It is a sin for Italy to complain about the lack of attention of tourists – both in winter and, especially, in summer. Every season, millions of tourists enthusiastically storm the famous boot, finding many good reasons for this: a really chic and super-saturated program, clear warm sea, good beaches and beautiful nature. Travelers are not deterred even by the relatively high prices for Italian holidays and rather ascetic equipment of most city hotels. However, this remark usually does not apply to coastal hotels.
The blue waters of the sea gently caress the sand, a cool breeze blows on your face, and the hot sun leaves traces of a light tan on your skin. Lush festivals, bustling cities and tranquil coastal resorts. It’s all Italy.
The beaches on the Italian coast are municipal. But they are often divided into plots and leased to entrepreneurs. Each site has its own beach caretaker, who keeps order and cleanliness, charges for the use of umbrellas and sunbeds (about 10 EUR per set). According to local rules, the first 5 meters of the beach from the water’s edge are free: you can sunbathe there on a towel without spending a cent. Being on municipal beaches from 1 am to 5 am in Italy is prohibited by law. The beaches are patrolled by the police, who fine fans of nightly coastal gatherings for about 150 EUR.
The main beach resorts: Milano Marittima, Rimini, Riccione, Lido di Jesolo, the Amalfi Coast, the islands of Capri, Ischia and Sicily.
The main ski resorts in Italy: Dolomites (Val di Fassa, Val di Fiemme), Dolomiti di Brenta (Madonna di Campiglio, Val di Sole), Alta Valtellina, Valle d’Aosta and other.
According to COMPUTERGEES, Italy is famous not only for beach resorts, but also for well-equipped ski areas. Among them, Marmolada is noted , which is in the Dolomites. The skiing area is notable for the fact that on its territory there is the mountain peak of the Queen Dolomite, where mostly professional skiers ski, starting an extreme descent above the clouds.
Emilia-Romania (cradle of taste) – A region in Italy, stretching from east to west from the Adriatic to the Ligurian Sea. The visiting card of the region is Sparkling Red (Lambrusco). It is the birthplace of Parmeggiano Reggiano cheese and Parma ham. It also produces cars – Lamborghini, Ferrari, Ducati and Maserati.
Fiuggi is a therapeutic water resort near Rome. Treatment and rejuvenation with water.
Verona considered one of the oldest cities in northern Italy. Thousands of tourists flock to Verona every year. And no wonder, because the city is rich in its attractions and centuries-old history. Verona boasts a large number of architectural monuments from different eras. In this wonderful city, there are the walls of the Roman Empire and the walls of the 13th century. Verona is famous for its numerous museums, Romanesque churches and palaces.
Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean. It is also an autonomous region. The island is home to 5 mil. human. For a long time, this island was considered not the best place for travelers. since the population on the island was very poor and the influence of the local mafia was strong. Today, the island attracts tourists with its magnificent nature and the uniqueness of its history.
Sella Ronda is a huge skiing area that captures Val Gardena and the Alpa di Luzil valleys, Passo San Pelegrino, Falcade. Not very high altitudes, artificial snow on 70% of the slopes, interesting skiing, beautiful panoramic view. Suitable for all categories of skiers – from beginners to advanced masters.
Cortina D’Ampezzo is a ski area consisting of two unconnected areas located on opposite slopes of a picturesque gorge. The skiing is varied and suitable for all skill levels. For beginners, the slopes of the Sokrepes zone are suitable, for the intermediate level, the Tofana zone is suitable, for advanced skiers, the descent from the top of Forcella Staunies is recommended.
Cervinia – the highest ski area in Italy. You can ski here even in summer. snow lies on the glacier all year round. The slopes are suitable for beginners and intermediate skiers. More difficult trails descend towards Swiss Zarmatt. The resort provides good opportunities for freeride lovers. A single ski pass valid on all routes.
Interesting facts
Italy is a real tourist gem of the Old World. Tourists from all over the world tend to go there to see with their own eyes the world’s masterpieces of ancient architecture, look at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, feed the pigeons on Piazza del Popolo and see the Colosseum with their own eyes, eat standing spaghetti and, of course, visit the shops of favorite Italian designers everywhere and everywhere.
Italy is a real fusion of the highest level of service, the number of places you must visit, things you really want to buy, delicacies that you must try and of course the amazing climate and nature of the Mediterranean. And every year more than forty million people from all over the world come to Italy to appreciate all the delights of this Mediterranean country with their own eyes.
If you are going to spend a vacation in Italy, you need to be prepared that you will want to spend the next, and then another vacation only there. It is impossible even for fourteen days of vacation to appreciate all the charms of Venice and Rome, and the hot nights of Sicily and the beautiful slopes of the Apennines. After all, Italy is like a real kaleidoscope. Almost every Italian city is an open-air museum. On the territory of modern Italy, there is a large part of the cultural monuments of Europe and, in general, the cultural heritage of mankind.
Rest in Italy is a visit to real Italian carnivals. A festive, elegant crowd of temperamental Italians is able to enchant and swirl even the most serious people with them. These days, the sounds of music fill all the streets and there is no way to refuse to take part in the fun.
A separate type of holiday in Italy is a beach holiday in the resorts: Gabic, Riviera di Ulisse and others. The coast of Italy is washed by several seas at once – the Ligurian, Tyrrhenian, Ionian and Adriatic, which are part of the Mediterranean. No matter which resort you choose, white sand, intoxicating air and amazing scenery will make your vacation truly fabulous.
The most famous Italian writer is Dante Alighieri.
Traditional Italian cuisine is popular all over the world thanks to pizza.
The cost of an Italian visa is 80 euros.
Air tickets to Italy can be bought from 10,000 rubles.
In crowded places, on public transport, at locations of famous sights, look after your belongings. It’s full of pickpockets.
Most museums in the country are open only in the morning, and one of the weekdays (usually Monday) is a day off. In addition to the huge cultural and historical heritage of Italian cities, numerous reserves and national parks are very popular in the country.
Phone
Most telephones work on cards, which can be easily bought at any tobacconist.
Transport
All cities in Italy are interconnected by a network of buses and railways, in Rome, Milan and Naples you can also use the subway. Travel on ground transport is paid for by tickets, which are sold only at metro ticket offices or newsstands.
A well-developed network of intercity transportation. Trains and buses are convenient for transportation. The super-fast Pendolino trains are especially good. Metro operates in Rome, Milan, Naples. Tickets for trams and buses are not sold in salons, they should be purchased in advance at tobacco and newsstands. A car can be rented with a credit card, and in places of mass recreation of our fellow citizens – and on the security of cash. Prices – European. It is convenient to arrange a lease in Moscow (in this case, it will cost 10% cheaper). It is quite difficult to hail a taxi on the street. It is better to go to a special parking lot or call a car by phone from a hotel, bar, shop.
Helpful Hints
Tax Free can be issued with a purchase of 155 euros, the refundable tax rate is 15%.
It is allowed to import no more than 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 250 g of tobacco, 1 liter of alcoholic beverages with a strength of more than 22%, or 2 liters of drinks with a lower strength, up to 250 ml of toilet water and 50 ml of perfume.
It is better to apply for a visa through agencies, otherwise you risk spending a lot of time in queues. Accommodation must be booked in order to obtain a tourist visa. The consular fee at the beginning of 1998 is $36. To obtain an entry visa, you must submit: a foreign passport with a validity period of 3 months from the date of the intended return to Russia, 2 photographs; when leaving a minor child with one of the parents, a notarized power of attorney from the other parent is required.
The biggest autumn holiday – All Saints Day, falls on November 1st.
November 4 – National Unity Day.
On December 8, Italians celebrate Immaculate Conception Day. They do not work on Christmas – December 25 and on St. Stephen’s Day – December 26.
Naturally, the New Year is celebrated on January 1, and Epiphany on January 6.
The end of January and February is the period of various carnivals, which abound in almost every city. The most famous in Venice and Viareggio. In the spring, Easter is celebrated (a day off – Easter Monday), the Day of Liberation from Fascism.
Tipping: Optional. But if you are satisfied with the service, then it is customary to leave 5-10% of the invoice amount.