Travel Italy

When is it best to travel Italy? Well, most of the country has a Mediterranean climate – hot summers and mild winters. But for travel here you also want to bear in mind the crowds. Avoid July and August when prices and the number of tourists soar along with the temperature.

For those who don’t mind the cold, winter is the best time to see the cities crowd-free. In the North and mountain areas, winters are as cold as Northern Europe and of course, this is high season for winter sports in the Italian Alps.

International airports

Rome Fiumicino (FCO), 26km from the city; Bologna (BLQ), 6km; Genoa (GOA), 6km; Milan Malpensa (MXP), 45km; Milan Linate (LIN), 10km; Naples (NAP), 7km; Pisa (PSA) 2km; Palermo (PMO), 30km; Turin (TRN), 30km; Venice (VCE), 10km.

Getting around in Italy

By air: Internal flights are coming down in cost and there are some good deals to be had on flights to the islands. Domestic operators include Air One, Alitalia, and Meridiana.

By boat: For a comprehensive guide to all ferry services in Italy see Traghettionline in Italian. Or for an English website, try the booking agent Viamare.

By train: Italy has a comprehensive rail network throughout the country, ranging from the Regionale, which stops at every station to the super-fast Eurostar Alta Velocità, which connects the major Northern cities. Book your train journeys in advance at Trenitalia to save on the fare. Make sure you validate your ticket – stamp it with the special machines provided on the platform. Claiming ignorance as a foreign visitor won’t always spare you the hefty on-the-spot fine.

By road: Buses in Italy are operated by numerous companies. They are not always cheaper than the trains but are invaluable if you are trying to reach small towns and villages.

Outside the main holiday season, it can be a pleasure to drive as provincial roads are lined with some of Italy’s most beautiful scenery. Don’t expect to loiter: Italians drive fast and are rarely patient. If you’re in a rush, use the toll roads. To avoid lengthy queues as you leave the autostrada, buy a prepaid card. These come in denominations of €25, €50, and €75, which are on sale in most banks and can be used throughout Italy.

On the islands, in the mountains, and in the cities it is usually possible to rent a bike and this can be a great way to explore winding and often pedestrianized streets.

Italy accommodation

Accommodation in Italy is reliable, if expensive. In the main tourist destinations – Rome, Florence, Venice – it is advisable to book ahead, during the periods from Easter to late September and over Christmas and the New Year.

Agriturismo, accommodation on working farms, is an increasingly popular option. This ranges from the very basic, (sorry, charmingly rustic), to luxury locations with swimming pools. For information on agriturismo throughout Italy, see Agriturist.

It is also possible to stay in some of Italy’s many monasteries and convents – though some are single-sex and takes only pilgrims or those on a spiritual retreat.

If you’re planning on hiking, check out the network work of 500 rifugi (mountain huts) run by the Club Alpino Italiano. These are spartan but in magnificent settings.

Italy food & drink

Food in Italy varies dramatically from region to region but what unites all Italians is their great obsession with it.

Lunch is the main meal of the day. This traditionally consists of antipasti (cold meats, pieces of bread, cheese and tapenades), followed by primo piatti (normally a pasta – and don’t think because this is a starter you’ll get less than main course-sized portions), secondo piatti (the main course – meat or fish accompanied by vegetables) and finally fruit or dolci (desserts).

Vegetarians will find plenty of tasty treats but should watch out for misleading dish descriptions. Many Italians throw in a bit of prosciutto or anchovies into sauces without a second thought.

The best way to eat in Italy is to sample local products. The focus in Sicily is on seafood. Piedmont has many creamy French-style dishes, while cuisine in the Tyrol region has considerable Austrian influence.

Emilia-Romagna is the gastronomic heart of Italy – home to Parma ham, parmesan, and balsamic vinegar – and Napoli can lay claim to inventing pizza.

Truffle-lovers should head to Umbria, while olive aficionados will be happiest in Liguria where the olives are small, dark, and nature’s work of art.

All this great food should, of course, be washed down with local wine and the meal finished off with Italy’s great-quality coffees.

Health & safety in Italy

There are a few major health hazards. Tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease can occur in rural and forest areas, so use insect repellent and remove ticks promptly and carefully. Minimize the possibility of viper bites by wearing boots, socks, and long trousers when walking through undergrowth where snakes might be present. Antivenin is widely available in libraries, which is probably where you’ll have to go to look up which snake bit you.

Good healthcare is readily available throughout Italy. EU citizens should carry a European Health Insurance Card to access free hospital treatment. Tap water is safe to drink throughout the country.

Pickpockets and bag-snatchers are found in most cities. Avoid flashing valuables when out and about and don’t leave them on view in your rental car. Take care when crossing the street as Italian drivers are notorious for not stopping – even at pedestrian crossings.

A Few Tips From The People We use Whilst Travelling.

Safety:

Insurance: Travel insurance is one of the most important things for your trip – no matter how long you are going away, it is a NO BRAINER! We use and strongly recommend World Nomads. Message from our trusted partners.

Pets: Thinking of traveling while you have pets and hate the thought of rehousing your loved one? Well, trustedhousesitters can help you out by finding someone to not only look after your pets but also safeguard your home. Hit this link to find out more.

Computer:

Why use a VPN? ExpressVPN hides your IP address and encrypts your network data so no one can see what you’re doing. One-click and you’re protected. Defeat the hackers and spies with best-in-class encryption and leak proofing. Access any content, no matter your location and say goodbye to geo-blocks. Hit our link!

Languages:

We are now partnering with the worldwide brand and market leader Rosetta Stone

This gives you the flexibility to learn a new language on your schedule, with any device, from anywhere in the world. You’ll get full access to all of our latest features and can start learning immediately – no lengthy downloads or installations required.

Transport:

Cars: Coming soon:)

Trains: Coming soon:)

Planes: Kiwi.com, Skyscanner: Make the entire planning and booking easy, simple, and enjoyable from start to finish. To make sure you get the most for your money, and from your trip and to make it more transparent and deserving of your trust. ( We have saved hundreds over the years and even more so using a VPN.)

Cruises: The Cruisedirect.com website is packed with information on all the major cruise lines, cruise ships and destinations.

Accommodation

Airbnb: Choose from over 6 million unique places to stay, Airbnb all types of spaces – from homes to boutique hotel rooms – all over the world. You can stay with a host or book a place of your own and what’s more, you can make a saving of around £34 joining through us off your first booking.

Booking.com Booking.com’s mission is to make it easier for everyone to experience the world.

Trustedhousesitters We are really happy now to be partnering with TrustedHousesitters. Who is THIS?

TrustedHousesitters launched in 2010 with one simple mission: to keep pets happy and safe in their own homes. Since then, they have quickly grown into an incredible global community of pet lovers, who help each other travel.

Every day, we connect thousands of home and pet owners with care-orientated sitters who will look after their home and pets for free, in exchange for a place to stay.

Destinations:

Trips: We at Tourandtakein have been to many far-out places. Here are just a few to wet your appetite.

Trip Activities: A journey to transform ordinary trips into extraordinary ones. We are your guide, bring you personal experiences, wherever your travels take you. We’ll show you the unique and unmissable things to do in your destination with our trusted affiliates GetYourGuide on your side and in your pocket via our live Apps. Creating memorable moments has never been easier.

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