Italy Travel Tours

Posts Tagged ‘visiting Italy’

When visiting Italy, travel tips should be known. For most visitors, this is a foreign country that most have only read about in history books, and seen in movies.

For American citizens, entry to the country of Italy is regulated under the Schengen agreement. In this document, Americans entering the country of Italy for tourism or business reasons can stay for a period of 90 days without a visa.

When traveling around Italy, you should be aware there are areas around many of the historical centers that have limited traffic. If an unauthorized vehicle crosses into one of these areas, a picture of their license plate is taken and a ticket is sent to the vehicle owner. These areas are limited to buses, police cars, and ambulances. These areas are identified with a white sign that has a red circle on it. The words “zona traffico limitato” are also present. In most cases, the hours of this limitation are stated below the sign.

The speed of a vehicle is also closely monitored by an electronic system called the Autovelox. If your vehicle exceeds the posted speed by 5%, a ticket will be issued. This system is on most major highways and many auxiliary roads.

In northern and central Italy, topless sunbathing is a common occurrence, but only on the beaches. The south is more conservative and most ladies keep their tops on, but it is not required by law.  Be sure to bring plenty of sun tan oil or sun block as the sun is very powerful on the beaches here.

Dress comfortably in light clothes but have a sweater or wind breaker handy for the evening hours.

These are just a few Italy travel tips you should be aware of when making plans to visit Italy.

There are northern Italy tours for nearly every interest under the sun.  If your hobby is food, wine, art,  or cathedrals, a tour company has an itinerary just for you.

For the best dedicated travel to Italy, small independent operators who are Italian-based offer the most knowledgeable ideas and the internet is a good way to start.

The sponsor of this blog is TuscanyWithMe.it. When you choose the services of a custom tour guide company such as this you will maximize your enjoyment by being able to visit exactly what it is you came to see.

For instance if you were to take a tour bus trip you would see things of interest that the tour operator has decided would be of interest to the most visitors.  However when you select Tuscany With Me you will describe in detail what it is that you would prefer to see and your days of visiting Italy will be filled with just your own choices.

If you are signing up for a guided tour, request a schedule of activities. Ask about the size of the group you’ll be part of and get information on the nature of the group; is it for college kids?  Or retirees?  This will impact the entire tour.

Inquire about the options for accommodations and the prices.  Research these hoteliers on the many online travel sites for feedback from prior patrons.   See what is included in the price such as meals and admission to museums.  Are there hidden fees such as taxes and airport fees?  These are usually tacked on after you’ve committed to the total amount.

Escorted tours are a great way to see a new country as they manage a large number of activities and sites in a short period of time.  All the work is done for you; you simply leave all the planning to the tour guide and enjoy the experience.  Vacations involving northern Italy tours will leave you wanting to return again and again.