Italy Escorted Tours
Language: Italian is the official language however, dialects are spoken in different regions.
Currency: Euro
Time Zone: Central European Standard Time = GMT+1, Central European Summer Time = GMT+1
Tpping: Tips are not compulsory and there are no established rules, although it is common practice to leave a sum amounting to around 10% of the bill if you are satisfied with the service you have received.
Italy - An Introduction
Many believe that the world famous boot of Europe is full of nothing else but pizzas, pastas and Piazzas but if you delve a little deeper into coach holidays to Italy, you'll discover a nation that has a little bit of everything from amazing art to sumptuous food, stunning countryside and flamboyant fashion.
If you're looking to soak up history and culture then a visit to Rome is a must. The city itself is a huge open-air museum where you can really discover what the Romans did with mighty monuments such as the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, The Spanish Steps and the Panthenon to admire. You can see some of this formidable art in Vatican City where Michelangelo painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and created the masterpiece David at the East End of Florence Cathedral. No coach tours of Italy would be the same without gliding along the famous waterways of Venice in a gondola or experiencing the fantastic Venice Carnival consisting of 10 days and nights of masquerade madness from the beautiful Grand Canal Flotilla to the Calcio Storico fancy-dress football match in the Piazza San Marco.
Fans of Shakespeare on an Italy tour should visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Verona, the setting for the legendary tale between star-crossed lovers Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet. Verona is referred to by locals as piccolo Roma (Little Rome) as it has a perfectly preserved Roman amphitheatre, The Arena, which hosts the annual summer opera festival. Whilst in Verona you will find medieval terraces, Renaissance gardens and the famous 14th century balcony of Casa di Giulietta. Many consider this to be Juliet's Balcony and to this day, lovers from across the world graffiti their hopeful pleas on the courtyard walls.
Escape from the hustle of the cities and head north to the beautiful Italian Lakes. Authors such as D H Lawrence and Hemingway have all lavished praise on this tiny treasure of Italy, but no words can properly describe its beauty from Lake Orta (Lago d'Orta) in the west to Lake Maggiore (Lago Maggiore) in the east and not forgetting Lake Garda (Lago di Garda) all providing perfect picture-postcard scenes.
Other sights not to be missed as you take a coach tour to Italy include the curving bay with pine-covered mountains and pastel-coloured villas of Portofino in the Cinque Terre. Travel to Padua and you'll find Italy's second oldest museum among other treasures. Discover Caribbean blue seas that are coral rich in Sardinia. Cross the famous medieval Ponte Vecchio Bridge, have your photograph taken outside the Duomo (cathedral) and see masterpieces of art in the Uffizi Gallery when your Italy tour takes you to Florence. See the
mighty Leaning Tower of Pisa, understand how the Romans went about their daily lives when you see the remains of Pompeii and Herculaneum and before your Italy tour is finished, visit Sicily with its remarkable catacombs containing thousands of mummified bodies!
The choice available to you can make planning your Italy tour a little overwhelming but take the advice of the locals, sit back, relax with a gelato and see as much of the country as you can with the promise that you can always come back to discover more when you next visit Italy.
Find out more
Tourist office
For further information about Italy you can vsiit the official tourism website at italia.it
Italy is a great place to visit, with so many well-known and well-loved cities you are sure to be immersed in the Italian way of life:
Venice
Known as one of the most romantic cities in the world, Venice is a must-do for anyone visiting Italy. You can explore this timeless city either by foot or boat, hopping on and off a water bus or even taking a ride on a Gondola. St Mark's Square is bound to be bustling so be sure to pay it a visit. Be sure not to miss St Mark's Basilica and for a birds-eye view of the city, take a trip to the top of the nearby Bell Tower.
Rome
The Capital city is a great place to explore Italy's history. With several recognisable monuments such as the Colosseum, St John's Basilica and the Trevi Fountain, you will fall in love with this historic city. Whilst in Rome, you'll need to explore the Vatican City, just a stone's throw away, where millions of visitors have been to see the home of the Catholic Church where the Pope resides.
Amalfi Coast
A popular destination for the British Upper Class during the 1920s and 1930s and it still hasn't lost its appeal today. Located in the South of the country, this town on the seafront makes for spectacular views. Visit the Duomo de Amalfi and the Chiostro del Paradiso in between gorging on delicious gelato and of course pizza!
Tuscany
Traditionally known for its spectacular landscapes and heritage, Tuscany is the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. The region incorporates a number of World Heritage Sites: Florence, Siena, Pisa, San Gimignano, Val d'Orcia and Pienza. The Tuscan Hills are also world famous for their wine production with the area of Chianti a particular favourite among tourists visiting the wine region.
Tips & Advice
To help you have an enjoyable holiday in Italy take a look at these useful tips and advice provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO):
Health and Travel Insurance
When visiting Italy, you should always obtain a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)prior to departing from the UK. The GHIC isn't a substitute for medical and travel insurance, however it entitles you to state provided medical treatment should it become necessary during your trip. Any treatment provided is given on the same terms as Italian nationals. The GHIC does not cover medical repatriation, on-going treatments or non-urgent medical treatment, so in addition to having an EHIC you should ensure you have adequate travel insurance and accessible funds which will cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation should you need it.
Local Laws and Customs
Italian law states that you must be able to show identification at all times. It is sensible to carry a photocopy of the data page from your passport, but be aware you might be asked to collect the original document to show to the police officers or you may be asked to produce it within twelve hours. If you are stopped by Police, whilst driving, you will most likely be asked to present your full passport.
Entry Requirements
If you are planning to visit Italy, you must meet the following passport requirements.
Your passport must be:
- Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
- Valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)
Please note: If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. These extra months do not count towards your passport validity.
Visas
You can travel to Italy for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Please note that any previous visits you have made to any Schengen countries within the last 180 days will count towards your 90-day limit.
Passport stamping
Your passport will be stamped if you enter or exit the Schengen area through Italy as a visitor. These passport stamps are used to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit in the Schengen area.
Any other nationality looking to visit Italy must contact the local embassy to check visa requirements.