Italy travel guide
Meet Italy Italy weather reportGetting into ItalyFrom the Italian kitchenFrom the Italian bar Currency in ItalyMajor airports in ItalyDid you know?
Meet Italy
Pizza, pasta, Da Vinci, Michaelangelo, the Vatican, the Colosseum, and especially the mafia are all synonymous with la bella Italia. But what else about Italy is there to know and love? The answer is, plenty!
Dean Martin couldn’t have sung it better when he said, “when the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie...that’s amore” – because life in Italy is about love. Whether it’s a love of food, people, architecture, culture, art, fashion, or history, the experience of this charming country truly is ‘la vita bella’.
Travellers seeking cheap flights to Italy can literally select from a world of different holidays depending on their destination of choice. Brimming with heritage and awash with tradition, here is a land bursting with tales to tell and adventures to be had.
For city breaks you’ll be spoilt for choice. Head to Milan, the birthplace of fashion, or over to Rome and Florence, both resplendent in architectural works of art like Il Duomo (Florence), as well as museums, galleries and palaces. However, for an urban experience that is truly unique, drift your way through Venice, the floating masterpiece where water resides in place of concrete, and transport exists only by boat.
Or perhaps your appetite is for sun, in which case yet again, there is no shortage of Riviera to choose from. Immerse yourself in Sardinia’s mesmeric, turquoise blue waters; jet set alongside the high flying elite in Capri; and bedazzle your eyes with the stunning scenery along the rocky coastlines of Positano and Portofino.
And for those whose calling is neither city nor sea, visit the snow capped Dolomite Mountains, which not only offer some of Europe’s best ski, but are also equipped with winding roads fit for the most avid of bike riders. Or, for a more tranquil adventure, explore the thermal region of Tuscany, where you can combine a relaxing spa break with wine sampling in the Chianti region; abound with vineyards, enchanting castles, and some of the world’s finest olive oil.
Immortalised in film, immortalised in print, immortalised in song – recognition just doesn’t get any bigger than this. So head forth and forge your own impressions of this gracious land – whatever destination you opt for, we’re sure you’ll return singing ‘Italia! Amore! Give us more signore!’
Italy weather report
When it comes to climate, Italy experiences what is generally perceived as the norm, enjoying four glorious seasons in all their splendour.
Peak season begins in late spring around end of April/start of May and summer runs from the start of June through end of September; together they make up the country’s busiest time of year for city and beach breaks. As such, if you’re looking to avoid the high costs, overcrowding and extreme heat, our advice is to visit either during the last two weeks of March or the end of September spilling into early October.
For ski lovers, the snow season begins in December, lasting through mid-March. The first two weeks of January constitute the busiest portion, with crowds trailing off along with hotel and flight costs towards the end of the month onwards.
For the latest weather info use the Pampo weather forecast tool.
Getting into Italy
Citizens of the European Union and Switzerland do not require a visa to enter Italy as long as they carry a valid passport or other form of official photo identification.
Travellers from the US, Canada, UK, and Australia do not require a visa to enter Italy, but must hold a valid passport from one of those countries. A photo identity card will not be accepted for entry into the country.
All other nationalities should check with the Spanish consulate or embassy within their country of residence to obtain information on visa and passport requirements to Spain.
From the Italian kitchen
Food glorious food! Italy’s cuisine is renowned the world over with many of its dishes having been adopted and adapted by various parts of the world. Thus, eating while in Italy should go down on the ‘to do’ list as would any other tourist activity.
Here is a list of thrills for your taste buds to journey upon:
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Cured meats: Bresaola, prosciutto (ham), mortadella, pepperoni, pancetta (a kind of bacon), and salami of all sorts
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Carpaccio: Shavings of raw meat, veal, tuna or other fish usually served as an appetiser
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Pasta: Venture beyond the usual suspects like ravioli and Bolognese by trying gnocchi (potato dumplings) or lobster spaghetti – Rome is particularly famous for pasta, so make sure you eat it there of all places. And for that extra kick, spice lovers should add a little chilli oil on top – delicious!
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Burrata cheese: A specialty of southern Italy, this creamy, soft mozarella was traditionally made from buffalo milk – its name is derived from ‘burro’ which means butter in Italian and was given it due to its velvety centre. Today most burrata is made from cow’s milk.
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Pappa al Pomodoro: This Tuscan version of tomato soup is thickened with Tuscan loaf bread creating a de-liquefying effect by leaving the bread to soak to the point where its presence is no longer detectable. This meal is hearty, rustic, and packed with flavour
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More cheese: Dolcelatte (a soft, sweet tasting, Italian blue cheese – smoother, creamier and more subtle in flavour than gorgonzola), pecorino (a cheese made from ewe’s milk with many regional variations), fresh parmesan (widely known and delicious with pasta or even salad)
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Risotto: Famous, creamy rice dish available in a variety of flavours fit for any palette be it meat, seafood, or vegetarian
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Pizza: Try it in its birthplace baked in a stone oven as its creators intended – simple and delicious
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Zucchini fritti: Courgette sliced into the shape of thin chips then battered and fried – the ideal accompaniment to any meal and quite possibly even better than fries
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Focaccia bread: Sumptuous baked bread, drizzled with olive oil and available in different flavours
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Gelato: the Italian version of ice cream that is oh so creamy and fresh – must have, specialty flavours include stracciatella (milk flavoured ice cream with pieces of chocolate), and pistachio.
From the Italian bar
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Bellini: Champagne cocktail made with fresh peach puree – very refreshing
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Limoncello: A strong lemon liquor produced in southern Italy and suitable as an after dinner digestive
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Prosecco: Italian sparkling wine equivalent to champagne
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Coffee: Italy has countless variations of coffee to sample – aside from the commonly known cappuccino, espresso and caffe latte, visitors should also try macchiato (espresso with a drop of either hot or cold milk), corretto (espresso with a drop of liquor), caffe freddo (espresso shaken with ice and sugar), and caffe borghetti (espresso with a drop of borghetti liquor, traditionally drunk while watching a football match at the stadium).
Currency in Italy
As a member of the European Union, Italy’s currency is the euro, which is represented by the € symbol.
Within the currency, there are eight different coins including €1 and €2 as well as one, two, five, ten, 20, and 50 cent calssifications. One euro coin is made up of 100 cents.
Notes within the currency include €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500 classifications. For the lastest info on your rates, please use the Pampo exchange rates calculator.
Major airports in Italy
Passengers boarding cheap flights to Italy can look forward to an arrival at any of its main international airports, including:
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Bologna Marconi Airport (BLQ)
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Milan Linate Airport (LIN)
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Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
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Naples International Airport (NAP)
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Pisa Gallileo Airport (PSA)
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Roma Ciampino Airport (CIA)
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Rome Leonardo Da Vinci Airport (FCO)
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Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
Did you know?
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The average Italian consumes half a pound of bread a day
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Italy has more hotel rooms than any other nation in Europe
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Italy has three active volcanoves: Vesuvius, Etna and Stromboli
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The average life expectancy at birth for an Italian is 79.54 years