Travel Italy • Europe | She is Wanderlust Travel Blog

Located in the south-central Europe, Italy is a country like no other. The country boast incredible history and culture, with landmarks on every corner, incredible museums, beautiful natural scenery and one of the best cuisines I have tried in my life. Let’s uncover what makes Italy unique and the reasons to visit it.

Why Visit Italy

HISTORY & ART

Italy is home to more than half of the European cultural heritage. In antiquity, Italy was the homeland of the Romans and the metropole of the Roman Empire, a civilization that shaped the western world. The country was also home to a long list of famous artists, architects and inventors, the main centre of artistic developments throughout the Renaissance.

DRAMATIC LANDSCAPES

Italy is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. There is a contrast between its snow-capped peaks, its reefs and cliffs, the vineyards and the emerald waters of its coastline. It also has volcans!

GASTRONOMY

We all know italian food, but I promise you there is nothing like trying in its homeland. The country is filled with gastronomic delights, from high end to small family owned restaurants, all of them will offer mouth watering flavors you won’t forget. Let’s not forget Italian wines as well!

CITIES & LANDMARKS

Italy has some of the most culturally interesting and picturesque cities there are, with landmarks and ruins everywhere. Starting with cultural metropolis like Rome, Florence and Venice to picturesque villages like Capri and Positano, offering something for everybody.

Why Visit Italy

HISTORY & ART

DRAMATIC LANDSCAPES

GASTRONOMY

CITIES & LANDMARKS

Name: Italian Republic
Capital: Rome
Official Languages: Italian
Currency: Euro
Time Zone: UTC+1:00

Name: Italian Republic
Capital: Rome
Official Languages: Italian
Currency: Euro
Time Zone: UTC+1:00

Bucket List

What to expect

LANGUAGE

The official and most widely spoken language across the country is Italian. However, around 29 percent of the population speaks English, specially in big cities or touristic places. It will come in handy to learn a few words in Italian.

ELECTRICITY

In Italy the standard voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. That’s the standard voltage in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa; If you are traveling from the US you will need an adaptor.

CURRENCY

As part of the European Union, Euro is the official currency in Italy. 1 USD equals 0.92 euros (as of 2020). Foreign currencies are only accepted in touristic places. You can still exchange any other currency in any bank or withdraw the money directly from the ATM. Credit cards are widely accepted as well.

CLIMATE

Italy has a seasonal climate, with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The best time to visit would be in spring (from March to May) or autumn (from September to November) when temperatures are not extreme.

SAFETY

Italy is safe overall. Violent crime is rare. As in any other destination, you are encouraged to take security precautions to avoid any possible problems like scamming, petty crime and pickpocketing, especially in the big cities. Tourists are not likely to have any incidents involving anything more than petty crime.

Visa Policy

Nationals of the following countries do not need a visa to enter Italy for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period:

Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macao, Macedonia, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Taiwan, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, USA, Uruguay and Vanuatu.

Citizens from all other countries (except, of course, european citizens) need to request a visa in advance through the embassy.

The European Union has announced that from 2022 ETIAS will be required for travel to Italy from visa waiver countries. For more information, you can check from here

How to get around

By plane

Flying domestic in Italy is a good option if you short of time or you are flying to one of the islands – covering long distances. Italy has 77 airports serving the majority of big cities and some of the islands and smaller towns. Although flying is the most expensive way of getting around, there are also a number budget carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet that will help your wallet.

By Train

Italy has an extensive train network. The national train company is online at Trenitalia.com, where you can look up schedules and purchase tickets. It is a pretty good way of getting around while enjoying the view. However, tickets can become expensive depending on your destination / type of train.

By Car

Renting a car makes sense if you are visiting more than one or two cities and if/or you are going to explore the countryside (which is recommended and encouraged). Renting your own car will allow you to travel freely, however, is not precisely cheap if you some the rental + parking and gas expenses. All the major rental brands can be found in major cities and airports.

By Bus

The bus network in Italy is quite extensive, particularly useful for remote or mountainous towns. It is also the most affordable way of getting around.

By Vespa

There is something romantic about exploring Italy on an italian scooter. The ultimate italian experience. There are many local companies who will rent Vespas, it varies from city to city so I would recommend to do a quick search before traveling.

By Boat

With more than 4,000 miles of coastline and 450 islands, boat travel might be required, as it is a popular alternative to flying. Overnight ferries are offered if you are visiting Sardinia or Sicily. There are also smaller ferries covering other routes.