Italy is truly a gem in the Mediterranean Sea with its art and culture, beautiful landscapes and delicious food. You can go on tours in Italy and visit the most beautiful places each diverse in their way.
It is covered with nature and has a lot of culture to it, many tours in Italy are popular, most of which are related to monuments and art. For instance, in Rome, most tourists go to visit the Vatican, The Colosseum, the Spanish steps and many other historical places.
Visa
Maltese nationals and travellers in the EU do not need a visa when travelling to Italy
Travellers that are not from an EU country, will need to contact the embassy or consulate of that country to see if a visa is required
Time Zone
Central European Time- Same time as Malta, GMT + 1h
Best time to go on Tours in Italy
If you are going for sightseeing, the best time to travel to Italy is between April and May (other than Easter week), and also mid – September through mid – October. You can expect the most pleasant weather and there won’t be too many crowds
If you are going for beaches, beach season in Italy starts as early as May and can go until late September, depending on the weather during that time. July and August are the peak for the hottest months in Italy and are normally the busiest. August would be best to be avoided due to Ferro Agosto.
If you are going for skiing, the best time to visit Italy is roughly between late November to late April, however, this may vary depending on snowfall. Best time to go in recent years has been January and February.
If you are going for an adventure, the best time to go is in Spring between April to June as the weather is mostly nice with moderate temperatures and lower prices. It is also less crowded.
The average temperature all- year round in the Summer is normally 23 °C in the north, and sometimes reaching 26–28 °C in the south. In the winter the average temperature varies from 6 °C, in the northern areas, to 11–14 °C in the southern islands.
Vaccines
Those travellers from European Countries, do not need to take any vaccinations to travel to Italy.
For those travellers outside of Europe can check from this link and contact their doctor for more information as this will depend on the vaccinations already taken.
Currency
The currency in Italy is the Euro (€).
Food
Italy is known for its rich cuisine, with its vast delicious of must-eat foods. When travelling to Italy, you may want to indulge in all the best unique foods this country has to offer, whether you are going to Naples for their delicious Pizza or Rome for their Carbonara, each place in Italy offers a vast choice of their traditional food.
The most common foods you will find in Italy are pasta, pizza, bread, pastries, cheese platters, wine and much more.
Country Top things to do by interest
Nature
Italy is filled with natural wonders and scenic landscapes. Some of the most popular places to visit as well as the many tours in Italy specialised on nature and its beautiful landscapes, you can find Lago di Garda which is halfway between Brescia and Verona, and between Venice and Milan. This is the largest lake in Italy. Many tourists visit Lago di Garda as this place gives you a feel of the Mediterranean atmosphere and there is a relaxing walk along the northern shore of Lake Garda.
Mount Etna has the most spectacular views, in Sicily, it is one of the most popular places to visit. An active volcano which you can drive or walk around, it still gets very cold even in the summer. You can enjoy the outstanding view also from a cable car.
The Dolomites, located in the northeastern part of Italy, you can find here the famous mountains, most attractive ski areas and also great for hiking. It has the most beautiful landscapes with a perfect view to enjoy both greenery and mountains.
The Amalfi Coast is just a stunning place to visit, with its panoramic views and beautiful seas it is a must to visit if you are travelling to Naples, Italy and can easily get there by ferry.
Beaches, Swimming & Relaxing
You can find some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy. If you are interested in tours in Italy during the summer months then you definitely should consuder the below areas.
Amongst many tours in Italy, one of the most popular beaches to visit is on the Amalfi Coast, it has the most amazing pebbled stone beaches and has breathtaking views along the way
Marina Grande beach in Capri, is one of the biggest beaches in Capri, with its crystal – blue sea and just a great place to swim and relax. It is located just beside the island’s port
Sardinia is another popular destination to visit for its incredible beaches. La Pelosa is well-known for its bright blue sea and sandy beaches.
Rabbit island in Lampedusa, is a very long beautiful sandy beach and is a great place to walk and also swim in the sea.
In Taormina, Sicily, you can visit Isola Bella which is a great spot and is well-known for its beautiful plants and Crystal- blue waters. This beach has amazing views of the Ionian Sea.
Nature & trekking
The Dolomites, when it comes to trekking in Italy, is full of trails and amazing views of lakes, mountains, limestone peaks and pristine forests. Here you can enjoy, a short easy trek or for those who like it more challenging can take a multi-day trek. Whilst trekking you can explore the stunning surroundings, local culture and cuisine.
For those who already have mountaineering experience, the Selvaggio Blu hiking trail is recommended. This route consists of Italy’s wildest and isolated coastlines with cliffs, terrific gorges, vegetation and beautiful views of the Mediterranean
Lake Garda is another favourite trek for those who love trekking alongside lakes. This place offers fantastic hiking trails for mountain lovers in addition to small towns.
Sightseeing
One can’t be on any tours in Italy and not do sightseeing of their beautiful architecture.
Italy has so many beautiful sights to see. Some of the top places to visit for sightseeing are the Colosseum in Rome, built by the Roman Empire, many tourists come to visit each year as it is one the most famous monument in Rome.
Venice canals is another place one can visit. It is famous for its waterways and great sites for the best photos.
Other major attractions are Pompeii, leaning tower of Pisa, Lake Como, Amalfi Coast, Florence Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore, Cinque Terre, Vatican City, The Uffizi Gallery, St Mark’s Basilica, Pantheon, Roman Forum, Milan Duomo and Capri.
Shopping
In Sicily, some of the best shops are found for its different brands starting from the most reasonable to high fashioned brands.
For those who love some reasonably good quality clothing, you can visit the Piazza Carlo Alberto market in Catania. Here you will find all types of clothes from adults clothing to children’s clothing, a variety of handbags and shoes, accessories and jewellery.
There are also very popular shopping malls in Catania such as Porte di Catania and Outlet Village
In Rome, Italy you may find the most luxurious shops such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci and other high fashioned brands and these are located near the Spanish steps.
Other places in Italy which are popular for its shopping are Milan, Bari, Turin, Bologna, Florence and Naples.
Adrenaline
In Syracuse, Sicily, you can find the best adventures for those who love Adrenaline, where one may find here the most popular being skydiving and also quad bike adventures.
Paragliding is a great adrenaline activity one can do over Lake Garda.
Adventure X-Treme Adventure parks, which includes ziplining and Segway and is found in the Bolzano province of South Tyrol, has the most thrilling zip lining that will startle you.
Skiing in Italy is another fun and exciting adventure, some of the most popular places for skiing is in Livigno and Madonna di Campiglio
Local Living Experiences
Live at an agriturismo anywhere around the country where you can enjoy the traditional delicious home-cooked Italian food made from local ingredients and explore the beauty of the agriturismo and its outstanding views.
Culture
Italian culture has so much to give, with its art and culture, fashion, amazing food and music.
The official language in Italy is Italian. Family is extremely important in Italian culture. When meeting or leaving the Italians always wish each other ‘good day’ or ‘good evening’ and if there is an existing relationship they greet each other with a kiss on both cheeks.
Cuisine
Italian cuisine is very popular as it is based on freshly made homemade dishes. The most popular food in Italy is pasta, all kinds of meat, fish and cheeses and wine. You will find a selection of pasta and pizza at any restaurant in Italy and normally it is homemade.
Most common dishes you will find in Italy are pasta carbonara with Guanciale, pecorino cheese and eggs, pizza, lasagna, arancini and the best pastries and desserts such as ice cream and Tiramisu.
Children Theme Parks
Tours in Italy can be focused on including children’s activities if you are travelling with kids.
Etna land is an aqua park and theme park located close to Catania in Sicily. In this park, one can find roller coaster rides, water rides, children attractions and dinosaurs prehistoric park. It is an exciting park for both children and adults and you can enjoy the most thrilling, fun rides for all ages. The aqua park includes exciting water slides and family-friendly attractions and relaxation near the pools.
Gardaland is another fun amusement park for all ages. It is located close to Verona, Venice and Milan in the northeastern part of Italy. This park is full of exciting roller coasters for both young and old. Next to Gardaland park, you can also find Movieland Park and Caneva Aqua Park, water-themed park with different water slides, pools and restaurants.