Instant Expert: Italy
Italy is perhaps best-known for its delicious cuisine — it's the home of pizza, pasta, gelato, espresso and many other mouth-watering dishes, making it a firm favourite of foodie travellers. It also boasts 51 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, beautiful rolling countryside, famous vineyards, and a laid-back culture coveted by many. Read on to find out more:
Italy at a Glance
Population: 60 million
Capital: Rome
Official language: Italian
Currency: euro
Flying time from the UK: 3 hours
Timezone: GMT +1
Visas: No visa required for British citizens
Tipping: A service charge (servizio) or cover charge (coperto) is automatically added to your bill, so tipping isn't required -- you may want to tip extra for especially good service, though
10 Things You Need to Know About Italy
1. Italy is actually younger than the United States — it wasn't until 17 March, 1864, that the Italian unification, or the Risorgimento, brought the various states of the Italian peninsula together as the Kingdom of Italy.
2. There are 51 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy, more than in any other country in the world. These include 47 cultural sites and four natural sites — it's also home to three of Europe’s active volcanoes: Etna, Stromboli, and Vesuvius.
3. An estimated 3000€ in change is thrown into Rome's Trevi Fountain by tourists every single day. It doesn't go to waste, though — it's all donated to charity. Legend has it that throwing a coin into the fountain over your left shoulder ensures you'll return to Rome in the future.
4. Pizza, perhaps Italy's signature dish, is said to have been invented in Naples by Raffaele Esposito on 11 June, 1889, in honour of the Queen consort of Italy, Margherita of Savoy.
5. Italians often enjoy a pre-dinner evening stroll (passeggiata) in order to mark the end of the working day, and to socialise with friends and family.
6. The Shroud of Turin is an ancient linen cloth that's believed to bear the imprint of Jesus's body after he was crucified. It's been preserved at the San Giovanni Cathedral in Turin for over 420 years. You can visit the Museum of the Shroud (Museo della Sindone) within the cathedral to view the shroud.
7. Italy has been making wines for over 2800 years, and the Italian word for wine, vino, comes from the Sanskrit word "venas", which means "to love".
8. St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City is the largest church building in the world — it can accommodate 60,000 visitors in its 15,160-square-metre surface area.
9. The Grotta Palazzese restaurant in Polignano a Mare, Southern Italy, is built into a grotto 74 feet above sea level, so you can dine with a truly unique view over the Adriatic!
10. Italian business hours generally run from 9am-1pm and 3:30-7.30pm Monday to Friday. In July and August, businesses often reopen in the afternoon as late as 5pm. The mid-afternoon closing (riposo) is still observed in Southern Italy, but many northern and central cities no longer follow it.
When to Visit Italy
Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Italy, specifically from April to late June, and in September or October, when the weather is best and the crowds aren't as large. It's best to avoid visiting major cities or Italian beach resorts in July or August -- this is peak tourist season and when temperatures are at their highest.
Italy is Best For…
Cuisine. Food is one of the most important aspects of Italian culture, with each region having its own unique flavour. Italy's best food cities.
History. Considered the birthplace of Western civilization, Italy's history stretches all the way back to prehistoric times. You'll find some of Europe's most important architecture and monuments here. Italy's top archaeological sites.
Scenery. From Venice's endless canals to the rolling hills of Tuscany, and from the rugged cliffs and sandy coves of the Amalfi Coast to the wilderness of Mount Etna in Catania, Italy's scenery is as varied as it gets. Italy's best cycling and hiking routes.
Art. Some of the world's most famous artists hail from Italy, including Michelangelo, da Vinci, Caravaggio and Botticelli, and you can view their works in Italy's fine selection of art galleries and museums.
Beaches. Italy is surrounded by water on all sides, and so has everything from quaint fishing ports to bustling seaside resorts to choose from. Find out where Italy's best beaches are.
Where to go for a long weekend in Italy.
Travelling Italy by water.
When's the best time of year to visit different parts of Italy.
Our Italian wine guide.
Check our latest deals on holidays in Italy.