Italy is a country located in Europe with name that begins with letter I. At the latest since the economic and cultural achievements of the Renaissance, Italy can be considered one of the germ cells of modernity. And at least since Goethe’s “Italian Journey”, the country on the Apennine Peninsula has been one of the places of longing for German-speaking vacationers.
Italy stretches over 1,000 kilometers from the Alps in the north to the Ionian Sea in the south. From the largest Mediterranean island of Sicily, it is closer to the African coast than to the capital Rome, where almost 3 million of the 60 million Italians live. Milan, Naples and Turin are the other major cities in Italy. Check Countryaah to find more countries that begin with letter I.
Entry
Italy is part of the Schengen area. Citizens of other Schengen states such as Switzerland and many EU countries only need a passport or identity card to enter the country.
Climate
“Do you know the country where the lemons bloom?” Goethe’s Mignon longed for the mild Italian climate. While the north is under the influence of the Alpine arc – with the summers being milder here than in the inner-Alpine regions – the Mediterranean climate unfolds towards the south and on the islands of Sardinia and Sicily with mild winters and long, hot, dry summers.
Food and drink
Italy is synonymous with good food. Whether pasta, pizza or fish and seafood: Italian cuisine is considered one of the best in the world. A multitude of regional traditions have produced an equally large number of famous specialties: from parmesan to mozzarella and mortadella to tiramisu. Viticulture also has a millennia-old tradition in Italy. In addition to red wine, coffee became another national drink in the 17th century.
Tap water is not drinkable everywhere in Italy. Especially in the coastal regions and to the south it is advisable to buy bottled water.
Health
No special vaccinations are required for Italy. The health system is considered to be very good. However, it is recommended to bring your own pharmacy with you to your own pharmacy.
Cultural characteristics
Mamma mia, where do you start? – First of all, maybe: If you quietly attend a conversation, as you are used to at home, you will be considered disinterested in no time, whether you like it or not. Because in Italy people don’t just talk with their mouths, but also with their hands. Second, if you don’t want their noses turned up at you, then take some care of your clothes. Shabby chic is great when furnishing a Tuscan country house, but it doesn’t apply in fashion, and certainly not in Italy. Furthermore: Mama and the church are holy. Everything else is not so accurate.
Security
In general, it is advisable to only carry as much money with you as necessary and to keep the rest in a safe place, for example in the hotel safe. In Naples you have to pay special attention to valuable watches and jewelry. In general, it is important not to leave any (supposedly) valuable objects visible in the car. Guarded parking spaces should be chosen for parking.
Special provisions
In many places it is possible to buy almost genuine branded products at sensationally low prices. By buying counterfeit goods from Gucci, Prada et al, you are making yourself liable to prosecution (while the hawker usually gets away with it).
Climate and travel time
While the north is under the influence of the Alpine arc – with the summers being milder here than in the inner-Alpine regions – the Mediterranean climate unfolds towards the south and on the islands of Sardinia and Sicily with mild and humid winters and long, hot and dry summers.
In general, the months of April, May, September and October are most suitable for hiking trips.
All about money
The legal tender is the euro (EUR)
Money
You can easily withdraw money and pay by card anywhere. Pay attention to the international fees that may be due on your card.
Other essential information
Time difference
In Italy, CET (Central European Time) is the same as in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. There is also a winter and summer time. Therefore, for guests from German-speaking countries, Italy is the same time as home.
Electrical current
The voltage in Italy is 220 volts. The sockets are the same as ours, you don’t need a travel plug.
