Italy

Requirements:

Flight- From Toronto to Italy (Rome):

Direct: Air Canada, Alitalia, Air Transat

Other flights: Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, KLM, Delta, Turkish Airlines, American Airlines, Brussels Airline

Upon arrival, Canadians are required to present a passport that must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of expected departure.

Tourist visa are not required for stays up to 90 days

Business visa not required for stay up to 90 days

Work visa is required

Student visa is required

https://www.airport-fco.com/

The 90 day period begins upon initial any country of the Schengen area.

See website for Schengen areas

https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/italy

Getting Around:

Rome is one of the popular cities in Italy; most choose to fly into Rome Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO).

Major cities all have good transport systems, such as buses and underground trains, In Venice, the main public transport is a small passenger ferries (Vaporetti).

Bus and metro tickets should be purchased before boarding and validate them once on board. Passengers with invalidated tickets will be subject to a fine.

*Take note*: there are a few transport options you cannot use public transport tickets on. The Leonardo Express train running non-stop between Fiumicion Airport and Rome’s Termini Station.

For short term visits to Rome there is a single ticket or 24, 48, 72 hour passes or a 7 day travel passes. There is also a single ticket valid for 100 minutes (1 hour 40min) allowing you to switch bus lines if there is no direct service. On the metro you can switch Metro lines at Termini Station with one ticket.

Check website for pricing. https://www.rometoolkit.com/transport/rome_travel_...

Taxis and car rentals are always another option for transportation, and can be picked up to and from the airport. Book car rentals in advance.

Rome Pass: Valid for 3 days and includes public transportation and sites of your choice with discounts to several events, activities gifts and shops.

Hop on Hop Off Pass: 24 hours pass with several stops at Rome’s main attractions.

Factors that motivate visitors:

· World’s best known ancient sites

· Italian Cuisine

· Many Christian religious pilgrimages

· Culture is rich with opera, art, and history

· Shopping

· Resorts

· Major destination port for cruises

Possible Misgivings:

· “Everything is expensive”. Italy can be a bit expensive, pre-booked tours and cruises to lessen the cost of expense.

· Disorganized: Book escorted tours to enjoy hassle free trip

· Crime: Usually does happen, normal precautions must be taken

· “Driving in cities is dangerous”. Public transportation will help travellers pass this concern.

Geography:

The capital city of Italy is Rome. It has a population of 61,855,120. The official language is Italian, with German, French, and Slovene speaking. The religion is 80% Christian, 800,00 – 1 million Muslim, 20% Atheist and Agnostic.

Currency: Euro

Lodging: There are many hotel chains to choose from such as Belmond Grand Hotel (Taormina, Saicily), Belmond Villa San Michele (Fiesole-Florecnce), Four seasons Hotel Firenze (Florence), Hotel Londara Palace (Venice), Park Hyatt Milan (Milan).

Visit website for more hotel options https://www.cntraveler.com/readers-choice-awards/20...

Food: Italian cuisine is influenced by local history and traditions. The Italian menu is typically the same all over Italy. Most Italian dishes include all types of pasta, risotto and pizza. However, Fast food restaurants are still an option to dine.

Top restaurant to visit:

1. Club Del Doge Restaurant (Venice): Situated along the Grand Canal in the luxurious Gritti Palace Hotel. A place for a Venetian meal with a view (visits between May and October are always the best)

2. Da Vittorio (Brusaporto): Located in the Da Vittorio Relais & Chateaux resort, has earned three Michelin stars for its cuisine. The menu includes meat from Piedmont and langoustines from Mazara del Vallo

3.Il Palagio (Florence): Located in the Four Season hotel. Serves a $115 tasting menu with courses such mushroom risotto and seared partridge, as well as a decadent chateaubriand for two.

Climate: Italy’s weather contains cool mountain walks in the Alps in the heights of summer, to warm sunshine in the depths of winter. Northern Italy’s winter are quite cold, snowfall is a regular occurrence even in the coastal areas. Hot and humid in the summer. Central Italy’s rainfall is higher in the west coast than the east in winter. Winters are known to be cool but rainy with snow falling only in large cities such as Florence and Rome. Summers are hot and humid, wit infrequent rainfalls. Southern Italy’s weather is much warmer then the north. Snowfall is regular and heavy in the mountains. The long, dry summers are offset by high rainfalls in late Autumn.

Summer: hot, dry (28 degrees Celsius but sometimes even 40 degrees Celsius)

Winters: cool, wet ( -2 degrees Celsius – 8 degrees Celsius)

The cities in Italy are Rome, Venice, Florence, The Italian Riviera, Milan, Naples, Sicily

Rome

The political, cultural and religious heart of Italy It was originally built on seven hills along the Tiber River. Rome is known to be Modern and old Weather you are in Rome for 3 days, 3 weeks or 3 months, be prepared to step into the world’s biggest open air museum. Rome is also known to be one of the world’s most photogenic cities. Rome is also a romantic place for honeymooners and is a favorite holiday destination.

The Colosseum: Popular attraction in Rome. It is famous for its ancient stadium, where gladiators fought and Christians were martyred. It is today’s most recognisable classical building. It was originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater. There are many different shows that take place on the colosseum, at different times. In the morning there is a show called “Venationes” which is flight between exotic animals, or between men and animals. A famous event that people like to attend is the gladiators.

The Forum: Was once the center of the Roman Empire and now a broad area of ruins. It was the pulsing heart of Rome, the city’s main piazza where citizens of every social level met to exchange options, do business, or buy in the market and renew their strength over a tasty dish and a cup of good wine. When walking through the forum one might meet rich merchants in precious clothe and sandals.

Spanish Steps: Were built in 1723-1725 by a design of the rather little known architect Francesco de Sanctis. The steps are made up of unique designs which are very popular for artists, painters and poets. At the lower end of the stairs there is an early baroque called Fontana della Barcaccia, or Fountain of the old boat.

Trevi Fountain: The design of the Trevi fountain is based on three architectural elements a facade made of travertine; statues of carrara marble; a see reef also made of travertine. The fountain is known for three coins in the fountain fame. Special tradition is throwing a coin over your left shoulder and you’ll return to Rome.

The Pantheone: Roman building from the second century A.D. The dome was known to be the world’s largest until Florence’s Duomo was built in the 15th century. The word Pantheon is a Greek word for “honor all Gods”. It was the first temple to all gods. It is the best preserved Ancient Roman monument. There is a giant dome, with its famous hole in the top( the eye of the Pantheon, or oculus) The dome was the largest in the world for 1300 years and until today it still remains the largest unsupported dome in the world.

Vatican City: is one of the smallest nations in the world. It is home of the pope. It was built over the tomb of Saint Peter.

· St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world.

· Vatican Museums are the museums of the Vatican City.

· Sistine Chapel is famous for Michaelangelo’s painting of his Last judgement on its wall painted on the ceiling.

Venice

It is known to be one of the unique cities in the world. It was built on 117 islands connected by 177 canals and more than 400 bridges. It is located on the Adriatic. There are many historical sites to visit. Venice is a place you don’t want to miss out on. Venice is the symbol of wise government and freedom. The city is built entirely on water.

St Mark’s square: Busy gathering place, enclosed at one end by the fanciful St Mark’s Basilica and has numerous outdoor cafes. The basilica has a separate campanile- bell tower, it is one of the most recognizable landmarks.

The Doge’s Palace: Located near the basilica. Inside the palace are paintings by Titian Tintoretto and Veronese, majestic staircase, the Doge’s apartment and the prison cells. Outside is the Bridge of sights and beautiful differing columns along the plazzetta.

The Rialto Bridge: Venice’s most photographed bridge; it crosses the Grand Canal the city’s main waterway. The current structure was built in three year. The bridge arch was designed to allow passage of the galleys. The bridge has three walkways, two along the outer balustrades, and a wider central walkway leading to a small shop that sells jewelry, linens, murano glass, and other tourist trades. *Take note steps on the bridge makes it difficult for tourists with strollers or wheelchairs*

Murano: Touristy Island where glass has been made for some 700 years Museo Vetrario (Glass Museum) offers day or half day tours of the Venetian glassmaking. The city owned museum is located in the Palazzo Giunstinian near the Island’s center. They offer samples of glass from Egyptian time up until present dat.

Padua: Town with charming medieval buildings, it a large town in the Veneto region (North-eastern) part of Italy. It is home to an ancient university, and part of the town centre have a very student feel to them. Students tend to meet up here before lectures. The town is an attractive place to explore, having many historical streets to wonder. There has also been a wealthy town, and has fine architecture from different years.

· Planning ahead à Important advice is to book in advance for the Scrovegni Chapel. Tours usually are fully booked, to avoid disappointment book at least a day or two in advance. Booking online is the easiest method.

· When booking to see the frescoes, consider buying a PadovaCard. This includes admission to the chapel and to most of the other tourist attractions. Card last up 48 hours.

Florence

A city of art and architecture. It is located on the Arno River in the beautiful Tuscany hills. It is a city rich in places to discover, if time is short 1 or 2 days are enough to explore a large part of the city. Florence is where the Renaissance began and flourished in the 15th century under Medici family.

Duomo: One of the most architecturally cathedrals in the world. Dumo took 173 years to finish. The cathedral named in honor of Santa Maria del Fiore which is a vast Gothic structure built on the site of the 7th century church of Santa Reparata. The clock above the entrance on the inside of the church was built in 1433 by Paolo Uccello, where the 24th hour of the day ended at sunset. The biggest artwork within the cathedral is Giorgio Vasaro’s frescoes of the Last Judgment. Entrance into the cathedral is free many times there is a long line to get in. However lines move quickly

The Accademia Gallery: Fine collection of Florentine air, best known for Michelangelo’s statue David. *Take note give yourself extra time when visiting the Accademia Gallery, this is a must see spot while in Florence.* If time is limited in Florence tickets can be purchased in advance, and tours can be done guided or private.*

The Basilica of Santa Croce: Where Michelangelo is buried. (Ticket sales end 45 minutes before museum closure). This church has 16 chapels which are decorated with frescoes by Giotto and his pupils.

Caffe Giacosa: Small cafe with 1815 pedigree was the inventor of the Negroni cocktail and hub of Anglo-Florentine sophistication. Drink list standout include herbal infusions, ginseng cappuccino and Caffe de medici, granola and chocolate.

Pisa: (Leaning Tower of Pisa) Famous tower in Florence. The top of the tower can be reached by mounting the 294 steps which rise in the form of a spiral on the inner side of the tower walls. It is the third oldest building in Italy. The tower has eight stories with a chamber of the bells. The bottom story is made up of 15 marble arches. The final story of the tower is the bell chamber which has 16 arches. The staircase consists of 287 steps the tower is slightly curved from the attempts by various architects to keep it from leaning more or falling over.

Milan

The financial, business, fashion and publishing center of Italy. It is home of the Italy`s stock exchange. It an industrial powerhouse and the internationally accepts arbiter of taste in fashion and design. Milan is a seething metropolis.

The Last Supper: Famous mural made by Leonardo da Vinci`s The Last Supper is hidden away on a wall of the refectory adjoining the Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie. When Leonardo was at work on the masterpiece, a star-struck monk noted that he would sometimes arrive in the morning. Visit to this place will take about 15 minutes. There are English language guided tours that take place at 9:30am and 3:300 from Tuesday to Sunday book in advance.

Museo Poldi Pezzoli: Museume & galleriers. Art was made by Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli. During extensive European travels was inspired by the house museum. The gallery`s new 1st floor Pollaiolo Terrace offers an impeccably tasteful place for a drink or a meal.

Museo del Novecento: Overlooking Piazza del Duomo, with a vew from the cathedral. Museum for 20th century art. Built around futuristic spiral ramps, the lower floors are cramped which include the likes of Umberto Boccioni Campigli, De Chirico and Marinetti, more than distracts.

Pinacoteca de Brera: Located upstairs from the centuries old Accademia di Belle Arti, this gallery houses Milan’s impressive collection of old masters. When visiting this place don’t miss out on the glass walled restoration laboratory, where you can see conservators at work. Audio guides are available in Italian, French, English, Spanish and German.

Chiesa di San Maurizio: (Religious sight) Duck through a small doorway on the left to enter the secluded convent hall where martyred saints bear their tribulations serenely. St. Lucia calmly holding her lost eye, and St Agata casually carrying her breasts on a platter.

Naples

Crowded and a bit rundown, Naples is known for most of its attractions and popular places to visit. It is the third largest city, which is one of the oldest, most artistic and most delicious. Naples’ Centro Storico is a UNESCO world heritage site. Food from Naples are blessed with rich volcanic soils, bountiful sea, and centuries of culinary known how, the Naples region is on of Italy’s epicurean heavyweights, serving up the country’s best pizza, pasta, and coffee, seafood, street snacks and sweets.

Cappella Sansevero: Mosonic inspired baroque chapel. It one of serveral artistic wonders that include Francesso Queirolo’s sculpture Disinganno, Antonio Corradini’s Pudicizia and riotously colourful frescoes by Granscesco Maria Russo. Built around the end of the 16th century to house the tombs of the di Sangro family.

Mount Vesuvius: Is the only active volcano in mainland Europe, and has produced some of the continent’s largest volcanic eruptions. Located on the Italy’s west coast overlooking the Bay and city of Naples.

Naples city walking tour: Informative guide on a morning or afternoon Naples walking tour is to the city of historical sights, buzzing plazas and cultural delights. Tour includes the Royal Palace of Naples, Galleria Umberto I, the colourful Spaccanapoli promendadea and Teatro di San Carlo. Finish the tour off with delicious cake at a traditional Neapolitan Café. https://www.tripadvisor.ca/AttractionProductDetail...