Rightly considered one of the world’s most iconic travel destinations, Italy manages to be many things a vision of golden countryside, a mass of seething cityscapes, a repository for ancient culture, a mecca for fashion whilst never being anything less than resolutely Italian. it’s somewhere that draws you in repeatedly. Its many faces are a big part of its appeal. Oh, and did we mention the food?
From the scooter-honk of Naples to the bosomy hills of Tuscany, and from the Renaissance splendour of Florence to the football crowds of Turin, Trying to take the country in on one trip is akin to settling down to read an entire library far better to concentrate on one or two of its numberless highlights and immerse yourself in the mix of hospitality, style and volatility that makes Italy so intoxicating.
Schengen Visa The Schengen Visa has made traveling between its 25 member countries (22 European Union states and 3 non-EU members) much easier and less bureaucratic. Traveling on a Schengen Visa means that the visa holder can travel to any (or all) member countries using one single visa, thus avoiding the hassle and expense of obtaining individual visas for each country. This is particularly beneficial for persons who wish to visit several European countries on the same trip. The Schengen visa is a “visitor visa”. It is issued to citizens of countries who are required to obtain a visa before entering.
Locals There is a north-south divide even when you consider the cultural makeup of the Italian population. The northerners have strains of the French and the German, with many families having ancestors from there. Both the geographical proximity and years of political influence have had an undeniable influence culturally. The south of Italy has been influenced by Spanish and Arab cultures. Strong family ties and a deep, warm relationship between parent and child characterize Italian social structure. On the whole, you will find the Italians are a zestful people with a very accommodating warm nature.
Currency Italy has the euro (EUR, €) as its currency. Therewith, Italy belongs to the 23 European countries that use the common European money. One euro is divided into 100 cents. A lot of shops do not accept banknotes of €100, €200 and €500, due to concerns about counterfeiting and burglary. For safety reasons, credit card use in some parts of Italy increasingly requires a PIN-code. ATMs are readily available, mostly near shopping and nightlife areas. Mostly everywhere you can find an ATM.