Italy

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For centuries, Italy stood as the epicenter of politics and commerce for the entire western world when it ruled as the Roman Empire. Today, the people of Italy welcome travellers to experience its breathtaking vistas, enjoy its many art and culture exhibits, or explore the ruins and relics of this once mighty empire.

Language: Italian
Currency: Euro
Government: Unitary Parliamentary Republic

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Santa Claus does not make visits to Italy. Instead, children are visited once a year by the witch Befana who leaves presents for good children and lumps of coal and dark candy for bad kids.
  • Over 20% of the population is over the age of 65.
  • The Venice Film Festival is the oldest film festival in the world.
  • While it physically resides within Italy’s borders, Vatican City is its own city-state and has a separate government, which is ruled by the pope. At only 44 hectares in size the Vatican is the smallest city-state in the world. Due to its small size, statistically, there are 2 popes per square kilometer in Vatican City.

Climate

The climate in Italy varies by region. Summers are typically warm throughout the country, however winters can be very mild in the south and quite cold in the north. Also, humidity can vary widely depending on where you are staying in relation to the sea. Prices of many attractions and shops are often determined by the weather, with increased rates during the warmer months. When planning a trip to Italy it is always advised to check the expected climate of the regions you will be visiting to get the most enjoyment out of the area. January is typically the coldest month of the year, with August being the warmest.

  • Warmer months – May to September
  • Colder months – October to April

Must See

ROMAN COLISEUM
Considered one of the greatest achievements in architecture, the Coliseum was once home to the deadliest spectator sport in the world. Visitors are welcome to experience the site where so many competitors fought not only for victory, but also for survival.

VATICAN CITY
The home of some of the greatest works of art and luxurious buildings in the world, the Vatican is the home of the Pope and base of operations for the Catholic Church.

THE PANTHEON
Originally a temple dedicated to the God’s of Roman mythology, the Pantheon welcomes travelers to stand within its magnificent walls and study this ancient marvel.

VENICE CANALS
The city of Venice is actually over a hundred small bodies of land connected by bridges and a beautiful canal that runs through the entire town. Whether you’re looking to have a romantic adventure or just want to take in the city from this unique perspective, the Venice canals are a sight you won’t soon forget.

TREVI FOUNTAIN
One of the most visited spots in Italy, the Trevi Fountain is a breathtaking fountain and features some of the most celebrated depictions of Roman Gods in the country.

Escape Locations

Rome

Italy’s “eternal city” is home to some of the world’s most famous historical sites and monuments, from the Vatican to the Spanish Steps to the Colosseum.

Triton Fountain

This beautiful fountain in Rome was designed by famous Baroque sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

Trevi Fountain

It’s the largest Baroque fountain in Rome and considered to be the most beautiful fountain in the world. Toss a coin in–legend says it means you’ll come back to Rome.

Explore

5 Things to Buy in Venice

Finding the right souvenir to take home means finding something that symbolizes the destination you’ve just visited. If you’re headed to Venice, here are five purchases you’ll want to make.

WATCH: Venice Drowning in Floods

Tourists are swimming through St. Mark’s Square and sitting at underwater cafe tables as Venice copes with some of its highest flood levels in decades.

Eat, Taste, Love in Italy

From sampling freshly made mozzarella to tasting succulent tomatoes straight off the vine, Matthew Delaney feasts his way through Italy, in his own real-life version of Eat, Pray, Love—only this time, it’s Eat, Taste, Love.

Flooding Hits Venice

The streets of Venice are flooding as the city of canals enters its annual acqua alta season.

WATCH Bare Feet™ in ITALY
with host Mickela Mallozzi
An Exclusive Web Series Premiere!

Love Food? Love Travel? Love Italy? Then you’re going to ADORE the T+E Exclusive Web Series Premiere BARE FEET™ in ITALY with host Mickela Mallozzi! Watch as Mickela takes us through her sweet, sleepy hometown of Minturno, cooks traditional dishes with Nonna and learns its local dances and food customs in preparation for the annual Wheat Festival! You won’t want to miss this!

Top 5 Destinations for
Chocolate Lovers

Who doesn’t love chocolate? And what could be better than tasting chocolate around the world? Doreen Pendgracs, a globe-trotting chocolate connoisseur, lists her top picks for best chocolate destinations.

Parma Cheese, Please!

Jiro may dream of sushi, but Karen Kwan’s still dreaming of the cheese she enjoyed in Parma, Italy.

Agritourism Adventures
for City Slickers

Agritourism lets you escape the city and connect with culinary traditions, all while supporting local farmers. Kiva Bottero slows down and gets his hands dirty with some “agritainment.”

Rome – Scam City

In Rome, Conor Woodman finds rogue Centurions who threaten tourists and unsheathe their swords to fight over territory. There is a turf war underway in Rome, in which tourists have become the spectators and the prize.

Rome’s Colosseum is Leaning

Just like that other famous building in Italy, the Colosseum is starting to lean to one side. Don’t worry, though. It’s still safe to visit, and is about to undergo a major restoration.

Scam City: Spies at the Vatican

In this behind-the-scenes look at Scam City’s Rome episode, researcher on location Luca Gastaldi shares how the crew channelled their inner 007s to escape scammers hot on their heels at the Vatican.

10 Best Road Trips in Italy

Road trips through Italy offer beautiful hilltop towns… and a complete disregard for traffic rules. While living in Italy, Mattie Bamman discovered these 10 road trips, two of which you should never attempt.

Mark Zuckerberg on Honeymoon
in Rome

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his new wife Priscilla Chan are on a quiet honeymoon in romantic Rome, Italy — private jets, boats and Chardonnay included.

IMAGINE: Dream Travels in Tuscany

Books, movies and poetry glorify the beautiful landscapes of Tuscany, and inspired writer Veronica Leonard to follow her travel dreams to magnificent Florence and through the many narrow cobble-stoned streets and hilltop towns of rural Tuscany.

Cremona, Italy – Gourmet Escapes

Massimo returns to his hometown (and heaven) to cook with the ingredients he grew-up with. He bumps into a few friends along the way to help him prepare the meal-home grown style.

AT HOME WITH MASSIMO CAPRA

Join T+E Senior Editor Gariné Tcholakian in this T+E exclusive online broadcast as she heads to the childhood hometown of celebrity chef Massimo Capra for a revealing behind-the-scenes look at the village that shaped one of Canada’s most celebrated chefs!

Pompeii – Distant Shores

The Shards travel from Malta to the west coast of Italy and visit one of the most important archeological sites in history; Pompeii.

Carnival in Acireale:
Celebrating the joy of living

Head to Sicily to find out why the hosts of one of Italy’s biggest Carnival celebrations draws nearly a million visitors a year, from fun, food and music, to the spectacular parade floats that light up the baroque town.

TOP CARNIVAL PARTIES IN EUROPE

From being pelted by oranges to wearing an elaborate Venetian mask; and from waking at 4 am to watch a parade to celebrating a medieval murder — Europeans know how to party during Carnival.

World’s Top Superstitious Hot Spots

Whether you’re throwing a coin over your back into the Trevi Fountain in Rome, ringing the Wishing Bell in Slovenia, touching the St. John Of Nepomuk statue in Prague, or spinning in circles on the Stebuklas in Lithuania, your wish come true is only a destination away.