Area: 301,230 sq km
Population: 57.99 million
Capital City: Rome
People: Italian
Language: Croatian, Italian, French, German, Serbian
Religion: 84% Roman Catholic, 6% Jewish, Muslim and Protestant
Visas: EU citizens require only a passport or ID card to stay or
work in Italy for as long as they like. They are, however, required to
register with a questura (police station) if they take up residence
and obtain a permesso di soggiorno (permission to remain for a
nominated period). Citizens of many other countries, including the US,
Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Switzerland and Japan, do not need a
visa if entering as tourists for up to three months. Since passports are not
stamped on entry, that three-month rule can generally be interpreted with a
certain flexibility. If you are entering for any reason other than tourism
(for instance, study) or plan to remain for an extended period, insist on
having the entry stamp. Without it you could encounter problems when trying
to obtain a permesso di soggiorno. Non-EU citizens who want to study at a
university or language school must have a study visa. These can be obtained
from your nearest Italian embassy or consulate.
Health risks: rabies (This is only found in the Alps), Leishmaniasis
(This is found in coastal regions), Lyme disease
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +1 (+2 in summer) (Central European Time)
Dialling Code: 39
Electricity: 230V ,50Hz
Weights & measures: Metric
When to Go
Italy is at its best in spring (April-May) and autumn
(October-November). During these seasons, the scenery is beautiful, the
temperatures are pleasant and there are relatively few crowds. Try to avoid
August, as this is the time that most Italians take their vacations, and
many shops and businesses are closed as a result.
Events
Religious, cultural and historical events pepper the Italian
calendar. The pre-Easter Carnivale is closely associated with Venice; Holy
Week Easter processions are especially flamboyant at Taranto, Chieti and
Sicily; and Florence explodes a cart full of fireworks on Easter Sunday.
Festivals honouring patron saints are also particularly colourful events;
for example the Festas di San Nicola in Bari and San Gennaro in Naples, the
Festival of Snakes in Abruzzo (May) and the Festa of Sant'Antonio in Padua
(June). Events betraying more than a hint of history include the Race of the
Candles and Palio of the Crossbow in Gubbio (May), the Sardinian Cavalcade
(May), the Regata of the Four Ancient Maritime Republics (which rotates
between Pisa, Venice, Amalfi and Genoa, and is held in June), Il Palio in
Siena (July & August) and Venice's Historic Regatta (September).
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