How to Travel to Beautiful Italy

Confession: Italy is my favorite country to visit in the world. I absolutely love planning travel for my valued clients to go to Italy & see the places I love. Today I’m bringing you some basic facts, tips, a sample itinerary, and more to get you thinking about your Bucket List trip to Italia!

Why Italy?

First, a few thoughts on why Italy is such a popular travel destination:

• Italy has a rich history and culture. It is home to some of the world’s most famous landmarks, including the Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the Vatican City.
• Italy is known for its delicious food and wine. From pizza and pasta to gelato and espresso, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
• Italy has a diverse landscape, from the Alps to the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea. There is something for everyone to enjoy, whether you are looking for an active vacation or a relaxing one.
• Italy is a relatively affordable country to visit. With careful planning (that’s where I come in!), you can have a wonderful vacation without breaking the bank.

Basic Facts

GETTING THERE: The easiest ways to get to Italy is by air or cruise ship port of call. The preferred airport will depend on the region you visit. The top international airports include:

• Rome Airport Fiumicino (FCO)
• Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
• Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
• Florence Airport (FLR)
• Naples Airport (NAP)
• Bari Airport (BRI)

LANGUAGE: The official language in Italy is Italian. You will also hear German in some northern regions.

• Ciao – (chow) – serves as both “Hello” and “Goodbye”
• Grazie – (graht-see-eh) – “Thank you!”
• Per Favore – (pehr fah-vohr-ay) – “Please”

CLIMATE: Italy is in the temperate zone and is similar to a Mediterranean climate overall. The climate does vary across the country due to its size

and length with upward of seven main climatic zones, from Alpine Mountain climate to sub-tropic hot summers in the Po Valley. Overall, the average daytime temperatures in winter outside of the Alpine region are about 55ºF and about 85ºF in summer. High season is June to August with warm summer months and long sunny days.

MONEY/CURRENCY (CREDIT CARDS, DEBIT CARDS, TIPPING, ATMS): The main currency is the Euro (EUR) and credit and debit cards are also widely accepted. Tipping is appreciated in restaurants and with tour guides. Expect to tip up to 10% in restaurants, 1 EUR per bag with a porter, and round up a couple of Euros for a taxi driver.

ELECTRICITY: Italy uses three types of European plugs, C F, and L. The voltage is 230 or 220 volts and 50Hz.

Italy Tours & Excursions

1. See the Roman Colosseum
2. Visit the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City
3. Take a gondola ride through the canals of Venice
4. Tour the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Cathedral After Dark
5. See Michelangelo’s David statue in Florence
6. Take a Cooking Class in Tuscany
7. Visit the Royal Palace of Caserta in Naples
8. Explore the cliffside towns of Amalfi Coast

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5 Italy Fast Facts

1. Italy is divided into 20 historical regions, but most people think of the county in four main parts of north, south, east and west.

2. The capital city of Rome was founded in 753BC.

3. It is believed that pizza was invented in Naples around the year 1860.

4. Vatican City is the world’s smallest country and the only country within a city.

5. The Italian Flag uses three colors to represent the country’s three virtues: hope (green), faith (white), and charity (red).

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5 Things to Pack to Travel to Italy

1. Sunglasses and sunblock.

2. Comfortable walking shoes. You will do a lot of walking throughout Italy.

3. Light and comfortable clothes that are great for lots of walking but is acceptable for entrance to famous churches. Remember that churches will require your knees and shoulders to be covered.

4. A dressy outfit for dinner. Italy has many wonderful Michelin star restaurants worth getting dressed up to experience.

5. Day bag/backpack. A light wearable bag is great to hold your water bottle and camera but with room for the souvenirs you know you will buy.

**When I book your trip to Italy, I’ll provide a suggested packing list to help you prepare for your trip!

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Sample Itinerary for your Travel to Italy

The different regions of Italy offer much art, culture, and architecture to experience but are spread out enough that you will need to decide on a general area of the country to visit. You can experience a great first trip to Italy with a focus on the major cities in the northern half of the country.

I enjoy the popular cities of Rome, Florence and Venice, but I also really love getting off the beaten bath and exploring the regions of Umbria (especially Assisi) and Tuscany. I can’t go through Tuscany without spending time in Greve in Chianti – especially a visit to Vignamaggio! And of course I have my favorite properties to stay at while I’m visiting!

Here is an example of a recent trip I created for a client, based on their specific needs and preferences.

If you are looking for a truly unforgettable travel experience, Italy is the perfect destination for you. With its rich history and culture, delicious food and wine, and stunning scenery, Italy is truly a Bucket List topper. Most importantly, relax and enjoy your time in Italy – It is a truly magical country with something to offer everyone.

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Kimberly Brownlee is your Kansas City area Travel Agent specializing in European Travel.

Call or Text to get started: 816.866.8883

Email: Kimberly@NextAdventureVacations.com

Start Planning Now!

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