Italy

Rome, Florence and Venice have played decisive roles in world history and are objects of wonder, interest and admiration. Stroll through hill towns in Tuscany, travel to remote villages, and bask in breathtaking sights along the Amalfi Coast. Italy is a cultural experience. Adventure World offer a range of options from cycling & walking tours to luxury escorted tours, and cruising holidays to self drives in this historic country.

Italy

Useful Information for Italy

More Highlights

Milan

A sprawling city, with the Piazza del Duomo as the focal point, is a good place to start exploring the surrounding areas. Points of interest include the world’s fourth largest church, the Duomo (a late-Gothic wonder ); Piazza della Scala; the Opera House; and Cenacolo Vinciano (home to Leonardo da Vinci’s masterful mural depicting the Last Supper). Milan rivals Paris as the world’s design capital.

The Lakes

Located in northern Italy, the lakes are a favourite holiday mecca for Italians and travellers. Lago Maggiore, the largest of the lakes is stunning and is approximately 65km long. Lago di Como, has a number of waterside villages scattered around the lake, that are only accessed by boat. The city of Como is known for its antique market on Sundays. Lago di Garda lies between the Alps and Po valley, and is good base for walking in the nearby Alps.

Siena

Siena is a beautiful bustling city located around a medieval centre and Gothic buildings. The main square (Piazza del Campo) is the ideal place to people watch. The city is home to numerous churches and small museums. Siena is a great base to explore the surrounding countryside, and the medieval towns of San Gimignano and Volterra.

Assisi

The hometown of St Francis attracts tourists from around the world, who come to visit the pink and white marble building of Monte Subasio.

Pompeii

The eruption of Mt Vesuvius, buried Pompeii in 79 AD. The Ruins encompass numerous buildings and see the body casts which were formed by hollows left in the hardened tufa by decayed corpses, depicting resident’s final moments. Pompeii is best visited as a day trip by train ex Naples or Sorrento.

Sicily

The largest island in the Mediterranean. Beaches, citrus groves, rolling hills and mountains dominate the island. Summer is hot and winters mild. Best time to visit is spring and autumn. Europe’s largest live volcano and the worlds most active is Mt Etna at 3350m and eruptions occur frequently.

Country Dialling Code:
+ 39
When to Go:
April to June and Sep/Oct are the best time to visit Italy as it is low season and weather is fine. Jun to Sep for the beaches. Avoid late Jul/Aug as high season and hot. Jul & Sep best time to hike in the Alps.
Capital:
Rome
Official Language:
Italian
Religion:
Catholic
Population:
58.3 million
Government:
Parliamentary Republic
Currency:
Euro (€)
Electricity:
220V, 50Hz. Two or three round pins, but plugs can vary in size. Adaptor recommended.
Tipping:
Restaurants put a cover charge on the bill, so tipping is not necessary. If no cover charge, then 10% of the bill as a tip is polite or leave some small change.
Bargaining:
Is common in markets, but not in shops.
Credit cards:
Major credit cards are accepted throughout Italy.
Geography:
Italy is one of the most recognisable countries in the world, due to its ‘boot shape’. Surrounded by four seas - the Adriatic, Ionian, Ligurian & Tyrrhenian seas. 75% of the country is mountainous and has three active volcanoes.
Gateway Airport:
Rome
Train:
The easiest way to get around the country, excellent network.