INSIDER GUIDE TO ITALY

ItalyG U I D E T O

Picture Italy. Are you meandering along the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, headed for those sparkling blue waters? Biting into a slice of soft, chewy, margarita pizza, the bright red tomato dribbling down your fingers? Wandering amongst the crumbling ruins of Herculaneum, a town long ago buried by Vesuvius? Wherever your mind wanders to when you picture Italy, welcome to our first-timer’s guide to this fascinating country. A paradise for foodies, culture fiends and sun-worshippers, Italy is a destination with seemingly endless places to explore.

Italy Population: 61.3 million

Capital: Rome

Motto: Per l’onore d’Italia (For Honour of Italy)

National Anthem: Il Canto degli Italiani

Language: Italian

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Time Zone: GMT+2

GENERAL FACTS

Here for Google Maps

Destination Guide – ITALY 3

It is home to the 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sights the largest amount in

the world.

It is the fourth most visited country in the

world and is famous for looking like a high-heeled

boot on a map.

Italy’s Vatican City is a separate sovereign

nation.

The average Italian consumes 26 gallons of wine and 25 kilograms

of pasta a year!

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Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

AVERAGE MONTHLY WEATHER GUIDE

Interesting FACTS...

Venice has over 400 footbridges!

Italy is made up of 20 regions and 6 islands.

Italy has three volcanoes –

Vesuvius, Etna and Stromboli.

Italy has more famous fashion designers than

anywhere else in the world.

Some of the world’s greatest composers

like Vivaldi, Verdi and Puccini were all

from Italy.

The Italians invented the thermometer and

the piano!

Things you must see whilst in Italy...

St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City. This is the largest Basilica of Christianity in the world and holds up to 20,000 people at any one time. Iconic artists such as Rafael and Michelangelo have both worked on the building which is truly a must see when visiting Italy.

The Colosseum in Rome. Originally known as the Flavian Ampitheatre and was the site of many Roman gladiator fights. It’s thought that construction of this iconic building began between 70 - 80 AD.

Trevi Fountain, Rome. The statuesque Trevi Fountain stands at 26 metres high and is one of the most recognisable fountains in the world. The tradition of throwing coins into the Trevi Fountain is ancient. One coin guarantees your return to Rome, the second promises new love and the third ensures marriage.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa One of the most famous attractions in the world. The clay foundations means that even though the tower stood upright for five years it began to subside heavily to one side later. The tower is also slightly curved as a result of various architects attempting to prevent it falling.

Destination Guide – ITALY

The Colosseum, Rome. The Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Things you must see whilst in Italy...

“one of the most famous attractions in the world”

5

TOP PICKS

Florence Segway Guided Tour by NightEnjoy a 1.5 hour segway tour at night in Florence with an expert guide. This tour includes a Segway tour with local guide (1 hour), training (30 minutes), helmet and rain vest.

Milan Evening Beer and Bites Walking Tour Explore the vibrant district of Navigil and walk along the charming canals at night. Sample some of the best Italian craft beers with two matching appetizers and learn all about food culture in Milan.

Try something different...

Interpreti Veneziani: Chamber Orchestra Classical Concert in VeniceAn unforgettable chamber orchestra concert in San Vidal - an amazing concert venue in Venice. Enjoy works of Antonio Vivaldi, one of the greatest Baroque composers born in Venice, as well as Mozart, Bach, Paganini and more!

Maison Milano Dinner Show in MilanDine at the exciting show restaurant Maison Milano, enjoy a burlesque show, live music or DJ set with an Italian 4-course menu with delicious wine.

Destination Guide – ITALY 6

INSIDER

Medici Family Behind the Scenes, Theatrical Show and Tuscan Dinner in Florence. Discover the history of Florence and the Medici Family with Gian Gastone and Anna Maria Luisa - the last heirs of the Medici dynasty, during a multi-medial theatrical performance in the evocative space of an ancient library. After the show enjoy a delicious Tuscan dinner in a historic restaurant in the heart of Medician district.

Destination Guide – ITALY 7

L emons so sweet you can eat them like oranges, decadent gelato that’s impossible to resist, melt-in-the-mouth mozzarella made

that morning…there’s no end to the wonderful stories about the delights of Italian food. But when you’re visiting Italy for the first time, where do you start?

One of the first points to bear in mind is that each of Italy’s regions have specialty ingredients and dishes, and it’s worth seeking them out. Heading to Central Italy (Tuscany, Umbria, Marche, Lazio)? Make sure you visit the wineries. Travelling to Emilia-Romagna or Southern Italy (Campania,

Basilicata, Abruzzo, Molise, Puglia, Calabria)? These regions are famous for their culinary traditions so prepare to gorge!

We’ve compiled our five favourite nibbles and tipples to help get you started on your Italian foodie journey, but from Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese to truffles from Bologna and Prosecco from Veneto, there are endless foods to taste whilst you’re there. Make sure you tuck in and enjoy every morsel this magnificent country has to offer.

Taste Our Travel Counsellors’ top recommendations for your 5 must-try dishes

Burrata from PugliaImagine a perfectly poached egg as a bright orange yolk magnificently oozes out. Tear open a gently wobbling ball of burrata, and out oozes a mouthwatering concoction of salted fresh cream mixed and slivers of mozzarella. That milky hued ball may look like traditional mozzarella di bufala (mozzarella made from water buffalo milk) from the outside, but slice open the soft “shell” and that rich creamy mix will tell you otherwise. It’s a delight that you’ll immediately devour!

Pizza from NaplesWander through the bustling streets of Naples and you’ll stumble across the best pizza you’ve ever had. Keep wandering, feast on another pizza – it’ll soon become the best you’ve ever eaten. Welcome to Naples, home of the pizza! Even if you’re not a fan of pizza, we think the soft chewy dough, perfectly crisp crust and piping hot tomato might just change your mind…

Our tip? Stick to simple flavours and try a margherita (mozzarella and tomato) or marinara (tomato, garlic, olive oil and oregano). And whilst you’re there, delight your taste buds with a pizza fritta – a deep-fried, stuffed pizza that’s a street food classic!

Un Caffè Even if you’re not a coffee aficionado, make like a local and embrace Italian coffee culture. And that means drinking your caffè whilst standing at the bar, and only ordering a cappuccino - or any other milky coffee, for that matter - in the morning!Other coffee rules to follow whilst you’re there? “Un caffè” is a single shot of espresso, so you don’t need to order “an espresso”. Your morning coffee won’t come in a huge cup – it’s about quality over giant vats of caffeine - so drink your shot quickly at the bar, gobble a sfogliatella (a moreish, clam-shaped, flaky pastry filled with sweet ricotta) and carry on with your sightseeing. Craving a cappuccino? Have one for breakfast. And don’t order coffee with your lunch or dinner – drink un caffè after your meal instead!

Prosciutto di ParmaPork, sea salt, and air. Parma ham is crafted with a mere three ingredients but the artisans who create it follow a strict set of rules governed by the Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma. And it’s this process that creates the melt-in-the-mouth texture and distinctive, sweet flavour. The nutty, wafer thin slices are so delicious, it’s a struggle to stop eating them!

What’s makes the ham so moreish? It’s all down to the way it’s made, from the breed of pigs to the curing. Only specific breeds of pig can be raised for prosciutto di Parma, and their diet is regulated - cereals and watery, milky whey that’s left over from the production of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Then, there’s salting, resting, curing for at least a year…the process to create Parma ham is a long one. And this makes prosciutto di Parma a perfect morsel to delight your inner foodie!

Barolo from PiedmontOpulent notes of rose, red berries, and tar, a deep ruby hue, and a rich, fragrant taste with powerful tannins. You’re sipping a Barolo, one of Italy’s finest wines.

Nestled on rolling green hills in the chalky, limestone soil are rows of vines, full of the black Nebbiolo grape which ripens under the Autumn sun and is transformed into a wine loved by enthusiasts worldwide. Whether you’re a wine-lover or not, if you’re in Piedmont, book on to a wine tour and experience the powerful, floral notes of this exceptional wine.

Destination Guide – ITALY 9

In March 2016 we had a brilliant week’s holiday in Sorrento, in the Province of

Campania, Italy. It was organised by our Travel Counsellor, Liz who found us a superb hotel looking out over the beautiful Bay of Naples towards Vesuvius. She arranged our flights to and from Naples and our car hire at Naples airport. Everything went very smoothly and it was good to know that Liz was available 24/7 to help us if we needed her.

Sorrento is less than an hour’s drive from Naples. It is a beautiful town set high above the Tyrrhenian Sea and provides a perfect place from which to explore a wide range of amazing places, such as the Amalfi Coast, the Isle of Capri and Pompeii. Sorrento has narrow streets to explore and is famous for its lemons and limoncello, a delicious lemon liqueur.

Instead of Pompeii, we chose to visit Herculaneum (Ercolano), a Roman town which, like Pompeii, was buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Unlike Pompeii, however, the deep volcanic material which covered it preserved wooden and other organic-based objects such as roofs, beds, doors, food and also 300 recently discovered skeletons.

Herculaneum was a wealthier town than Pompeii, possessing fine houses decorated, for example, with coloured marble cladding. We chose Herculaneum in preference to Pompeii as the site is smaller and therefore is easier to walk round.

Another trip we took recommended by our Travel Counsellor, was to Torre Annunziata to visit the Villa of Poppaea (in the former Roman town of Oplontis), which was destroyed by the same eruption of Vesuvius which destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum.

The Roman frescoes were truly remarkable. The villa is believed to have belonged to Poppaea

Sabina, the second wife of the Emperor Nero. Its size and lavish decoration clearly showed that its owner must have been very wealthy.

Herculaneum and the Villa Poppaea were both easily accessible from Sorrento on the Circumvesuviano train, which runs regularly to and from Sorrento and is very cheap. The sites are both within easy walking-distance of the stations of Ercolano (Stavi) and Torre Annunziata.

We spent another day exploring the Amalfi Coast, a short drive from Sorrento and, like Pompeii and Herculaneum, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Amalfi Coast is famous for its towns (such as Positano, Ravello and Amalfi) which hang on the sides of cliffs that drop steeply into the beautiful turquoise sea. We bought a huge lemon (known as a sfusato amalfitano and used to make limoncello) from a roadside fruit-seller and took it back to England where we used it to make delicious lemon marmalade!

Sorrento Dream: Classical Italy with Lemons!

Notes from... SorrentoKate and John Stephenson spent a week exploring UNESCO World Heritage sites, sampling Italian wines (and those famed Neapolitan pizzas!) and exploring the beautiful Amalfi Coast. Here’s what they had to say about their trip…

CUSTOMER STORY

One of the most memorable days of our stay was our visit to Paestum, an important archaeological site less than two hours’ drive south of Sorrento, where three incredible Greek temples stand in the middle of open countryside. Paestum was founded by the Greeks in about 650 BC and its temples are truly amazing. In fact, the Temple of Hera is the oldest, best preserved and most beautiful Doric temple in existence today. The Paestum site also has an excellent museum which contains, among other things, beautiful Greek vases and the famous Tomb of the Diver. The area around Paestum is famous for its delicious mozzarella di bufala.

We have some wonderful memories to cherish from our trip to Sorrento. Not only do we have memories of our visits to heritage sites but also of the little squares we sat in drinking wine, beer and espressos, and eating the delicious pizzas for which this area of Italy is particularly famous. Sitting on the hotel balcony and looking out over the Bay of Naples at night towards Naples and Vesuvius was truly memorable.

“We are real ly grateful to Liz, our Travel C ounsel lor, who arranged it al l for us.”Kate and John Stephenson

Wondering how much spending money you’ll need for your travels? To help you plan your trip, here’s a rough guide to the cost of some of the things you might be buying whilst you’re there!

Spending money

€1.30Cappuccino

€1.50Single Bus

Ticket (Local)

€4Margherita

pizza

Wondering how much spending money you’ll need for your travels? To help you plan your trip, here’s a rough guide to the cost of some of the things you might be buying whilst you’re there!

Spending money

€2A scoop of

gelato

€5A litre of house

wine in a restaurant

Hello there! Hello! Ciao!

Good morning! Buon giorno!

Good day! Buon pomeriggio!

Good evening! Buona sera!

Goodbye. Arrivederci.

Please. Per favore.

Thank you. Grazie.

Thank you very much. Grazie tante

Pardon me. Mi scusi.

I don’t speak Italian. Non parlo italiano

Do you speak English? Parla inglese?

Chatter with the localsCan’t speak Italian? Never fear! We’ve collated some useful phrases for you to practise before you go. You might not pronounce the words like a local but you’ll be able to feel like one when you order a scoop or two of gelato in Italian!

Let’s Explore A map of the city, please. Una pianta della città, per favore.

Excuse me, where is…? Mi scusi, dov’è...?

Can you show me on the map? Potete mostrarmelo sulla carta?

Take me to this address, please. Mi porti a questo indirizzo, per favore.

May I take photos? Posso fare fotografie? (Turn off the flash. Togli il flash.)

I’m lost. Mi sono perso (if you’re male) or

Mi sono persa (if you’re female)

How much does it cost? Quanto costa?

I would like to book a guided tour of… Vorrei prenotare una visita guidata per…

Two tickets please. Due biglietti, per favore.

When is it open? Quando é aperto?

When does it close? Quando si chiude?

Destination Guide – ITALY 14

Let’s get a bite to eat Two cappuccinos, please. Due cappucccini, per favore.

I’d like two flavours of ice cream, please. Vorrei un gelato con due gusti, per favore

It’s delicious! È delizioso

A table for two, please. Una tavola per due, per favore.

Do you have vegetarian dishes? Avete dei piatti vegetariani?

What are your specialities? Quali sono le specialità della casa?

A bottle of wine, please. Una bottiglia di vino, per favore.

Where is the toilet? Dov’è la toilette?

The bill, please. Il conto, per favore.

Is the tip included? Il servizio e incluso?

la dolce vita

Here, we’ve chosen a few of the things we think you should see, do and eat while you’re in Italy. We hope it inspires you to

journey to Italy time and time again and taste a little of la dolce vita. Get in touch to build a bespoke itinerary, tailor-made just for you!

Thanks!