Why travel to italy

Stay Connected. Law Enforcement. Travel Advisories. Y Z All. Italy Travel Advisory. Travel Advisory June 16, Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues. Follow the instructions of local authorities.

Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information. Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Remember, the local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them.

Be sensitive to local customs, traditions and practices as your behaviour may be seen as improper, hostile or even illegal. Illegal drug use no matter what the drug carries stiff penalties, including fines and long prison terms.

Visitors to Italy should be aware that alcoholic spirits are usually sold in significantly larger measures in bars and restaurants than in Ireland. In cities such as Florence and Venice, you should observe notices regarding public conduct. In certain areas, near churches and in some piazzas, eating and sitting on steps or monuments is forbidden. All Irish citizens wishing to marry in Italy must obtain a nulla osta a certificate of freedom to marry.

More information on how to apply is available on our website in the Travel section. In cities and towns, the widespread use of motorbikes and mopeds require drivers to be extra alert and cautious. Many Italian city centres operate restricted driving zones to which only cars with permits have access.

Fines will be issued to all cars entering this zone without a permit. As signage can be limited, it may not always be clear if a restricted zone is in operation. In addition, car license plates are read electronically so you may not be aware that you have incurred a fine until you receive notification via post some months later.

Tourists are advised to seek local advice on whether restricted traffic zones are in operation, and to respect all regulations. If your hotel is in the centre of the city concerned, you may be able to obtain a temporary pass for that city; please contact your hotel for further details. Fines may be issued up to one year after the offence was committed and can be increased if they are not then paid within 60 days. The authority responsible for the Italian motorway system provides useful information on its website in English.

Pedestrians should remember that traffic will be coming from the opposite direction to traffic in Ireland. They should pay particular heed to the additional danger at night when walking along roads without a proper pavement and when crossing roads even at a designated crossing place. Most pedestrian crossings are not controlled by signals, but rather are similar to zebra-crossings in Ireland. However drivers, especially on motorbikes and mopeds, sometimes do not respect these, so particular care should be taken.

Check that you have adequate insurance and read the small print of the vehicle hire contract particularly any waiver that will come into effect if the vehicle is damaged. You should also carry your rental contract at all times. Taxis in Italy are licensed, with clearly marked signage. They run on a meter, and a list of supplementary charges late hours, luggage etc will be listed inside. Airports and seaports often attract unlicensed drivers posing as taxis, which should be avoided as they will generally overcharge tourists.

We recommend that only official taxis be hired. Please be aware that when you call for a taxi, the meter starts running the minute the taxi is dispatched to your location. For your safety, never get into a taxi when the driver is already accompanied or agree to the driver picking up another person.

Major cities also have a number of chauffeur companies, which often offer transfer from the airport to the centre and vice versa at competitive prices. Ask at your hotel for further details. Before travelling to Rome, check whether your hotel is located in area covered by this agreement. No further charges should be made for luggage, extra passengers etc. Buses, trains, trams and the metro all require valid tickets. Inspectors will make no exceptions for tourists. Public Transport strikes occur relatively frequently in Italy, with reduced services or complete suspension.

They are generally advertised in advance, and tourists should keep informed of possible strikes and how these may impact on their plans. Buying comprehensive travel insurance can save you and your family a lot of money if something goes wrong. It will also ensure that you get the medical attention you need, when you need it. Hospital bills can quickly run into thousands of euro, and a medical evacuation back to Ireland can cost thousands more.

Not all policies are the same, and the cheapest one might be cheap for a reason. Make sure your policy covers all the activities you plan to do on your trip. Exclusions: You should know most insurance policies will not cover drink or drug-related incidents. As an Irish resident you are entitled to get healthcare through the public system in countries of the European Union EU , European Economic Area EEA or Switzerland if you become ill or injured while on a temporary stay there.

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Hike the Tour du Mont Blanc. Spend eight unforgettable days hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc, setting off on a circuit Take a small-ship adventure cruise along Croatia's northern coast from Split to Venice Cruising the Adriatic Coast: Dubrovnik to Athens. Cruise the Adriatic coast, navigating the coastlines of Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Encounter the picturesque hills and olive groves of Tuscany on this cycling adventure Set sail across the clear blue waters of Sardinia, exploring rugged coastlines, wild Amalfi Coast Sailing Adventure.

Walk into a world that's a play of colourful houses and blue sea as you amble between Visit Spain, France and Italy on this European adventure.

Discover gothic architecture Explore Southern Italy. Sail Italy: Amalfi to Procida. Sail Italy: Procida to Amalfi.

Discover the secrets of Calabria and the highlights of Sicily on this day adventure Meet your group in Venice and then set sail from Opatija, dropping anchor at Krk, Rab, Ages 18 to Real Central Europe. Discover Central Europe on this day journey from Germany to Italy. Start in Berlin, Italy Real Food Adventure.