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| Beautiful Sicilian country villa with pool |
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| Nice apartment with in the wall of Lucca |
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| Villa by the beach |
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ITALY, Il bel paese
Goethe wrote 'If you are walking or standing still, landscapes of all kinds appear before your eyes, often so crammed that you can draw them on a single sheet'.
Italy is known worldwide for a variety of reasons. Great food and wine, stunning landscapes, beaches and relaxation. Beautiful architecture to name but a few. The country is packed with a variety of coasts, mountains, hills, fields, archeological sites and museums.
Italy is situated on the southern border of Europe and her peninsula, with surrounding islands, reaches almost to the coast of Africa. This geographical position is what makes Italy really interesting as the different civilizations which have made Italy their home left behind a piece of their history.
Italy is the fourth most visited country in the world, More than 40 million foreigners touch down to visit some of the most amazing places in the world during just one year. Half of the world's historic and artistic assets are within its boundaries (UNESCO).
Italy has 23 National Parks, 89 Regional Parks, 270 Regional Reserves, 142 State Reserves, 47 Marsh reserves and 7 Marine Reserves, which are protected zones managed either by the State in some form - Regional Councils, Provincial Councils and Municipalities - or by the environmental and protection associations such as Italia Nostra, WWF, Lega Ambiente, Greenpeace, LIPU, Touring Club, etc.
The National Parks are: Abruzzo (the oldest, officially opened in September 1922), Gran Paradiso (opened a few months after the Abruzzo park), Circeo, Stelvio, Calabria, Pollino, Monti Sibillini, Archipelago Tuscany, the Caserta Forests, the Belluno Dolomite mountains, Aspromonte, Cilento-Valle di Diano, Gargano, Gran Sasso-Laga, Maiella, Val Grande, Vesuvius, and Gennargentu-Asinara-Golfo di Orosei, Alta Murgia, Appennino Tosco-Emiliano, Arcipelago La Maddalena, Cinqueterre, Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona, Campigna.
The Mediterranean Diet
Handed on from one generation to the next over the centuries, the Italian Mediterranean diet is based on seasonal fresh produce with a rich variety of fruit and vegetables to complement the staple pasta dishes. The culture of food is so deeply entrenched in the Italian way of life that food is so often a passionate topic of converastion. Even traditional national dishes vary
in accordance to the region they are in. In recent decades the Mediterranean diet has gained widespread acclaim because of its recognised health value (World Health Organisation).
Italy is a very romantic place which makes it ideal for both honeymooners and couples alike
Useful Tips
Emergency Telephone Number
118 for Medical Emergencies
12 Phone Directory Assistance
112 for Carabinieri's service
113 for Emergency Police Help
115 for the Fire Department
116 (Italian Automobile Club) - for road side assistance
176 International Inquires
Traveling With Your Pet
Pets may enter Italy only if accompanied by their owner or a person responsible for them on behalf of the owner during their stay in Italy, and are not intended for sale. Up to a maximum of five pet animals are permitted.
Currency
The monetary currency is the Euro which is divided as follows: bills of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500; coins of 1, 2, 5, 10 Euros, 20 and 50 cents.
Shopping
Although normally shops are open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3:30/4 p.m. to 7:30/ 8 p.m., in large cities and tourist areas there is a tendency to stay open from 9.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. with possible variations from town to town.
Exports from Italy
There are no restrictions on gifts purchased in Italy except for antiques and works of art. These require the authorization of the Ministero dei Beni Culturali e Ambientali.
Safety
Moneybelts are perhaps a good idea particularly in crowded tourist sites as, like many other tourist places around the world, are at pickpocket risk. One should always be on alert for these petty thieves and prevention is better than cure. Keep your money hidden preferably in an inside pocket or money belt.
Stamps
Stamps may be purchased only at tobacco shops and at the Post Office. Always check at the counter for the exact fare to the country of destination
Post Office Hours
Post Offices are open from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. On Saturdays they close at 12:00
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