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.

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 left but pass on the right. It’s illegal to carry spare gasoline.
• Drinking Age: 16
• Azzurri: Greatest soccer team in the world.

• When to Go
• Cultural Essentials