Jessica Scott

Holidays in Italy By Jessica Scott for SummerHeadlines.com If you are in the midst of planning your next vacation, Italy should definitely be on your shortlist. In addition to incredible beaches and architectural wonders that have withstood the test of time and weather for hundreds (in some cases thousands) of years, it also has a spectacular cuisine the rest of the world is jealous of. Here is a look at some of the best things to do in Italy, the best time to go, and the experiences you just can’t miss out on. Entry Requirements to Visit Italy Luckily for residents of the European Union, there aren’t too many standard entry requirements for visiting Italy. No special visa is required, all you need is your official EU identification card. Over the past few years, COVID-related entry requirements to visit Italy have changed many times, but you can always check online and view the latest travel and safety updates from Italy’s health department, Il Ministero della Salute. Best Things to Do in Italy There are so many things to do in Italy that you may not know where to start. To get you off on the right foot, begin by focusing on these three incredible experiences you can’t get anywhere else in the world. Eating Italy has some of the best food on the planet, and it would be foolish to miss out on your chance to eat as much of it as you possibly can. You can visit various ristoranti (restaurants) where they serve everything from pasta and steak to local delicacies like shellfish and octopus, pizzerias where they serve pizza with just about every combination of toppings you could ever imagine, or gelaterie, where you can eat your fill of delicious, authentic Italian gelato (ice cream). You can also check out the lesser-known Italian “street food” like arancini in Sicily (deep fried balls of saffron-flavored rice with meat sauce and cheese inside) and panzerotti (small, calzone-like turnovers filled with cheese and tomato sauce) in Puglia. Everything is worth a try, so come to Italy hungry! Sightseeing Obviously, one should come to Italy to see the well-known architectural wonders like the Trevi Fountain, the Roman Colosseum, and the stunningly decorated chapels and cathedrals that date back centuries or even millennia. But don’t forget that there are other sights to see as well, like the snow-capped mountains in northern Italy, the sunny, sandy beaches in the south, and even volcanoes like Mt. Etna and Mt. Vesuvius. Whether you are more interested in historical architecture or spending time in nature, there is something here for you. Shopping Italy is one of the fashion capitals of the world, and visitors would be remiss if they didn’t take some time exploring the clothing stores in cities like Milan and Florence. Italy is also known for its beautiful art and handmade jewelry, which you can see in shops or being sold from booths or markets along the streets when the weather is fair. You can find some great souvenirs this way, or even a whole new wardrobe! Best Places to Visit in Italy Italy has a long and fascinating history, and many of its landmarks have origins that date back to ancient times. The list of sights you should see is nearly infinite, but if we were forced to pick a top three, these would be it. Roman Colosseum Can one really say they have been to Italy if they haven’t seen the famous Roman Colosseum in person? This masterpiece of architecture (and Italy’s most-visited site) has been around since 70 A.D. and was the battleground for countless gladiators from times long past. It is the physical symbol of the ancient Roman Empire, and as you stare up at its weathered walls, you’ll feel like you’re a part of history. The Archaeological Park of Pompeii The city of Pompeii was completely buried by ash when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D., but since the 1700s, it has been being slowly uncovered by archeologists. Now you can visit the Archaeological Park of Pompeii and walk the same stone streets as the Pompeiians who lived there thousands of years ago. You can see the temples, the artwork, and even the bones and plaster casts of the people whose lives were tragically cut short, as it was all perfectly preserved by the ash. New discoveries of long-lost artifacts are being made here every day -- perhaps even by a visitor such as yourself. The Canals of Venice Venice is full of art, jewelry, and mystery, but the one thing that makes it stand out the most among Italy’s other cities is the fact that its roads are not made of concrete, but of water. Instead of traveling by car, you can travel by boat along the canals. There seems to be more water here than land, making it the perfect spot for those who love sparkling views, as well as the chance to take one of those world-famous gondola rides. Best Vacation Spots Let’s be honest: all of Italy is a great vacation spot. There is no shortage of beautiful places to see, but we’d recommend starting with these. Rome Rome is the most visited city in Italy, and for good reason. Italy’s capital city is located in the region of Lazio, and is home to the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, and the Spanish Steps that were made even more famous by the blockbuster film Roman Holiday starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn. Not to mention that you can also go to the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums, and St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City (even if Vatican City is technically its own city-state, not a part of Rome itself. But tell that to the three steps it takes you to get from one place to the other!). If you are looking to experience Italy like you see in travel books and movies, Rome should definitely be your first stop. Venice Venice, the capital of the Veneto region, has no actual roads, just canals (see above). The Grand Canal in particular is an amazing site to see, but that’s not all Venice has to offer. Those famous waterways are lined with churches and palaces dating back to the Renaissance and Gothic eras, and Piazza San Marco in the heart of the city contains St. Mark’s Basilica and its mosaic tiles were crafted during the time of the Byzantine Empire. Florence Another capital city (this time of the region of Tuscany), Florence is renowned for its Renaissance architecture and art. The whole city looks like a picture as you view it from the tops of the many hills and lookout spots, and its gorgeous Duomo is featured on postcards and book covers around the world. It is also the birthplace of Dante, writer of The Divine Comedy and the man who many consider to be the father of the Italian language as we know it today, and the home of Michelangelo’s enormous sculpture of David, housed in the Galleria dell'Accademia. Naples Located within a stone’s throw of the infamous Mt. Vesuvius, Naples is close enough to Pompeii and the similarly doomed city of Herculaneum to make them into a day trip, but it also has its own amazing sights and experiences to offer. At the top of the list are its catacombs and underground aqueducts that you can tour below the streets of the bustling city, as well as the multiple castles and history museums you can visit aboveground. Naples is also famous for its unique approach to pizza-making, which can be sampled at one of its many (many, many) pizzerias. Sorrento Sorrento is another popular tourist destination not far from Naples. In fact, visitors to the craggy cliffs of the Sorrentine Peninsula can have a bird’s-eye view of Naples, Vesuvius, and the beautiful Isle of Capri. This southern Italian city boasts multiple marinas and the one-of-a-kind Cloister of San Francesco, as well as beautiful natural pools you can swim in near Villa Pollio Felice. Add to that some ancient Oscan ruins and its signature limoncello liqueur, and this becomes one city that shouldn’t be missed. What is the Best Time to Visit Italy? If you want to avoid the crowds and the (sometimes overwhelming) heat of the Italian summer, the absolute best times to visit Italy are the “off-seasons,” like September through November or March through June. These parts of the year typically see weather that is on the milder side, and you won’t usually get stuck in such long lines at popular tourist spots because there are fewer tourists on vacation in Italy. The one month savvy travelers always try to avoid is August, as this is the month where almost every single Italian goes on vacation within Italy themselves. The beaches are crowded, restaurants are full, and many stores and shops are closed while the owners are off taking a well-deserved break. Tickets for planes, trains, and other transportation are also at their most expensive during this time of the year, so more frugal travelers would be wise to avoid the August rush. What Currency Does Italy Use? Italy’s current currency is the euro, the most common banknote in the European Union. This means that no currency exchanges are necessary if you are coming from another EU member state that uses the euro. If not, you can check the current exchange rate on websites like XE and Wise. Interestingly, the euro is a fairly new addition to Italy’s financial structure, as it was only introduced in 2002. Before that, Italians paid for things with lire, which were still able to be exchanged for euros as recently as 2012. Conclusion In short, there is no shortage of things to see and do in Italy. This list is only a small fraction of everything that awaits you in la bel paese (the beautiful country) that is steeped in culture and history, but where every day is a new adventure.