This information has been compiled for your reference in good faith but please use this only as a general guide. We advise you to check with relevant authorities with regard to the latest requirement for passport, visa, travel advisory, entry restrictions, health requirements, local currency etc as these are subjected to change with without prior notice and our information given below may not be as updated.

Best time to go:Italy is a destination that offers a fabulous holiday at any time of the year. It is generally accepted that the best time to visit is April to June and September to October when the weather is comfortable and the attractions are not over crowded. July and August can be hot and humid and is also Europe’s peak season with airfares and hotel rates at their highest

Rome has been called the Eternal City for centuries because the Romans believed that the city would go on forever.

Visa: New Zealand Citizens holders of a valid New Zealand passport entering Italy or any or all of the Schengen countries as tourists for a stay of no more than 90 days are not required to obtain a visa. EU is about to implement ETIAS in near future, that will be required before your travel to EU.

Over 50 million tourists a year visit Italy. Tourism is vital to Italy’s economy and provides nearly 63% of Italy’s national income.

Currency: Italy has been using the euro currency since the beginning of 2002. Euro bank notes consists of seven different denominations: €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500.Euro coin: consists of eight different denominations: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent, €1 and €2. The euro coins have a common side and a national side. The national side shows the issuing country. The common sides of the coins were designed by Mr Luc Luycx of the Royal Belgian Mint.You can use any euro banknote/coin anywhere in the euro area.ATMs can be found in large towns especially in all the tourist areas. If you’ve got MasterCard or Visa/Access, there are plenty of places to withdraw money. You can use your credit card to pay for all kinds of services in Italy, from cafés to hotels, small shops, museums, taxis and even local markets.All businesses are required by law to accept card payments, even for small amounts or just for a coffee. You will usually find a series of stickers on the door indicating which credit card networks the business accepts. Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Maestro are usually accepted everywhere. Apple Pay and Satispay are also popular.

Every year tourists throw approximately 1.1 million Euros into the Trevi Fountain in Rome.

Health: Italy does not have any particular health risks. Non-EU nationals are advised to purchase medical insurance. Many medications that can only be acquired by prescription in New Zealand can be purchased without prescription in Italy but they may have different trade names, so either the generic name is required to purchase the medicines or the best option is to carry your own medication. It is recommended that you have all the current vaccinations available in New Zealand..

Italy is the world’s largest producer of wine while US is the largest consumer.

Food and drinks: Italian cuisine is known to be one of the most popular cuisines in the world and much of traditional Italian life is centred on preparing and eating food. Known for its simplicity and quality ingredients, Italian food is rich in diversity and style. Cheese, fish, pasta, vegetables and meat all play key roles and ingredients can vary depending on the region you are visiting. Wine is normally served alongside your meal and dishes are mostly served in courses. Tap water is usually drinkable and in many places very good, although its quality depends on the region

From Cappelletti to Cavatelli, there are over 140 types of pastas

Safety & security:  Italy is generally a safe destination for the traveller: the vast majority of people you interact with will be honest and helpful. Travellers are advised to take usual sensible precautions – locking cars and hotel rooms, not leaving valuables unattended. Please use the safe deposit box in your hotel room or reception to keep your money or valuables in, including your passport. While Italy has long being associated with Mob gangs, crime and extortion, these activities are an internal issue and are unlikely to involve tourists or visitors to the country

In central Italy, there is a fountain that flows red wine 24-hours a day. It is free to everyone.

Clothing: Italians are known for their impeccable style and fashion sense so you can expect a high standard of presentation in general every day wear. Attractive informal wear is also common when exercising or at the beach. Italy is a Christian country however so we recommend you dress appropriately when visiting religious places

Some of the world’s top fashion brands such as Armani, Versace and Prada hail from Italy

Language: Italian is the national official language spoken by the majority of the population, however there are a number of regional dialects. English is widely spoken however we suggest learning a few simple phrases and make an effort to communicate in Italian first. German and French are also commonly spoken.

Musical notations are always in Italian.

Gratuities: Tip in Italy if you have enjoyed the food and service or the waiter has been friendly. 10% is sufficient and should be given to the waiter or left on the table. Tip taxi drivers or hotel staff that have been helpful. Public WC staff will expect between 50 cents to 1 euro.Private driver €5 pick-up/drop-off; 10% full day; Give € at end of service; Tour Guide €5-10 per person; Porter €1/bag or €5 flat tip;Concierge €5-10; Give € to concierge on departure.
Venice Island was built on a foundation of tree trunks. About 1200 years later those same trunks still support almost all of central Venice.

The colors of the Italian flag-green, white and red have special meaning. Green represents hope, white represents faith and red signals charity

Internet: Internet facilities are available at almost all places. Most hotels have it and internet cafes are commonly found in all major cities and tourist places

Italy is home to the world’s oldest university, The University of Bologna founded in 1088.

Telephone: Italy has a dialling code of +39 from New Zealand. Telephone numbers of Hotels arranged by us will be supplied to you in your itinerary .While calling New Zealand from Italy, you will need to dial +64 and then the number you require. Pre-paid calling cards are sold in many shops and kiosks. If you want to call internationally, ask for an international calling card.

Vatican City in Rome is the smallest country in the world and is led by the Pope himself.

Time Difference: Italy is 9 hours behind New Zealand from April to September and 10 hours from October to March.

There is bronze statue of Jesus Christ submerged in the Mediterranean Sea off San Fruttuso.

Photography: Normally it is forbidden to take photos of military installations and government buildings or airports. Many museums and churches prohibit photography; some prohibit only flash or tripod photography. It is forbidden to use photography in the Sistine Chapel and in the Academia – where the Statue of David stands

Italy is said to have more masterpieces per square mile than any other country in the world.
Electricity: 

The standard electric current in Italy is 220V (50Hz) alternating current; round two- or three- pin plugs are standard. Appliances from North America require a transformer while travellers from New Zealand require an adaptor.

There are two independent states within Italy: The Republic of San Marino and the Vatican City.

Rome

Steeped in historic significance, Rome offers a plethora of archaeological sites and artistic treasures. From the Colosseum and Ancient City to the modern Vatican Museum, along with the many churches, fountains, palaces and piazzas, Rome is a bustling metropolis rich in historical and cultural importance. Contemporary art galleries, shopping and entertainment complete Rome as an iconic yet modern city to visit with something on offer for everyone.

Venice

Known as the ‘City of Water’ Venice is made up of 118 islands divided by canals and linked together by bridges. As one of Europe’s most popular attractions, it is estimated that on average 50,000 people visit on a daily basis. With local attractions including St Marks Basilica, the Grand Canal and Piazza San Marco, Venice offers plenty of history, architecture and art to keep you busy. Enjoy a relaxing gondola boat trip along the canals or sip a coffee and watch the world go by.

Florence

Florence, the capital of the Tuscan region, has an abundant collection of some of the world’s most famous art and sculptures. With the Uffizi and Accademia Galleries housing large collections of art from the Renaissance period and the Statue of David, alongside its rich cultural and historic background, Florence is one of the most visited cities in Europe. Learn about the reign of the Medici family, visit the sights, take a cooking class or stroll around this accessible city to take in all Florence has to offer.

Milan

Located in the more affluent north of Italy, Milan is an economic hub renowned for its love of fashion, design and architecture. Art galleries and museums are plentiful and La Scala is considered one of the world’s most prestigious opera houses in the world

Naples

Naples is the capital city of the Campania region of southern Italy. It was once the centre of Greek commerce. It explains the nearby remains of the port of Paestum, which the Greeks established in the 6th century B.C. as part of a major trade route. Naples has an ancient and complex history in which Greek, Roam, Angevin, Aragonese, Spanish, Bourbon and Napoleonic dynasties played great roles and hence glimpses of this history live on the Archaeological Museum located in Naples. It is a lively and vibrant city, full of wonderful historical and artistic treasures and narrow, winding streets with small shops, making it worth a visit.

Pompeii

Pompeii was one of the largest and most shining cities built during Roman era. Due to its large production and export of oil and wines,  it became a very rich city and tourist destination for the roman patricians. In 79 AD, Vesuvius, which no one knew was a volcano yet because it looked like a common mountain, destroyed the town with a violent eruption. It was then buried under meters of ash and pumice. The preserved site features excavated ruins of streets and houses that visitors can freely exlore.

Sorrento/ Amalfi Coast

Perched on the cliffs of the Sorrentine Peninsula, overlooking the Bay of Naples, Mt Vesuvius and the Isle of Capri, Sorrento is a popular tourist destination. Easily reached from Naples and Pompeii, Sorrento attracts many of the rich and famous, many of whom own luxury holiday homes here. The small town offers a relaxed atmosphere with options to explore the surrounding areas by boat or tour.

The Amalfi Drive links Sorrento to Amalfi via a narrow road carved into the high cliffs. Visit Positano, a quaint fishing town built in an enclave on the hill with a number of boutique shops and galleries. Amalfi is another popular tourist destination. In the centre of the town Saint Andrew’s Cathedral overlooks Piazza Duomo and many cafes and restaurants are perfectly positioned to enjoy the wonderful views on offer.