wexas travel italy

Suggested companies

Audley travel, best served scandinavia, trailfinders.

Wexas Travel   Reviews

In the Tour operator category

Visit this website

Company activity See all

Write a review

Reviews 3.2.

Most relevant

We have Just got back from a Rocky…

We have Just got back from a Rocky Moiuntaineer trip to Canada with Wexas Holidays. If a company is as only as good as the Staff you deal with then you deserve the 5 star review Nikki James you are a credit to the company!

Date of experience : 29 May 2023

Appalling service from initial enquiry, definitely would not recommend

I found this company under their brand name 'Best Served (co.uk), the particular holiday of interest being 'Quebec's Winter Wonderland'. I enquired about this initially via their web form, and it was several days before I got an emailed reply from an agent who clearly hadn't properly read the details of what we wanted in terms of modifications (despite them advertising 'tailor-made' holidays). So I wrote back a very friendly email restating our wishes. That was over a week ago and I've heard absolutely nothing since. It seems Wexas or Best Served don't really care much about getting business! But actually it's just plain rude as well as bad business not to read an email properly and then subsequently not even bother to reply. Needless to say, we've booked with another excellent company.

Date of experience : 12 January 2023

Reply from Wexas Travel

I am very sorry to hear that you were upset with our service. We have tried to locate your enquiry but unfortunately I could not locate this. I would be very happy to investigate this if you could provide a few more details. When did you enquire, was this under your name, are you aware of the consultant? Any further information would be extremely helpful. I do look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, Laura Davey

First and last time using Wexas

Disappointing itinerary on self drive in Puglia. Very little information given - mistakes made by agent. Felt Saija not really interested. We made the best of a bad job but could have made all the arrangements ourselves - not worth the money we paid. We’ve learnt ( the hard way!) - won’t be using Wexas again.

Date of experience : 27 September 2022

I always liked the idea of Wexas…

I always liked the idea of Wexas growing up as a kid. Loved the magazine as my father always had it. Joined myself for a while, and sadly then was not able to travel anywhere at that point of my life. I always think the Wexas Travel Guide is the best outdoors travel book you can get. These days one doesn't need to join Wexas itself to get that book as it's generally published. I'm the end my travel needs were more of a kind of Lonely Planet backpacking. And South American Explorers Club became more my go to provider for trip information. More than needing the exclusive Wexas luxury travel provisions. I retain always in my heart great respect for Wexas and especially for the excellent and unequalled travel guide book.

Date of experience : 31 May 2021

Unreliable and irresponsible

We booked a holiday in Portugal, which we had to change schedule because of COVID. Luckily, we eventually managed to have holiday this summer. But…. Wexas UK haS no idea the details of our holiday although they booked hotels, taxi, flight…. 1.The hotel room was booked cheaper room than we booked and paid originally, which they did not realize until we pointed out. 2.The meeting point of taxi service is outdated, which means the shop is no longer exist at the airport and we had to spend nearly 2 hours at the airpot as we could not find the meeting point and the driver left without waiting for us. 3. Our air ticket was business class , but I could not join the holiday, so we requested refund. BUT no refund. According to them, they used voucher for the re-scheduled air ticket. Never heard such a thing and we lost £700. I simply do not understand what is Wexas UK’s job as they cannot check the details of booking and schedule. It may be the results of poor staff training or they find difficult to employ good staff. It costs us £700 for us to know poor service of Wexas UK. My advise is if you do not have access to internet, it may be the way to use travel agents, but not Waxes UK.

Date of experience : 01 June 2022

Travel the world in luxury with Wexas Travel

How to spend a unique winter in Canada with Wexas

Join our newsletter

Get the very best of Wanderlust  by signing up to our newsletters, full of travel inspiration, fun quizzes, exciting competitions and exclusive offers.

Europe's masterpiece

• Call 020 7590 0796

Italy articles

Introduction.

Written by our Italy specialists, our travel articles are designed to give you a closer insight into Italy, along with our top recommendations on what to do and where to go.

Article list

A cultural guide to italy.

The art, music, food and festivals that have helped make Italy one of the world's most enduring holiday destinations. Read our guide to living the sweet life, and how to make the most of this beautiful country.

The world’s best journeys by rail

Travel in style with the ultimate collection of train journeys, chosen by our rail experts reporting back from the tracks. There’s everything from such old favourites as the Orient Express to new classics as Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer.

Just back from: Cruising Italy on the S.S. La Venezia

Wexas travel’s European specialist Angela Perro spent a week navigating northern Italy’s rivers on board Uniworld’s elegant S.S. La Venezia. Here she details how her most recent adventure changed her perspective on this incredible region.

Six no-fly holidays to take in 2022

Save yourself the hassle of heading to the airport and cut down your carbon emissions by choosing one of these flight-free breaks as your next getaway.

Italy’s best self-drive holidays

Italy specialist Charlie Pritchard has collated this list of Italy’s ultimate driving holidays. And, along with the highlights of Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast, there are plenty of secrets to discover, too.

How to visit all the filming locations from the latest Bond movie

From ancient towns in Italy to the fjord-framed roads of Norway, we list all of the filming locations from the 25th Bond film, No Time To Die, and how you can visit them.

• How it works
• Our Trip Examples
• Testimonials
• Terms & Conditions
• Special Offers

Accommodation

• Things To Do

Travel Italy

Italy is the dream holiday destination for people all over. Just the thought of Italy inspires a magical journey of food, wine, culture, natural beauty, art and history. Truth is, it is all that and more!

When you travel through Italy, you’ll find a stunning country made up of very diverse and unique towns: rich in history, people, gastronomy, culture, beauty and so much more. No one town or place is the same as the other. Italy is more than just the eternal city of Rome and the Colosseum, pizza and Pompeii, Florence and Art, Tuscany and Wine, Venice and gondolas, and the Vatican and Michelangelo.

Holidaying in Italy opens your eyes to so many amazing experiences

From the untouched beaches of Puglia, following the footsteps of ancient Romans who have influenced our lives even today, truffles and wine in Piemonte, skiing the Alps of the Dolomites, fresh cheese in Pienza and exploring the magical city of Venice or boating the lakes of Como

Trek the picturesque cliff top towns of Cinque Terre, indulge the art in Florence, relax in the thermal areas of Tuscany and sip a glass of Brunello wine. Get caught up in the excitement of Siena’s Palio world famous horse race or take a yacht from your rented villa in Amalfi coast to Capri island.

Take a walk back 2000 years in time through the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, island hop on a yacht in Sardinia, fill your glass from the fountains which turn water to wine for the harvest festivals of Castelli Romani or bask in the atmosphere of Italian life as it passes by the piazza in front of us.

Italy captures the imagination of those who venture out to explore off the beaten track where experiences are just waiting for you to taste, touch, smell and hear. No other place in the world can take even the simple pleasures of life and create such masterpieces.

Italy has whatever you need for budget, from the very luxurious 5 star to the Agriturismo villa in Tuscany, but you have to know where to look.

• We can find it so you just have to put up your feet and enjoy the view
• A rustic villa with a swimming pool in Tuscany, a skippered yacht in Sardinia, 3 star B&B with a view in Positano Amalfi, a 5 Star luxury Hotel with a roof terrace cocktail bar in Rome, a beach house in Puglia, a Hotel in Milan with all your business needs and well connected for your meetings, to a room with a view in Florence.
• It’s the small details that can make your stay either ok, great or unbelievably amazing: a lift in Venice, the view of the Colosseum from your bedroom in Rome, a fridge stocked with fresh produce on your arrival to your apartment, avoiding ongoing hotel repairs outside your hallway, your needs for breakfast and facilities, proximity to the centre of Florence, your own outdoor cooking facilities by the pool in Tuscany villa, Wi-Fi internet for business emails or simply avoiding unknown hotel taxes on your bill.

We make it our job to give you the best you deserve.

Tour guides – bringing places to life…

Sometimes just seeing a piece of art or architecture is not enough as behind it all, are the people, the stories and history that have created and influenced others in ways unbeknownst to us.

• Fully customised private guide tours available as and when you require.
• Our guides are selected only from the very best to ensure your needs and interests are met with our high quality of service, passion and knowledge.
• We have just the right multilingual expert guide for you whether it is art, history, culture, food and wine, fashion shopping, exploring areas of nature and so much more!
• It’s about having that personality and relationship with your guide and their flexibility to work with your needs, not just the knowledge.
• For history, sports, active outdoor guides, food and wine and many more interests, we have the right guided tour just for you.
• No waiting in lines – we know the ways to make sure you don’t wait in line like other tourists.

Having your own private tour guide gives you the freedom of experiencing the places, the stories and history they have to tell, but at your pace and with your interest in mind.

Transport services

In making the most of your time in Italy, it is important to know exactly the timing of routes and all the possible ways to get from place to place.

In this way, we can bring all that together to suit the style and budget you have.

• From exclusive luxury cars, jets, helicopters, skippered yachts and boats, ferries, luxury transport with multilingual drivers or self-drive rentals, or local trains and transportation, we can meet your needs and budget.
• Even just local transport knowledge for budget travellers who needs a train from Rome to Venice or a bus to a ski field.
• Airport transfers
• How long does it take to walk from your hotel to the Metro station in Rome or get across town to a meeting in Milan? We make it our job to know.

We select only the very best private reliable professional services for you as well as knowing all the great money saving options when it comes to trains, buses, ferries and public services.

Food and beverage

Centred at the heart of Italy is the food and beverage and taking full advantage of this is the key to experiencing the real tastes with the real people of Italy.

• Wine tasting – in the underground wine cellars beneath Tuscany’s Montepulicano or in a boutique Chianti Tuscan winery.
• Food and wine festivals – all throughout the year, villages and regions across Italy have the most amazing food and wine festivals. Strawberries, mushrooms, truffles, grapes, pasta, chocolate, gelato, fish, artichokes, turning water into wine out of a free fountain, medieval festivities and so much more. Each has their own festival where the centres of villages and towns turn into a dining table for all.
• Artisan beer – Italy not only produces amazing wine, but some amazing beers. There are local micro breweries everywhere and if you love a beer in the summer sun, then Italy has it for you too.
• Fresh produce markets – here is the secret of Italian cooking. Knowing where the markets are and on what day of the week. From the Italian mamma to the restaurant chefs, this is where slow cooking takes its roots.
• Truffle hunting – in the valleys of Tuscany before learning to cook your own Italian lunch.
• Wine maker – be hands and feet on in an experience of the wine harvesting.
• Life in Italy – revolves around food and wine, cheese and a glass of Chianti wine whilst watching the world go around in Il Campo Siena.
• Cheese making – learn to make your own cheese in Pienza or Puglia. A traditional mozzarella or ricotta.
• Olive oil – experience the extra virgin olive oil or the variety of olives from around Italy.
• Cooking lessons – A private chef in the comfort of your own Agriturismo villa in Tuscany or a cooking school on the canals of Venice. The real experience of Italian cooking is hands-on where you can experience simple techniques handed down generation after generation.
• Restaurants and eating – an interactive time for friends, family with Italy’s local staff and chefs.

We know the places where you can experience the real local culinary that cannot be found in a guide book.

Culture, Art and Activities

From an active adventure, a food and wine lover, an artist admirer, those passionate about sport to those that just love to relax and take it all in while watching from a café in the piazza of Verona.

• Renaissance and wine – explore the villas, boutique wine makers, and mouth watering food experiences just outside Rome where popes, kings, and emperors have wine and dined since the days of ancient Rome.
• Art and sculpture – from Rome to Florence to the smallest fortified hilltop towns, this country has so much to see and offer everyone regardless of interest. Off the beaten track, you can experience modern restorers of ancient art and sculpture.
• Entrance tickets – skip the lines of the Uffizi to experience a private viewing of the Vasari corridor, visit to the Bone church, or avoid the lines of tourists at the Vatican or Colosseum. VIP entrances we have.
• Italian Artists – Michelangelo , Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio to Raphael are everywhere in our view of Italian art, speculate the simple thnigs like the Lion head doorknob in Venice, to the pastel coloured plaster flaking of the 18th century villa to the cobbled stones of Rome.
• History and Archaeology – walk the ancient walls of Rome which once held out the invading Hannibal and his elephants, skip the lines of the Colosseum and Vatican, explore the pre Roman tombs of the Etruscans, the city of Pompeii as it stands still in time, bicycle the ancient Roman road of Appian way or just the best place for a coffee whilst watching the world go by in Piazza Navona.
• Active Adventures – ski the Alps, cycle or bike in Tuscany, trek the hills of Tuscany, sail in Sardinia, kayak the grand canal, go rafting in Umbria or ballooning in the Tuscan morning. Hit the golf courses of Modena (home to Lamborghini and Ferrari – want to take a spin?), or ride a horse in the hills of Tuscany and finish the day with a picnic and view of the towers of San Gimignano.
• World famous horse race – Siena Palio race is something not to be missed. The culture of Siena revolves deeply around the race in Il Campo and it’s easy to see why you can get so wrapped up in the excitement.

Regardless of what your interest is, desire to do or see, we can find it and make it happen just for you.

Map of Italy

BROWSE OUR ITALY ACTIVITIES OR CONTACT US FOR SOMETHING CUSTOMISED

• CRUISE EXCURSIONS SPECIALS
• FLORENCE & TUSCANY CRUISE EXCURSIONS
• FLORENCE & TUSCANY GUIDED CITY WALKS
• GUIDED WALK SPECIALS
• NAPLES AMALFI CRUISE EXCURSIONS
• NAPLES POMPEII, AMALFI GUIDED CITY WALKS
• ROME CRUISE EXCURSIONS
• ROME GUIDED CITY WALKS
• ROME STORE'n'TOUR
• VENICE CRUISE EXCURSIONS
• VENICE GUIDED CITY WALKS
• VENICE STORE'n'TOUR

VENICE Store’n’Tour

ROME Store’n’Tour

SPECIAL OFFERS – CRUISE SHORE EXCURSIONS

POMPEII Guided Walk

FLORENCE, Galleria Accademia & Medici Chapel

FLORENCE CITY ORIENTATION TOUR

Special Offers – Guided Walks

Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel

Colosseum & Ancient Rome

Cinque Terre

ROME: Underground Secrets of Rome & Colosseum

TUSCANY – PRIVATE DRIVER JUST FOR YOU

FLORENCE, A Real Experience

Naples & Amalfi – Private Driver just for you

ROME CITY ORIENTATION TOUR

Sorrento & Amalfi Coast

Naples, Amalfi & Beyond: Create Your Own

Pompeii & Amalfi Coast’s Real Experience

Venice, Murano & Burano – Public Waterboat

Venice & Beyond: Create Your Own

Venice Real Experience: Half Day

Venice and Murano Island – Private Waterboat

Venice’s Real Experience: Meet the Real Venice

Rome & Beyond: CREATE YOUR OWN

Rome – Vatican & Colosseum

Beyond Rome – Castelli Romani: Wine, Food, Villas

Rome’s Real Experience – Meet the Real Rome

Siena & San Gimignano: the Heart of Tuscany

LUCCA & PISA: MEDIEVAL TOWNS & VILLA

TUSCANY GUIDED WALK

FLORENCE, TUSCANY & BEYOND: CREATE YOUR OWN

FLORENCE & PISA REAL EXPERIENCE

Italy photo gallery.

Wexas Business Travel is now Good Travel Management!

But this is a great thing for Wexas customers, why?

Go on then we’ll tell you…

Good Travel Management is a purpose-led Travel Management Company, which puts people, the planet and performance at the heart of its operations:

We will enhance the following for you when it comes to your business travel programme…

• A people led Travel Management Company who will look after you door to door
• A sustainably trained team to support your sustainability programme
• Industry-leading processes, combined with tech to ensure your business travel runs like clockwork
• Reducing risk, saving you time and enring you are safe

Meet some of the key people that makes GTM what it is today, creating travel programmes that ensure your safety, enjoyment to make sure you are delivering your business objectives.

Julie ornsby.

Operations Director

Laura Busby

Commercial Director

Lauren Stockdale

Operations Manager

Vicki Nutbrown

Consulting Manager

Laura Catlin

Client Relationship Manager

Andrea Harrison

We were one of the first to receive an official IATA license back in 1946 !

Take a look around

Come and take a look around our website, where there is a breakdown of what we do, resources and policies to download for free.

Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Before You Go

Learn About Your Destination

While Abroad

Emergencies

Share this page:

Travel Advisory July 26, 2023

Italy - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise increased caution due to terrorism .

Country Summary: Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Italy. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

Read the  country information page for additional information on travel to Italy.

If you decide to travel to Italy:

• Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues.
• Follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Italy.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist.

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Six months validity recommended, at least 3 months validity beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area .

Two pages required for entry stamp.

Not required for stays under 90 days.

10,000 Euros or equivalent.

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Rome

Via Vittorio Veneto, 121 00187 Rome, Italy Telephone:  +(39) 06-4674-1 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  +(39) 06-4674-1 Fax:  +(39) 06-4674-2244 Email:   [email protected] The Rome consular district includes the regions of Lazio, Marche, Umbria, Abruzzo, and Sardinia.

U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies in Rome Via Boncompagni, 2 Telephone:  (+39) 06-4674-1 Emergency after-hours telephone:  (+39) 06-4674-1 Fax:  (+39) 06 4674-3535 Email:   [email protected]

U.S. Embassy to the Holy See Via Sallustiana, 49 00162 Rome, Italy Telephone:  +(39) 06-4674-3428 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  +(39) 06-4674-1 Fax:  +(39) 06-575-8346

U.S. Consulate General Florence Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci, 38 50123 Florence, Italy Telephone:  +(39) 055-266-951 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  +(39) 055-266-951 Fax:  +(39) 055-215-550 Email:   [email protected] The Florence consular district includes the regions of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna (all except the Provinces of Piacenza and Parma), as well as the Republic of San Marino.

U.S. Consulate General Milan Via Principe Amedeo 2/10 20121 Milano, Italy Telephone:  +(39) 02-290-351 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  +(39) 02-290-351 Fax:  +(39) 081-583-8275 Email:   [email protected] The Milan consular district includes the regions of Valle D'Aosta, Piemonte, Lombardia, Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Liguria, and Emilia-Romagna (Provinces of Piacenza and Parma only).

U.S. Consulate General Naples Piazza della Repubblica 80122 Naples, Italy Telephone:  +(39) 081-583-8111 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  +(39) 081-583-8111 Fax:  +(39) 081-583-8275 Email:  [email protected] The Naples consular district includes the regions of Campania, Molise, Basilicata, Puglia, Calabria, and Sicilia.

U.S. Consular Agent - Genoa Via Dante 2 16121 Genoa, Italy Telephone:  +(39) 010-584-492 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Milan. Fax:  +(39) 010-553-3033 Email:  [email protected] Hours: Monday through Thursday 11:00 AM-3:00 PM, by appointment only.

U.S. Consular Agent - Palermo Via G.B. Vaccarini 1 90143 Palermo, Italy Telephone:  +(39) 091-305-857 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Naples Fax:  +(39) 091-625-6026 Email:   [email protected] Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 AM-12:30 PM by appointment only.

U.S. Consular Agent - Venice Viale Galileo Galilei 30 30173 Tessera, Italy Telephone:  +(39) 041-541-5944 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Milan. Fax:  +(39) 041-541-6654 Email:  [email protected] Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM, by appointment only.

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

There are no COVID-related entry requirements for U.S. citizens.  

Traveling Through Europe:  If you are planning to visit or travel through European countries, you should be familiar with the requirements of the Schengen Agreement. 

• Your passport must be valid for  at least three months beyond the period of stay. Review our  U.S. Travelers in Europe page .
• You will need  proof of  s ufficient funds  and a  return plane ticket .
• For additional information about visas for the Schengen area, see the  Schengen Visa page.
• U.S. citizens who arrive at an Italian Port of Entry without a valid travel document – including passports that have been previously reported lost or stolen – will be denied admittance into Italy and returned to their point of origin. This regulation is strictly enforced in Italy.
• U.S. citizens may enter Italy for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. All non-residents are required to complete a declaration of presence (dichiarazione di presenza). Prospective residents or anyone intending to stay in Italy for longer than 90 days must obtain a  permit of stay  (permesso di soggiorno). Additional information may be obtained from the  Ministry of Foreign Affairs  and the  Polizia di Stato .
• Non-EU visitors must obtain a stamp in their passport upon initial entry into a Schengen country. Many borders are unstaffed, so you may need to request a stamp at an official point of entry. Travelers arriving from another Schengen country must request the declaration of presence form from a local police office (commissariato di zona), police headquarters (questura), or their place of stay (e.g., hotel, hostel, campgrounds), and submit the form, along with a copy of your passport, to the police or to their place of stay within eight calendar days of arrival. Failure to complete a declaration of presence is punishable by expulsion from Italy.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Italy.

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction , and  customs regulations  on our websites. For general information about Italian customs regulations, please read our  Customs Information page and our  Italian Customs  website.

Safety and Security

Terrorism:  Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack – including knives, firearms, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and vehicles – to more effectively target crowds. Frequently, their aim is unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as:

• High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.)
• Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists
• Places of worship
• Shopping malls and markets
• Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and commercial flights)

For more information, see our  Terrorism  page.

Politically motivated violence in Italy is most often connected to Italian internal developments or social issues. Italian authorities and foreign diplomatic facilities have found bombs outside public buildings, have received bomb threats, and have been targets of letter bombs, firebombs and Molotov cocktails in the past several years. These attacks generally occur at night, and although they have not targeted or injured U.S. citizens, you should remain aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity to local authorities.

Crime:  Italy has a moderate rate of crime, especially for theft and economic crimes; violent crimes are rare. U.S. citizens should be aware of the following local circumstances:

• Tourists can be fined or detained for buying counterfeit goods (usually fashion accessories).
• Travelers must purchase train, bus, or metro tickets and validate them by punching them in validating machines prior to boarding (usually near the entrance of the train or metro or on the bus). Tickets may be purchased at tobacco stores or kiosks or, in some cities, via Apps or SMS. Failure to follow this procedure may result in an on-the-spot fine by an inspector on the train, bus, or metro. If the violator does not pay the fine on the spot, it will automatically double and be forwarded to the violator’s home address.
• Be alert that many municipalities of cities in Italy have issued local restrictions banning certain activities in fountains or on monuments, such as eating, drinking, sitting, or bathing, as well as regarding the consumption of alcohol both indoors and outdoors after certain hours of the night.
• Violating these regulations can result in fines. Tourists are advised to check the official website of each city they plan to visit to learn the details.
• Thieves sometimes impersonate police officers. If you are stopped by a plainclothes policeman, ask for a uniformed officer or insist on seeing an officer's identification card (documento). Do not hand over your wallet and immediately report the incident to the actual police at a police station or by dialing 112 from a local phone.
• Do not leave bags unattended. Most reported thefts occur at crowded tourist sites, at airports, car rental agencies, on public buses, metros and trains, and at the major railway stations. Never leave baggage alone in a car, including in a closed trunk. For more information on trains and security, please see the  Italian railway police’s advice for travelers .
• Be alert to criminal schemes. Organized groups of thieves and pickpockets operate at major tourist destinations, in train stations, bars, and cafes. Some travelers have reported incidents in which criminals used drugs to assault or rob them. Thieves on motor scooters regularly snatch purses or bags off pedestrians. Resisting these thieves can be dangerous.
• Keep your car doors locked and windows rolled up at all times to avoid car-jackings and thefts while you are waiting in traffic.

The U.S. Secret Service in Rome is assisting Italian law enforcement authorities in investigating an increase in the appearance of ATM skimming devices. Here are some helpful hints to protect against and identify skimming devices:

• Use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or secured inside a bank/business.
• Cover the keypad with one hand as you enter your PIN.
• Look for gaps, tampered appearance, or other irregularities between the metal faceplate of the ATM and the card reader.
• Avoid card readers that are not flush with the face of the ATM.
• Closely monitor your account statements for unauthorized transactions.

Potential for Natural Disasters: Several major earthquake fault lines cross Italy, and earthquakes are frequent. High tides in Venice, flooding, and avalanches in mountainous areas may occasionally occur. The Italian Civil Protection agency has a robust capability to assist Italians and foreigners in the area of a natural disaster. Information about crisis preparedness and on-going crises affecting parts of Italy can be found on the Civil Protection web site at:  Civil Protection Italy . General information about disaster preparedness is also available online from the  U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency  (FEMA). Detailed information on Italy's fault lines is available from the  U.S. Geological Survey  (USGS).

Italy also has several active volcanoes, including Mt. Etna in eastern Sicily. Travelers to Sicily should be aware of the possibility for travel disruptions, including airport closures, in the event of volcanic activity, and are advised to check the website of the  Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia  for detailed information and daily updates. Italy has many other areas of potential volcanic activity especially in the vicinity of Naples. Any visit to an active volcano or volcanic field bears a certain amount of risk. Eruptions can occur with little to no warning. Travelers should exercise caution, follow posted instructions, stay on authorized trails, and use reputable tour operators.

Demonstrations  occur frequently and can be anti-American in nature, especially in areas hosting U.S. military bases. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. 

• Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly become violent. 
• Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. 
• Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.
• Security Messages for U.S. citizens pertaining to  demonstrations  can be found on the Embassy’s website.

International Financial Scams:  See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information.

Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent in Italy. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited emails and letters. Scammers almost always pose as U.S. citizens who have no one else to turn to for help. Common scams include:

• Romance/Online dating
• Money transfers
• Lucrative sales
• Contracts with promises of large commissions
• Grandparent/Relative targeting
• Free Trip/Luggage
• Inheritance notices
• Work permits/job offers

Victims of Crime:  U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should seek medical attention at the nearest public hospital as soon as possible. U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are also encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance at +(39) 06-4674-1. Report crimes to the local police by dialing 112. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes.

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• Help you find appropriate medical care
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• Explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• Provide a list of local English-speaking attorneys
• Provide information on  victim’s compensation programs in the United States
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• Replace a stolen or lost passport

Victim Compensation in Italy :

• Italy has a program which provides financial compensation for victims of terrorism, organized crime, hit and run drivers and violent intentional crimes.
• If you are a  victim of terrorism or organized crime  in Italy, you are entitled to economic (special compensation and a life income) and non-economic benefits (special access to certain state jobs).
• In case of death, victims will include family members. You must file the application with the local Prefect’s office (Prefettura - the local representative for the Ministry of Interior) where the crime occurred, providing the date, location, injuries, and losses resulting from the crime.
• If you are a  victim of a hit and run driver,  you can apply for compensation of damages to the Fondo Di Garanzia per le Vittime della Strada but only if: (i) the responsible vehicle cannot be identified, is not covered by car insurance, or it circulated against the owner’s will; (ii) if the car insurance company went bankrupt; or (iii) if the accident was caused by a foreign vehicle with a license number that does not match or does not match anymore that same vehicle. U.S. citizens should consult an attorney licensed to practice in Italy to clarify time limits for a specific legal action.

Victims of hit and run drivers and their families may seek assistance by reaching out to an Italian non-governmental organization (NGO) called Associazione Italiana Familiari e Vittime della Strada (AIFVS), “Association of Italian Family Members and Victims of Hit and Run Drivers”. AIFVS provides legal and psychological assistance through a network of professionals associated with the NGO. Please visit  AIFVS  for more details.

If you are a  victim of a violent intentional crime,  you are entitled to compensation from the Italian government to cover the medical and welfare expenses you incurred, except for sexual assaults and murders cases where the compensation is due even if no medical and welfare expense was sustained. To be eligible for the compensation, your annual income must be within a certain limit. In addition, you must prove that you have already unsuccessfully tried to enforce the decision ordering compensation for damages. We recommend you contact an attorney licensed to practice in Italy for more information.

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy or nearest Consulate for assistance.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is generally regulated and rules with regard to best practices and safety inspections are regularly enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Your U.S. passport will not prevent you from being detained, arrested, or prosecuted. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business.

Furthermore, some crimes are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy or nearest Consulate immediately. See our  webpage  for further information.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods:  Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. You may also pay fines or have to give them up if you bring them back to the United States. See the  U.S. Department of Justice website  for more information.

Faith-Based Travelers:  See our following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQI+ RIGHTS:  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTQI+ events in Italy. Same sex civil unions are legally recognized in Italy. See our  LGBTQI+ Travel Information  page and section 6 of the  Department of State's Human Rights report  for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance .  The law in Italy prohibits discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, intellectual or mental disabilities, and the law is enforced. Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is as prevalent as in the United States. The most common types of accessibility may include accessible facilities, information, and communication/access to services/ease of movement or access. Expect accessibility to be limited in public transportation, lodging, communication/information, and general infrastructure, and common in lodging and general infrastructure. There is a significant difference between the main cities and the small towns.

• Rental, repair, replacement parts for aids/equipment/devices, or service providers, such as sign language interpreters or personal assistants, are generally available. Contact the US Embassy in Italy to receive a list of providers.
• Hand-controlled rental cars are available in Italy from major car rental companies. Contact the car rental company well in advance of your trip in order to reserve the vehicle.
• Italy functions on 220-volt current. To recharge a power wheelchair, you may need a transformer to convert 220 to 110 volts and a plug adapter to fit Italian electrical sockets.
• Guide dog owners must present  the documentation required by European Union Member States in order to enter Italy with a dog .

Students:  Students are often targeted by criminals as targets of theft or sexual assault. See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:  Strikes and other work stoppages  frequently occur in the transportation sector (national airlines, airports, trains, and bus lines); reconfirm any domestic and/or international flight reservations if you are traveling during one of these events.

Women Travelers:  If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

For emergency services in Italy, dial 112 .

Ambulance services are widely available, but training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards.

Medical facilities are available but may be limited outside urban areas. Public hospitals may not maintain the same standards as hospitals in the United States. It is not possible to obtain an itemized hospital bill from public hospitals, as required by many U.S. insurance companies, because the Italian National Health Service charges one inclusive rate for care services and room and board. Private hospitals require you to pay for all services up front and get reimbursed later from your insurance company.

We do not pay medical bills . Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas.

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our  webpage  for more information on insurance coverage overseas. Visit the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

In Italy, end-of-life directives are not legal. Tourists should know that by law, hospitals will continue with lifesaving procedures indefinitely regardless of a person’ preferences stated in a will or advanced directive.

Pharmaceuticals:  The Italian Ministry of Health sets rules defining who and how prescriptions and medications can be imported into Italy. However, the Ministry of Health website does not have information in English. According to the Ministry of Health, foreigners entering Italy are allowed to bring personal medications for a period of 30 days, but it is recommended that travelers also bring a copy of their prescription with them. Travelers should not bring excess supplies of prescription drugs into the country and cannot bring prescription drugs for other people.

The import of medications into Italy by courier services or by mail is strictly regulated by Italian Customs laws. Italian customs clears all incoming shipments of medications, even small amounts for personal use. Delays in the release of medications by Italian Customs received by mail or by courier services are common. The receiving party must be able to provide a statement signed by a physician licensed in Italy, certifying:

The medication is essential for the patient, that he/she would be put in a life-threatening situation without it.

There is no substitute or equivalent medication available on the Italian market.

Exercise caution when purchasing medication overseas. Pharmaceuticals, both over the counter and requiring prescription in the United States, are often readily available for purchase with minimal controls. Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration are responsible for rules governing the transport of medication back to the United States. Medication purchased abroad must meet their requirements to be legally brought back into the United States. Medication should be for personal use and must be approved for usage in the United States. Please visit the  U.S. Customs and Border Protection  and the  Food and Drug Administration  websites for more information.

Vaccinations : Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)

Air Quality:  Visit  AirNow Department of State  for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates. Many cities in Italy have air pollution levels similar to those in major U.S. cities. 

In parts of Italy, the lack of adequate trash disposal and incineration sites has led to periodic accumulations of garbage. In some cases, residents have burned garbage, resulting in toxic emissions that can aggravate respiratory problems. 

Visit the  European Environment Agency’s website  for information on air quality in Italy.

Health Facilities:

The U.S. Embassy maintains a  list of doctors and hospitals . We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

• Adequate health facilities are available throughout Italy, but health services may be below U.S. standards.
• Private hospitals usually require advance payment or proof of adequate insurance before admitting a patient.
• Travelers should make efforts to obtain complete information on billing, pricing, and proposed medical procedures before agreeing to any medical care.
• Medical staff may speak little or no English.
• Generally, in public hospitals only minimal staff is available overnight in non-emergency wards.
• In most cases, patients bear costs for transfer to or between hospitals.

Medical Tourism and Elective Surgery

• Medical tourism is a rapidly growing industry. People seeking health care overseas should understand that medical systems operate differently from those in the United States and are not subject to the same rules and regulations. Anyone interested in traveling for medical purposes should consult with their local physician before traveling and visit the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  website for more information on Medical Tourism.
• We strongly recommend  supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation in the event of unforeseen medical complications.

Adventure Travel: Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about  Adventure Travel .

Travel and Transportation

ROAD CONDITIONS AND SAFETY:  While in Italy, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States such as:

• Traffic lights are limited and often disobeyed.
• Motor scooters are very popular, and their riders may behave unexpectedly.
• Drivers frequently pass on superhighways (autostrada) at very high speeds.
• Rural roads are generally narrow, often have no guardrails, and inconsistent speed limits.
• Be careful when crossing streets even when using a marked crosswalk with a green walk (avanti) light illuminated.

Traffic Laws:

• Seat belt use is compulsory.
• You must use headlights year-round and at all times outside of urban areas.
• During the autumn/winter months, it is compulsory to have either winter tires or carry snow chains if driving outside urban areas.
• If you are stopped, under certain conditions you are expected to pay the police officer issuing the ticket immediately. Be prepared to pay in cash in local currency. Local police can confiscate your car if you cannot pay the fine.
• Fines are imposed if driving without the proper permits in historic downtown areas of cities and towns throughout Italy. Cameras photograph the license plates of cars illegally driving in parts of the city that require a permit. The fines imposed for these violations are forwarded to the driver’s home in the United States to request payment. For definitive legal guidance or to contest a fine, you should consult a lawyer licensed to practice in Italy.  See the U.S. Embassy of Rome’s transportation page for more information .
• Public Transportation: Pickpocketing is frequent on all public transportation, especially at train stations and major tourist sites.

See our  Road Safety  page for more information. Also, we suggest that you visit the website of the  Automobile Club d’Italia  (A.C.I.). For information on obtaining international drivers licenses, contact the  American Automobile Association  (AAA) via telephone at (407) 444-7000 or fax (407) 444-7380.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT:  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Italy’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Italy’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel:  Mariners planning travel to Italy should also check for  U.S. maritime advisories and alerts . Information may also be posted to the  U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the  NGA broadcast warnings .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Italy . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, learn about your destination, enroll in step.

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

Recommended Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

Check passport expiration dates carefully for all travelers! Children’s passports are issued for 5 years, adult passports for 10 years.

Afghanistan

Antigua and Barbuda

Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba

Bosnia and Herzegovina

British Virgin Islands

Burkina Faso

Burma (Myanmar)

Cayman Islands

Central African Republic

Cote d Ivoire

Curaçao

Czech Republic

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dominican Republic

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Eswatini (Swaziland)

Falkland Islands

France (includes Monaco)

French Guiana

French Polynesia

French West Indies

Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy (French West Indies)

Guinea-Bissau

Isle of Man

Israel, The West Bank and Gaza

Liechtenstein

Marshall Islands

Netherlands

New Caledonia

New Zealand

North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Republic of North Macedonia

Republic of the Congo

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Sao Tome and Principe

Saudi Arabia

Sierra Leone

Sint Maarten

Solomon Islands

South Africa

South Korea

South Sudan

Switzerland

The Bahamas

Timor-Leste

Trinidad and Tobago

Turkmenistan

Turks and Caicos Islands

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

Vatican City (Holy See)

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

Why travelling car-free doesn’t mean you’ll miss out

H itting the open road on four wheels – what could be more glamorous, more exciting, more emblematic of total freedom? Well, sometimes – but when it comes to driving abroad, the reality is often somewhat different. Throw in a twinge of anxiety about driving on the “wrong” side of the road, for example, and the odd local driving at a speed-of-light pace (hello, German autobahns), and suddenly the open road abroad is anything but relaxing.

Then there is getting your head around a new set of directions, tolls and road rules. The dastardly moments when the satnav fails you. The sights you miss when everyone choruses “Oh look!” but your eyes must remain firmly on the road ahead. The soporific effects of one road-marker after another as they are swallowed by your wheels. Missing an exit and having to navigate another 25-mile stretch before the next one. Fuel anxiety. Divvying up driving duties. The Faustian struggle presented by vineyard and cellar door visits. And, of course, the permanent hunt for a parking space.

Post-pandemic, it was to be expected that self-drive holidays would see an uptick in popularity, with travellers keen to explore again, but wanting to retain a safe space of their own. Now, however, the pendulum seems to have swung back in the other direction. 

According to Andy Austen of Wexas Travel ( wexas.com ), “Car-free holidays are proving increasingly popular. As well as an element of environmental awareness, there is also the appeal of the journey, rather than just the destination, being part of the experience. Over the past few years, car hire costs have increased considerably, particularly at peak times, while in Spain, Italy and Portugal, even first-class trains are cheap, and high-speed options mean that you can cover huge distances and combine cities around the country in a relatively short time frame – all while enjoying the scenery and avoiding the stress of unfamiliar roads and parking.”

These days, there is a car-free holiday for every level of fitness, adventurousness and budget, ranging from kayaking and hiking to sailing and even hopping about on private planes. The benefits include a fuller, more immersive experience, seeing your destination from a different perspective and even, perhaps, encountering people, places and experiences you might have missed from the bubble of your vehicle. 

Here are 15 of the finest ways to take a break from behind the wheel on your next trip.

For scenic walks, island swims and truffles

Covering the region at a comfortable pace, this new self-guided walking tour begins in Rovinj on the North Adriatic coast and moves, by boat, on to Brijuni, a national park group of 14 islands in the south of the region. Here, you will pass temple ruins and Roman villas, before continuing on to medieval hilltop villages, including the scenically magnificent Motovun, and finishing with the eight-mile Lungomare coastal walk from Volosko to Lovran, via Opatija. Expect swims in rocky coves, verdant forests, small waterfalls and a truffle-hunting excursion, complete with a lunch fashioned from the spoils.

Book it: Regent Holidays ( regent-holidays.co.uk ) offers the eight-day Pathways of Istria tour from £1,875pp, including return flights from UK to Pula, airport and luggage transfers, accommodation and detailed route description. Available April to November

For kayaking, village stays and manta rays

Over the course of nine days, you will start in Nadi and kayak your way through the Yasawa Group of islands, a volcanic archipelago in the Western Division of Fiji. With numbers limited on each tour, paddlers will have ample opportunity to seek out the best fishing and snorkelling spots, as well to get up close and personal on a swim with manta rays.

Book it: Accommodation varies from beach camping to a village stay, and even a night in traditional Fijian bures at an island resort. Southern Sea Ventures ( southernseaventures.com ) offers the nine-day trip from £2,372pp, excluding flights and meals in Nadi

For wilderness adventures by rail and sea

Combining road, rail and sail, this tour is entirely about ensuring that the journey, and not just the destination is key. During the course of the Inside Passage Cruise, you are likely to see an abundance of marine life, plus awe-inspiring glaciers and landscapes not otherwise accessible. Later in your trip, you will enjoy two nights witnessing the majesty of the Rockies from the luxury and bi-level glass door dome coaches of the Rocky Mountaineer train.

Book it: APT Travel ( aptouring.co.uk ) offers the 22-day Reflections of the Rockies and Alaska Cruise from £7,095pp, including returning flights from Vancouver, accommodation, 43 meals, sightseeing and Signature Experiences, transfers, porterage, port charges and gratuities

For Gallic charm on the river, on foot and by bike

Sailing on a round-trip from Paris, where you will deep-dive into the city via a walking tour, this voyage calls at Les Andelys on the banks of the Seine, as well as medieval Rouen, plus Honfleur, with its coastal charm and colourful fishing boats. There are also stops at Caudebec-en-Caux, Vernon and Conflans, with cycle tours in several of the stops, then it is on to the delightful French village of Villequier, where the Victor Hugo Museum is located, and Richard the Lionheart’s Château Gaillard, plus a self-guided cycle from Vernon to Giverny, with a stop at Monet’s Garden.

Book it: Scenic Cruises ( scenic.co.uk ) offers the eight-day Highlights of Normandy and the Seine cruise from £2,328, all-inclusive, departing on August 27

For paddling – and cycling – past shrines and temples

This adventure takes in Japan’s ancient history and religious sites, plus the magnificence of its natural wonders. Setting off from the bustle of Tokyo, you will hike through shukuba (post towns) which are rest stops built along travel routes – in this case, the Nakasendo Way. Continuing on to the Seto Inland Sea, you will enjoy a cycling and kayaking adventure along the Shimanami Kaido, before continuing on to historic, temple-rich Kyoto. You will then embark on a pilgrimage along sections of the historic Kumano Kodo, which takes in Nachi Falls and Nachi Taisha Shrine, before ending your journey in Osaka.

Book it: Intrepid Travel ( intrepidtravel.com ) offers the 12-day Japan: Hike, Bike & Kayak tour from £4,770 per person, including accommodation, transport, some meals (four breakfasts, one lunch, one dinner) and various activities

For history, art and fine food by rail – or gondola

Taking in the ancient wonders of Rome, the medieval marvels of Florence and the otherworldly beauty of Venice, this five-night tour is a pocket-sized sample of the romance and magic of Italy. Travelling to each city by first-class train, you will sample fabulous food and stay in well-situated hotels along the way, as well as experiencing a gondola ride through the canals of La Serenissima.

Book it: Wexas Travel ( wexas.com ) offers this five-night Italian Job itinerary from £2,045pp, including flights, UK airport lounge access, airport transfers, rail tickets, a Rome sightseeing tour, a walking tour of Venice, and accommodation on a B&B basis

For mountain walks, fishing villages and fresh air

Venturing from Picos de Europa – which includes the Camino Lebaniego pilgrims’ path and the moonscapes of Sotres –  to the green coast of Asturias, this seven-night trip starts with four days of leisurely walking in the mountains before taking in colourful fishing villages, secluded coves and captivating coastline. Temperatures in August average 22 degrees, making this an ideal choice for summer, when walking won’t come with a side serving of stickiness. Along the way, accommodation is in family-run guesthouses and traditional hotels.

Book it: Macs Adventure ( macsadventure.com ) offers this Picos to Coast adventure from £720pp for a seven-night trip, including seven nights’ B&B accommodation, four dinners, luggage transfers, some hotel transfers, detailed route maps and GPS navigation app, plus 24/7 assistance if needed. Flights and transfers to first/from last accommodation are not included 

For adventures by metro, bus, train and bike

Asia is now fully open to visitors again, but Singapore offers international guests some of the best experiences in south-east Asia, from its Unesco world heritage-listed Botanic Gardens and Universal Studios theme park to its vibrant nightlife, wealth of cultural and historical attractions, 101-hectare Gardens by the Bay and Mandai Wildlife Reserve’s new Bird Paradise. Best of all, the country’s petite dimensions and efficient Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) metro system make it a breeze (almost literally, since the MRT is blissfully air-conditioned) to get around, as do the number of available SG bikes, the local bike-sharing operator. Pick up a Singapore Tourist Pass for unlimited bus and train travel for up to three days, or an EZ-Link card, which covers MRT trains, river taxis, local buses and the Sentosa monorail.

Book it: DialAFlight ( dialaflight.com ) offers six nights at Singapore’s five-star Shangri-La Rasa in the beach resort of Sentosa from £1,455pp, based on two sharing, including return flights and transfers

For surfing, paddleboarding and reliable sunshine

Easily accessed by ferry from La Rochelle, Île de Ré’s combination of environmental regulations and a green tax – not to mention its well-marked cycle trails and 60 miles of unspoilt coastline – make it the ideal destination for a car-free holiday. The island’s micro-climate makes it one of France’s sunniest regions and, for those looking for action on the water, surfing and paddleboarding are accessible from the sand dunes at Le Bois Plage. Staying at Villa de la Cible puts you within easy reach of these, as well as the gentle waters of Plage de la Cible, and the restaurants, shops and cafés of Saint-Martin-de-Ré.

Book it: Simpson Travel ( simpsontravel.com ) offers a week at Villa de la Cible from £4,995 (accommodation only), based on travel in June 2023. The four-bedroom Maison Rétaise is in the village of St Martin de Ré and set behind a walled garden with a small, heated swimming pool, just five minutes from Plage de la Cible, a 650ft-long stretch of family-friendly beach

For fjords, scenic railways and Scandi culture

Combining Norway’s breathtaking fjordland with the vibrant, creative cities of Oslo and Bergen – both known for their music, museum and gallery scenes – this nine-day tour also takes in Trondheim, Norway’s original capital and home to the Nidaros Cathedral, Scandinavia’s largest medieval building, which is adorned with stained glass windows and looming statues of biblical and historical figures. With the inclusion of the rural idyll of Andalsnes – Norway’s mountaineering capital – this trip allows you to explore this lesser-visited corner of Scandinavia, with accommodation in heritage properties and travel on scenic railways, including vertiginous Flam, and enjoy a fjord cruise.

Book it: Best Served Scandinavia ( best-served.co.uk ) offers this nine-day tailor-made holiday from £1,650pp including flights, eight nights’ accommodation on a B&B basis, train travel and fjord cruise

For a small-ship cruise along pristine coasts

Located in Australia’s remote northwest, the Kimberley ranks with the Arctic and Alaska as one of the last great wildernesses on the planet. Double the size of the UK, more than 2,000 islands lie off its pristine coast, which teems with marine life, including one of the world’s largest whale-birthing zones. This 10-day cruising expedition hosts a maximum of 99 guests, who can benefit from the knowledge of the Expedition Team, including marine biologists and ornithologists. The itinerary includes daily excursions onboard a Zodiac, including a visit to the Montgomery Reef, where an abundance of sea life is captured by the area’s large tidal range.

Book it: APT Luxury Travel ( aptouring.co.uk ) offers the Grand Kimberley Coast Cruise from £6,295pp (cruise only). This includes nine nights of twin shared accommodation in a Standard Suite on Caledonian Sky, experiences in 18 destinations and daily excursions by Zodiac, 26 locally inspired meals, plus soft and alcoholic beverages. Departures run until September 2023

For kayaking, spas and Michelin stars

For those wanting a quick break with the bonus of no immigration queues, Jersey is the answer – and, at the island’s Club Hotel & Spa in St Helier, guests can combine an overnight stay with a guided kayaking tour of the cave-riddled eastern coastline. Continuing on to the Ecrehous, a cluster of islands just off the coast, a chef and private waiter – both from the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant (the island’s only one) – serve lunch (with wine pairings) on a secluded beach. Afterwards, there is time for a stroll or a dip, before returning to the hotel for a spell in the spa, which has indoor and outdoor pools, a salt cabin and herbal steam room.

Book it: The Club Hotel and Spa ( theclubjersey.com ) offers the Ultimate Jersey BBQ package from £1,999 for two people, including an overnight stay, guided exploration of the island’s coast and a Michelin-starred al fresco dining experience

For ferry rides, forest trails and a giant maze

As the world’s first renewable-energy island, Denmark’s Samso lends itself perfectly to a car-free holiday. Just an hour by ferry from Aarhus – Denmark’s second city – the island spans just 1,550sqft, making it the ideal size for exploring by foot or bike. The complete absence of roundabouts and traffic lights, plus the generously wide cycle lanes, demonstrate how little cars feature here. Various trails, whether aimed at those on two legs or two wheels, will take you from villages – where organic and locally produced food provides fuel for your journey – through rolling hills, deciduous forests and untamed beaches. Don’t miss Samso Labyrinten, a tree maze equivalent to 12 football pitches and approved as the world’s largest maze by Guinness World Records.

Book it: Adventure Sense ( adventure-sense.com ) offers a seven-day cycling tour (beginning and ending in Aarhus) from £1,695pp, including accommodation, breakfasts and dinners (based on travel in September)

Greece and Turkey

For island-hopping, secluded coves and ancient sites.

Not for nothing are some of the most compelling literary tales set in these two enchanting countries. On this nine-day sailing tour, you will pay homage to the deservedly popular islands of Mykonos and Santorini, before venturing on to the lesser-known Cyclades – a circle of islands once thought to have protected the birthplace of Artemis and her twin brother, Apollo. You will visit hill villages, secluded coves and ancient archaeological sites, including the ruins of Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis. Away from land, avail yourself of the opportunities to jump off the back of your boat into the astonishing blue of the Aegean to swim, snorkel or simply cool off.

Book it: Intrepid Travel ( intrepidtravel.com ) offers the nine-day Greek Adventure Cruise from £2,795pp (sharing) including all breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners, accommodation throughout, plus tours, activities and arrival transfer 

For big game and desert dunes by air or quad bike

Throw maps – and, it must be said, budgets – out the window and indulge in a luxury private tour that uses light aircraft to cover maximum ground in this country of contrasts. With five-star accommodation along the way, you will start your journey in a 9,000-hectare game reserve, where elephants, cheetahs, giraffes and rhinos can be spotted, before flying to Etosha National Park, considered the greatest wildlife sanctuary in Namibia. Continuing on to the WiFi-free Serra Cafema Camp in the northern desert of the country, there will be the opportunity to meet the Himba people, a semi-nomadic tribe who travel the surrounding dunes with their livestock. This will be followed by a guided quad-bike excursion in the desert. Finally your journey ends in the magnificent Namib Desert, where mountains and sand dunes provide the backdrop to stargazing and desert tours.

Book it: Lux Tripper ( luxtripper.co.uk ) offers the 10-day Luxury Namibia Tour by Air from £10,825pp (sharing), including international flights, luxury accommodation throughout, transfers between hotels and airports, all domestic flights, plus tours and activities

Are you planning to take a car-free holiday this summer? Please let us know in the comments below

Sign up to the Front Page newsletter for free: Your essential guide to the day's agenda from The Telegraph - direct to your inbox seven days a week.

Want to work remotely in Italy? The country just launched its new digital nomad visa.

Remote workers with dreams of working from the rolling hills of Tuscany or the cliffs of Positano are now one step closer to making that reality. Italy launched a new digital nomad visa.

Two years after its announcement, the highly anticipated digital nomad visa officially became available for those eligible on April 4.  

“Italian-style, everything happens slowly,” said Nick Metta, a lawyer for the law firm Studio Legale Metta , which has helped Americans relocate to Italy for decades. “Now there is a pipeline of people waiting just to file the application. It's been a long-awaited visa.” 

Most of Metta’s clients would previously apply for a student visa, which allowed them to work part-time in Italy. 

Under the new visa, people will be able to work from Italy for one year, with the option to renew once their visa is due for expiration. Without a visa, U.S. travelers could only stay in Italy for up to 90 days without the ability to work.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

The launch makes Italy the latest European country to offer a digital nomad visa , which has already been available in Greece and Hungary. 

Here’s everything we know about the digital nomad visa for Italy.

Destinations behind a paywall? What to know about the increasing tourist fees worldwide.

Who can apply for a digital nomad visa in Italy?

According to the official decree , the visa is meant for those who “carry out a highly qualified work activity through the use of technological tools that allow you to work remotely.” 

The regulations define eligible applicants as “digital nomads,” self-employed freelancers, “remote workers,” or those employed by a company outside of Italy and can work from anywhere, according to Studio Legale Metta.

To qualify for the visa, the applicant has to meet certain requirements:

• A university or college degree or an accredited professional license
• Six months of work experience in the industry, or five years for applicants without a university degree
• An existing employment contract
• A criminal record check
• Proof of an annual income of €28,000 (about $29,880.06)
• Evidence of housing in Italy
• Evidence of health insurance coverage 

Applicants can also apply to have family members join them on their Italian move, but the government has to give the final approval. 

How do I apply for the digital nomad visa in Italy?

Thankfully, Metta said the paperwork for the digital nomad visa isn’t “too complicated.” 

The first stop for interested applicants will be the Italian Consulate for their area. “Consulates are basically the front of the government to receive the applications,” Metta said. Interested applicants can book an appointment with the consulate and start gathering their necessary documents. People can also apply by mailing in their application. (However, Metta did mention consulate websites are often confusing and outdated, so working with a relocation service can make things easier.)

To apply, applicants will also need a passport with an expiration date at least three months after the end of the visa period and two passport-sized photos.

Relocation services can also help people navigate the sometimes complicated process of applying for a visa, such as negotiating early termination penalties with landlords in Italy. 

These services also help people with state and tax planning, especially if people own assets in the U.S., like a house. Once in Italy, people need to register their residency with the town hall, which will determine what sort of taxes they’ll pay. People can speak to an international tax specialist to figure out their future taxes as well. 

How much will the visa cost?

According to Studio Legale Metta, the application fee is €116 (about $123.78) per person.

How long will the application process take?

Not too long, actually. Metta estimates the process could take just three weeks if applicants are “well-organized and have all your tax documents filed.”

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected] .

Europe's masterpiece

• Call 020 7590 0796

When to visit Italy

Introduction.

Generally speaking, the best time to visit Italy is between April and June or September and October. These shoulder seasons avoid the crowds along with the worst of the heat – Sicily has been known to reach the mid forties. In fact, given its favourable latitude, you can expect favourable temperatures year round with southern waters warm enough to swim even outside the May to September period. That said, winter will see snowfall in the north, with ski resorts opening up.

Florence, Tuscany & Umbria

Daily max temp (Apr) 17.7℃

Monthly rainfall (Apr) 77mm

The Amalfi Coast

Daily max temp (Apr) 17.6℃

Monthly rainfall (Apr) 62mm

Venice & islands

Most visitors to Venice will encounter rain at some point, though the famous acqua alta  (high water) floods tend to occur in the months of November and December. The summer months see a sharp spike in temperature, as well as tourist crowds, so we recommend that for many the best time to visit Venice will be in the spring or autumn. Winter travellers may encounter snow, but it rarely lingers on the ground for longer than a few hours.

Daily max temp (Apr) 16.7℃

Monthly rainfall (Apr) 74mm

Daily max temp (Apr) 18.9℃

Daily max temp (Apr) 18.8℃

Monthly rainfall (Apr) 70mm