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Italy Overview

The classic images of Italy—the vespas, the Vatican, the vino —are all enjoyable, but don’t let them define your experience. Instead, stomp through volcanic ruins, masquerade with budget-friendly Bacchus, and saunter down cobblestone streets—in stilettos, of course. Slap on your Frauda sunglasses, slip into D&G, douse yourself in Gucci perfume, and indulge in some good ol’ Italian elegance. Meet those eccentric restaurant owners, learn Italy’s local secrets, and explore her untainted nature. In between action-packed adventures, don’t forget to step back, as Italians often do, and experience la dolce far niente (literally, the sweetness of doing nothing). Don’t just come to Italy to confirm the spaghetti-and-meatballs image; come to discover something you can’t send home on a postcard. Discover the chaos, energy, and allure. Discover Italy.

Facts And Figures

  • Italy 2009 Population: 58 million
  • Number Of Cell Phones: 63 million
  • Money Thrown Into Rome’S Trevi Fountain Each Day: about €3000
  • Annual Wine Consumption Per Person: 26 gallons
  • Regular Churchgoers: 18½ million
  • Regular Soccer Fans: 30 million
  • Vatican City: World’s richest institution; world’s smallest country
  • Annual Bread Consumption Per Person: 26 kg

Essentials

  • Passport Required: Yes
  • Visa Required for Stay More than Three Months: Yes
  • Tourism Office: www.italiantourism.com
  • Phone Numbers: 113 for Police Emergency; 118 for Medical Emergency
  • Currency: Euro ()² (EUR)
  • Tipping: Included in the bill, but it’s still appropriate to leave 5-10% for the waiter.
  • Haggling: Only appropriate at outdoor markets.
  • Driving: Vehicles drive on the right and pass on the left. It’s illegal to carry spare gasoline.
  • Drinking Age: 16
  • Azzurri: Greatest soccer team in the world.

  • When to Go
  • Tourism enters overdrive in June, July, and August. Hotels are booked solid, rates skyrocket, and rows of lounge chairs take over pristine beaches. Around Ferragosto, a national holiday on August 15 ...more

  • Cultural Essentials
  • From Michelangelo to Armani, Italy has carved a distinct path through the centuries, consistently setting a world standard for innovation and elegance. Defined by the legacy of the Roman Empire and ...more



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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.

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