travel and tourism2014: A TRIP TO ITALY (Part 2)

Health / Safety / Vaccines

Vaccines
Sanitary conditions are broadly similar to those of France . It is recommended to update your vaccinations against Tetanus, Typhoid and Polio, and get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.

Medical coverage
Before leaving for Italy, it is necessary to provide you the European Health Insurance Card , which replaces the E111 form. It is available from your health insurance company and allows you to be reimbursed for care provided in all public hospitals. Care physicians city and private schools are excellent, but their prices are high.

In addition, we recommend that you take out insurance repatriation to a qualified organization.

Please note that during the summer months, you will be subjected to very high temperatures ;remember to bring something to cover your head, and sunscreen. As a precaution, make sure you also a mosquito repellent.

A number of cases of rabies have been identified since late 2008, in foxes, but also in cats or horses. So avoid contact with stray or unknown animals.

Security

Flights and delinquency
These are the main risks in major Italian cities. Pickpockets and pickpockets officiate at tourist sites and museums. Adopt prudential simple and effective. Close your bags, watch over your belongings and avoid going out in public money. Beware techniques some criminals, such as a puncture to solicit your help and then you steal your bag.

In Naples , you must be especially vigilant in the historic center, in the Spanish Quarter, near the train station and the archaeological site of Pompeii . In Rome , be attentive in public transport linking the main Termini station to the Vatican .

Road safety
in city centers, particularly in Naples and Palermo , drivers will need to be cautious . The narrow streets, the large number of vehicles and driving style very flexible vis-à-vis the traffic favor clashes and road accidents.

Seismic
There is a seismic risk in the province of Umbria and all over southern Italy . The risks of volcanic eruptions in southern Italy ( Vesuvius ), in Sicily (Etna) and the Aeolian Islands (Stromboli) are closely monitored by local authorities.

Telephone

Road rescue ACI (Automobile Club Italiano): 803116;

Carabinieri: 112;

Police :133 ;

Firefighters: 115;

First aid / Ambulance: 118.

The numbers of child care are listed in local newspapers and can be obtained from the police.

The coordinates of pharmacy ( farmacia ) care is indicated on the doors of other pharmacies in town.

Political conditions

Italy is a parliamentary democracy.

Vaccine Recommendations

Tetanus booster up to date, especially for camping.

Currency

General

Italy is a country of the European Union, it adopted the Euro in 2002.

The international credit cards are increasingly accepted in hotels and restaurants in major cities. You can also withdraw cash from ATMs downtown.

The banks are generally open from 8:30 to 13:30 and from 15h to 16h, and closed on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

During your trip, you should especially pay attention to your credit card . Indeed, it is rare to compose code. Stores only ask you a signature. So if one steals your card, the person will have no trouble using it!

Cost of living

Italy remains an expensive destination and you will provide a comfortable budget to discover the treasures of this country. The cost of living is highest in big cities like Rome , Milan and Florence .

You may spend close to a hundred euros a day for a hotel room or a two-star meal in a restaurant and a few visits.

For accommodation , it takes between 45 and 180 euros for a double room, the hostel to luxury hotel.Between April and October, the prices of hotels and pensions are likely to be higher. The rest of the year, many institutions offer value packages for a weekend or an extended stay.

The input prices most tourist monuments and museums is on average 5 euros, but may rise to 8 or 9 euros for some sites of the Eternal City.

The food is an item of expense where it is still possible to not overspend. You can, for example, take a lunch as a panino (sandwich) or a pizza al taglio (a slice of pizza by the slice).

If you want to eat in a ristorante or trattoria , it will cost an average of 15-20 euros (not including wine).

Euro

Tipping

In cafes and restaurants, the service is included in the advertised price. That said, if you are satisfied with the service, you can leave a small premium.
Taxi drivers and hotel employees will expect a tip, but nothing says you have to.

Average prices

Stay (excluding travel / R): 500 euros to 800 euros

1 and 2 star hotels: 30 euros on average

3 star hotels: 30 euros to 50 euros

4 star hotels or more: 60 euros to 100 euros

Hotels Allinclusive: 100 euros to 150 euros

Cheap restaurants: 15 euros on average

Traditional restaurants: 30 euros on average

Restaurants Large tables: 30 euros to 50 euros

Transportation (locally): 3 euros to 15 euros

Camping / Caravanning 30 euros on average

Rental accommodation: 80 euros on average

Tips

Tipping .
in cafes and restaurants, the service is usually included in the advertised price. Where this is not the case, it is customary to leave a tip (sum equivalent to 10% of the total). As do the Italians, let your spare change to coffee.

Show respect and decency .

If you encounter an Italian, here is some information about the behavior he expected of you. Between strangers, the practice is that we shake hands, and looking into his eyes and smiling. If a friendship is established, it is common to get two kisses and a pat on the back for men.

Don'ts

Smoking in public places .
Italians scrupulously comply with the new law banning smoking in restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

Negotiate prices is not done in stores .

However, you can use your talents carpet dealer on flea markets.

Lifestyle

Schedule

Shops in major cities are open Monday to Saturday without interruption, to 9h30-10h 19h30-20h. By cons, in the less touristy places, they generally close from 12:30 to 15:30.
Most shops are closed on Sunday and Monday morning . Food stores draw their curtains on Thursday afternoon in the winter and on Saturday afternoon in summer.

The restaurants are open from 12h to 15h in the north of the peninsula and from 12:30 to 15h-15h30 south. At night, they welcome customers from 19h to the north and south from 20h, and almost until midnight. In tourist areas, sometimes it goes beyond. If you want to put yourself in the Italian time, know that the Italians have lunch from 13h and from 21h to dine.

Banks are open Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 13h and 15h to 16h or 17h. These times should be treated with caution as they vary widely from one institution to another, from one region to another.

Poste Italiane is a fabulous slow. Count averaged between 8 and 10 days for a letter in Europe .Post offices in large cities are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 19h and Saturday from 9:30 to 13h. In provincial towns, they are often closed in the afternoon. You can buy stamps (francobolli) in post offices and newsagents.

Italian Holidays

Date	Celebrated festival
January 1	The new (Capodanno)
January 6	Epiphanie (Epifania)
varies annually	Sunday and Easter Monday (Pasqua)
April 25	Liberation Day (Liberazione 1945)
May 1	Fête du Travail (Labor Day)
June 2	Fête nationale de la République (Republic Day)
August 15 *	Assomption (Assumption ou Ferragosto)
November 1	Toussaint (Tutti i Santi)
December 8	Immaculate Conception (Immacolata)
December 25	Christmas (Natale)
December 26	St. Stephen (Santo Stefano)

* The Day August 15 is followed and many schools are closing on 14.

Facilities

Light clothing in summer, hiking boots and backpack for tours and walks.

Premises Standards

Electricity

The current is 220/240 volts.

Found by region two types of plugs. These two forms, landless (eg in northern Italy) and those three cards. Sometimes you will need to purchase an adapter.

Events

attention to high temperatures for children and the elderly.

ID card

General

Capital : Rome
Area : 301,336 square kilometers Official language : Italian Diet : parliamentary democracy Currency : Euro Religion : Roman Catholic (85%) National Day : June 2

Demography

Population : about 61 million people (2011)
(13.8% under 15 years and 20.3% over 65 years)
rate of urbanization : 68% (2010) Density : 199 inhabitants / km ². Hope Life : 84 years for women and 79 years for men Unemployment rate : 8.1% (May 2011)

Economy

GNP per capita : 28,100 ?? $ USD (2007) Main activities : automotive, chemical, textile, electronics, communications, agriculture, tourism Tourism : 43.7 million visitors (the fifth most visited country)

Practice

Weights and measures : Metric Time difference : no time difference with France Telephone code : + 39 If the number in Italy is February 86 46 34 56, you will dial 00 39 2 86 46 34 46. Courant : 220 volts

Geography

Italy is composed of 15 regions (Piemonte, Lombardy, Liguria, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany ,Umbria , Marche, Lazio, Abruzzo, Molise, Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria) and 5 regions special status called "region autonomous "( Sicily , Sardinia, Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Valle d'Aosta).

More than 7,000 km of coastline on the Mediterranean Sea, the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Ionian Sea and the Adriatic Sea.

Highest point : Mont Blanc (4 765m).

Climate

Continental climate in the north, Mediterranean in the center and south of the peninsula.

Culture / Traditions

Without falling into clichés, here are the character traits that we attribute to the Italians. The goal is not to make a caricature table but to understand who they are and what their particular lifestyle.

Gourmet and bon vivants!

Pasta, pizza, coffee, wine ... their gastronomic specialties conquered the rest of the planet. These delights illustrate that the Italians are lovers of good food .

Meanwhile good living and enjoyment of life also appear in other aspects of their daily lives. Their festive calendar is full. For many religious ceremonies (the Assumption, Christmas and Easter are among the most popular festivals) are added or folk festivals and commemorative carnival. So many opportunities to get together and spend quality time together.

" It Pisolino "siesta is a tradition in Italy, as in many countries around the Mediterranean. Please note, most shops are closed until 16h.

Mediterranean fiber

At celebrations like in the life of every day, you can enjoy the expansive nature of the Italians.Mediterranean temperament, we hear them talking loudly while speaking with your hands. In the street, you will often hear blurt some onomatopoeia. Similarly, in the car or on their Vespa, they are to understand honking.

Sport is another area in which expressing their enthusiasm and passion . The national sport is socceror calcio . Many Italians practice it or follow the tournament on TV. The results of football clubs are a source of debate and pride. They also like Formula 1.

Kings of human relationships

The Italians have the easy contact . Do not be surprised if it speaks to you in the street. Italians easily exchange a few words. But conclude that they are more than the average dredgers would be an exaggeration. Champions of communication, they easily adopted the mobile phone ( telefonino ).

The cult of beauty

A live surrounded by masterpieces of Michelangelo, the beautiful would become an innate requirement for Italians! They attach great importance to their appearance . Their look is neat, worked. Thepasseggiata , or evening stroll, will equate to almost a fashion show! Indeed, from 18h, Italians dress, walking out in the streets and talk. Surprising that some children in the country have created the biggest fashion houses Armani, Gucci, Prada, Valentino, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana.

This search for elegance does not stop fashionable but spilled over into the world of objects . Typical example, cars. It's the Italians that we owe the beautiful lines of Ferrari, Maserati, Bugatti and Lamborghini others. Always driven by the desire to make useful beautiful , they also revisited the objects of everyday life. And lamps and kitchenware came under scalpels Italian designers.

Close ties with family

La famiglia is of prime importance for any Italian. More than in other European countries, members of the same family are very close. Solidarity and mutual aid are the rules. So many Italians prefer to do business with members of their family (because they can trust them) than with strangers.

Religion and beliefs in some margin

An overwhelming majority of Italians are Catholic . About a third of Italians go to church regularly on Sundays. The Catholic religion has had and still has a strong influence on Italian society. Next to the Catholic doctrine was grafted very popular local beliefs as the Feast of San Gennaro in Naples .

In religious places, proper attire is required.

Population / Language

Population : 61,016,804 (July 2011), with about 2.7 million in Rome. official language . italianDepending on the region, there are also some dialects: Sicilian, Sardinian, Catalan, Slovenian, Occitan, Bergamo, Greek and Albanian same French.

Religion

There are 97% of Catholics in Italy but only 30% are practicing. The remaining 3% are Muslim, Jewish, Protestant and Orthodox.

Useful Words

Although in the main Italian cities and attractions we understand the French and English , here are some vocabulary words you might need.

Note that in general, the "u" is pronounced "or" and "e" is never silent. It most often accentuates thepenultimate syllable , but it can also be the last when there is an emphasis on punctuation it.

Everyday life

Italy	French	Pronunciation
Good Morning	Hello (works as well as to greet to take leave).	Bouonne djior No.
Good evening	Hello from only 15 or 16 h.	Bouona Serra
See you later	Bye for now	Arriving dert chi
Hello	Hi! (informal)	Tchao
Buonanotte	Good night	Bouona Notté
Yes it is	Yes I am	Yes it is
Do not	Do not	Do not
Thank you	Thank you	Gra tsié
Sorry	Excuse me	pean zi
Please	Please	Per fa vo re
You're welcome	I beg you	Pre go
I'm French	I am French (e)	So no French ket zé
The bathroom	Toilets	the ba GNO

At the restaurant

Restaurant	Restaurant	Ristorranté
Breakfast	Breakfast	Before colatsionné
Lunch	Lunch
Dinner	Dinner	Cena
Water	The water (acqua naturale: flat water, acqua frizzante and: sparkling water )	Aquoua

Traveling

Airport	Airport	Aeroporto
Plane	Aircraft	Aereo
Baggage	Luggage, suitcase .	Bagalio
Bus	Bus	Aoutobous
Machine	Car	Used
Office of tourism	Tourism Office	Oufichio di tourismo
Open	Open	Open
Closed	Closed	Ouzo
Plant	A map / plan of the city.	plant

Read Before You Go

Great books
Travels in Italy , Philippe Berthier, ed. Diane Saddlers, 2011. Italy: Art, architecture and landscapes , Laura Della Croce Maria and Annie Sacerdoti, ed. Success of the Book, 2007. Trips to Italy , Bernard Plossu, Paul Martin, Marc Ceccaldi, Nadine Gomez-Passamar and Andrea Busto, ed. Images maneuvers., 2005 Villas, parks and gardens of Italy , Patricia Bellei and Philippe Berthier, ed. Renaissance Book, 2004. Italia Antiqua , Annie Jacques, Stéphane Verger, Catherine Virlouvet, Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts (France) and Villa Medici (Rome), ed. Ensba -. Ecole Nationale 2002 Novels The case Paola and Senior placed friends , Donna Leon, ed. Points Seuil, 2003 and 2004. Guido Brunetti with the Commissioner, we travel to the heart of Venice, where lie the drug cases of corruption, "conbinazione" ... Travel in Italy , Wolfgang Goethe, ed. Christian de Bartillat., 2003 It was in 1786 that Goethe left his country without warning and fled to Italy. This man of Northern Europe, upset by the discovery of this country, gives us the colors and sensations he experienced. A read when preparing to go to Italy for the first time. Italian Chronicles , Stendhal, ed. Flammarion, 1993. This collection may be regarded as a repetition of the Charterhouse of Parma, Stendhal tells four stories of crime and passion in Italian, based on real events.

Travel in Italy , Jean Giono, ed. Folio Gallimard, 1979
This trip to Italy, Giono did at age 57 with his family and friends. He describes his journey from Milan to Florence via Bergamo, Verona, Venice and Padua. It evokes these cities, their inhabitants and tourists, so sometimes caustic and sometimes humorous. Fiction Italy nowadays An Italian boy , Philippe Besson, ed. Juliard 2005.

Where to go?

Nature

The Lake Maggiore , of 212km2, is located astride the Piedmont, Lombardy and Canton Ticino. It is famous for its tourist sites like the Borromean islands, Isola Bella which is 90% occupied by a seventeenth-century palace that has been converted into a museum. The lake is nearby National Park of Val Grande. Easy access to the islands by shuttle boat from Stresa. The crossing takes about 5 min.

Parks and Gardens

The Gran Paradiso Park is the first Italian nature reserve, which covers nearly 70,000 hectares.Glaciers, streams and valleys. A rare flora and many animal species are protected.

Cultural Heritage / Archaeology / museum

Divided into two separate routes, the route of ancient theaters to discover ancient remains.Achievable from Rome, where the theaters are concentrated in one raccoon, and Naples , a little scattered.
Allow several days and good equipment running.

Monuments

Find all the useful information on the most beautiful historic buildings in Italy
" Monuments in Italy

Museums

Fares, schedules and practical information, here is the list of museums to visit in Italy
" Museums in Italy

Itineraries

Walk to town, walking route or nature walks ... The most beautiful tourist routes in Italy
' Trails in Italy

Unesco

Every year, UNESCO placed on its World Heritage List of the most beautiful wonders of the world. Find classified sites in Italy
" classified sites in Italy

Parks

Discover the most beautiful natural sites in Italy
" Nature Parks in Italy

Natural Curiosities

Surprising or outsized, discover the most unusual natural sites in Italy
" Natural Curiosities in Italy

Culture

Surprising and offbeat, discover the most unusual cultural sites in Italy
" Cultural Sightseeing in Italy

WHAT TO DO IN ITALY

Restaurant

We do recommend that you too: Avoid ultra-touristy restaurants who will offer any dishes like grilled steak or pork chop with tomato sauce. You would spend next to one of the pleasures of Italian life .
looking in the little shops nearby streets less crowded. From the cheapest to most expensive, you may eat in a pizzeria, trattoria or ristorante.

Usually the meal begins with antipasti . These appetizers consist of cold meats, raw vegetables that have bathed in olive oil or vinegar, the bruschetta (grilled bread slice seasoned with garlic and olive oil, often decorated with a topping of tomato or pepper).

Then comes the first dish or pot Primo is considered an entry! It offers a choice of dishes from pasta :bucatini alla matriciana (thick spaghetti with bacon and spicy tomato sauce), penne dall'arrabbiata(tomatoes, parsley and pepper), gnocchi alla romana (dish made of semolina and potato), spaghettialla puttanesca (with tuna, olives and capers) or even alle vongole (with clams). Alternatively, you can opt for a traditional soup of beans, chickpeas or lentils.

The Secondo pot is the main course. Fish lovers can enjoy dishes of swordfish ( pesce spada e patatin), cod ( Baccalà dorato ) or dogfish ( Palombo alla romana ). Side meat, you can taste thesaltimbocca alla romana (fried veal, stuffed with prosciutto and sage, marsala wine), the abbachio went scottaditto (grilled lamb chops) not to mention the recipes offal: coda went vaccinaria (oxtail stew), tripe alla romana , di vitello pagliata (veal with tomato and cream).

Accompany your meal with a delicious Chianti or Olevano Cesanese . Among the white wines on the cards include the Frascati Colli, the Marino, the Velletri, the Monteporzio or Marino.

As Dolci dessert or you can crack the tiramisu that needs no introduction, the cassata (sponge cake with rum and creme de cacao), the panna cotta (a custard cream) or maritozzi (pastries to cream). If you run a small place, choose a di frutta macedonia (fruit salad) or sorbet . Finally, the house said the cake torta della casa .

The meal ended well with a course espresso . The digestive Limoncello is a lemon liqueur. Other major liqueurs are Strega, Galliano, Amaretto and Sambuca.

This menu extension is monitored for special occasions . You can settle for antipasto and a Primo pot or a Primo and Secondo a pot. Many Italians eat lunch on the run or a panino (hot or cold sandwich) or a pizza al taglio (one part pizza by the slice) or a tramezzino (sandwich bread).

Beyond pasta and pizza every region of Italy has its own cuisine. If the South is characterized by Mediterranean cuisine, the north is more influenced by the mountains ...

Thus, it is in the Piedmont that you can taste the bagna cauda , a dish made with anchovies, garlic and olive oil, or the fritto misto alla Piemontese , a fried dish mixed and fine wines, such as Barolo , theGrignolino the moscato ...

In Lombardy you will enjoy with polenta , mashed traditional corn, and with the panettone , brioche with raisins and candied citron cake.

In Veneto, let yourself be tempted by a risotto al radicchio (chicory) or al nero di sepia (cuttlefish ink) followed by a Pandoro , a fragrant bun orange blossom; specialty of Verona.

Do not forget to try the canederli (bread dumplings and flour broth drained) Upper Adigue and pestoof Liguria. You can enjoy very famous in Emilia-Romagna wines, like lambrusco , the Sangiovese , theAlbanian ... In Tuscany you will find the all'uccelletto fagioli (beans in tomato sauce), the pecorino(sheep cheese) and for dessert the panforte ; a compact cake made with candy, almonds, honey and candied fruit.

In Rome you can taste the saltimbocca (veal cutlet with sage and ham), the carciofi went Giudia(artichokes cooked in oil with garlic and parsley) ...

Other specialty; black truffles in Umbria, the calzoni (stuffed sock) and Neapolitan pastiera (ricotta and candied fruit) of Campania, the orecchiette con cime di rapa the (pasta shaped earrings and shoots turnips), the stuffed squid ( seppie ripiene), the granita (crushed ice and fruit syrup) ...

Shopping

Fashion
As recalled Coco Chanel , "If a woman is badly dressed, you notice her dress, but if she is impeccably dressed, she is one notices. " Cradle of fashion houses Armani, Gucci, Prada , Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Versace, Italy will satisfy the hardcore mode.

Milan is of course "the place to be" . Its golden quadrilateral around Via Montenapoleone is known worldwide. You'll find shops of the biggest names in fashion who will offer clothes and accessories, leather, furs, shoes ...

Rome with its famous Via Condotti is the second flagship of Italian fashion. Florence is itself known for its antique shops, jewelers, her lace and ceramics.

More accessible, the department store chains . In Italy they are called La Rinascente, Coin, Upim and Standa. And to shop without breaking the bank, take a ride on the markets, you will be able to do good business as the market Porta Portese Rome.

Most stores are open from 9:00 to 13h and from 15:30 to 19:30 or 20h. Shops close earlier in northern cities like Milan and Turin , but open earlier in early afternoon. The period of the winter sales is generally from mid-January to mid-March.

The purchases of choice ? Clothes, shoes, lingerie and jewelry. Know that Italian clothes carve larger than the French clothing; Italian 42 corresponds to a 38 French. But for shoes, count a size smaller if you put on the 39, take the 38.

In markets, the haggling is customary. Ask the seller the price of the product that interests you, and offer to the equivalent of two thirds. If he accepts, it would be bad if you do not buy it.

After your shopping spree, you can show off at the hour of evening walk; the passeggiata . As you will see, this old custom is still to NEWS ed. At 18h, Italian, after carefully dressed, go out walking in the streets of major cities.

The design

Italian design is recognized worldwide . Whether cars or furniture, the creations of Italian designers marked the spirits. Italian design is characterized by a strong emotional charge contributed to the functional object. It focuses not only on luxuries but is interested in furniture and utensils daily lamps, tables, kitchen accessories ...

The great name of Italian design is the Alessi family . Giovanni Alessi began to create and decorate small household items: plates, coffee pots, cutlery ... Gradually, he developed his business and began to make themselves known in Europe. With the release of industrial production, the company Alessi won a strong reputation. From generation to generation, it is surrounded by talented designers, forever to change the style while maintaining the same spirit.

Among the most famous pieces, the corkscrew "Anna" designed by Alessandro Mendini, the coffee "Cupola" by Aldo Rossi, the kettle revisited by Michael Graves and lemon squeezer "Juicy Salif," by Philippe Stark.

What to report?

Clothing and fashion accessories .
As everyone knows, Italy is one of the world's fashion places. You can succumb to the temptation to offer a branded item Armani, Gucci, Prada or Versace. However, beware of counterfeit products that you find in some markets.

Apart from high fashion and luxury brands, you will find good quality products, including the leatherand footwear (think removing a size that you usually take in France). You can also bring back traditional artistic handicrafts, such as bobbin lace , the silk quality , the Tyrolean-style clothing , an umbrella Carpineto Romano , a woven basket of Castelsardo , a Sardinian alliance silver ...

Designer accessories .

Italian design has won acclaim. Many designs have become benchmarks in the field. The design is particularly present in the arts of the table. The cult object par excellence is the Moka coffee invented by Alfonso Bialetti.

Gourmet products .

Among the Italian delicacies, you have a wide choice: olive oil scented balsamic vinegar, wine, coffee, Parma ham or San Daniele, cheeses (Parmesan, Mozzarella, Gorgonzola, Ricotta ...) ... Finally the pasta is a typical gift, easy to carry ... and cheap!

Crafts

If you want to bring products from crafts, here are some ideas: Castelfidardo accordion, violin from Cremona, fabrics, carpets, linens Valgrisenche, majolica (Italian earthenware) of wood, wrought iron, bronze, porcelain, ceramic, marble from Carrara ...

In the museum , you can treat yourself to a reproduction of a painting that you particularly like ... unable to acquire the original! And of course, the thumbnails of visited monuments and "religious" memories also find takers!

Go out

Italians have long understood the secrets of the art of living. Their Dolce Vita, known worldwide, is primarily a social life. The day is well punctuated outings and opportunities to meet. These moments often accompany some gustatory pleasures.

The morning , start with an espresso at the local bar. Even in the most mundane of institutions they serve the coffee far from the French espresso! If you prefer with a dash of milk, ask for a macchiato .

Beware though, because the Italian coffee is more difficult than the French cafe. If you want a coffee approaching the French cafe, ask for a caffe lungo ma non americano .

By late afternoon, from 18h , it's time to look. As you will see, the passeggiata (stroll) is an ancient custom still valid, in large cities and in villages. The Italian, after carefully dressed, walk out in the streets and stop to chat on the square downtown.

As do many Italians out after dinner enjoy an ice cream . Guests can either take on the terrace of a cafe or in a glacier or gelateria offering a wide variety of scents as appetizing as each other.

The evening , go with some friends in a wine bar . You will enjoy your time to taste the wines of the region you will find: Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Bardolino, Frascati ...

In Rome , the Enoteca Costantini (Piazza Cavour, 16) is one of the Roman temples of wine and spirits.

Sports

By the variety of its terrain, Italy meet both the needs of mountain lovers as those of water sports enthusiasts .

Cycling

The Tuscany is the region of choice for fans of two wheels . Discover the charms of this province by bicycle is quite possible but mountainous areas will be reserved for experienced cyclists. Moreover, it is possible to go mountain biking in the parks as in the Gran Sasso (Abruzzo).

Hiking , climbing and mountaineering

Casual walker or hiker led, everyone can find the Shoe Fits in Italy! The northern Alps (especiallyDolomites ) and the Apennine Mountains (central Italy) will allow you to perform these activities.Among the most beautiful places of excursions include the Gran Paradiso National Park , theNational Park of Abruzzo , the mountain of Sila in Calabria and the Gargano promontory south of the peninsula.

Ski Alpin

The main ski slopes are located in the Alps: Cortina d'Ampezzo (most chic), Madonna di Campiglio , Selva Ronda and Alba di Canazei. Courmayeur, Cervinia and La Thuile stations in the Valle d'Aosta have the advantage of being easily accessible from France through the Mont Blanc tunnel. It is also possible to ski in Abruzzo and even on Mount Etna in Sicily . Finally you can ski all year on Mount Blanc and the Matterhorn.

Water Sports

The 8,500 km coastline of Italy and the shores of the islands are extensive grounds to practice at willboat , windsurfing , water skiing , surfing or scuba diving . In most resorts, you can rent the necessary equipment. Sailing is very popular on the lakes of northern Italy (Lake Maggiore, Lugano, Como, Iseo and Garda).

The Sicily is one of the best spots for diving . As for lovers of beautiful beaches and turquoise waters,the Amalfi coast (west coast of Italy), the Sicily and Sardinia with their small quiet coves are the destinations of choice.

Other sports in which you can indulge in are the riding the golf and fishing .

The equestrian tourism has been developing for several years in Tuscany . If you come to this area in the summer, do not miss the famous Palio of Siena , the horse race that plunges the city in a daze.

Italy has a very good golf course in Lombardy and Trentino, in Tuscany and Lazio.

The rivers' of Umbria and Tuscany as the Sardinian and Sicilian waters (known for their lobster) will delight anglers .