Capital: Rome
Population:  60.8 million
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Languages: Italian
Drives on the: Right
Time zone: CET (UTC +1)

Immunizations are not currently required for travel to Italy.  Please consult your doctor regarding any concerns or recommendations prior to departure. 

Center for Disease Control
World Health Organization

Italy generally enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with dry, hot summers and wet, windy, and cool winters. However, the weather varies depending on the region. In cities such as Rome and Milan, the temperature ranges from the low 30s in the winter to the mid-70s to 80s in the summer. In coastal cities such as Venice, the temperature is slightly cooler than the mainland, but still pleasant. July and August are ideal times to swim in the warm waters of the Adriatic Sea. In Sorrento, the average high is in the 70s and the low is in the 60s. Evening temperatures will be about 10-15 degrees cooler.

Clothing style in Italy is smart, fashionable, and casual and appearance is important. Jeans are very popular, especially when paired with nice (but comfortable) shoes. Bring a nice outfit to wear for special evenings. At religious sites, dress modestly. Shorts and sleeveless tops are considered inappropriate, and arms and legs should be covered. If you have two pairs of comfortable (broken in, not brand new) walking shoes, take both pairs. These will come in handy when walking along uneven sidewalks and cobbled streets. Packing to dress in layers is another way to prepare for a variety of weather conditions. Finally, remember that comfort and convenience should dictate your wardrobe for the tour, and casual clothes are the rule for most occasions as you travel.

The local currency is the Euro. Hotels and many shops do accept credit cards. While Visa and Mastercard are most accepted, some establishments also accept AMEX and Discover. If possible, use a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. Be sure to call your credit card providers to let them know you will be traveling abroad, the places you’ll be visiting, and the dates of your trip. This is important for your own protection. Some very small shops souvenir places will accept cash only in local currency. Your hotels will generally exchange your cash for local currency, and you’ll find ATM machines where you can get additional cash as needed. Traveler’s checks are not accepted.

Credit cards are the most convenient way to pay for items you purchase as you travel. Be sure to call your credit card providers to let them know you will be traveling abroad, the places you’ll be visiting, and the dates of your trip. This is important for your own protection.

Always notify your bank prior to departure to avoid any problems using your credit or debit card while traveling.

You will certainly have time for shopping, and Italy offers a great variety of goods to satisfy different tastes and price ranges. 

A good rule of thumb when shopping abroad is to choose items that you love and that will remind you of the destination. If you want to shop for high value items, unless they are very specific to the destination, better do so from a trusted merchant at home unless the pleasure of the happy memory of your trip will keep you from regretting your purchase.

While we take great care in arranging the components of your tour, we have no relationship with the shopping venues you’ll encounter, and we cannot be liable for any purchases you make. Your guides may have some favorite shopping places, where the vendors are known, provide good quality merchandise and probably pay some a commission from sales to the guide. This should not surprise or offend you. This is how business is done throughout the world. Please keep in mind that many, if not most stores outside the U.S. will not allow exchanges or refunds for your purchased items. You, as the buyer, assume the full risk in the purchases you make.

Como: silks
Spoleto, Rome: truffles
Florence, Rome, Milan: leather goods
Venice, Murano: glass
Vatican City: postage stamps and religious items

You will certainly have time for shopping, and the countries on this tour offer a great variety of goods to satisfy different tastes and price ranges. It is always a good idea to comparison-shop, and exercise the “buyer-beware” rule, just as you do at home. Be sure to inspect the merchandise before you leave the store. Most stores will not allow you to return or exchange purchased items.

230 volts. Plugs C, F & L. You will need a voltage converter and plug adapter in order to use U.S. appliances. We recommend getting a universal adapter and converter kit.

Want to take your cell phone, tablet or laptop, but not sure how to get cell service or wifi? Read up on using your cell phone abroad and the top 5 ways to get Internet abroad.

Cameras and video recorders are allowed almost everywhere in the countries visited on this tour, and in fact, you will want to take plenty of pictures of the magnificent panoramas you’ll encounter as you travel. Photography is generally permitted everywhere except at airports and military installations. Memory cards for digital cameras will also be readily available, especially in major cities.

• Italy is the fifth most-visited country in the world, welcoming around 46 million  tourists per year, and it’s also the fifth most-populous European country.
• There are over 140 types of pastas in Italy! Some of these pastas are only native to specific regions of the country.
• The colors of the Italian flag (green, white, and red) have special meaning; Green represents hope, white represents faith, and red signals charity.
• Europe’s three active volcanoes, Etna, Stromboli, and Vesuvius are all located in Italy.
• Italy is home to the world’s oldest university, the University of Bologna founded in 1088.
• Fashion is a staple in Italy, with some of the world’s most sought after designers, including Armani, Versace, and Prada, all originating from Italy.
• Italians consume over 45 bottles of wine per year, per capita.