Italians really prefer blondes. True, they interpret this concept broadly: any girl with a suit slightly lighter than a raven's wing has a chance to become an object of attack, and the further south, the greater the likelihood. Italians also love tall (Mediterranean girls are short). But the maxim about the way to the heart through the stomach does not work in the Apennines: a self-respecting Italian firmly believes that it is safe to let exactly one woman go to the stove - his own mother.
2
By the way, blondes (and blondes!) in Italy are not so rare: the Norman conquerors left a legacy not only on the coasts (where they built a bunch of castles), but also in the gene pool. The descendants of the Vikings in Sicily look especially impressive.
3
People who do not drink in Italy are found, albeit rarely (in principle, there are almost no reasons not to drink: a bottle emptied at dinner has not prevented anyone from getting behind the wheel and doing some tens of kilometers in fog or along serpentine). People who do not drink coffee are not found among Italians at all. Victims of medical restrictions, in order not to feel like outcasts, start the day with a decaffeinated cappuccino. Only a tourist can demand tea for breakfast; Cappuccino after dinner is also drunk only by those who come in large numbers.
4
The Italian does not know the word "espresso". What the ignorant northerners call so is to him just coffee, un caffè, a sip and a half of pure caffeine. An ordinary bartender, even if he is a Negro of advanced years, makes three of these per minute (and, of course, there are no “barista diplomas” for this). The same amount of a substance, but in an even greater concentration, is called "ristretto", and in a diluted form - "lungo". A tourist whose heart begins to pound even from lungo is doomed to americano (in good bars, boiling water is served to him - you can dilute even until you turn blue). In case of a hot summer, they came up with a cold cappuccino (cappuccino freddo), as well as milk with a drop of coffee (latte macchiato - a diet option) and coffee ice (granita al caffè). And for a dank winter, there is coffee seasoned with grappa, whiskey, cognac or liqueur - caffè corretto.
5
The tradition of saying goodbye to the old year, throwing excess furniture out of the house through the window, has safely died out even in the most remote villages. But some rituals have been preserved: any self-respecting Italian meets the night of January 1 in red linen (for good luck) and with a plate of lentil stew (for money).
6
More than 260 types of wine are made in Italy, but it is customary to order beer instead of wine for pizza. There are two main beer brands in the country: one is northern (Moretti), the other is southern (Peroni).
7
Italians do not dry umbrellas unfolded: an open umbrella indoors is an unkind sign. Entering a store, restaurant or office, it is customary to leave wet umbrellas at the entrance - in a special basket, which in dry weather can easily be confused with an urn. Whistling in the apartment is allowed easily, but leaving the bag lying on the bed - God forbid. But, having landed in a bunch of dogs, you should immediately rejoice - this is for the money.
8
Combing your hair in public for an Italian is the height of indecency, but scratching your balls in front of the whole world in plain sight is a completely normal thing. Moreover, it should protect against the evil eye (in Russia, in similar circumstances, it is customary to knock on wood).
9
The weather forecast on TV is not voiced by girls, but by Italian BBC officers in full dress.
10
The above does not mean that the girl has nothing to do on television. Not at all: she is supposed to shine in the satirical evening program Striscia la Notizia (translated as "Crawling News"). It is assumed that the host pours jokes on the topic of the day, and half-naked beauties bring him "lightning bolts" of news agencies. Walking back and forth across the screen in a bathing suit, you can make an incredible career: get into the leading song contest in San Remo, become a companion of George Clooney, a minister or, at worst, a simple European parliamentarian. They get into the statistics for "Crawling News" through a monstrous competition of several thousand candidates for a place - but then everything goes like clockwork: the program airs on the fifth channel, the channel belongs to Berlusconi, and the premier's penchant for long-legged beauties is known to the whole world, including his ex-wife : Veronica Lario at the time of her acquaintance with the owner of factories, newspapers, ships appeared on stage in skimpy outfits. It is strange that after 20 years, the candidates for the European Parliament recommended by her husband began to surprise her.
11
Deputies, councillors, ministers, mayors, police chiefs and heads of government in Italy ride metallic blue "lunches". There are no flashing lights on them, but the scandals in the press are still hefty: according to official statistics, Italian taxpayers maintain more than 600 government limousines - eight times more than in the States, and ten times more than in France.
12
The social package of the Catholic hierarch looks very tempting: among other things, cardinals and others like them rely on coupons for special Vatican gas stations (which are found not only in the Vatican itself, but also within Rome).
13
The boundaries of the Vatican are by no means limited to the Vatican wall. The papal state also includes a country residence in Castel Gandolfo and buildings of various departments, for example, the ministry of Catholic propaganda (Propaganda Fide) in the very tourist quarter of Rome - side by side with the boutiques of Via Condotti.
In addition, seven major Roman basilicas (including St. Peter's) are considered papal fiefdoms. Theoretically, in these churches it is still possible to hide from the law no worse than in the time of Caravaggio: the Italian police have no access even to the steps leading to them. Pickpockets use this circumstance with might and main, cutting wallets with cameras from tourists who have grown mad in the queue and providing the Vatican with an incredibly high (worse than the port of Naples) crime rate.
14
In Rome, on the embankment, a museum of souls in purgatory has been operating for a hundred years.
15
Italian churches are a treasure for the ethnographer. Everyone knows about the dilution of the blood of St. Januarius in Naples - but the blood of St. Panteleimon in Ravello does the same (just with a smaller gathering of people). The wooden baby Jesus in the Roman church of Araceli receives letters every year at Christmas; in Sant Eusebio, near the central metropolitan market, animals are blessed on January 17 (they used to bring cows, now they drag terriers and turtles), and in Santa Francesca Romana, at the Forum, vehicles (mostly taxis and motorcycles) are sprinkled with holy water every year on March 9 .
16
Prayer places in churches are identified by their golden sheen: in gratitude for healing (salvation from bankruptcy, finding a groom, resolution from a burden, fulfillment of a wish), the devout public hangs entire chapels with medallions, images of cured limbs made of precious metals, figurines and ribbons. They are especially zealous in the south, in the vicinity of Naples, where any taxi driver, cutting off trucks through a double continuous line, hopes for divine intercession much more than for the police, the courtesy of others and traffic rules.
17
Taxi drivers in Italy are a separate caste. Not all of them are swindlers, but none of them will miss the opportunity to turn on a meter for a simple visitor at a suburban rate, and then justify their actions with a hard life: licenses are now rare and expensive (in Rome, for example, only 1800 people can drive a taxi, pay for such a right needs 15 thousand, or even 20 thousand, and sometimes father-in-law and son-in-law have to buy a car together), trade union rules do not allow cheating (they will spot a passenger after the end of the shift - they will deprive them of the right to transport), tariffs have not changed almost since the last century , and even the evil mayor's office introduced a flat fare to the airport. How here, pray tell, do not twist the counter?
18
The main Italian trouble, comparable in scale to fools and roads, is trade unions. Or rather, strikes. Everyone is on strike: pharmacists protest against the sale of aspirin in supermarkets, lawyers against increased competition, students against exams, professors against students, airport ground services against life in general. Each workshop seeks to complicate the existence of as many people as possible. When the heads of the stations are dissatisfied, the trains do not run; when the rights of gas stations are infringed upon, stores quickly run out of food, pharmacies run out of medicines, and ATMs run out of money. It is difficult to calm down all these people, especially since even deputy ministers from time to time arrange actions, march through the streets with briefcases and refuse to work on laws all day long. Theoretically, all this bacchanalia should be regulated by a special commission, and any action should be announced two weeks in advance. In practice, air traffic controllers, machinists and assistant pilots wanted to sneeze at the commission: aviation in Italy protests more often than it flies, on average more than 400 times a year. It's even surprising that with all this garbage, at least someone at least sometimes tries to take off.
19
Until the fifties of the twentieth century, cave people lived in Italy: the whole area of the city of Matera in Basilicata consists of caves. Now boutique hotels and museums are gradually being made from cave apartments.
20
There are no walk-through courtyards in Italy: the courtyard is everyone's internal affair, from outsiders it must be closed with a wall or at least a fence. Exactly one exception - the Roman district of Garbatella, urban planning experiment, started in the twenties. While the constructivists in Russia were inventing communal houses, Mussolini, in a more fertile climate, was turning an entire working-class quarter into a commune.
21
Italians are sure that the main thing in a foreign language is pronunciation (because they themselves have an almost indestructible accent - having lived in Russia for a couple of decades, a Roman or Milanese will still say “zlovar”). On the other hand, a tourist who has learned to print “non parlo litaliano” without losing a single vowel will in most cases pass for a local - after this phrase, he will be addressed in rapid-fire Italian without any concessions.
22
There are three hundred dialects in Italy (not to mention some Sardinian language). Most of them almost died out, leaving a memory in the form of a couple of dishes on the menu, several names on the map and the manner of pronouncing “r” (in Rome they roll it out), “z” (in Milan this sound is replaced, where possible, with “s”) or "k" (in Tuscany they say "hoha-hola"). But in some places the dialect turns into a way to oppose itself to the world. The clearest example is Venice, where the same square can be called in three ways - from "San Giovanni" to "San Zan" and "San Zanipolo".
23
In the same Venice, houses are numbered not by streets, but by quarters, of which there are only six in the whole city. As a result, postmen have to deal with "San Marco 3467" and "Santa Croce 4853", and hotels have to send instructions to future guests with the interpretation of the address (even Google could not defeat the Venetians - it seems that they managed to confuse the satellite in the same way, like any American tourist). However, in peaceful land Florence you have to get lost: legal entities are supposed to have a separate number there, red, so after the 16th house it may well be followed by the 4th or even the 7th (there is often no division into even and odd sides of the street) . To come to terms with the fact that the second Italian floor is our third, and the universal first is considered zero, that is, "earthly" (pian terreno), after this it is already easier than ever.
24
An Italian elevator (inscribed in a 600-year-old staircase) can have five corners or no roof, and it will never close itself: when you get out, you need to close the doors carefully.
25
Each Italian city has its own schedule. In Florence, restaurants rest on Sundays and ice cream parlors on Mondays. In Bologna on a Wednesday evening you will not find an open grocery store. Residents of Ferrara dine at home on Thursday - restaurants are closed on this day (you can, however, rush to Modena - where the chefs take a break on Mondays). There is only one common problem: on Monday morning - no shopping. Until 15:30, the money can only be spent on food.
26
The first Monday after Easter is a national holiday, when it is supposed to take a basket and go on a picnic. You can’t buy train tickets on this day, you won’t find a free place in the park, and you won’t pass along the road. Worse than this - only the 15th of August (Assumption), which in the cities is carried out only by tourists and completely finished losers.
27
A communist count in Italy is a common thing. The millionaire communist - by the way, too. In Emilia-Romagna, where the Communist Party has almost as many votes as in Moscow under the Soviet Union, and where Unita's newspaper holidays draw more people than a visiting rock star's concert, voters arrive at the polls in collectible Lamborghinis.
28
The concept of conscience is absent in the Italian language.
29
The director of the museum, if he is from other cities, is entitled to official housing (on the principle of “what you protect, you have”). A few years ago there was a big scandal: the headmistress of the Castel Sant'Angelo arranged for herself an excellent two-room apartment exactly where the popes once lived. With an incredible view of the river. Actually, this signora was punished not for abusing the view, but for unauthorized redevelopment of a historical monument (without moving the walls, it was impossible to properly organize the kitchen). The director of the Palatine Archaeological Assembly behaves more modestly - and that is why for many years now he has been alone in the evenings with the spirits of emperors. Other museum workers, apparently, are afraid of ghosts - this person cannot find a replacement for himself.
30
The Italians sleep in tightly sealed rooms - not a single ray should seep in from the outside, not to mention the breeze.
31
The wedding dinner consists of twenty-odd courses - less indecent. Lemon sorbet is served in the middle, believed to aid digestion. But the cake is still far away - after the sorbet they will bring more likely a rabbit or a guinea fowl.
32
Not every relationship will survive an Italian wedding - that's why everyone tries to get married as late as possible. Every schoolgirl from the age of 12 begins to choose a temple for her wedding in case of meeting with the prince. Popular places need to be booked a year in advance (and for May - even two). The guest list should certainly include second cousins, grandfather's hunting comrades and the groom's colleagues from their first job. Given all the fads, allergies, schedules, and contingencies, finding a restaurant, providing photographers, and completing the required course of conversations with a priest, you still need to reschedule the ceremony itself and live to the moment when you can close the door of the honeymoon suite behind you and fall asleep.
33
Italian cuisine is by no means limited to noble ingredients like truffles, buffalo mozzarella or balsamic vinegar: in some Puglia, the main dish is the greens of the local swede variety (cime di rapa), and stewed chicory is served as a side dish in general throughout the south.
34
Italian lard is included in the European Union register of regional products in the production of which violations of sanitary standards are allowed. They make lard in about the same place as marble - next to Carrara (and, by the way, they keep it for several months in marble tubs).
35
In Italy, they eat mulli eggs (coglioni di mulo) and cat sausage (felino). In fact, of course, both are made from pork, just in the first case, the intestine, into which the minced meat with spices is laid, is tied in half, and in the second, the name is given not by the original ingredient, but by the place - the town of Felino near Parma.
36
Jewish surnames in Italy are the names of cities. There is no doubt about the nationality of a person whose name is Mario Ancona or Alessio Bergamo.
37
In Rome, you can and should drink water from a tap, as well as from fountains: it comes from mountain springs through the aqueducts of imperial times. The history of Roman prosperity is the history of sewage: the first drains were dug in the 7th century BC, the first pipes were laid in the second, and the barbarians managed to finally finish off the capital of the world only by cutting the water pipes. After returning the chimneys and fountains to the city, the popes proclaimed the restoration of the empire; in other parts of Europe in those days, water was almost worth its weight in gold.
38
The fashion for drinking vermouth before dinner was brought up in Turin; the fashion to make cocktails out of it was launched in Florence, specifically in the Casoni establishment on Via Tornabuoni. And the fashion to arrange microfeasts with snacks around this came from Milan. The genre is called "aperitif" and is now distributed throughout Italy, with the exception of perhaps the south itself.
39
Anyone who has a diploma is called a doctor in Italy: in order to become a doctor, even graduating from graduate school is not necessary. Parliamentarians, even former ones, are referred to as “most honorable” (onorevole) until the end of their lives, teachers (starting from high school) are called professors (or professoresses), and a respectful avvocato is added to the surname of a lawyer. Southern pompous Italian politeness is all in the details.
40
Seniors, who think a lot about their appearance, buy ties in exactly one place - in the Neapolitan atelier E.Marinella on the Chiaia embankment. Or at least in the Milan branch on Via Santa Maria alla Porta. Pre-election televised debates are simply impossible without Marinella; state visits, it seems, too (Berlusconi managed to give a tie to three American presidents).
41
The Caraceni label is considered the highest chic of a suit. There is confusion about this family of tailors. In the 1920s there were two brothers: Domenico took orders in Rome, Augusto tried to live in Paris, and after the war fled to Milan. Augusto's son, Mario, still works at A. Caraceni. Signor Mario does not recognize progress - he reluctantly spent the phone, but he considers the Internet a vanity of vanities, so the studio does not have a website. The sons of Domenico, Tommy and Giulio are also against online advertising - they work in the embassy quarter of the capital, and they tell clients personally about how their father dressed Clark Gable and Humphrey Bogart. The Domenico Caraceni brand was bought from them by a former father's apprentice and dragged to Milan. But only Mario still remembers the times when brown shoes were considered the height of outrageousness, and for smoking it was necessary to put on a special velvet jacket. But the main thing is that he knows how to tailor his jacket so that when the arms move, the tails do not move (this, Signor Caracheni is convinced, should be considered the height of skill).
42
Church vestments must be cut skillfully. Under Pope Wojtyla, cassocks were ordered from Gammarelli, behind the Pantheon. short and broad Benedict XVI, they say, did not fit into his vestments. Now he dresses in a place with an unimaginative Euroclear sign and wears Prada glasses (giving rise to jokes about the brand's association with the devil).
43
Not all mafia is called a mafia: the Calabrian variety (the most vindictive) is called the 'ndrangheta, and the Neapolitan (the one that rules the garbage collection) is called the Camorra. Actually, the mafia is found in Sicily, where it makes sure that every businessman, from a wealthy winemaker to the last owner of a tobacco kiosk, regularly pays tribute to the “roof” for patronage (pizzo). Mafiosi do not allow themselves a brilliant life: the last great capo Bernardo Provenzano spent thirty years of his life hiding in a barn at an hour's walk from his native village of Corleone, cultivating a garden, rereading the Bible and sending encrypted notes - pizzini with trusted persons. They caught him only in extreme old age.
44
Judging by the speed of maturation, Italians are a separate biological species. Until the age of four, children drive around the streets in strollers, and even smack their nipples. Up to thirty-four, they live quietly with their parents - partly because it is more convenient, partly because they study painfully at first (until recently, the Italian university course was not limited in time and it could take seven years from admission to a diploma), and then even more painfully looking for a job. Getting a permanent salary in Italy is not easy; The problem is not solved by simple blasphemy. As a result, the population is constantly flitting back and forth: refined Romans twice a week go to lecture in godforsaken holes, native Milanese, gritting their teeth, endure service in Naples, and especially lucky applicants rush between Padua, Florence and Calabria, waiting until at least some space will be freed up. By the age of forty-five, they finally conclude a sane contract and move into the category of “budding young professionals,” and if luck does not end there, then by sixty, you see, it will even be possible to talk about some kind of career. Of course, having finally achieved money and influence, the gray-haired worker will not rush to retire - and already new generations of graduates will sit on their parents' necks, cursing gerontocracy.
In Sicily, they found their own Susan Boyle - her name is Angela Troina, sixty-six years old. She, however, does not sing, but dances - mainly progressive house (“After a divorce from my second husband, I started going to discos with my grandson. At first they played techno, and then house started. And I liked this house so much - I I'm just going crazy." For some time, Angela had fun, and then she recorded a video, sent it to the Italia's Got Talent program and created a community on Facebook, where she gathered 400 thousand fans.
On the network, Angela posts photos from parties (up to leather bikinis), and in a television interview she admonishes dance mates: “It’s easy to have a positive attitude towards life - neither alcohol nor drugs are needed for this!”
48
Italians are terribly serious about all sorts of costume games. In Florence, in Piazza Santa Croce, they play Renaissance football; in Siena they divide the city into contrades and stake on bare horses; in Viareggio, carts with mummers roll along the embankment, and every time monstrous passions boil around this - Shakespeare never dreamed of.
49
Venice's main problem is not flooding, but garbage. There is not enough space for garbage dumps, and if you scatter scraps anywhere, the rats can become completely insolent. For garbage thrown in the wrong place or at an inopportune time, they charge a fine of up to 500 euros. In general, the organization of life on the water costs indecent amounts, and the city's population is annually reduced by several thousand who want to save on services.
50
In case of victory of the national team in the World Cup, up to eight passengers are placed on one scooter.
If you are among the tourists who are not very fond of group trips or organized tours. operator, then our advice is simply necessary. After all, when organizing your trip personally, you need to think about a lot. Today we will consider a trip to Italy: what you need to know for an independent tourist who wants to get a lot of positive and pleasant emotions.
Italy is a tourist country, it is comfortable here, everything is done for travelers. But there are things that should not be forgotten, especially when you consider that you are in another country. If you smoke, please note that it is better to clarify whether it is possible to smoke in the establishment where you came to dine or not. For a thrown cigarette butt, you are unlikely to be fined by the guardians of the law, who, by the way, are at every turn in Rome ... Although we advise you not to litter, this is not beautiful. But with regard to smoking in public places, then it is worth clarifying. Otherwise, you can fly in for a large amount, like for a tourist, for 200 euros.
By the way, one more piece of advice for smoking tourists: it is better to buy cigarettes in duty-free shops, it will be cheaper this way.
Now let's talk about travel. This is an important question for every traveler. If you will walk, drive all day long and according to the plan a lot of crossings are foreseen, then it is more profitable to buy a ticket for the whole day. It is designed for 75 minutes, you can travel with it in any type of public transport and do not waste time buying a separate ticket for each trip. Please note that with such a pass you can only ride the metro once. If a day pass is not an option for you, buy single tickets. They are sold in tobacco shops "Tabacchi", in newsstands, cash desks, as well as in the buses themselves. We advise you to buy a ticket in advance so that there are no problems and no one manages to spoil the mood.
The metro in Rome is open from 5 am to 12 am. By the way, this is the most convenient and fastest way to travel. When getting on public transport during rush hour, keep an eye on your belongings. It is not uncommon for naive tourists to be “ruined” by pickpockets.
It is also equally important to know what clothes to choose for walking around Rome. In Italian cities, it is not uncommon not to be very comfortable to walk in heels (because of the paving stones). And if you are going to explore the city all day, then leave uncomfortable shoes at home and put on something suitable (for example, sneakers, sandals). In addition, you should think about clothes: in the summer, do not try to wear long-sleeved clothes, it is better to choose outfits made from light natural fabrics. It will not be superfluous to grab a hat / cap, sunglasses and cream. Make sure you always have a bottle of water and a light snack with you. By the way, stock up on food, fruits in the evening. And now you will know why.
What you need to know about restaurants, taxis, hotels?
Above, we talked about the fact that it is better to stock up on food. Especially for those who are used to not skipping breakfast. It will not be superfluous at all to have a bag of oatmeal, which can be prepared in an ordinary mug, filled with boiling water. Also a good option for breakfast - fruits, yogurts, juices. Why are we focusing on this now? Because cafes, restaurants in Italy receive guests from 12 noon to 15.30. At this time you can have lunch, there is no breakfast time as such. Moreover, if you are late for dinner, you will have to wait until 7 pm. It is at this time that restaurants begin to work again, and establishments are open until a maximum of 12 at night.
Another nuance worth mentioning. Tipping in a restaurant is worth leaving if you are really satisfied with the service. And they can be no more than 7-10 percent of the order.
Going to Italy, consider such a traditional feature of this country as the presence of a "siesta". Lunch time for rest is from 12.30 to 15.30 many shops and other establishments are closed.
We talked about public transport, but it is worth mentioning taxis. Just stopping the car on the street will not work. Taxi parking is provided, there is also the option of ordering a car by phone.
In the hotel, you may also be surprised by some things. First of all, be prepared that Italian sockets are not suitable for your equipment, so we strongly advise you to buy an adapter at home. Second, check with the administrator if you need to pay for air conditioning separately. You will be surprised, but in some hotels the use of air conditioning is not included in the price of the entire room. Thirdly, it will not be superfluous to take with you or buy a mosquito spray or a raptor upon arrival. There can be trouble with living creatures in cheaper hotels. Centipedes and mosquitoes are something to be prepared for.
Air tickets and documents are best left with the administrator against receipt or in the hotel safe. Remember that pickpockets in Italy are very dexterous.
And yet, if you notice ropes in the bathroom near the shower, do not rush to pull them. Most likely, this is a way to communicate that you need help and that a non-standard situation has arisen.
And finally - always make sure that you have a mobile connection and mobile Internet. We advise you to pay attention to one interesting option - Vodafone 19 (special tariff for Italy). The mobile operator offers mega favorable conditions:
Incoming calls are free.
Outgoing within Italy - 0.01 cents + 0.19 cents per connection.
Cheap calls to Russia - 8 cents + 0.19 cents per connection.
Inexpensive mobile internet (1 GB for 6 euros per day).
If you want to know more, read the website.
Italy is a large state in southern Europe. There is a huge number of UNESCO-protected world heritage sites here - historical monuments and works of art are located throughout the country. The country is also famous around the world for its national cuisine, fashion, sports cars and luxury motorcycles, as well as beautiful coastlines, lakes and mountains with numerous ski resorts.
On the territory of Italy there are two independent dwarf states: San Marino and the Vatican. Although not formally part of the European Union, both countries are part of the Schengen Area and the European Monetary Union.
Italy is located in the Mediterranean part of Europe and borders France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. The boot-shaped peninsula on which it sits is bordered by the Ligurian, Sardinian and Tyrrhenian Seas to the west, the Sicilian and Ionian Seas to the south, and the Adriatic Sea to the east. Italian is the most widely spoken language among the majority of the population, but as you travel around the country, you will find that there are many different dialects of Italian depending on the region. The landscape of Italy is very diverse, but in the first place it can be called mountainous, taking into account the mountain ranges of the Alps and the Apennines that cut through it.
Current time in Rome:
(UTC+1)
The country consists of two large islands: Sardinia, located off the west coast, and Sicily, which is located near the southern tip (“toe”) of the boot. The capital of Italy is Rome.
How to get there
From the cities of Russia to the cities of Italy, it is most convenient to get, of course, by plane, since there is no shortage of flights. Regular flights from Moscow to Rome are carried out by the Russian carrier Aeroflot and the Italian AlItalia. Aeroflot also operates flights from Moscow to Verona, Venice and Milan, and AlItalia from Rome to St. Petersburg.
When flying from Moscow and St. Petersburg by the Italian national carrier to Rome, you can arrange a connecting flight to all more or less large cities in Italy, thanks to the wide route grid of AlItalia. In addition, since May 2010 it is possible to fly directly from Yekaterinburg to Rome with Ural Airlines. However, despite the regular status of this flight, it is still seasonal.
As for other cities in Russia, you can get to Italy by air with a connection by European airlines flying to some Russian cities. If these airlines do not fly from your city, you can always fly to Italy via Moscow with Aeroflot or another airline that operates flights to the Russian capital. Below the links you can go to a block with detailed information on how to get to the main cities of Italy.
From other European cities, in the case of a combined trip, getting to Italy is many times easier than from Russia. The number of flights is so large that it makes no sense to list them (it is better to use). Do not forget that you may have at your disposal such a service as, they are suitable for those who prefer comfort and are not inclined to save money.
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Climate and weather in Italy
The climate of Italy is predominantly Mediterranean, but this does not mean at all that the weather in all its regions is the same. In the depths of the country and in the northern regions, features of a temperate climate are manifested. It gets warmer from north to south.
The climatic features of the regions are determined by two factors: the influence of the Mediterranean Sea and the Alps, since the mountains are a natural barrier to winds blowing from the west and north.
Summer in Italy is hot and dry (from +24 to +34 °C), winter on the coast in the center of the country is mild, in the north it is colder by 7-12 degrees.
Precipitation is unevenly distributed across the regions: up to 1200 mm per year falls on the vicinity of the Alps, including heavy snowfalls in winter. In the center of the country, on average, up to 750 mm falls, and a significant part of them falls on winter rains. In the south, the climate is drier, the amount of precipitation is within 500 mm.
Cities and regions
North of Italy. The most densely populated and developed part of the country. Cities such as Turin, Milan, Bologna, Verona and Venice attract many tourists, as well as wonderful landscapes like the Lake Como region, impressive mountains like the Dolomites and the Italian Alps, as well as first-class mountain resorts like Cortina d'Ampezzo and others.
Central Italy. Everything here breathes history and art. Rome is famous for its preserved curiosities of the Roman Empire and world-famous landmarks such as the Colosseum. Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, is the most attractive city in Tuscany for tourists, although in the nearby cities of Siena, Pisa and Lucca, those wishing to join the rich cultural and historical heritage of the country will find a lot of interesting things for themselves.
Southern Italy. Bustling Naples, the dramatic ruins of Pompeii, the romantic Amalfi Coast and tranquil Puglia, as well as the growing agritourism, make this most unvisited area an attractive destination for travelers.
Italian Islands. These are primarily Sardinia and Sicily, a large island south of the peninsula (the "ball" that kicks the "boot"), as well as Capri, Ischia, Elba, Procida, the Aeolian Islands, the Aegadian Islands, Tremiti and Pantelleria.
Cities
There are several hundred cities in Italy, here are nine of the most famous of them:
- Rome is the capital of both modern Italy and the ancient Roman Empire; center of the Roman Catholic Church (Vatican).
- Bologna is the location of the first university in history. A city rich in history, culture and technology. Bologna is famous for its local cuisine. One of the most important university centers in the world.
- Florence is the city of the Renaissance. Known for its architecture and art, as well as its worldwide influence. It is also home to Michelangelo's famous statue of David and many world-famous art museums.
- Genoa is a rich and diverse city. The presence of the port has always contributed to the development of tourism and trade, as well as art and architecture. Genoa is a historic city, the birthplace of Columbus and jeans.
- Milan is the world fashion center.
- Naples is an important port city full of life and sun. The local pizza is the best in all of Italy. In addition, the famous volcano Vesuvius is located here.
- Pisa - Here is the easily recognizable Leaning Tower of Pisa. The city is very popular among tourists. There are many merchants on the streets offering all sorts of goods.
- Turin is the birthplace of FIAT cars. Turin is an industrial city, there are enterprises in the automotive and aerospace industries. The city hosted the 2006 Winter Olympics.
- Venice – Venice is famous for its history, art and world-famous canals. This is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy; here is the island of Murano, famous for its hand-blown glass products. The Cathedral and St. Mark's Square are very popular with tourists, and in the summer season there are a lot of people here.
Regions of Italy
What to watch
Apart from the Italian cities filled with sights, in Italy there will still be something to admire. At least by nature - the famous islands in the Gulf of Naples, the picturesque lakes of Garda and Como in northern Italy, the Italian Alps, including the magnificent ski resorts of Italy, and much more. But still, the main treasure of the country is its richest cultural heritage. All the sights are more than realistic to see on your own, or, to order a couple of detailed excursions, the benefit is quite democratic.
Below are the main attractions of Italydivided into groups:
- Sights of Rome- the world famous Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum and many others.
- Vatican and Michelangelo's painted Sistine Chapel, as well as St. Peter's Basilica and the Pontifical Pinakothek.
- Sights of Florence- Uffizi Gallery, Palatine Gallery and Gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts with a statue of David.
- Sights of Milan- here is not only shopping, but also Milan Duomo, Sforza Castle and the most famous opera house La Scala.
- Sights of Naples- the legendary city of Pompeii and its executioner - the mighty volcano Vesuvius.
- Sights of Venice- San Marco Cathedral, Doge's Palace and of course the famous canals, led by the Grand Canal.
Where to go in Italy
Attractions
Museums and galleries
Entertainment
Parks and recreation areas
Leisure
Transport
Wellness vacation
Private guides in Italy
Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Italy in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.
Things to do
Thermal resorts in Italy
The thermal capital of Italy is the small town of Montecatini Terme, which already betrays its destiny with just one name. The first springs were built in the second half of the 18th century - these are Bagno Regio, Terme Leapoldina and Terme Tettuccio. However, Montecatini truly became a city of thermal springs in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was then that new luxury hotels, restaurants, theaters, nightclubs and even casinos began to be built. In various institutions one could meet celebrities and the Russian elite. For example, Giuseppe Verdi restored his health here every year for 20 years, Benito Mussolini also visited the resort.
Thermal baths of Montecatini Terme
- Baths "Leopoldine"
- Thermae "Excelsior"
- Baths "Tamerici"
- Baths "Tettuccio"
- Thermae "Regina"
- Thermae "Redi"
- Baths "La Salute"
You can read more about the thermal springs of Montecatini, the properties of local waters, accommodation features and much more related to this type of holiday in our material. "The thermal side of Italy" .
Alpine skiing and snowboarding in Italy
The most popular ski regions and their resorts
Follow the links to find detailed information about the resorts - descriptions of slopes and lifts, the cost of ski passes, location, accessibility and much more. You can also go to the page where all ski resorts in Italy are collected in a convenient form.
Valle d'Aosta
Monterosa Ski
Traveling in Italy
Traveling in Italy by train
Italian rail transport uses different types of trains: TBiz, Eurostar Italia, Eurostar City Italia, IntercityPlus, Intercity, Espresso, Interregionale and Regionale, Eurostar Italia and TBiz are the highest class trains. In general, there is a certain hierarchy, and travel on one train can cost twice as much as another.
The carriages used by TBiz and Eurostar Italia have electrical sockets, which can be useful for those who are going to work during the trip, or write notes about travels in Italy. On the other hand, in Intercity trains (intercity) there are cars divided into compartments with six seats each, which can be useful for traveling groups.
Intercity trains are generally pretty consistent, but if you need to catch a plane, for example, then perhaps the best solution would be to go with Eurostar Italia for an additional fee. The Interregionale and Regionale types are not as stable and stop at more stations along the way. Another feature that distinguishes TBiz, Eurostar Italia, Intercity Plus and Intercity from Interregionale, Regionale and Espresso is the seat designation on the tickets. that is, on higher-class trains, each passenger is guaranteed a certain seat. This also means that you have to buy tickets in advance. You can check the travel time on the Trenitalia website or by using the printed timetable, which is usually located near the exit of each platform.
On long routes, such as Milan - Rome, Trenitalia has introduced special night trains Treni Notte. They leave at about 10 pm and arrive at their destination in the morning. Depending on the train, you can choose between seating, compartments or sleeping cars of different types. Seating is the cheapest, but even sleeping places are not prohibitively expensive and are very comfortable for traveling long distances. Please also note that not all trains have air conditioning.
In train timetables at railway stations, each train is marked with its own color (for example, blue, red, green). Arrival times are shown in parentheses next to the destination name. Please note that some trains run only at certain times of the year or periods of time (for example, only on holidays).
Ticket lines are sometimes very long and move slowly, so it's best to arrive early at the station. The ticket can be purchased both at traditional ticket offices and at convenient multilingual machines. You can also buy tickets on the Trenitalia website. In this case, you will receive a code (codice di prenotatione, PNR) with which you can collect your ticket from the ticket machine at the station. For some trains, you can choose the option in which you have to print the ticket yourself. By default, the site will only display the "best" (usually the most expensive) travel options, but you can see if there are slower, cheaper ways to get to your destination by selecting the "Show all options" option.
There may be no seats left on Eurostar trains, so if you need to travel at a strictly defined time, buy tickets in advance. The Italian Railways Authority has launched a campaign against fare evasion and introduced large fines (from 50 euros). If you're really late and don't have a ticket, it's best to talk to the conductor ("il controllore or il capotreno") outside the train during boarding.
Remember that before boarding you must validate your ticket by stamping it in one of the yellow boxes (marked Convalida). Traveling with an unstamped ticket is technically the same as traveling without a ticket at all. It is very important not to forget to confirm the ticket, because the conductors do not show indulgence towards negligent passengers in this case.
The cheapest way to travel around the regions is to buy a local ticket . On the diagram next to the ticket validation machine, you will see how much you need to pay to travel between certain stations. To buy a pass for the next area, you have to get off the train, and since the stops are very short, you can only leave on the next train (usually in about an hour).
There are many discounts and special offers. Some concessionary passes allow unlimited travel for a certain amount of time, others are regular tickets with some restrictions at cheaper prices. Before choosing a travel pass, make sure that it costs less than buying a regular ticket (or a regular discounted ticket, if available).
If you are not Italian and travel a lot, you can purchase a Trenitalia card: you buy the opportunity to ride a selected number of days and you can use it for the next two months. However, on trains with a ticket reservation (TBiz, Eurostar Italia, Intercity Plus and Intercity) you will have to pay a surcharge (from 5 to 25 euros depending on the type of train).
Traveling in Italy by car
The north of Italy has a well-developed motorway system, while the roads in the southern parts of the country are of poorer quality and have a shorter length. Each highway is identified by the letter A followed by a number. Most highways (motorways) are subject to tolls. In some cases, access to a certain section of the road is paid for; in some cases, payment booths are placed at the entrance and exit. Do not lose your entry ticket or you will be charged for the longer distance (for example, if you are on the A1 Milano-Naples highway, upon arrival in Milan you will be charged for the entire 700 km distance). The blue lanes (labeled "Viacard") of toll stations accept major types of credit cards and prepaid cards, which can be bought at tobacconists, eateries, or gas stations.
Many Italians use an electronic payment device and drive through special lanes marked with a yellow "Telepass" or simply "T" sign. These roads are monitored by video surveillance systems and if you drive on them without a device, you will be forced to pay a fine and pay the maximum fare. By agreement with other countries, foreigners will have to pay extra to search for the violator in his country.
While speeding on the freeway is common, be aware that there are many automatic and almost invisible systems on the roads to detect and punish speedy and dangerous driving. In addition, the Italian Highway Patrols (Polizia Stradale) use unmarked vehicles equipped with speed radars and video cameras. On unfamiliar roads, it is better to drive at a legal speed.
Many Italian motorways are equipped with automatic systems called SICVE or TUTOR, which monitor the average speed of vehicles over long distances (5-10 km) and their coverage area is constantly expanding (currently the beginning of the system coverage area is indicated by signs, a complete list of covered roads can be found on that website).
A signal that a control system is nearby can be a sharp decrease in the speed of surrounding vehicles. If you see many drivers staying within the speed limit and not exceeding it, it's best to do the same. If oncoming vehicles flash their headlights at you, you may be approaching speed radars.
Please note that the meaning of the headlights here may differ from those in your country. Flashing can mean a request to give way, or vice versa, an offer to go first, depending on the situation.
The following speed limits apply:
- 130 km/h on toll motorways (motorways);
- 110 km/h on normal highways;
- 90 km/h on local roads;
- 50 km/h within the city.
Italian laws allow a deviation of 5% (minimum 5 km/h) from these norms when setting local speed limits. Fines for exceeding are usually very high.
Riding motorcycles is allowed only with the headlights on, for other vehicles this rule applies only outside the city.
Drunk driving is a very controversial issue. The permitted limit of blood alcohol content is 0.50 g/l; exceeding this level is punishable by a high fine, driver's license suspension, and jail time, but many drivers don't worry about it. All passengers are required to fasten their seat belts, and children under 10 years old must ride only in the back seat of the car. If there is no sign on the road to the contrary, you must give way to vehicles traveling on the right side of another road. Road signs are designed according to EU guidelines and mostly use pictograms rather than text, but there are some peculiarities (for example: directions of highways are written on a green background, local roads on white, and other roads on blue).
Avoid using roads marked in blue for long distance travel. Although the freeways are more expensive, they significantly reduce the travel time, while driving on the roads marked in blue, you will have to pass through many cities and villages.
Traveling in Italy by bus
As in many European countries, buses in Italy are one of the main modes of transport not only within cities, but also outside them, often connecting such settlements that are simply not accessible otherwise. This explains the popularity of buses among local residents. However, they can also make life much easier for tourists, especially in areas such as the Dolomites, extremely popular with skiers and snowboarders.
There is no clear leader among bus companies in Italy, such as Greyhound in the United States. But at the same time, nothing prevented them from uniting in the transport alliance IBus, which controls the sphere of intercity bus transportation. In total, the alliance included 9 companies - Baltour, Marino Autolinee, Inter Saj, Consorzio Autolinee Cosenza, Salga, Rome Marche linee and others. Thanks to this diversity of companies, the IBus system covers all regions of Italy. In addition, the alliance has partnership agreements with European carriers, such as Eurolines, which makes it easier to travel from Italian cities to cities in other European countries.
culture
Italians are usually affable and friendly, and in order not to experience difficulties, it is enough to adhere to elementary courtesy.
People in Italy often gesticulate a lot during a conversation, and this is not regarded as a sign of bad manners. This casual love of gesture usually surprises and amuses foreigners, because the generally accepted degree of gesticulation varies greatly from country to country.
In Italy, a fairly large percentage of the population is made up of elderly people, who will be treated with respect. Assist them whenever possible, such as giving up your seat on the bus. You will be grateful.
Italians are ready to discuss many things, but not income: they never talk about their salary and inquiries about it will be considered faux pas. Talking about politics and complaining about politicians is practically a national sport, so if you criticize the government, there will definitely be someone who will support you. At the same time, inquiries about personal political beliefs can be considered tactless. Also Italians talk a lot about football, it's a national sport and they take it very seriously, maybe even more seriously than politics.
It's okay to take pictures, but some people don't want to be in the frame, so it's best to ask permission first. It is not recommended to take pictures of children: this can make Italian parents very angry.
Kitchen
As a language and culture, Italian cuisine is very different in different areas. Pasta and olive oil are staples of southern Italian cuisine, while rice and butter are more consumed in the north (although there are many exceptions these days). The use of local ingredients is also very important. In warm Naples, citrus fruits and other fruits play an important role in the preparation of food and drink, while in Venice one of the most important traditional ingredients is fish. To get around, know that in the south pasta and dessert play an important role, while in the north the focus is on meat, although these principles may differ depending on where exactly you are.
Lunch is considered the most important part of the day, a whole hour is specially allocated for it and an additional hour is set aside for the afternoon rest ("pausa pranzo", or more familiar to us - siesta). At this time, all shops are closed and resume work only after a two-hour break. To make up for this, they work until a later time. This rule may not be observed in the center of the largest cities or in shopping centers.
Cooking in Italy is considered an art form. Famous chefs such as Gualtiero Marchesi or Gianfranco Visani are considered to be somewhere between TV stars and magicians. Italians usually don't like foreigners ordering spaghetti and pizza all the time, so read the menu carefully and remember that almost every restaurant has a signature dish, and many cities have centuries-old traditions that you are invited to join. Keep in mind that the most famous Italian dishes like spaghetti and pizza are typical of the cuisine of Southern Italy, so when traveling to other areas, don't miss the opportunity to try the lesser known traditional dishes.
For cheap meals, you can visit the aperitivo bars (somewhat similar to Spanish tapas eateries), where in the early evening (around five o'clock) they serve plates of light snacks, cheese, olives, meat products, bruschetta (small local sandwiches with various fillings) and although it is meant to be just an appetizer before the main meal, everything is provided free of charge for those who order liquor. This type of food is especially popular in Milan, where you can often replace dinner with it.
National dishes
Pricing in restaurants
The bill in Italian restaurants increases (usually doubles) if you book a table instead of eating at the bar or taking food to go. The line in the menu that says this is usually printed in very small print. Sometimes it may also indicate that the restaurant charges a coperto (fee for a set of cutlery and a basket of bread) or a service charge. Eating on the run can save you money - many eateries charge extra for seating.
Sequence of dishes
Typically, a meal consists of (in order) antipasto (appetizer), primo (first course - pasta or rice), secondo (second course - meat or fish), served with contorno (usually a side dish of vegetables), cheeses/fruits, dessert, coffee, alcoholic drinks. Typically, Italians serve all the dishes on this list to the table, and in restaurants, customers are expected to follow this pattern; old restaurants and restaurants with a name usually refuse to change dishes at the request of the client (the exception is only for children and sick people) or serve them in a different sequence, and you will never be served a cappuccino between primo and secondo.
In Italian restaurants, smoking is either completely prohibited or allowed only in a special area separated from the non-smoking area; and although Italians are usually not very attentive to laws and regulations, this rule is strictly enforced almost everywhere.
The Denominazione di origine controllata (DOC) certificate specifies which grape varieties can be used to make a particular wine, but is not in itself a guarantee of high quality. The same applies to the Denominazione di origine controllata e garantita (DOCG). These two restrictions define a typical wine for each region, well suited to the local cuisine. Some of the best Italian wines are labeled with the Indicazione geografica tipica (IGT) certificate, which is often a sign of a more modern, "international" wine.
Before arriving in Italy, do a review of the most popular local wines (for the area you are going to), such as Barolo or Nebbiolo for Piedmont or Chianti and Sangiovese for Tuscany. Italian cuisine is very different from region to region (sometimes even from city to city), and the wine reflects these differences. Therefore, for example, avoid ordering Chianti unless you are in the center of Tuscany. Italians have a long tradition of matching wines to their dishes, and every dish often has a wine to match.
The well-known “color division” (red wines for meat, white wines for fish) can be completely ignored if the sommelier suggests it or if you are well versed in this: in Italy there are many strong varieties of white wine that go well with meat (for example, Sicilian or Tuscan Chardonnay), as well as red wines suitable for fish (for example, Pinot Noir from Alto Adige).
Vino della casa (house wine) is a good drink of choice in small outlying communities (especially in Tuscany), where farm owners often make and drink it themselves. You can also drink it in good city restaurants. As a rule, if the restaurant is run by decent people and is not aimed at tourists, the house wine in it is not so bad.
Italians are rightly proud of their wines and rarely serve foreign brands, although they allow themselves to use imported grape varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, in production.
Beer
Beer is not part of the Italian tradition; although most bars serve beer, it is usually not of very high quality and there is not much to choose from. You can find good beer, but for this you will have to spend some time looking. Among the brands of beer, the products of international firms and their local branches are in the lead, which will completely satisfy the inexperienced consumer, which is the majority of Italians. The main types of Italian beer are Peroni, Moretti and Raffo. If you're into beer, it's best to stop by one of the smaller private breweries, often run by enthusiastic local brewers affiliated with an association called Unionbirrai.
Limoncello
Limoncello is a liqueur made from alcohol, lemon zest and sugar. You can consider it as a kind of moonshine, because almost every Italian family, especially in the central south (near Naples) has its own recipe for making it. Lemon trees thrive in Mediterranean climates and produce large yields, so in many areas you can find plants bending under the weight of lemons. From them you can produce lemonade or drive your own version of limoncello. It is usually considered a dessert liqueur and is served after a large meal (like amaretto), often at various festivities. To taste, the liqueur resembles a thick concentrated lemonade with a hint of alcohol. Best served chilled or at room temperature and sipped rather than gulped down.
Grappa
Grappa is a strong alcoholic drink produced in the northern regions of Italy. As the Italians say, you will either love it or hate it. Grappa is made from fermented grape pomace. When tasting grappa, make sure it has been distilled multiple times.
Despite the fact that there are not as many places with available Internet in Italy as, for example, in France or Germany, since 2005 a special law has been in force here that provides secure access to the World Wide Web. After the terrorist attacks in Madrid and London, it is impossible to enter the network in Italian cafes without presenting a passport or ID. So if you need urgent access to the Internet, then do not forget your passport.
Connecting to the Internet using phones with a Russian SIM card is extremely expensive, so the best option is to purchase a SIM card from one of the Italian operators such as Vodafone, Telecom Italia or Wind Telecomunicazioni. But it should be borne in mind that in order to connect, you will have to tinker with the settings, which, most likely, will be in Italian. As an option, buy a special Mi Fi (mobile Wi-Fi) device that is suitable for both Apple products and simple laptops or smartphones. It acts like a wireless modem. In addition, this gadget can be rented, especially if you do not have much time to spend in Italy.
Telephone
When calling Italian numbers, they must always be dialed in full, with codes. Landline numbers start with zero, mobile numbers start with three. Numbers starting with 89 belong to paid services.
To call from Italy abroad, you need to dial 00 + area code + local number; The type of local number depends on the country.
To call Italy from another country, dial the international code + 39 + the local number. Please note that if you are calling a landline in Italy, you cannot skip the zeros that begin the local number.
In an emergency, call the appropriate number listed below. Such calls are usually free of charge and even from pay phones you can call 112, 113, 115, 118 without inserting a coin or inserting a card. Calls to 112 (general emergency call number for GSM standard) are always free of charge from any mobile phone (you can call even if you have no funds on your account).
Useful Phones
| Emergency calls | 112 |
| Police - any emergency | 113 |
| State hotline - emergencies involving children (especially various forms of violence) | 114 |
| Financial service - to solve customs, trade and tax issues | 117 |
| fire protection | 115 |
| Emergency Medical Services - call if you need emergency assistance, otherwise ask for the number of a local medical service that can send a doctor to you | 118 |
| Information about the situation on the roads | 1518 |
| Coast security | 1530 |
| Italian Automobile Club means roadside assistance provided to members of this club or similar clubs of the European Automobile Association. If you are not one of them, you will have to pay for the service (the cost is approximately 80 euros) | 803116 |
If you are in an emergency and don't know where to call, dial 112 or 113 (outside big cities, it's best to use 113 for an English-speaking dispatcher).
There are public telephones, most often at stations and airports. In the age of cellular communication, the number of machines has decreased significantly. Some accept only coins, others accept phone cards, some accept both. Only a small number of machines (in major airports) accept credit cards directly.
mobile connection
There are three major mobile operators in Italy - Vodafone, Telecon Italia and Wind Telecomunicazioni. All of them provide roaming services to subscribers of the largest Russian mobile operators, but the prices in this case can be very, very biting. However, you should inquire about the cost of outgoing and incoming calls directly on the websites of MTS, Beeline and MegaFon. Coverage in Italy is almost universal, with the exception of the most high-altitude and remote areas. A more budget option than roaming can be to buy an Italian SIM card, as mentioned above in connection with the Internet. The option with tourist SIM cards Goodline and SimTravel is also gaining popularity. An outgoing call to Russia with such a SIM card will cost 0.49 USD.
Security
Like most developed countries, Italy is safe for tourists. Incidents of terrorism and serious crimes are quite rare, they are usually provoked by domestic politics and rarely directed against foreigners.
Careless tourists can become victims of petty hooliganism. You need to know that pickpockets often work in pairs or teams, sometimes in alliance with street vendors. The level of crimes against the person in Italy is considered moderate, and although foreigners sometimes become their victims, this cannot be considered a serious threat. However, the number of robberies and rapes under the influence of drugs is on the rise. Tourists should be careful when going out alone in remote areas at night.
You should inquire about prices before making a purchase. When photographing with fun and friendly people in costumes, be prepared to be asked for a fee. The same goes for taking pictures with pigeons. When buying ice cream or cleaning shoes on the street, ask about prices first, because there have been cases of fraudulent price gouging.
There are many bars in Italy, these places are popular with many Italians, but sometimes there are thieves who ply these establishments in search of confused or drunk tourists. The easiest way out is to go to such establishments in groups.
In an emergency, call the following numbers: 113 (police), 112 (emergency calls in any dangerous situation), 115 (fire department) 118 (emergency). All tourists, regardless of citizenship, can count on the provision of emergency medical care.
Where to stay
In major cities and tourist areas, a wide range of accommodation can be found, from world-class branded hotels to family-run guesthouses, but tourist hostels are few and far between. Staying at a campsite is a good way to save money and still get decent service, but generally receptionists are reluctant to check in unexpected large groups of young people, especially in summer, for fear of possible damage, so it's best to book a room in advance.
Farm accommodation is gaining popularity among tourists, especially in the rural regions of Tuscany, Piedmont, Umbria, Abruzzo, Sardinia and Apulia. Farms provide guests with delicious and healthy food, excellent views, and all this for a relatively low fee. If you prefer self-catering accommodation, it's pretty easy to find on the gorgeous Amalfi Coast and coastal areas in general.
More detailed information about accommodation in hotels in Italy and amenities in the rooms can be obtained in the "Hotels in Italy" section of our website. You can book rooms in selected hotels on Tourister.ru in the "" section.
Photo: (except separately noted)
Souvenir from Venice
going on holidays in Italy, it was important for us to know as much information as possible about the sights of this country. But, as it turned out later, information is also important, allowing you to comfortably live in Italy during the days of rest, without conflicting with the laws of Italy.
Traveling Italy by car
So what is it desirable to know for a tourist going to holidays in Italy?
So the main points are:
Climatein Italy- soft, subtropical. The temperature in summer is +25°C, but sometimes it rises to +40°C. Winters are warm, temperatures can reach +10°C, snow lies in the north of Italy, in the Alps. In September, heavy rains fall on the Adriatic coast.
monetary unit in Italy is the euro, since Italy is part of the European Union. National currency lira ceased to exist since 2002.
Official language — Italian, in the border regions of Italy with European countries, they speak German and French. All Italians know English. Due to the fact that Russian-speaking tourists traveling to holidays in Italy, more and more, Italians are trying to speak Russian, especially sellers in stores. Many stores employ Russian staff.
Currency exchange. It is beneficial to change a large amount of currency in banks, as banks offer the most favorable exchange rate. But banks take a commission for each transaction, regardless of the amount being changed - in the amount of 3 to 5 euros.
It is advantageous to change a small amount in hotels and private exchange offices. Here they change the currency at an overvalued rate, but they do not take commissions for the transaction.
Credit cards. Credit cards of the following banking systems are accepted for payment for services (Visa, Mastercard, Cirrius-Maestro, Diners Club). But better before the flight on vacation in Italy, check with your bank whether your card will be a means of payment abroad. At ATMs in Italy, you can withdraw about 250 euros from your account daily. When paying by card, in hotels, restaurants, shops, you may be asked for a document proving your identity. Be prepared for this.
Health problems. If you have health problems, you should contact your insurance company by phone. The telephone number of the Russian-speaking operator is indicated in the medical insurance that you must purchase before traveling in your country. All receipts, documents confirming your expenses for treatment must be kept so that upon arrival in your country, present to the insurance company for reimbursement.
Pharmacies- there are a lot of them in Italy . You will recognize them by the Farmacia sign. Pharmacy opening hours: 09:00 - 13:00, 16:00 - 22:00. There are on-duty pharmacies that work around the clock. The pharmacist on duty will serve you, you just need to ring the bell at the door.
Alcoholic drinks can be purchased in stores and small shops for every taste. Italians love to drink wine during and after meals. Traveling in Italy, you can see many grape plantations. Inexpensive local wines, in paper bags, cost from 1 to 4 euros. Popular with Italians and tourists wines Limoncello and Grappa. Stronger wines are more expensive.
Limoncello in a souvenir box
Drinking water considered good in Italy. Water can be drunk from the tap. The shops also offer a wide range of mineral and plain water. The price for one and a half, two liters of water is up to 1 euro. In tourist buses, each driver has a bar where you can buy water. This is their small business.
In Italian bars you can order all kinds of drinks: wine, bottled beer, water, cola, cocktail, espresso coffee, cappuccino, tea. The cost of drinks is from 1 to 9 euros. Moreover, the cost of the drink includes the rental of a table. Cheaper to drink drinks at the bar.
Internet present in hotels, restaurants and cafes. In hotels, in the lobby and rooms. As a rule, the Internet is free and it is called wifi free. But, in some hotels , you will have to pay for the Internet. The price varies from 5 euros per day. If wifi free is in the hotel, then in order to use the Internet, you need to ask the reception for a password.
Food in Italy. Estimated food prices in Italy are shown below. :
Lunch from 10 to 40 euros;
A bottle of wine from 3 to 5 euros;
Signature Italian blulo pasta from 6 to 12 euros;
Cup of coffee up to 2 euros;
Hamburger - from 5 euros;
Can of Coca-Cola - 2 euros;
A bottle of beer - 2.5 euros;
Museum and theater tickets - from 18 euros;
mobile connection cheap in italy . Mobile operators of other countries have roaming agreements with Italian providers: If the time travel in Italy long, it is more economical to purchase an Italian SIM card. It costs 15 euros. This card is valid for one year from the date of activation.
value added tax in Italy is 21% for luxury goods. This tax is included in the price of the item. This tax is not included in the price of services, for example, in the menu of restaurants and cafes.
famous amusement park located on the Adriatic coast, in Rimini. This park is called "Italy in miniature". All of Italy is represented in the park. Here are all the famous sights of Italy on a scale of 1:25 and 1:50. The park has attractions for children, there are cafes and restaurants, and you can travel around the territory by train resembling a subway train. A ticket to the park costs 20 euros, and the ticket is valid for the next day.
Amusement park "Mini Italy"
Food in Italy. Food in Italian hotels is of high quality, tasty without delicacies. The Italians offer vacationers in Italy, food to your national taste. Depending on the category of the hotel in the morning they offer:
simple breakfast, during which only tea-coffee, buns, croissants, butter, processed cheese, jam are served.
enhanced breakfast, during which juice, boiled eggs and sliced \u200b\u200b(sausage, cheese) are additionally offered.
Buffet, offers a variety of salads, appetizers, but no hot food.
For dinner, the hotels offer a multi-course menu (set dinner). In hotels of a higher category for breakfast and dinner, various options for complexes and hot dishes are offered. Alcoholic drinks are not included in the complexes. They must be purchased at an additional cost.
Difference in time with Russia about 2 hours, with the countries of Central Asia about 4 hours.
Cafes and restaurants in Italy. There are very expensive restaurants in Italy. In order not to get into an unpleasant situation, you need to choose a restaurant where the menu with prices weighs at the entrance. Average prices in restaurants:
snack 4-8 euros,
first course 6-9 euros,
second course 10-20 euros,
dessert 3-5 euros,
wine - 5 euros.
Additionally, the bill includes the rental of a table, somewhere from 1 to 3 euros. In Italy, it is cheaper to eat in restaurants with set meals, it costs about 20 euros. In quiet places, away from the city center, you can eat in restaurants with home cooking, an analogue of Russian taverns.
Beaches in Italy divided into plots and leased to private individuals and hotels. If you are staying in a hotel according to the system "All inclusive" and your hotel has a beach, you don't pay for the beach. If you rest on the system "Half board" you need to pay for sunbed and umbrella. Each beach has an administrator who charges for the use of umbrellas and sunbeds. The cost of using a sunbed is from 4 euros per day. Sunbed with umbrella - 10 euros. Families are offered a complex: 2 sun loungers and an umbrella at a price of 15 euros. The beaches are patrolled by the police, you can’t be on the beach at night, lovers of night swimming are fined.
Law enforcement in Italy it is carried out by several police units: traffic police, municipal police (public order), simple police, carabinieri (criminal cases), financial guards. The police phone is 112, the carabinieri - 113.
Police in Rome
Hotel Rules not strict. You can bring drinks, fruit and food into the hotel. Cooking is prohibited. Guests can be invited to the room. The guest must leave an identity document at the reception. If the guest wants to spend the night at the hotel, then you will need to pay for it. You can take hotel towels to the beach. Towels are changed regularly. The hotel administration is not responsible for missing items. Therefore, it is recommended to use a safe. The use of a safe in almost all hotels is free, but in a few hotels this service is paid and costs about 5 euros. For the loss of the key to the safe, a sensitive fine is due.
municipal markets arranged in the cities of Italy according to a certain schedule. In these markets you can buy clothes and vegetables, fruits, wine. Markets are open from 8:00 to 13:00.
Transport. Travel around Italy possible by rail .
Rail transport is popular in Italy. Using such transport, you can get to any region of Italy.
Public transport no less popular in Italy. Fare in public transport in Italy is quite budgetary. You can buy a ticket for public transport in tobacco shops or from the driver. It is more expensive to buy a ticket from the driver than in a store. The ticket is valid for one trip. By "one trip" is meant 90 minutes of travel with the possibility of transfers, the main thing is to meet the time. You also have the opportunity to purchase a ticket for the whole day. The cost of such a ticket in a tobacco shop will be 3 euros.
The ticket must be validated. Traveling without a ticket is subject to a fine. If you do not pay the fine, you risk not getting a Schengen visa anymore.
Tourist bus in Rome
Taxi is another popular transport in Italy. Taxi can be called by phone. Traveling a distance of 1 km will cost an average of 1 euro. Weekends and public holidays are slightly higher.
Customs regulations Italy do not differ from the rules of other European countries . You can bring into Italy up to 10 thousand euros or an equivalent amount in other currencies
In Italy there is a VAT refund. If you make a purchase in excess of 155 euros, take the check from the cashier in the store. When leaving Italy, presenting the receipt and the purchased items in the original packaging at customs, you will receive a VAT refund. In Italy, there is a strict financial discipline.
The financial police strictly ensures that all transactions are carried out through the cash register and documented in the form of a check. In case of violation, not only the trader is fined, but also the consumer. The merchant must not forget to write out a check, and the consumer must present it if necessary.
Fruits and vegetables locally grown in Italy and very tasty. Prices for vegetables, fruit are quite budgetary. The market is cheaper than the supermarket. Price from 1 euro to 3 euros. But by the end of the day, the cost drops to cents.
Tips. In Italy it is customary to tip. Tipping this action is optional, it depends on your desire. Tipping can be given to the maids, in return - the room will always be perfectly clean. It is customary to tip a bus driver, taxi driver, tour guide, waiter in a restaurant or cafe.
The work of institutions. All institutions in Italy are open from 8:30 to 13:30 and from 15:00 to 16:00. There are some options. Temples, cathedrals are open from morning to noon (morning service). Then they open at 14-00 and work until 19-00 (evening service).
Museums are open from 09:30 to 18:30 without a lunch break. During the tourist season, the working day is extended. Sunday is usually a day off. However, there are exceptions.
Venetian glass jewelry
Souvenir boutique in Venice
Familiarizing yourself with the rules tourists need to know departing on vacation in Italy, you can travel comfortably without conflicting with the laws of Italy.
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