Italy

History

Italy has influenced the cultural and social development of the whole Mediterranean area, deeply influencing European culture as well. Important cultures and civilizations have existed there since prehistoric times. After Magna Graecia, the Etruscan civilization and especially the Roman Republic and Empire that dominated this part of the world for many centuries, Italy was central to European science and art during the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
Modern Italy became a nation-state belatedly — on March 17, 1861, when most of the states of the peninsula were united under king Victor Emmanuel II of the Savoy dynasty, which ruled over Sardinia and Piemont. The architects of Italian unification were Count Camillo Benso di Cavour, the Chief Minister of Victor Emmanuel, and Giuseppe Garibaldi, a general and national hero. Rome itself remained for a little less than a decade under the Papacy, and became part of the Kingdom of Italy only on September 20, 1870. The Vatican is now an independent enclave surrounded by Rome.

Geography

Italy consists predominantly of a large peninsula (the Italian peninsula) with a distinctive boot shape that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, where together with its two main islands Sicily and Sardinia it creates distinct bodies of water, such as the Adriatic Sea to the north-east, the Ionian Sea to the south-east, the Tyrrhenian Sea to the south-west and finally the Ligurian Sea to the north-west.
The Apennine mountains form the backbone of this peninsula, leading north-west to where they join the Alps, the mountain range that then forms an arc enclosing Italy from the north. Here is also found a large alluvial plain, the Po-Venetian plain, drained by the Po River--which is the Italy's biggest river--and its many tributaries flowing down from the Alps, Apennines and Dolomites.
Its highest point is Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) at 4,810 m, but Italy is more typically associated with two famous volcanoes: the currently dormant Vesuvius near Naples and the very active Etna on Sicily.

The language

Italian is a Romance language spoken by about 70 million people primarily in Italy. Standard Italian is based on Tuscan dialects and is somewhat intermediate between the languages of Southern Italy and the Gallo-Romance languages of the North. Like many languages written using the Latin alphabet, Italian has double consonants. Out of the Romance languages, Italian is generally considered to be the one most closely resembling Latin in terms of vocabulary and pronunciation.

Italian Cuisine

Italian cuisine is extremely varied: the country of Italy was only unified in 1861, and its cuisines reflect the cultural variety of its regions: Roman cuisine, for example, uses a lot of pecorino (sheep's cheese) and organ meats, while Tuscan cooking features white beans and bread without salt; the pizzas of Rome are thin like crackers, while Neapolitan and Sicilian pizza is thicker. The most important regional difference is the choice of fats: northern Italians tend towards rich dairy fats such as cream, butter, and mascarpone cheese; this is often perceived as excessive by southern Italians, who substitute olive oil. Northern Italian dishes tend to be somewhat influenced by French cooking, due to the proximity of the French border. Emilia-Romagna leads Italy in wheat production, and is known for its stuffed pasta. Italian cuisine is regarded as a prime example of the Mediterranean diet.

Means of payment

EC–card (money can be withdrawn from any bancomat), credit cards, traveller cheques, as well as some cash.
If you plan a long stay, it is advisable to open an account with a local bank.

Receipt

Due to frequent tax fraud, the Italian police of finance has become one of the toughest in Europe. If the receipt cannot be presented upon request, the customer is just as responsible as the sales people. So do not forget to ask for a receipts for everything you buy, even for the Espresso at the bar oder the bread in the store. Once, 100 meters away from the bar or the store you may throw it away.

Travel documents

A valid passport or ID. As citizen of any EU country or Swiss citizen you do not need a Visa.

Traffic regulations

Traffic signs are more or less the same as the international ones. The speed limit within cities is 50 kmh (kilometers per hour), outside cities it is 90 km/h, on highways it is 130 km/h and on some thruways it is 110 km/h. Belts and helmets are obligatory since 1989.
Driver’s license or international driver’s license and car papers are required for driving a car in Italy. The green insurance card is recommended, as well as comprehensive cover and insurance for occupants. For car break downs call 116 all over Italy.

Current

It is 220 V, with flat plugs only, it is advisable to take an adapter.

Weather

Italy has a very even and pleasant climate. From spring until fall the temperatures and the sun allow to stay in the open. The big cities can have a tropical heat with high humidity during July and August. Nature offers a spectacular scenery in the spring time with lots of colors in the fields and gardens.

Holidays

Official holidays:
January 1, New Year
January 6, Three Kings Day
April 17, Easter Monday
April 25, liberation of fascism
May 1, Labor Day
August 15, Ferragosto
November 1, Allhallows
December 8, Maria’s conception
December 25, Christmas
December 26, Stephan’s Day