Traveling to Italy: everything you need to know

When to go

When choosing a time to travel to Italy, it is worth considering that it is best to go in spring (April-May) or fall (September-November). At this time, as a rule, the weather is good, there is no exhausting heat, as it often happens in the summer, and the influx of tourists is much less, and prices in stores - lower.

Another thing, if you are a fan of "frying" on the beach, then the summer months somewhere in the south or central Italy - just what you need. If the main purpose of your trip is a ski vacation, it will be more reasonable to go from November to March, because at this time in the mountainous northern regions of the country falls a lot of snow.

A separate item is a visit to the Eternal City: experienced travelers recommend going to Rome in April or May, or plan a trip for September. The reason is simple: a significant outflow of tourists from the capital plus the optimal air temperature, which will not force you to lie in your room for the whole vacation, pining from the heat.

And lastly, a tip for those who can't imagine their life without shopping: in Italy, the discount season starts differently depending on the region, but in general it covers the period from January 5-7 to the end of February/March and from the beginning of July to the beginning or end of September. Keep this point in mind when planning your trip!

Safety

Italy is sadly characterized by a rather high crime rate: petty theft and pickpocketing, as well as fraud and even robbery, are not uncommon in the big cities. Therefore, it is worth keeping in mind a few simple rules to maximize your safety while traveling:

• You should not carry large sums of cash or withdraw money from an ATM in full view of everyone.
• When traveling on the streets, it is better to replace your purse or bags with a backpack: this way you will protect yourself from the encroachment of local thieves and robbers on scooters.
• If you are traveling by car, leave it in a guarded parking lot or at the very least - on well-lit, busy streets. And don't leave anything of value in the cabin.
• It is worth avoiding openly carrying luxury items (clothes, jewelry, etc.), as well as expensive video and photo equipment.
• Italian drivers are often not scrupulous in observing the rules of the road, so be very careful when crossing the streets.

Transportation

Italy's transportation network is quite developed: it includes buses with streetcars and trains, subways, and even ferries that run not only within the country (to Sicily and Sardinia), but also to Greece, Turkey, Tunisia, Malta, France and Croatia.

Tickets for public ground transportation cost €1.5 and are purchased at newsstands or tobacco shops (tabacchi). The scheme is simple: to pay for the fare, you need to validate it in a special machine in the bus (the ticket will show the time of the beginning of the trip, which is also the time of the beginning of validity). Railway tickets are punched at special machines at the stations. The ticket is valid for 90 minutes on any route with unlimited number of connections.

You can book a hotel in Italy with a discount of up to -65% on the website.

The subway operates in Rome, Milan and Naples. The ticket costs €1.5, which entitles you to one subway ride plus unlimited ground transportation for 75 minutes from ticket validation.

Warning. If you buy a ticket but do not validate it, you are considered a fare dodger. The fine for such travel is about €50. Tickets are kept during the whole trip(s).

A separate feature of the Italian transportation system is children's fares on railroads. On national lines, children under 4 years of age travel free of charge, and children up to and including 12 years of age travel at a 50% discount.

The best part starts on regional trains. For example, in the region of Lombardy (center - Milan) children up to 4 years old travel free of charge, and a 50% discount is available for children up to 14 years old. In the region of Abruzzo (in central Italy) only children not taller than 1 meter can travel free of charge and only if they do not occupy a separate seat. In Campania (center - Naples) free travel is allowed for children up to 6 years old.

Tourist's note

Coming to any unfamiliar country, the tourist will not be unreasonable to familiarize in advance with the local rules and possible restrictions, so as not to spoil the long-awaited vacation. So, what about it is worth keeping in mind in Italy?

• In the country it is forbidden to smoke in public places, as well as in public transport, cabs, theaters, cinemas and stores. The same ban applies to most bars and restaurants (exceptions are street cafes and establishments with special smoking rooms/lounges). The fine for smoking in an unauthorized place is from €250 to €500. On the territory of the Vatican it is forbidden even to light a cigarette.
• When visiting the Vatican, remember that there is a dress code: you cannot wear clothes that leave your shoulders uncovered.

• In stores, you should not check the ripeness of fruits and vegetables with your bare hands. There are special gloves for this purpose, which are usually placed near the trays. And at the market you should not touch the goods at all.
• In Italy it is not customary to leave tips - as a rule, they are already included in the bill.
• In Italy, tickets for public transportation are not sold in the salon. Period. This must be done in advance at a newspaper or tobacco kiosk or at the station ticket office.
• It is forbidden to give each other massages on Italian beaches, unless you are a licensed masseur and can prove it.

Enjoy your trip!