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Whatever your muse—good wine, delectable cuisine, enchanting landscapes or inspirational art and architecture—you can find it in Italy. Visit Roman ruins, explore the canals of Venice or experience a renaissance of your own in Florence. Wherever you wander, you can be sure that a journey to this culturally rich Mediterranean country won’t soon be forgotten.
History
Italian history dates back thousands of years, culminating in the formation of the Roman republic in 509 B.C. This budding democracy soon enveloped the known world and laid the foundation for our modern systems of law, city planning, engineering and centralized government. Following the fall of Rome and the dismal Dark Ages, the loose affiliation of city-states that would eventually become Italy became an important trade conduit for the rest of Europe.
The stars aligned in the fifteenth century, marking the return of the papacy to Rome and the flourishing of the Italian Renaissance. Centered in Florence, this period of renewed appreciation for art, literature, music, ingenuity and philosophy sparked a cultural revolution that inspired the world.
Fast Facts
Capital: Rome
Population: 58 million
Language: Italian
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Time Zone: EST plus 6 hours
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz
Holidays & Festivals
| January 6 |
Epiphany |
| February/March |
Carnival |
| April 25 |
Liberation Day |
| May 1 |
Labor Day |
| June |
Battle of the Bridge (Pisa) |
| June 2 |
Anniversary of the Republic |
| June 24 |
St. John’s Day (Florence) |
| June 29 |
St. Peter’s Day (Rome) |
| July |
Feast of Santa Rosalia (Sicily) |
| August 15 |
Feast of the Assumption |
| September |
Historical Regatta (Venice) |
| September 19 |
St. Gennaro’s Day (Naples) |
| November 1 |
All Saints’ Day |
| November 7 |
WWI Victory Anniversary Day |
| December 8 |
Feast of the Immaculate Conception |
| December 26 |
St. Stephen’s Day |
Books
- The Agony and the Ecstasy, by Irving Stone
- Bella Tuscany: The Sweet Life in Italy, by Frances Mayes
- Desiring Italy: Women Writers Celebrate the Passions of a Country and Culture, by Susan Cahill
- Italian Neighbors, by Tim Parks
- The Seasons of Rome, by Paul Hofmann
- The Stones of Florence, by Mary McCarthy
Videos
- Roman Holiday (1953)
- The Name of the Rose (1986)
- A Room with a View (1986)
- Life Is Beautiful (1998)
- Tea with Mussolini (1999)
- My Voyage to Italy (2001)
- Visions of Italy (2005)
Weather
Italy has hot summers and cold winters. The south experiences mild, wet winters and very hot summers. Rain generally falls in October, January and early spring. Pack lightweight clothing with a few warm layers in spring and early fall, plus rain gear. In winter, bring a jacket in the south and a warm overcoat in the north. Summers can be hot, so bring light summer clothes with a light jacket or sweater for evening.
Average Temperatures
| |
January |
April |
July |
October |
| Florence |
41° |
56° |
78° |
60° |
| Milan |
34° |
55° |
75° |
56° |
| Palermo |
55° |
61° |
80° |
71° |
| Rome |
45° |
57° |
76° |
62° |
| Venice |
37° |
54° |
74° |
57° |
| Temperatures are in °F. For specific weather information, visit www.accuweather.com. |
Tips for Tipping
Although it varies throughout the country, a 15 percent service charge is generally added to the total in restaurants. It is customary to tack on an extra 5 to 10 percent, depending on service. In hotels, bellhops receive €.50 to €1; chambermaids get €.75 per day; tip a minimum of €.50 for room service.
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