Book Bus Tickets in Italy
About Italy
Here are some important facts to note while planning your Italy travel itinerary -
- Population: 58,981,000 inhabitants
- Official language: Italian.
- Other Languages: Albanian, Catalan, Corsican, Croatian, Emiliano-Romagnolo, French, German, and Greek.
- Currency: euro EUR (€)
- Geographical location: This southern European country borders the Adriatic Sea on the east, with the Tyrrhenian Sea in the west and the Ionian Sea in the south. Italy’s geography extends to the whole area of the Apennine peninsula, which has a boot shape.
History and Culture of Italy
Etruscans, an ancient civilisation, dominated the peninsula. Italy was the birthplace of the Roman empire, founded in 753 BC. During Roman dominance, it was governed by a non-hereditary succession of kings.
During the Middle Ages, Italian territory developed differently in the north, middle, and south. The Renaissance period was an important period for the country. Intellectuals such as Michelangelo and Galileo Galilei belong to this period. Cities sprawled and developed independently, having a huge artistic explosion.
In January of 1805, Napoleon proclaimed himself the king of Italy. The constant attacks made nationalism grow until it finally became a single state in 1861.
Weather and Geography
The eastern regions of Umbria and The Marches are dominated by plains, olive groves, pine forests, gentle mountains, and rivers, which make it a very fertile land.
Central Italy, known as Tuscany, has rolling hills, rivers, valleys, and minor mountains.
The southern part of the country is drier, with sierras, and volcanic lands. Here, you can find three famous volcanoes (Vesuvius, Etna, and Stromboli). At the heel of the boot, is the region named Puglia, made of plains and olive groves. The Sicily and Sardinia islands have mild Mediterranean weather.
Popular Cities to Visit in Italy
If you are planning a tour of Italy, you must plan a visit to the following places -
Rome: The capital city is full of history and tradition, and can give you both, the most glamorous cosmopolitan vibe, and a glimpse into some of the famous artworks.
Naples: A beautiful port city, where you can taste the local cuisine, meet friendly locals, and visit cultural places.
Florence: A museum made into a city, the capital of the Tuscan region has a lot to offer from cathedrals, gothic basilicas, palaces, gardens, and museums.
Milan: A city full of art and architectural richness. As a cosmopolitan city, Milan is the perfect spot for shopping. This city cannot be missed during your vacation in Italy.
Pompeii: A whole overview of old history, one of the most emblematic natural hazards happened here during the year 79 AD when the Vesuvius volcano erupted.
Venice: A unique city in which instead of roads you have water channels. The magical place of the gondoliers cannot be missed during your tour of Italy.
Verona: The setting city of Romeo and Juliet is full of arches and architectural magic.
Sicily: Capital of Palermo, this island city has 7 UNESCO heritage sites ranging from ancient Greek temples to the Monreale Cathedral.
Transportation in Italy
- Buses: The best places to visit in Italy are sometimes hidden on the map. If you are willing to get to the most unique, authentic places with a small budget, getting on a bus is always a great solution. Travelling by buses in Italy allows tourists to get into a small village where the rail infrastructure is non-existent, giving you the chance to get down at every stop and to marvel at the uniqueness of the country. From travelling within a region to arriving from an international destination, buses always offer a great opportunity to explore a little bit more of Italian culture.
- Trains: Italy has a vast train infrastructure, making it a good travel mode to go around the country and connect between different cities.
- Flights: Italy is connected by flights to various locations around the world. While flying is the fastest mode of travel to Italy, it can also be expensive.
Accommodation in Italy
Italy’s accommodation options adapt to every traveller’s budget. You can book hotels or albergos that offer different levels of luxury. You can also find cheaper alternatives such as hostels or ostellos.
The country also offers unique accommodations, such as farm holidays facilities. This last option, called agriturismo, offers you to experience nature, go horseback riding, taste wine and olives.
Another unique experience is to stay in a renovated monastery or convent. You can also opt for camping.
Food in Italy
Italian cuisine is a set of diverse delicatessens. In central Italy, spaghetti and pizza are the star dishes. In the north, risotto, Tuscan beef, and vegetables are famous.
In Bologna, tortellini is the main dish. In the south and coastal lines, you will find a Mediterranean diet, in which tomatoes, peppers, olives, artichokes, and seafood take the central role in the local cuisines.
In the islands, the influence from African and Arab cultures can be experienced in a unique, varied cuisine. For pasta lovers, remember each region has its specialty. If you have a sweet tooth, you have to try gelato, cassata, and tiramisu.
Shopping in Italy
There are plenty of shopping options in Italy. If you are in Rome, going to Via del Corso is a great idea as you can find many international and local boutiques.
You can also get great, fashionable products in Milan, in Via Montenapoleone. If you are looking for accessories, Via Giovan Battista Zannoni in Florence is a great place to purchase classy items.
You can go shopping in every main city during your tour of Italy that has fashionable and cultural items. Some other examples are Le Mercerie at Venice or Via Toledo at Naples.
Entry Requirements to Italy
During the covid pandemic, if you are a citizen of the European Union, you would probably be in the list B countries. Passengers coming from list B can always enter Italy with a Green Certificate (which will certify that the passenger has completed the vaccination cycle, has recovered from a COVID infection, or has a prior negative molecular or antigen test).
For non-EU countries, you need to check whether your departure point is in the list D or E of countries. For D countries, you need a Passenger Locator, a negative 72 hours prior test, and a certificate of completion of the vaccination cycle. In the case of List E, only some special cases are allowed to enter the country.
If you are an EU or EEA country national, you will only need a valid ID to enter Italy. For other nationals, it depends on whether you are a national from a third-world country or not. If not, you can simply visit Italy with a valid passport. In case you come from such a country, you will need to get a visa in advance at the local Italian consulate or embassy before you start your Italy trip.