Italy - Overview

Italy - it is one of the most amazing and attractive country for tourism. In Italy, holds about 60% of the cultural values ​​of Europe, almost every Italian city is a veritable outdoor museum. In addition to the countless cultural relics and ruins of ancient Roman civilization, the country has tremendous natural resources. This is - white slopes of the Alps, fragrant vegetation numerous parks and gardens, beautiful beaches and enchanting lakes.

Oceanside Italy extends 7500 km and a population of about 5,000-equipped beaches, marinas and 40,000 berths for yachts and ships, as well as a huge number of hotels of various categories and restaurants.

Climate
The climate in Italy is typically Mediterranean. Alps cover from the cold winds and ocean currents carry moisture. Precipitation is a little bit. The hottest months - July and August, the average summer temperature is +28  C. Winter is rather mild. The average winter temperature is +10  C

Entry. Customs regulations

the flag of Italy

Persons aged over 17 years arriving from countries outside the EU customs zone is allowed duty free import of 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, up to 1 liter of liquor (alcohol content over 22%) or up to 2 liters dessert wines and liqueurs (alcohol content less than 22%) of table wine - up to 2 liters, less than 500 grams of coffee (for persons over 15 years) and 100 grams of tea, 50 ml of perfume and 250ml eau de toilette, as well as goods personal use and gifts at the rate of up to 175 euros for one adult and up to 90 euro - per child under the age of 15 years. The import and export of local and foreign currency are no limits. You can freely take up to 10 thousand euros or the equivalent in other currencies.

Currency and tips
From January 2002, Italy has completely passed on European currency - euro. In the wide use are credit cards and travelers checks. Cheques are accepted in various currencies.

Tipping. In some restaurants a tip of 10% -15% is automatically included in the account (servizio - service), in others it is not accepted. Carefully browse through. If the cost of service is not included, leave a 06.01 euros, depending on the level of service and total. In the taxi to be rounded up to the whole amount of euros or add a couple of euros, if the driver has had a service you need. Also expect to tip a porter in hotels, porters at airports and train stations.

Transport

Metro.  In major Italian cities (Rome, Milan, Naples) there is a subway (Metropolitana). They are convenient to use when traveling long distances. Tickets are sold in vending machines at each station and are valid over an hour, there are also one day tickets that allow you to use all modes of public transport.
Bus routes. Tickets are sold at newspaper and tobacco shops, bars. Coupon must be validated at the bus stop or in the cabin, after which it is valid for one hour.
Water transport. Major cities along the Amalfi Coast ferries ply. This type of transport often turns out to be faster than the bus. The only means of public transport in Venice - river buses (vaporetto). The most scenic route number 1 - the Grand Canal. Also are popular river taxi, and of course the gondola.

Taxi. Taxi (yellow car with a sign servizio pubblico) expensive. In addition, margins are taken (25%) over night trip (from 22:00 to 7:00), luggage, holiday trips (30%), as well as for travel on Sundays and holidays. Taxi advisable to order by phone or by using the nearest parking lot.
Car hire. In Italy, expensive to rent a car. If you take a rental car, make sure its good and there is insurance in case of accident. You must have international driving license and credit cards. The greater the rental period, the lower the daily cost.

Phone
To pay for telephone calls using coins or phone cards that are sold in bars, coffee and tobacco kiosks.  After 20:30 tariffs are much lower. In Italy, all telephone calls are paid, including the city. Call off the street is cheaper than the hotel.

Timetable for banks and shops
Banks. Advantageous to change money at banks, they are open seven days a week (except weekends and public holidays) until 12:00. On the streets of sufficient cash machines and no problems with credit cards. The most unfavorable exchange - in hotels.

Shops.
Usually work from 8:30 or 9:00 to 18:00 or 20:00. Lunch breaks are long enough. As a rule, from 13:00 to 15:00 in summer and 16:00.

Kitchen
Italian cuisine is very diverse. Must try to rasp Venetian shrimp, «carpaccio», Roman veal roast, Milanese 'risotto'. The most popular is "paste" - it's spaghetti, lasagne, pasta, etc. They served countless sauces. Worth a try real Italian pizza. Italians have no equal in the manufacture of ice cream and coffee.
In many places you can offer a tourist menu at a fixed price, but the choice of dishes at the same time is very limited.