Italy travel facts - very important
If you are planning your next visit to Italy, the boot of Europe, make sure you know some essential facts about traveling to this popular tourist destination, as it will help you plan and organize your visit in the right way.
Here are some important Italy travel facts that you may want to know and understand:
Italy travel data n. 1 - Accommodation
Italy offers a wide range of accommodation for tourists. Many hotels can be found near train stations and are generally cheap, although a few are seedy. It is often wise to inspect a hotel before committing to it. Hotels in Italy are generally classified by a government system that does not take into account the attractiveness of the place. If you are staying longer, renting a house or apartment for a week is a reasonable option.
Italy travel data n. 2 - Italian Festivals
The best way to see more than the average tourist can is by finding Italian sagras and festivals. Sagras are a boon for things like porcini mushrooms. You will likely find good food served outdoors at communal tables and is a great way to meet Italians, all you need to do is dive in.
Italy travel facts n. 3: language of Italy
The language spoken in Italy is Italian, although you may hear some local dialects. However, in very touristy areas, English is widely spoken. If there is an Italian word you must remember, it is sciopero, which is pronounced sho-per-o, which means strike. Strikes often occur in Italy that generally last around a day or less, and rarely cause too much trouble for tourists who are flexible. Labor problems are often brought to the public conscience through short strikes, so if you see papers on the walls or windows of trains or bus stations, look up this word and you will know what is going on.
Italy travel facts n. 4: transport to Italy
Italy's public transport has an extensive rail system and buses sometimes duplicate rail routes. Many small towns in Italy have access to the larger cities nearby via twice-daily bus trips. The bus stations are generally located near the train stations. Since trains and buses are subsidized in Italy, they are a bit cheaper than most of the rest of Europe. Just keep in mind that there are fewer trains on weekends and holidays.
Italy travel data n. 5 - Maps of Italy
Providing yourself with maps of Italy can help you plan your trip. There are a variety of maps of Italy that can be found online, including a train map and a map of the region.
Italy travel data n. 6: best time to travel
Italy has a moderate climate; rain is rare during summers in the south. Alpine regions have frequent thunderstorms even during summers. Summer can be extremely hot. August is the time when Italians take a break and head to the beach. Visiting Italy in the fall is a wonderful time to visit. This is when truffles and porcini start to bloom. Although it rains more than in summer, with cooler nights it is still worth it.
