Italy

Italy is situated in Southern Europe on a long boot-shaped peninsula that extends down to the Mediterranean Sea. The island destinations of Elba, Capri, Ischia, Sardinia and Sicily are also very popular holiday destinations.

TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR ITALY
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Before you set off on your trip, visit the Foreign Office (FCO) website and their ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign for important and updated travel advice for Italy.  Their advice relates to many important travel matters for Italy, including safety and security, scams to watch for, driving and renting cars in Italy, travelling by public transport, and general tips to avoid becoming a target of petty criminals.  A little awareness goes a long way!

EU citizens should take along their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) but this should not be used as a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance.  Although the EHIC covers emergency medical care it does not cover much else in the way of potentially expensive travel mishaps, such as medical repatriation.  Check that your travel insurance covers all your planned activities.  If you plan to ski in Italy visit our Ski Guide and don’t forget to take out Ski Insurance.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO - ITALY
Useful travel advice from the Foreign & Commonweath Office for travel to Italy. Click Here

Venice and Rome are hugely popular tourist destinations, and there are more interesting and beautiful places to visit in Italy than we can possibly mention, but here are a few:

Tuscany: Tuscany is known for its rolling hillsides and beautiful countryside, delicious cuisine and wine – and is a popular destination for artists. The main cities are Siena, Pisa and Florence. Siena is known for its twice-yearly horse races in the Piazza del Campo - a tradition dating back to Medieval times. There are many attractions for art and culture buffs, but the Uffizi Gallery is probably one of the most noted art museums with its collection that includes works by da Vinci and Botticelli.

Puglia is situated in the heel of the boot of Italy and perhaps most famous for its fascinating pepper-pot ‘Trulli’ – which are whitewashed round houses with cone-shaped roofs. 

Sorrento lies across the Bay of Naples from the city of Naples.  From Sorrento and Naples many attractions are within reach, such as the ancient Roman town of Pompei and Mt. Vesuvius. The Amalfi Coast is a very beautiful stretch of scenic coastline on the southwestern side of Italy, which links Positano with Salerno.

The island of Capri is located on the southern side of the Gulf of Naples. Mere mention of the name conjures up scenes of incredible beauty and old Hollywood-style romance. The island can be reached via ferry and hydrofoil from Sorrento and Naples.

Elba is part of a small archipelago off the Tuscan coast. It is most famously known as Napoleon Bonaparte’s place of exile. Activities to be enjoyed on the island include mountain biking, hiking, bird watching, diving and other water sports.

The island of Sicily is quite mountainous with areas of olive groves, coastal resorts and an interesting history. Tours are available to explore the Mafia history and graves of infamous godfathers and their victims. Sicily is also home to Mt. Etna.

Sardinia is a beautiful island located in the Mediterranean Sea.  It is a popular  seaside destination for water sports activities and a playground for the wealthy (the prices reflect this). The island has much to offer with great fishing, sailing, diving and outdoor activities. The Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) is located on the northern coast. This is an area of beautiful beaches, sparkling clean waters and luxurious resorts. A famous sailing regatta is held off the coast that attracts yachts from all over the world.

Vatican City is on the itinerary of most visitors for the sights of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. 

Disclaimer: While we have tried to ensure the information in this Travel Guide is correct we do not accept responsibility for any inaccuracy, or the content of external links.

Inclusion in this Travel Guide does not guarantee travel insurance is available in any country at any given time. Travel Insurance is not available in countries where the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) have issued an advisory against travel.

You are strongly advised to visit the FCO website for updated travel information and general travel advice before you travel.