Italy is one of the most beautiful countries not only in Europe, but also in the world. Italy has everything and everyone here will find entertainment to their taste: rich culture, Mediterranean climate, chic beaches and developed resorts, and, of course, exquisite Italian cuisine.
You can carefreely learn on numerous beaches or conquer the snow-capped peaks of the Alps, visit the famous Vatican museums or admire the views of the Colosseum and the Pantheon. By the way, it is a vacation in Italy that allows you to visit the country where the world's largest number of objects under UNESCO protection is located.
Tours to Italy regularly attract tourists from all over the world with a unique cultural heritage, picturesque views of mountain landscapes, the architectural heritage of ancient cities, the opportunity to enjoy real Italian pasta and pizza.
Whichever tour you choose, a ski holiday in Italy or a sightseeing tour to Rome, the atmosphere will always be saturated with an indescribable spirit of antiquity and pomousness. It is not for nothing that holidays in Italy were chosen by world-famous writers, artists and composers.
Excursion tours to Italy are chosen by travelers from all over the world: countless cultural and historical monuments of Rome, Venice and Milan, beautiful landscapes of the Chianti Valley. We offer sightseeing tours in Italy with direct flights from Minsk to Rome with Belavia.
Official name: Italian Republic.
Capital: Rome.
Time: 1 hour behind the Belarusian.
Geography: A state in southern Europe. It borders Switzerland and Austria to the north, Slovenia to the east, and France to the northwest. To the east it is washed by the Adriatic Sea, in the south by the Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, in the west by the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Ligurian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Italy also owns the islands of Elba, Sicily and Sardinia and several small islands.
Climate: The climate of the Iberian Peninsula is clearly divided into three geographical zones. Cold alpine winters and warm humid summers are characteristic of Northern Italy. In the Po Valley, arid summer contrasts with frosty and humid winters. In the rest of mainland Italy and on the islands, the climate is typically Mediterranean: long hot summers (in July-August, the average air temperature is +25°C - +30°C, water +23°C - +24°C) and mild winters (average temperature in January 0-+12)°C.
Italy has the most favorable weather conditions in Europe, suitable for any type of recreation. If you want to breathe clean mountain air and ski - go to the Italian Alps and the Apennines, if you want to soak up the sand - forward to the Odyssey Coast or the Venetian Riviera, where you can sunbathe and swim from late May to early October.
Population: about 60 million people. Ethnic groups: Italians - 98%, Germans, Slovenes, Albanians, Greeks, French.
Language: The official language is Italian. English and French are understood almost everywhere in hotels, restaurants, tourist offices. German is understood primarily in resort areas in the northern Adriatic and lakes. Russian is well understood by souvenir merchants in shops located in Rome, in the Colosseum area and elsewhere.
Religion: Catholics - 84%, Protestants, Muslims, Jews.
Currency: Euro (EURO), 1 EURO = 100 EURO cent.
Currency exchange: Currency can be exchanged at currency exchange offices, banks, at the post office. Airports usually have an unfavorable rate, but exchange offices work there around the clock. In Italy, all common credit cards are in use, in cities, in many restaurants, hotels, shops and department stores, Visa, American Express, Mastercard, Diner's Club and Carte Blanche are accepted, but most gas stations require payment in cash. Card calculation has not been accepted in rural areas. Places where cards are accepted are usually posted in the "Carta - si" ad window (Cards - yes). Banks are open from 8-30 to 13-20 and another hour in the afternoon (usually from 15-00 to 16-00), Saturday and Sunday are a day off. Italy has many exchange machines that accept most European currencies and US dollars.
Customs regulations: You can import goods worth up to $140 free of charge. In addition to things for personal use, you can also import 300 cigarettes, 1.5 liters of strong alcoholic beverages, 10 liters of wine, 75 ml of perfume duty-free. In addition to personal belongings, every citizen of a non-European Union country entering Italy can import jewelry, two cameras, one video camera, one radio, one tape recorder, one bicycle, one boat (motor), two pairs of skis, two tennis rackets, one kayak, one surfboard. A special permit is required to import professional equipment, commercial samples, goods for exposition at exhibitions into Italy. There are no restrictions on the import of currency. You can freely export up to 10 thousand € or the equivalent amount in other currencies. The export of large amounts must be allowed by the customs authorities.
Transport: The national railway network connects the cities of the country. A thicker network in the north of the country. There are six types of trains in Italy: "Pengolino", "Eurocity", "Inter City", "Expresso" (stops at the main stations), "Directto" (stops at most stations), "Locale" (stops at all stations). The long-distance bus network complements the railway network. It serves mainly those areas of the country where there are no railways. International buses are comfortable. In cities, all bus stops are made on request. There are so-called "time-limite" tickets that allow for the same price (about $1). USA) make three trips by public transport within 1 hour and 15 minutes. Tickets for the city bus can be purchased at newspaper or tobacco kiosks, and they must be composted on the bus. Taxis can be ordered by phone from a hotel, bar, restaurant, automatic phone. Single women are not recommended to hitchk.
Electricity: 220 V mains voltage, European type sockets.
Shops: Italian stores do not need advertising - it's an unprecedented variety of things for every taste and budget! Shops are open from Monday to Saturday from 08:00 to 20:00, some are also open on Sunday. Lunch breaks are quite long, usually from 13:00 to 15:00. A system of seasonal discounts is widespread, especially in winter and spring. From Italy you can bring good leather goods (shoes, jackets, bags), wonderful clothes of Italian fashion designers, knitwear, beautiful lingerie, porcelain, crystal, jewelry and jewelry, souvenirs, frames for paintings in ancient style or a custom copy of an ancient statue. It is worth bringing strong Chianti wine from Italy, real green olive oil and, of course, one of the most exquisite Italian almond liqueurs "Disaronno Amaretto", the legendary drink of love.
Cuisine: The whole of Italy is literally flooded with restaurants, restaurants, cafes and pizzerias. Risotto, polenta, pizza, bolonian stew, proshutto ham can be found in any menu. Fjorentine steak is very tasty - a large juicy bif steak of steamed beef, cooked on a grill and sprinkled with lemon juice. Ravioli - small dumplings stuffed with meat or cheese. Dishes made of large thick pasta stuffed with meat, herbs, rice or vegetables are popular. Ravioli and pasta are served with grated cheese. And the best varieties of cheese are mozzarella, parmesan, pecorino, gorgonzola and burielle. Italian wines are loved far beyond their sunny homeland. A third of the total volume of local wines produced belongs to Chianti, the most famous red wine. So, having tasted chicken fricasse or other selected dish, having a dessert, for example, a sweet roll, do not forget to drink a glass of Chianti.
Tipping: Tipping is accepted, of course, only if you are satisfied with the service. A warning taxi driver or porter at the hotel can be given a few euros or just slightly round the bill.
National features: Italians are impulsive, hot, impulsive, very sociable. We really appreciate the interest in Italy as a country that is the ancestor of many arts and crafts. The manifestation of respect and knowledge in this area always makes a favorable impression. Strong drinks are rarely drunk, even the famous Italian grappa is not in great honor in their homeland. Proven to tradition, Italians prefer not to drink even beer, they usually drink local wine, which is an indispensable attribute of every lunch. Long toasts are not accepted, and "chin-chin" is pronounced before drinking. As for Italian businessmen, they attach importance to negotiations between people occupying approximately equal position in the business world and society. To establish business relations, it is enough to exchange official letters with proposals. It is not uncommon for intermediaries to resort to establish business contacts, whose institution is constantly expanding. Informal relations with partners, including in non-official hours, are important for business representatives.