Climate
Italy enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate, and the majority of the mainland, and Sicily, enjoys hot, sunny summers and mild winters, with pleasant temperatures in spring and autumn. Only the mountainous north of Italy differs, with much colder winters the norm in the Alps.

Time Zone
Italy is on CET (Central European Time) which is 1 hour ahead of the UK.

Currency
Italy’s currency is the Euro (€). ATMs are common throughout Italy and credit cards are widely accepted. Travellers cheques are generally easy to change, but can incur larger commissions than plastic.

Visa Requirements
Visas are not required by EU passport holders – to be on the safe side, visitors should have a passport with at least six months validity remaining, plus plenty of spare pages.

Medical Information
Citizens of the EU receive free or reduced-cost state-provided health care cover with the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for medical treatment that becomes necessary while in Italy. Please note that carrying the EHIC card does not negate the need for fully comprehensive travel insurance.
You should contact your GP around 8 weeks prior to travel to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventative measures. The Foreign Commonwealth Office and NHS Fit For Travel websites also carry up-to-date medical information.

Insurance
We can arrange Discover the World insurance which covers you for any included activity. Please refer to your price guidelines for the current costs. If you choose not to take our insurance please ensure you notify us of your insurance company, your policy number and 24 hour contact number. We advise taking out insurance when you pay your first non-refundable deposit.

Hazards
The sun can be much stronger than in the UK, and groups should ensure they take appropriate care, including the use of suncream, hats and sunglasses. You should also take care to stay hydrated.
Our Italy Risk Assessment has further information on staying safe.

Local Customs
Many cities in Italy impose a tourist tax. We regret that we are unable to include this cost in your tour price since the tax is payable locally in your hotel, and the amount charged per person, and the age requirements for these, can change at short notice. Please ensure your budget covers this additional cost.

Emergency Services
The general emergency services contact number in Italy is 112. However, to call an ambulance the emergency number is now 118.