Italy

Good to know

1. 1Italy became a single country in the 1860s and 1870s, so many regions still feel quite separate, with their own dialects, dishes and local pride.
2. 2Rome holds the Vatican City, a tiny independent state with its own stamps and its own head of state, the pope.
3. 3Pasta and pizza are eaten everywhere, but the cooking changes a great deal from region to region. Butter and rice are more common in the north, while olive oil and tomatoes dominate in the south.
4. 4Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage sites than almost any other country, from Roman ruins and Renaissance cities to vineyards and mountain landscapes.
5. 5Italian is spoken throughout, and many people also speak a regional language or dialect at home. In tourist areas you will usually find someone who speaks some English.
6. 6Italy uses the euro, and coffee is usually drunk quickly at the bar, standing up, rather than lingered over at a table.

Tips for a first visit

• Trains are the easiest way to travel between big cities, so you rarely need a car unless you are heading into the countryside or small villages.
• Carry a little cash for coffee, small shops and market stalls, though cards are accepted in most restaurants and hotels.
• Many churches ask visitors to cover their shoulders and knees, so keep a light scarf or shirt in your bag.
• Lunch is often served from about midday to mid-afternoon and dinner starts late, so restaurants may be quiet if you try to eat very early in the evening.
• Avoid restaurants with menus in many languages and photos of the dishes right beside the main tourist sights. Walk a few streets away and the food is usually better.
• Cappuccino is traditionally a morning drink, and Italians rarely order one after a meal. Try an espresso instead if you want to blend in.

When to go

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable times for cities and sightseeing, with mild weather and fewer crowds than summer. Summer is hot, especially in the south and in the big cities, and it is the time for beaches and islands, though many Italians take their holidays in August. Winter is cool and often damp in the cities, but it is good for museums and quiet visits, and the Alps and Dolomites are the place to go for snow.

Getting around

Fast trains link the main cities such as Milan, Florence, Rome, Naples and Venice, and slower regional trains reach smaller towns. Buses fill the gaps in hilly or rural areas, and ferries connect the islands and parts of the coast. Domestic flights help for longer distances, such as to Sicily or Sardinia, and a car is useful for exploring the countryside but is more trouble than it is worth in historic city centres.