Italy - Info & Facts

Suggested length of stay

The suggested length of stay in Italy for a holiday would depend on your interests and itinerary. If you want to explore the major cities such as Rome, Florence, and Venice, a week to ten days would be ideal. However, if you also want to visit the countryside, beaches, and smaller towns, you may need to add a few more days to your itinerary. Ultimately, the length of your stay in Italy would depend on your preferences and budget.

Modes of transport

Roads
Driving in Italy can be quite challenging, especially for those who are not used to the local road conditions and driving habits. Italian roads can be narrow, winding, and congested, and drivers tend to be quite aggressive and impatient. It is important to exercise caution and vigilance when driving in Italy, particularly in major cities such as Rome and Naples where traffic can be extremely chaotic.
In addition, Italian drivers are known for their tendency to ignore traffic rules and regulations, such as speed limits and traffic signals. As a result, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and to exercise defensive driving techniques. Suppose you plan to rent a car in Italy. In that case, it is also important to note that parking can be quite challenging in many areas, and that traffic congestion and limited parking options in major cities can make driving a less convenient option than public transportation or taxis.

Rail
Italy has an extensive rail network that covers most of the country and provides convenient and affordable transportation options for both locals and tourists. The Italian rail system is operated by Trenitalia, the national railway company, and offers a range of services, from high-speed trains to regional and local trains.

Ferry
Ferry services are available in Italy and provide an alternative way to travel between different regions and islands, as well as to neighboring countries such as Greece, Croatia, and Spain. The most popular ferry routes in Italy are between the mainland and the islands of Sicily, Sardinia, and Elba.

Air
Domestic flights are available in Italy and provide a convenient and time-efficient way to travel between different regions of the country. The major airlines operating domestic flights in Italy include Alitalia, Ryanair, EasyJet, and Vueling, among others. The major airports in Italy include Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa, Venice Marco Polo, Naples Capodichino, and Catania Fontanarossa, among others. These airports provide connections to many domestic and international destinations, and are serviced by a range of airlines.

Food

Italian cuisine is known for its simple yet flavorful dishes and fresh, high-quality ingredients. It is characterised by its use of fresh herbs, olive oil, tomatoes, garlic, and cheese, among other ingredients, and is often divided into different regional styles. Some of the most popular Italian dishes include pasta dishes, pizza, and risotto. Italian cuisine is also known for its cured meats, cheeses, and seafood dishes. Additionally, you can find international cuisine in Italy, and Italian cuisine features a variety of desserts.

Drinking water

Italy’s tap water is safe to drink.

Visas

Italy is a part of the Schengen area. This allows you to enter without a visa in some cases.

Money

Italy’s currency is the euro.

Inoculations & health precautions

Health risks in Italy are broadly similar to those in Australia.

Embassy Contacts for Italy

Australian Embassy Rome
Via Antonio Bosio 5
00161 Rome, Italy
Phone: (+39 06) 85 2721
Fax: (+39 06) 85 272 300
Email: consular-rome@dfat.gov.au

Electricity

In Italy, the power plug sockets are of type C and F. The standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz.

Getting there

The best way to get to Italy from Australia would be by air travel. There are no direct flights from Australia to Italy, so you would need to take a connecting flight from a nearby hub such as Singapore, Dubai, or Doha.

Time Zone

Central European Summer Time UTC+2