urban centers and tourist areas. The railway is connected to the two main islands, Sardinia and Sicily, by means of ferries departing from Civitavecchia (Rome) and Villa San Giovanni (Reggio Calabria). The fastest trains operate on the networks between the major cities while the regional trains are fairly slow. It is a fairly cheap and efficient means of transportation within the country, as well as to connecting countries. Routes, timetables, information, ticket reservations and purchase - www.trenitalia.com
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Train Classifications: Trains in Italy are classified as follows:
ES Eurostar - This high-speed train service covers many internal as well as intra-European routes with modern air-conditioned cars. Some seats are provided with electrical supply (European type) and tables suitable for laptops.
ES Eurostar trains require payment of a supplementary fare. Reservations are necessary.
IC Intercity - The main category of express trains used in domestic service. All the cars are air-conditioned. Dining facilities are provided as indicated on the schedules. IC Intercity trains require payment of a supplementary fare, which is waived for holders of Eurail or BTLC passes. Seats may be reserved if desired.
EC Eurocity - Express trains used in international service, subject to IC Intercity supplementary fare and rules.
CIS Cisalpino - These type of trains is operated by a joint venture between Italian and Swiss rail companies. The service is express as in IC Intercity trains and the routes connect the main cities of Central and Northern Italy with the Swiss main cities. On the CIS Cisalpino trains is required the payment of a supplementary fare and reservations are necessary as in ES Eurostar trains; dining cars are available.
EXPR Espresso - These express trains usually carry both first and second class cars, although a few are second class only. They are often on night service, providing both regular seats and sleeping cars. No supplementary fare is charged and reservations are not necessary. Food and drink service is available on some trains as indicated on schedules.
DIR Diretto - Semi-express trains that make many stops, often with second class seating only. Many of these consist of modern commuter cars, and are uncrowded during off-peak hours.
IR Interregionale/REG Regionale - Local trains, not necessarily making all the stops on a route. First class is offered on the IR Interregionale only. Like DIR Diretto trains, IR Interregionale and REG Regionale are usually uncrowded during off-peak hours. Some of them offer air-conditioned cars, but no dining service is offered.
On long-distance trains, there are restaurant or self-service cars. Sleeping cars and couchettes must be booked in advance. Bicycles can be shipped on many trains marked with a special symbol (one per passenger, up to capacity). It is also possible to transport cars along the main tourist lines. Rates are calculated based on the distances traveled and vehicle size. "Treno+auto", a car hiring service, is available at main rail stations. Rail schedules, displayed in the stations and also given in specific publications available for purchase at news-stands, show the services each train offers.
Important: Travelers must validate their tickets with the special stamping machines (usually yellow in color) located along the station platforms. Stamped tickets must be used within six hours of validation. It is extremely important to validate your ticket before boarding to avoid fines.
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Validating Rail, Bus & Subway Tickets: Please note that in order to avoid heavy fines, it is vitally important to remember to validate any rail, bus and subway tickets purchased for use on the Italian public transport system. In the case of rail travel, machines for date-stamping your ticket are located on station platforms and are usually yellow in color. It is extremely important to validate your ticket before boarding to avoid fines. Tickets for buses and the subway tend to be time-limited (often one hour) and it is therefore necessary to complete your journey within the allotted time and purchase a new ticket for any additional travel. Machines for date-stamping your ticket are located in the foyers and beside barriers in the case of subway travel and on board buses. Daily, weekly and monthly passes are also available. Tickets for buses and the subway cannot be purchased on board and must be obtained prior to boarding from newsagents, tobacconists, ticket kiosks or bars.
Highways and Roads: There is an extensive and well maintained road network. Tolls are charged on the autostrade (highways). As in the rest of continental Europe, vehicles travel on the right and overtake on the left. The wearing of seatbelts is compulsory for front and back seat passengers as well as for the driver. The use of portable telephones is prohibited if they require intervention by hand to function. Highways are indicated by the letter "A" followed by a number written in white on a green background. They are almost all subject to tolls, except for some brief stretches, especially approaching urban areas. Tolls are paid in cash at highway exit points. It is also possible to pay by Viacard Telepass cards (systems that make automatic payment possible without stopping at the toll booths) or Viacard a highway toll payment card which can be bought, at a value of either 25 / 50 / 75 Euro, on the highway, in many banks or in ACI (Automobile Club d'Italia) offices.
ACI provides complete car service throughout the country. Calls for assistance can be made 24 hours a day by calling 803.116 or by using the emergency booths located every 2 km along the roadway (they have buttons with a wrench symbol to be used in the event of a breakdown, and with a red cross symbol for a first-aid emergency). Service areas are very frequent along all of the highways. The rest stops are always open, and, in addition to refueling, they also offer other services such as restaurants, bars, information offices, and banking windows.
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Driving License Regulations: Italy recognizes driving licenses and other traffic documents that are valid in other countries. U.S. and Canadian driving licenses are valid in Italy but the license must be accompanied by a translation or an international license (check your local AAA in USA or CAA in Canada). For motorists not in possession of an International Driving license, the ACI (Automobile Club d'Italia) will issue a declaration upon presentation of a U.S. or a Canadian license. The declaration is obtainable at any ACI offices. Seat belts are compulsory in Italy.
Gasoline: Gasoline is called benzina, unleaded gasoline is benzina senza piombo and diesel is gasolio. Almost all the service stations in the country are equipped with pumps for lead-free gasoline (95 octane) and diesel fuel. Service stations are open from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.
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Demographics
Climate: In general, Italy has a temperate Mediterranean climate, with warm summers and cool winters in the north and hot summers and mild winters in the south. The moderating influence of the sea and the protection given by the Alpine barrier from the cold north winds join to bless Italy with a temperate climate. Nevertheless, the weather varies considerably according to how far one is from the sea or the mountains. The winter is very cold in the Alps, cold and foggy in the Po Plain and the central Apennines; mild and even warm on the Ligurian coast, the Neapolitan coast and in Sicilia. The summer is hot and dry, but the temperature is mitigated on the coast by sea breezes and in the Apennines and Alps it is pleasantly cool. In mountain areas, winter is ideal for skiing, and summer for excursions, hiking, etc. Seaside and lake resorts, with their excellent hotel facilities, have an intense tourist season in the summer, while the cities that are rich in art treasures are ideal in spring and autumn.
Location: Italy is a peninsula located in the south of Europe, bounded by the Mediterranean Sea and bordering Austria, France, Switzerland, and Slovenia. The large islands of Sicily and Sardinia, together with a number of smaller islands located in the Mediterranean Sea are also part of Italy.
Population: About 58,133,509 (2006)
Administrative Regions: Italy is divided into twenty regions, namely: Abruzzi, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardia, Marche, Molise, Piemonte, Puglia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Toscana, Trentino-Alto Adige, Umbria, Valle d'Aosta, Veneto.
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Capital: Rome, population about 2,650,000
Languages: The official language is Italian, but French and German are also spoken in some regions.
Predominant Religion: Roman Catholic (approximately 90% of the population)
Currency: The euro: 1 Euro = 1.26 USD The Euro is now the official currency of the 12 European Union member countries, including Italy. Italy's prior currency, the lira, has now been phased out as legal tender and is no longer accepted. The Euro is divided into 100 cents. Paper currency notes are in denominations of Euro 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of Euro 2, Euro 1 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Time Zone: 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+1). In terms of standard time zones, Italy is six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time in the USA and Canada. Daylight saving time in Italy goes into effect each year usually from the end of March to the middle of October.
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Geographical Profile: There is a great deal of variety in the landscape in Italy, although it is characterized predominantly by two mountain chains: the Alps and the Apennines. The Alps extend over 600 miles from east to west. It consists of great massifs in the western sector, with peaks rising to over 14,000 feet, including Monte Bianco (Mont Blanc), Monte Rosa and Cervino (the Matterhorn). The Apennines chain is lower in the eastern sector, although the mountains, the Dolomites, are still of extraordinary beauty. There are many services linking the islands by sea to the mainland: the main links are by car ferries and hydro-foils. In addition, ships from all the countries around the Mediterranean are moored in the well-equipped Italian ports. The main Italian ports of embarkation for the large islands of Sicily and Sardinia are: Genoa, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Fiumicino, Naples and Villa San Giovanni.
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Travel Necessities
Passport/Visa Requirements: Passports are required by all visitors to Italy, except for citizens of the following countries, who may enter Italy with a National Identity Card: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. No visas are required for stays of less than 90 days.
Currency Exchange: You can exchange currency and travelers checks in Italy at most major banks, airports, large hotels, or at one of the many money exchange centers. Generally, banks will give you better rates - so check around.
Credit Cards: MasterCard, Visa and Eurocheque cards are widely accepted throughout Italy. Establishments that accept credit cards will normally post the credit card logos in their front windows.
Travelers Checks: Travelers checks are accepted in major Italian cities and tourist areas, except in some very small establishments and outdoor markets. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, it is best to take travelers checks to Italy denominated in Euros.
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ATMs and Debit Cards: Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are numerous and easy to find in Italy. The ATMs in Italy are known as Bancomat and cash (Euros) may be withdrawn using a major credit card or (in most cases) your local bank ATM card. Make sure that the card you intend to use has either the Cirrus or BankMate symbol on it to ensure the card can be used on Italian ATMs. In addition, check with your financial institution before departure to make sure that you have a PIN # valid for use abroad.
Banking Hours: Banks in Italy are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Most banks are closed all day on Saturday and Sunday as well as on national holidays.
Currency Regulations: If you intend to bring an amount of currency exceeding Euro 10,000, currency import restrictions may apply. In particular, the amount may have to be declared and validated in Italy upon arrival. Check with the Italian embassy in your home country before departure for more details.
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Accommodations and Meeting Planning
Hotels: There are about 40,000 hotels in Italy. Every hotel has rates fixed in agreement with the Provincial Tourist Board. Most hotels quote all-inclusive rates, which include taxes, service, heating or air-conditioning. If the all-inclusive rates do not include the IVA (added-value tax), it should be added. The current IVA tax for all hotel categories is 10%. Hotel rates are usually lower during the off-season months: November to March in main cities and towns and resort centers; April/May and September/November at ski resorts.
Hotels are classified in categories: 5-Star Deluxe, 5-Star, 4-Star, 3-Star, 2-Star and 1-Star. Pensions (Pensioni) The term pension, which describes a small hotel, is no longer used in Italy. Pensions are now called 1*, 2* and 3* hotels. Agriturismo - Farm Holidays Rural Cottages and Farmhouses are available for vacation rental for those seeking holidays in harmony with nature. Bed and Breakfast in Italy A Bed & Breakfast is an officially recognized guest room in a private home.
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Meetings: Environment and quality make Italy a perfect destination for the traveler and businessman.
Modern tourism brings over $15 billion dollars into Italy every year. Behind this uncontrollable desire to visit Italy is probably the variety of things to do and see, places to visit and people to meet. Tour operators the world over know and appreciate this great variety. In a world where there is an ever growing mobility from a geographical, professional and cultural point of view and work tends to be conducted more on an individual basis than before and be more specialized, a country like Italy which offers stimulating environments, a good climate and a variety and wealth of history and culture is also ideal for conventions.
Participants at conventions in any region of Italy find fully-equipped centers and beautiful venues, often in particularly prestigious places and which are efficiently organized. In fact the options for venues are so numerous as to be quite unique the world over. In addition to the traditional convention centers and big hotels with congress facilities, one can choose from a wide range of old palaces, castles, historic residences, resorts, magnificent villas and country seats, often set in parks in the Italian style with fountains, lakes and plenty of vegetation, carefully chosen and well tended. Here is an inextricable fabric of landscape and architecture, works of art and traditions which distinguish Italy from other countries and make it the ideal place for conventions in all four seasons, for work and pleasure. The exchange of information, feelings and opinions which one particular group of individuals takes part in at a congress is unlimited, and direct exchanges cannot be substituted by even the most powerful media. The convention world is a business in itself, whose importance can be seen from the following figures - in 1999 8,100 international congresses were held in the world, meaning that people attended from countries other than the host nation. The data furnished by the UAI (Union des Associations Internationales) shows Italy as being fifth in Europe and sixth among the organizing countries with 384 congresses. This activity creates tourism of a high quality which integrates the congress work and stimulates the economy.
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