Oh, Sunny Italy! For several centuries, is a favorite vacation spot for tourists from all over the world. What is so attractive vacation in Italy? The most accurate answer would be - the harmony of its surroundings. The atmosphere of quiet grandeur of ancient culture and rich heritage of antiquity, the serenity of classical beauty of landscapes, and perfect family traditions, the joyous merriment of childhood and the free spirit of youth. Everything here is thought out and easily, whether rich excursion program on antiquities, or beach holiday. In Italy, it seems, has everything: ancient cities and seaside resorts, and ski slopes of the Alps.
Holidays in Italy: the limit of bliss.
Holidays in Italy to the sea can be done at several resorts. For example, you can choose the best holiday in Italy - Rimini. This is the most popular resort in the Adriatic coast, concentrating Italian hospitality. In addition to wonderful beaches, the highest level, Rimini - a never-ending festival of colors of life. Original markets in the ancient streets, night festivals, theater nightly show at the old prospectuses annually to conquer the hearts of tens of thousands. It is a city with two thousand years of history offers a variety of tours, visiting the Triumphal Arch, the Temple of Malatesta, the Bridge of the Emperor Tiberius and other world-famous attractions. Another popular holiday resort, which is a multi-national scarf combines many traditions - Holidays in Calabria. Italy at this place is amazing - the endless beaches and mountain scenery with waterfalls, a combination of traditions of different peoples living together in peace and friendship for many centuries. Famous and island vacation in Italy. Sicily - fanned by the legends of the island, where civilization was born, there is a cool give citrus orchards, where the royal palace Palazzo dei Norman, there are golden beaches and the active volcano Mount Etna ... But, most important tourist destination and vacation in Italy - Rome - capital of the world. " This city is special, because for thousands of years of existence whatever government or religion stood at the head of the country - the city remained to concentrate their forces, the embodiment of power. One can endlessly list the great palaces, temples, plazas, theaters, and statues of Rome, but it is better to see them in person.
Holidays in Italy with children: Give your child a fairy tale.
Holidays in Italy with the children and convenient for both parents and child. Many hotels provide animators and educators in urban areas, but a rich cultural program, there are lots of attractions. And during the holidays sold a lot of suggestions in the direction of "resorts in Italy." Youth Sports in Italy developed and enjoys great popularity, which stand alone wedding tours with a well thought out program of the main romantic adventures of life.
How much is a holiday in Italy?High level of service - so you can describe in one word vacation in Italy, hotels, and generally all services. The most popular hotels in the country is Ambasciatori Palace 5 *, Grand Hotel 5 *, Imperial Grand Hotel Resort & SPA Principessa Sissi 4 *, Village Scoglio della Galea 4 *, Capotaormina 4 * and many others. How much is a holiday in Italy? - The price of tours depends on the coastal strip, the hotel's location with respect to the cultural center of the city, the planned route travels around the country, season and level of comfort in the home. A variety of tours and gives amazing flight of fancy: all sorts of excursions, beach, ski resorts, thermal spa and wellness resorts - virtually any purse! Significantly reduce the cost of holidays in Italy, you can save on the tour - rent a car and visit many wonderful places, how many have gone! More details about the tours can be found here: Tours in Italy. " This year the holiday fell in Italy, in 2011 prices are attractive to people with different needs. Fountains of Rome, just shine on the coins - as many want to come back! But what do people say? Read and be glad for the lucky ones can have on the site. Reviews of holiday in Italy is very diverse, but they retain a sense of: holidays in Italy - a fairy tale, which became the true story.
Country ProfileGeneral InformationOfficial country name: Italian RepublicCapital: Rome.On Italian territory are 2 state - the Vatican and San Marino.
Official language: Italian (Tuscan dialect).Italian belongs to the Romance group of Indo-European languages, it is rich in dialects, which often differ markedly from each other (Milan, Venice, Sicily, etc.). Accepted all the many dialects reduced to three major groups: Dialects of North, Central and Southern Italy. Most hotels also understand English and French, to explain to them can be in many tourist resorts (especially in restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops). On the northern Adriatic resort also understand German.
PopulationThe population is approximately 60 million people, most of them (over 97%) - Italians, French and live (about 100 thousand people in the north-western border), Greeks (about 50 thousand people in the south), as well as Spanish (about 20 thousand people in Sardinia) and the Albanians. Over 60% of the population lives in cities. Most populous region - Lombardy, Lazio, Sicily, Campania and Piedmont.
ReligionAbout 97% of the population profess Roman Catholicism. There are communities of Protestant and Jewish faith, as well as the increasing number of immigrants is growing Muslim layer.
PolityForm of government is parliamentary republic. Head of state - president, elected for 7 years at a joint session of the Parliament of Italy. Executive power and the government is headed by Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Italy.The country is divided into 20 regions, of which 5 - Sicily, Sardinia, Trentino-Alto Adige, Valle d'Aosta and Friuli-Venezia Giulia - have a special status.
LocationItaly is located in the south of Europe, the Mediterranean Sea. Occupies the Apennine Peninsula, Padanskuyu plain, the southern slopes of the Alps, Sicily, Sardinia and several small islands. Area of the state 310 thousand square meters. km length from north to south 1100 km.In the north-west border with France (border length - 488 km) north of Switzerland (740 km) and Austria (430 km) north-east of Slovenia (232 km). Also has internal borders with the Vatican (3,2 km) and San Marino (39 km). Third of the territory covered by mountains: the southern slopes of the Alps in the north, Padanskaya Plain and the Apennines on the peninsula. In Italy there are two active volcanoes - Vesuvius and Etna.
ClimateThe climate is quite diverse, it is connected with the length of Italy in longitude and lots of mountains. In the north, the climate transition from subtropical to temperate continental and subtropical Mediterranean in the central and southern regions. In the northern part of Italy's hot summer (in July from +22 C to +24 C) and wet winter (in January - about 0 C). On the peninsula and islands of the climate most of the year the sun is shining, summer is hot and dry, and warm winters mild. In the south of the peninsula from March to October, dry hot winds blow from the Sahara during this period, the temperature may rise to +35 C.
CurrencyItaly is one of the Schengen States, the country's official currency is the Euro (€), equal to 100 cents. In the back are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, and coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents and 1 € and 2 €.You can exchange money at banks, ATMs, exchange offices, airports and railway stations. Banks are open weekdays from 8:30 to 16:30, with a break from 13:30 to 15:00. The most beneficial change money at the airport or at exchange offices (the commission about 3-5%). In large cities, the commission for the exchange may reach 10-12%. If possible, it is better to exchange money in their home country before departure. Many hotels, restaurants and shops you can pay by credit card (Visa, American Express, Mastercard, Diner's Club and Carte Blanche). If the institution accepts payment cards, as a rule, have an announcement "Carta - si". Those planning to take a car, worth bearing in mind that payment is made only at the gas station cash.
VoltageAcross the country, 220 volts, using the European standard sockets.
Important informationCustoms regulationsOn Italian territory from countries outside the EU, you can enter:up to 100 small cigars, or up to 50 large cigars or 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco;up to 2 liters. wine or 1 liter. alcohol strength of more than 22%, or 2 liters. beverage strength to 22%, or 2 liters. sparkling wine;and 250 ml eau de toilette, to 50 ml of spirits;You can bring your camera and 2, a tape recorder, jewelry, sporting goods (2 pairs of skis, 2 tennis rackets, a surfboard, a bike, etc.) and so on, in the quantity necessary for personal use during a temporary stay.Import and export of local and foreign currencies are no restrictions. You can freely remove up to 10 thousand euros or the equivalent in other currencies. Export and import large amounts subject to mandatory declaration.The import and export of any drugs or narcotic drugs, firearms and ammunition, explosives, edged weapons, pornography, certain foods, plants and flowers from the soil, animals and birds, fur and leather products of rare animals, as well as haberdashery and souvenirs made from endangered plants and animals. It is also forbidden to import products containing meat or milk, including sausage, canned food, fat, and even chocolates. The ban does not apply to baby food and special preparations needed for people with certain chronic medical conditions (in this case the products must be packed carefully, and their weight must not exceed 2 kilograms).Export of antiques and art works only with the permission of the Ministry of Culture of Italy.
Useful informationPhoneYou can call on any pay phone (pay coins or cards). Cards are sold in post offices, bars, tobacco kiosks and newsstands. Easy to use call centers for Internet telephony, they can determine the set of cabins in the area. The cost of talking to Russia about 10 cents. You can call from the hotel, but the cost of such calls will be several times higher. Russian cellular operators provide roaming tariffs can ask your mobile operator. You can also buy a sim-card from a local Italian operator, for example Vodafon'a, Poste Mobile or WIND. SIM card costs around 10 - 15 euros, it is worth remembering that buying a local sim-card with your passport.Phone code of Italy - 39.To make calls to Russia should dial: 00 - 7 (code of Russia) - (area code) - (phone number).For calls to Italy, you should dial: 8 - 10 - 39 (code of Italy) - (area code) - phone number.Emergency numbers: Carabinieri - 112, Ambulance - 118 Fire brigade - 115.
TransportationIn Italy, a well-developed railway network, especially in the north, and the trains and service are among the finest in Europe. Train schedule, please visit the Italian railways, and to buy tickets at the ticket offices at railway stations or through agencies. For some types of trains need to buy a ticket for the specific date and time, because at the time of purchase are booking their seats. In the south, increasing popularity has ground transportation (buses, trams, etc.). In all regions of Italy have their own bus companies that service between cities. Tickets for buses and trams must be purchased in advance at tobacco and newsagents, as tickets are not sold in the salon. You can buy a coach ticket for 1 day (about 3-5 euros), which entitles you to ride any public transportation. In large cities such as Rome, Milan and Naples, is the subway. In Italy, a rather expensive taxi, there is a fixed fee for the inclusion of the counter. Rates at night than in daytime. Catch a taxi on the street can not be reached before the special parking or a taxi by phone to a particular place. Beware of "privateers" and unlicensed taxi drivers who often put up big bills to pay. Inter-island ferries or by means of air travel.
Car RentalHiring a car can anyone older than 25 years with international driving licenses and passports. Most offices also require a credit card or deposit. You can rent a car before departure to Italy via the Internet or specialized agency, in this case, the rent may be cheaper by about 10%.Stir in the Italian left-side, speed limits are similar to other European countries: 130 km / h on motorways and 110 km / h - on highways outside cities, 90 km / h - on secondary roads and 50 km / h - in human settlements. Many roads are paid, failure to pay tolls on them is punishable by considerable fines. Filling work during certain hours (from 7 am to 7 pm with a break during the day). Penalties for driving while intoxicated are very large, you could even end up in jail.
ShoppingItaly - Fashion legislator. Shopping here is not just a campaign for shopping, is a ritual. Endless variety of shops, ranging from the expensive boutiques and ending with a small souvenir shops. In Italy there are two periods of seasonal discounts and sales: from January 7 to March 1 and July 10 to August 31. Most stores are open Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 20 pm c with a 3-hour break at lunchtime. There are shops that open on Mondays only during the afternoon.As a souvenir from Italy can bring the Venetian masks, porcelain dolls and clowns, straw hats, products from Murano glass (glasses, jewelry, figurines, etc.), souvenirs with images of famous Italian sites and historical monuments and much more. As the gifts they bring and clothes by famous brands, furs, shoes, etc., whose prices in this country a pleasant surprise.Gonna make a lot of shopping, it makes sense to do them in stores with the logo TAX FREE. In this case, will be able to recover VAT at the airport upon presentation of a product with a price tag and check for its purchase.
Traditional cuisineWho has not tried the pasta, pizza or lasagna! These traditional Italian cuisine are known and loved around the world. For Italian cuisine characterized by a combination of vegetables, wine, seafood, olive oil, wine and herbs. In many traditional dishes based on a dough, pasta and meat or fish. For cooking chefs use many different spices and seasonings. Business card Italy - pasta, under this concept contains all the pasta, including a variety of fillings. With vegetables made feeding dish of dry and cooked sausages and ham, lamb in white wine with rosemary, tender veal shank, roast fillet of beef, as well as Parma ham. The most popular snack is "carpaccio - raw marinated meat. Another symbol of Italian cuisine is the mozzarella and its variants.
TipTipping is often already included in the bill, however, it is recommended to tip over the account. Tipping is customary to leave the waiters, chambermaids and porters at hotels, taxi drivers, hairdressers, etc. Maids and porters leave about 1-2 euros, taxi drivers leave on average 5-10%.
Precautionary measures
Valuables and documents should be left in a safe at the hotel. It is advisable to make photocopies of important documents (passports, tickets, etc.) and store them separately from the originals. Money and documents should be stored in different places. When the theft or loss of credit card, you must immediately call the bank and block the account. In crowded places (airports, railway stations, squares, etc.) keep an eye on your belongings, do not show in public the contents of purses, do not let things be deposited with strangers. In the case of theft or other unlawful acts against you, please contact the police.
Italians are very peace-loving nation, however, the risk is still not worth it, try not to walk at night alone. Bags and valuables (cameras, cameras, etc.), it is better not to wear over your shoulder, because they can frustrate the thieves on motorcycles and mopeds. It should be remembered that in Italy banned smoking in public places, it may write a fine.