For visitors...

Italy's primary attractions include culture (modern, old and ancient), fabulous regional cuisine, historic sites, varied and stunning scenery, beaches, jagged coastline, architecture, world-class skiing, opera, watersports, elegant health and beauty spas, picturesque ruins, and shopping (for high-quality clothing, shoes, ceramics and designer goods).

Those who want a diverse, fairly informal vacation, who are romantics, and who love art, history and lovely settings will enjoy Italy. The air of blithe inefficiency in some parts of the country may be disconcerting for travelers who demand the correct, crisp efficiency of northern European countries: A timetable may be treated more as a romantic ideal than as an attainable goal.

Italy combines art history and contemporary fashion with stunning natural landscapes: the turquoise waters of the Costa Smeralda offer one of Europe’s most beautiful stretches of sand, sea and sunshine, while the snow-covered slopes of the Dolomite mountains are a haven for winter sports enthusiasts.

If there is a single national characteristic, it's to embrace life to the fullest: in the hundreds of local festivals taking place across the country on any given day, to celebrate a saint or the local harvest; in the importance placed on good food; in the obsession with clothes and image; and above all in the daily domestic ritual of the collective evening stroll or passeggiata - a sociable affair celebrated by young and old alike in every town and village across the country.

Besides the renowned cities of Venice, Genoa and Naples (each with its own unique identity – Italy was only unified in 1870), there are romantic Medieval hill towns, such as San Gimignano in Tuscany, and unspoilt fishing villages, like the unforgettable Positano on the Amalfi coast. Visit vineyards and cellars to taste the very best regional wines: The Veneto, famed for the sparkling white prosecco, and Tuscany, home of the highly acclaimed robust red, Brunello di Montalcino. And to really get away from it all, take a boat to the islands of Sicily or Sardinia to experience rural hospitality in the blissful Mediterranean. Italy: still so much more to discover.

Rome is the capital of Italy, Christianity and tourism. It also lays claim to being the most artistic capital in Europe, and it's architecture is an inspiration to all. Florence is bursting with flavor. On the banks of the Arno & encircled by hills, it's a peaceful haven for art lovers of all ages - especially the Renaissance. Glide down the canals of Venice, explore the Tuscan countryside or see the amazing ruins of Pompeii.

Basics

Full country name: Italian Republic
Area: 301,230 sq km
Population: 57.99 million
Capital City: Rome (pop 3.8 million)
People: Italian
Language: Italian, French, German, Serbian, Croatian
Religion: 84% Roman Catholic, 6% Jewish, Muslim and Protestant
Government: republic
Head of State: President
Head of Government: Prime Minister

GDP: US$1.45 trillion
GDP per capita: US$25,100
Inflation: 2.6%
Major Industries: tourism, engineering, textiles, chemicals, food processing, motor vehicles, clothing and footwear
Major Trading Partners: EU (especially Germany, France, UK, Spain, Netherlands), USA
Member of EU: Yes

Passport/Visa U.S.: Passport needed by Australian, Canadian, U.K. and U.S. citizens. No visa required if staying less than three months. Reconfirm travel document requirements with your carrier before departure.
Telephone Codes: 39, country code; 06, Rome; 02, Milan; 055, Florence; 041, Venice
Time Zone: 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+1 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed March-October
Tipping Overview: Do expect a 10%-15% service charge to be added to your restaurant bill (they may also expect you to leave a little more). Tip taxi drivers about 1 euro (more if it's an especially large fare).
Voltage Requirements: 220 volts

When to Go

We prefer going to Italy from mid April to mid June or mid September to the end of October, when the days are usually in the 70-80s F/20-32 C, with nights in the 50-60s F/10-20 C. July, August and the first half of September are generally quite hot (high 90s F/34-37 C), humid and very crowded with tourists. The winters in the north are chilly -- 50s F/10-15 C or colder in the day and much colder at night (often below freezing). In the south, winters are milder, but you'll still find it too cool to lie on the beach or too drizzly to tour happily. The best time to drive the Amalfi Coast is May to mid June and mid September to mid October, when there are fewer cars on the road. Bring a sweater for evenings year-round.