What's the best way to travel around Italy? Traveling to Italy on your own: routes and tips. Travel to Italy: how to get there

Tips and practical recommendations for tourists

Having decided to travel around Italy on your own, you, of course, get almost limitless scope for imagination and the opportunity to develop your own travel route. However, you need to understand that responsibility for all organizational issues falls entirely on your shoulders. However, if 10–15 years ago the solution to all these issues was quite difficult task, then now everything is much simpler. The main thing is desire. And don’t be afraid that you won’t succeed. We, the authors i- I talia.ru, and thousands of other tourists have wonderful independent travels around Italy :)

This article is based on our own experience. Below are our tips to help you plan and organize a trip to Italy on your own, no matter what interests you pursue, be it a beach holiday, a gastronomic tour, sightseeing or something else.

So, where to start planning an independent trip to Italy? There may be at least two options here. We will conditionally call the first “economic”, when the desire to save as much as possible comes to the fore. The second is conditionally “targeted”, when the purpose of the trip is of paramount importance (visiting the Uffizi Gallery, shopping in Milan, a beach holiday in Sicily, a trip to the Formula 1 Grand Prix, etc.). Next, we will consider the indicated approaches in more detail.

An “economic” approach to planning a trip to Italy

The starting point in this case will be to search for the best deals on the tourism market. We are, of course, not talking about tour operator vouchers, although this option is quite possible. To have a cheap vacation, you don’t have to go to Italy like a wild person. For example, for some dates it is possible to find a week-long tour to Rimini for 200–250 euros. If you wish, you can search for cheap tours and even buy them online (for example, on and other similar sites). For this money you will receive flights and hotel accommodation. At the same time, nothing prevents you, having arrived in Rimini, to continue traveling on your own, using this city as a base for trips to other cities in Italy (more detailed description For travel routes from Rimini, see). This option may be ideal for novice travelers to feel confident in their abilities and next time organize a trip to Italy on their own from the very beginning, especially since Rimini is far from the best Italian resort (read more about independent rest on the beaches of Italy, read this review).

So, when we talk about the “economic” approach to travel planning, we mean, first of all, searching for cheap air tickets. Indeed, it can be difficult to resist the temptation when tickets turn up, for example, to Rome or Milan for some 100–150 euros (and this is quite possible, yes, with all the fees, round trip, regular flight, not charter) . Most often these will be either direct flights of low-cost airlines, or flights with a transfer somewhere in Germany, Austria, Latvia or another European country, but for the sake of saving you can tolerate this inconvenience. Here, however, a logical question arises: where to find cheap air tickets? We answer. There are several good search services: www.aviasales.ru, www.momondo.ru, etc. A similar air ticket search service is also implemented in the section "Air tickets", where the corresponding search form is presented.

All these services search both on the websites of ticket agencies and on the websites of the airlines themselves. By asking various options search (for example, Moscow-Milan, Moscow-Rome, Moscow-Venice, etc.), you can find the best deals. Much depends on the dates of the planned trip and other factors (for example, on weekends and on the eve of public holidays, tickets are usually more expensive than on other days), and therefore the search can often last for several hours, or even days. However, this is a very exciting process.

These services find almost all possible flight options. In general, on this topic (about air travel between Italy and Russia), you can additionally read the article “To Italy by plane”, which discusses in detail which airlines fly to which Italian cities from Russia. In addition, you can find detailed information on the best way to get to Italy, how to create a travel itinerary and how to get around within the country in the section "Routes".

Once you find suitable tickets, you can buy them without leaving your home. It's pretty simple. However, if you have never bought air tickets online before, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with this material.

A “targeted” approach to planning a trip to Italy

If the key importance for you is not the desire to save money, but the desire to visit specific cities, attractions, shopping centers, events, etc., then when planning a trip to Italy, you can again start by looking for air tickets, but pay more attention not on their cost, but on factors such as the proximity of the airport through which you plan to fly from your main destination, dates and times of departures ( large companies they operate several flights daily, with flights in the early morning and late evening usually being cheaper), etc. For example, if you are interested in a three- to five-day raid on Milanese shops, then there is no point in flying to Rome, even if you have found cheaper ones air tickets to this city. Or if you need to be in Bologna on specific dates for an exhibition, then it makes no sense to buy tickets for other dates, even if they are half the price.

In short, with a “targeted” approach to organizing travel, the main thing is the goal. In this case, almost everything depends on your interests and preferences. However, we recommend that you pay attention to the section "Cities", where you can get some travel ideas.

Having decided on your travel goals, you can move on to choosing a place (or places) to stay during your Italian tour.

Search and book hotels in Italy

You can book a hotel room, apartment (apartment), a place in a hostel, etc. Moreover, booking accommodation, as well as purchasing air tickets, can be easily done via the Internet, fortunately there are a huge number of hotel booking systems: www.booking.com, www.hotels.com, etc. Alternatively, you can use the hotel search service (including not only hotels, but also apartments, apart-hotels, guest houses, hostels and other accommodation facilities) in the section "Hotels". This service allows you to compare offers from the world's largest online hotel booking systems and choose the option that suits you best at the best price. If this is your first time encountering the task of booking hotels via the Internet, you can get more detailed information. Finally, do not forget about sites such as www.interhome.ru, with the help of which you can find houses and apartments for rent in various parts of Italy. Read more about online booking of apartments.

Regarding the criteria for choosing a place of residence, we will consider several nuances.

Firstly, when choosing a hotel, you should pay attention not only to the cost of living, but also to the convenience of the location in relation to attractions or transport hubs. Many independent travelers prefer to book hotels directly in historical city centers and, at the same time, close to public transport stops, from which it is convenient to get to the airport or other cities along the travel route. This allows you to significantly save not only time, but also energy, allowing in many cases not to use public transport at all (with the exception of transfers from the airport and back) and thus eliminating the need to make daily trips. Our recommendations for accommodation in various cities of Italy are presented in more detail in the subsection “Tips for choosing hotels”.

Secondly, you need to take into account that hotel reservation confirmation is included in the list of required documents submitted along with the application for a Schengen visa. The Italian consulate is very loyal to this issue. Therefore, a reservation printed from a hotel booking site will be quite sufficient. However, there may be changes in this regard, so it is better to clarify this issue at the Italian visa center or directly at the Italian embassy/consulate.

Thirdly, you should definitely read the booking conditions. In many cases, after you have booked a hotel room or, say, an apartment in an apart-hotel, not a penny will be debited from your bank card, but, nevertheless, the hotel has the right to block an amount equivalent to the cost of the first night of stay (or more). This is fine. After some time, the blocked amount will be “unfrozen” (however, this often does not happen immediately, but approximately within 10–20 days). However, hotels often offer prepaid reservations. As a rule, these are the best deals, but by making a non-refundable reservation, you risk losing money if you decide to cancel the trip, even due to circumstances beyond your control. In general, you should not ignore the description of the conditions for making a reservation, especially since these conditions are spelled out in detail on all popular booking sites. Read more on this topic.

Obtaining a visa to Italy + insurance

Getting an Italian Schengen visa is quite simple. To do this, it is most convenient to contact one of the offices of the Italian visa center, of which there are plenty in Russia.

On the visa center website you will find all the necessary information about the requirements for documents submitted for a visa. As practice shows, the main thing is to strictly follow all the requirements and you will not have any problems with obtaining a visa (even if you are a twenty-year-old unmarried blonde with a pristine foreign passport, yes, yes, yes). Read more about the process of obtaining a visa to Italy on your own.

Also remember that you will need health insurance – both for your visa to Italy and for your own peace of mind. Details in this article.

That's all, actually. Having tickets, hotel reservations, insurance and a visa in hand, you can go on a trip. Hooray!

I’ve been running my own travel website for several years now, and now I’m also developing a YouTube channel of the same name, but most importantly, I absolutely love traveling!!! It’s a pity that I don’t manage to do this very often yet, but I will try to correct this situation) Today I want to tell you all the secrets about my travel route around Italy in the spring of 2017 with all the “passwords and appearances”, as well as links to sites, screenshots and even training videos. Let's start revealing the topic

The trip took place from 04/25/17 to 05/04/17

The map of my journey from the site http://youroute.ru/routes/177955/ will show you the approximate route of my movements, and I will tell you more about everything in our article today.

Day one 04/25/2017

The flight was late, the city was unfamiliar, but we were not at a loss and thought through the transfer from the airport to the booked hotel in advance. Moreover, there is one trick that I told in the video for independent travelers, revealing “all the cards” of our route. The fact is that booking a hotel in Venice in our case would not only be expensive, but also not reasonable, since we then planned to go by train to Florence.

That is why the choice fell on the small family hotel Casa Villa Gardenia, located 5 minutes walk from Mestre train station, from where, in turn, 10 minutes by train to the center of Venice.

How to get from the airport to the hotel in Mestre

There are, as always, several ways. First, I’ll make a reservation that we chose one of the most expensive ones, but there was a good reason for that: we arrived at Venice airport late in the evening at 22.30 and use public transport at such a time, even if possible, it is not safe, especially in a new unfamiliar city.

How to get from the airport to Venice

First, a little about what you need to know when going to Venice.

For those who have not yet been interested in the question of the peculiarities of transport in Venice, I’ll tell you:

Venice consists of islands and is separated from the mainland by almost 5 kilometers, while all the vital enterprises of the island resort of Venice are located on the mainland. On the islands you will not find industrial enterprises or factories, this part is adapted to the whims of tourists. Both Venice airports are also located on the mainland, which should definitely be taken into account when planning your trip. Closer to the island of Venice is the main airport of this region - Marco Polo ( Aeroporto di Venezia Marco Polo), there is another airport, at least twice as far away from this one, and it’s called Treviso Airport (Treviso airport)

The islands and the mainland are connected by an embankment, which has the beautiful name Ponta della Liberta. You can drive along the embankment by public transport (railway, bus) or by car. On the islands, you can only move by water (by transport, of course), and you should park your car either on Piazalle Roma (Rome Square) or on one of the islands called Tronchetto (Tronchetto). Bus stops are located at the same points of arrival on the island of Venice.

The main train station, Venezia, is located on the island part of Venice. Santa Lucia and absolutely all trains that depart from it stop at our place of residence while visiting Venice, that is, at the Venezia Mestre railway station.

We didn’t use these methods, but it’s still worth saying a few words about them.

Buses from the airport to Venice

It should be noted that buses from the airport to Venice run from 4 in the morning until half past midnight, which is very convenient, but not for timid pioneers with heavy suitcases))

Carrier website:

http://muoversi.venezia.it/en

The schedule can be viewed here:

http://actv.avmspa.it/sites/default/files/attachments/pdf/urbano/U-5.pdf

Boat from the airport to Venice

It takes just under one and a half hours by boat from the airport to Venice's main square, San Marco.

The company Alilaguna is engaged in transportation.

The schedule and prices can be found here:

http://www.alilaguna.it/it/

Water taxi in Venice

The cost of taxi services, including water taxis, can be found here:

http://shop.radiotaxivenezia.com/

https://www.motoscafivenezia.it/rus/informazioni.php

Please note that many companies charge an additional fee of 20 euros for trips at night!

An individual boat transfer from the airport costs on average from 145 to 290 euros. Let's continue the conversation independent travel routes around Italy..

How to save money in Venice

A hotel room with breakfast for three cost us 142.5 euros/day.

Day two 04/26/17

We were lucky enough to get to Venice, so we decided to make the most of this day...

First of all, I found a guide in Venice and agreed to conduct an exciting excursion with the possibility of recording a video. If anyone thinks that filming travel is simple and not stressful, then I hasten to disappoint you, because it is hard work that not everyone can do. I’m not saying that I have any unique talents, just before you write unpleasant information and advice like “I could have done better” under videos (not necessarily mine), think about how difficult it is in a foreign country without normal knowledge of the language to speak correctly on the first take and it’s interesting, and even manage to somehow relax... The main purpose of the trip is still relaxation! I got distracted, let's continue...

See and read about how our guided tour went and what was remarkable about it in a separate article, and I continue about planning the route.

Day three 04/27/17:

independent travel around Italy routes..

On this day we had a tedious journey from Venice to Florence, and from there to.

I’ll say right away that we could have gone by rail straight to the center of Montecatini Terme, and not to the center of Florence, and from there by transfer, but then, I’m afraid that my family would have killed me, because I’m already dragging around countries, instead of taking us to a hotel and relaxing there for the entire vacation... Therefore, we went to Florence by train and now I will tell and show you how to do it.

In my article How to travel cheaply in Italy, I already talked about the website of the Italian railways and which website I would recommend buying train tickets on, but I will repeat myself a little, because we are talking about a specific travel route.

As I already indicated at the beginning of the article, we did not live in Venice itself, but nearby, in Mestre, therefore, in order to travel by train to Florence, it would be completely pointless to buy train tickets from the main train station of Venice Santa Lucia.

The departure station in our case was the Metre railway station ( Venezia Mestre)

In Florence you could choose different arrival stations, but we bought a ticket to the central station Firenze S. M. Novella

As I already said in my videos, I prefer to arrive at a new place before lunch to have more time, so our train arrived at its destination at 13.30 on April 27, 2017

We traveled second class at the Super Economy fare and this is what I can say about this:

Trains of Italy 2nd class:

Arrival in Montecatini Terme..

The world famous thermal resort of Montecatini Terme is very well located. But before I explain why, I want to make a small correction: the resort is known all over the world, but in Russia few people have heard of it, because it is not customary for us to organize tours to wonderful health resorts, where in addition to impressions you can also improve your health. Even tours to the one famous for its thermal baths, which we also visited and filmed a series of videos there, are not very popular in Russia.

In our country, everyone knows the resort very well, where tours are regularly offered. I can’t say that there is anything you won’t like about this Czech resort, it’s an amazing place, but it’s not the only one!!

So let's get back to talking about Montecatini Terme. Just imagine: the region of Italy is Tuscany, surrounded by green hills, clean air and water, healing springs, half an hour’s drive to Florence, forty minutes’ drive to Pisa, an hour to the sea and ski resorts Italy. That is, at any time of the year, recovery can be combined with horse riding. alpine skiing or a beach holiday.

Best restaurant in Montecatini Terme

When I was exploring Montecatini Terme, I didn't think about where the best restaurant was located, since Montecatini is a small town and you don't have to worry about how to get around. But my surprise was boundless when I found out that the best restaurant in the city is located in our hotel. I would like to note that despite the fact that the hotel where we stayed is 4*, it is far from the most presentable and expensive. I found out about this amazing coincidence purely by chance, when I was corresponding with the hotel about a transfer and noticed something familiar in the signature from the hotel representatives:

The restaurant is called exactly as it was indicated in the signature))

La Pecora Nera

Via San Martino 18, 51016, Montecatini Terme

In order not to be left without dinner, you must reserve a table in advance!!!

But since we will live there, I think we will have time to do it for sure)

The restaurant has two Michelin stars and guests are greeted by the hostess.

We will also show you how everything looks live in our video.

Spa Montecatini Terme

This Spa complex with a swimming pool is located a two-minute walk from our hotel)))

Lucky so lucky!

The cost of 1 hour in the thermal pool is 13 euros. A towel can be rented for 6.5 euros.

There is live music in the spa center. You can also have breakfast here, since you take water on an empty stomach. Excellent toilets, which is very important for Leopoldina drinkers.

http://www.montecatinihelp.info/pdf/%D0%A6%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%8B_%D0%BD%D0%B0_%D0%9C%D0%BE%D0%BD%D1 %82%D0%B5%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B8_%D0%A2%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BC%D0%B5 .pdf

Day four 04/28/17:

independent travel around Italy routes

independent travel around Italy routes..

Since this is our first morning in Montecatini Terme, and Montecatini Terme is primarily a resort with drinking springs, we decided to start our day with a drinking course of water.

Unlike the Karlovy Vary resort, here the water from the pump room is paid... In addition, a doctor’s recommendation is required, so I was puzzled in advance by the issue of translating our modest medical diagnoses into Italian and brought with me printouts of them.

So, the plan is this: first, a doctor’s appointment, then drinking springs, then an exploration of the city of Montecatini Terme (before lunch), and after lunch, an exploration of the city of Montecatini Alto.

We begin to explore the city of Montecatini Terme.

I will not describe the sights in this article, because that’s what there is for that.

The next place we will go is Montecatini Alto, but even transportation there is an attraction of the resort. Why, read on)

Funicular from Montecatini Termo to Montecatini Alto

(Funicolare di Montecatini Terme)

We got the timing right, since it was in Motecatini Alto that we needed to have dinner, because you can never see such a view from there again in your life!

The Funicular of 1850 will take us towards the unknown. A little scary, but this is where all the charm is)

Attention: on the funicular from 13 to 14.30 - lunch, you need to go after lunch in order to be in time for your pre-booked table in Montecatini Alto for dinner!!

The price of the climb costs 4€, but if you buy a round trip ticket, it will cost 7€.

The interval is 30 minutes, the ride is about 10 minutes.

Official website in Italian

http://www.funicolare-montecatini.it/orari-e-prezzi/

About 40 people can fit in the old funicular at a time, which is good, but not so many people will be at the top at the same time)

The trailer, both inside and out, is made of wood, the benches are the same, and there is an open part where you need to sit down, armed with a camera.

If you don't want to pay, you can save money and follow the signs on foot "Ecological trail".

Attention: if you go on foot, you will see the Basilica along the route XVI century!

There is also a descent, parallel to the rails.

Montecatini Alto

There is an olive oil factory

Lots of restaurants with delicious food

There is a restaurant with a view, book in advance!!!

Day five 29.04.2017

Montecatini Terme - Florence

As we are already accustomed, we will travel to the next city by rail immediately after breakfast) Or not...

If you go by train, you need to spend about an hour on the way; this pleasure costs 5.5 euros.

I will not describe the sights of Florence, because this is dedicated to this.

I just want to note that, according to our old tradition, we decided to eat at the best establishment in the city (No. 1 out of 2061 restaurants)

We returned to Montecatini Terme by train.

Day six 30 .04.2017

Montecatini Terme - Lucca

Since the city of Lucca deserves special attention, and the day before we only bothered to visit it while passing through, the next day we decided to correct this and go on a full-fledged excursion to the city of Lucca.

Lucca attractions photos and descriptions

And, of course, watch one of three videos about the city of Lucca (see the rest of the videos in the article and on the Aviamania YouTube channel):

Day seven 01 .05.2017

Before lunch we decided to go to the city of Pistoia, but we didn’t go because we were extremely tired and decided to just get some sleep)

For those who will be more persistent in their intentions, I tell you:

Montecatini Terme - Pistoia

The ticket costs 2.6 euros and the ride takes 14 minutes.

Pistoia attractions

If you want to see the sights of the city's main square Piazza del Duomo, And this is where most of the city’s interesting objects are concentrated, so come before lunch! After lunch, I organize a flea market on the square (on Wednesdays and Saturdays), and you can hardly see the facades of ancient buildings behind the counters with things!

Many tourists say that Pistoia is reminiscent of Florence, well, we will check this out, because we are also planning to go to Florence in the coming days.

This is not a tourist town in Tuscany, there is a small concentration of people and very tasty ice cream)

Baptistery

The Babtistery boasts medieval features such as a 13th-century font and a 16th-century gate. This building may not surprise experienced travelers, but it will delight lovers of antiquity and Italian style.

Piazza della Sala

It is on this square that the descendants of the city’s first traders have been offering their goods for many hundreds of years. Here you can buy fruits, souvenirs and many other interesting things.

The well in the square, which is decorated with a sculpture of a lion with a shield, will not let you pass by. The Tuscans nicknamed it the Lion's Well.

We would love to test the best restaurant in town, but most restaurants open at 18:30-19:30.

The streets radiate from the square, where there are many cafes, restaurants, bakeries and wine shops. We would go there to refresh ourselves.

Montecatini Terme - Monsummano Terme

After lunch we would return to Montecatini Terme and travel to Monsummano Terme. But...they turned green again))) In general, the weather just let us down and it started to rain, so going for a swim in the cold bad weather in an outdoor pool is just a terrible pleasure.

The station is called

In Monsummano Terme, unlike Montecatini Terme, there is an outdoor thermal pool of 750 m2 and a unique Grotto with thermal water, the only one in Europe - Grotta Giusti

Day eight 02 .05.2017

Montecatini Terme - Pisa

According to plan, today we have an excursion to the city of Pisa!

Let's continue to expand on the topic of independent travel around Italy, routes..

We could find a lot of interesting things in Montecatini and we will definitely find them, but on Sunday, since the Cathedrals in Florence and Pisa are closed on Sunday, and there are so few days before departure ((

The journey ahead will not be easy, since it is impossible to get to Pisa without transfers by rail.

Well, as you probably already guessed, we got lazy again, caught a break in the train service and took a taxi.

In general, we are heading to Pisa with a transfer in the city of Lucca.

The train to Lucca costs 4.4 euros per person, you need to buy tickets on the spot from the machine.

Travel time is 51 minutes.

In Lucca you need to buy a ticket to Pisa and hit the road again from another platform.

Another 31 minutes and 3.5 euros and you are in Pisa.

That is, in less than 1.5 hours and 7.9 euros you can travel from Montecatini Terme to Pisa.

All this day we walked around Pisa and enjoyed its wonders. I told about how it was in the article.

The end of an unforgettable walk will be dinner at the best restaurant in Pisa according to Tripadvisor.

At the restaurant La Taverna di Pulcinella There is pizza by meter, that is, a pizza measuring 0.5 m by 1 m for a price of up to 20 euros (depending on the filling)!

Day nine 03 .05.2017

After such a daily exploration of the cities of Italy, we decided to have a good rest the day before departure, so we didn’t go anywhere, but simply enjoyed life in Montecatini Terme)

Day ten 04 .05.2017

We had to take off from Florence airport, where we were taken for 95 euros on a transfer ordered at the hotel.

I hope you liked our route and you will find something new and interesting for yourself in this article.

With this I say goodbye to you and see you in new articles and videos!

Majestic Rome, fashionable Milan, magnificent Florence, fabulous Mantua, inimitable Venice, legendary Pompeii... This list can be continued for a long time. Each Italian city has its own characteristics, unique location and magnificent attractions. Do you want to travel to Italy without using the services of travel agencies? Such a desire is quite feasible. From this article you will learn how to organize an independent trip to Italy.

Advantages

An independent trip to Italy has a number of advantages:

1. You choose the date and duration of the trip yourself.
2. You can plan your day your way.
3. You have unlimited time for sightseeing.
4. You can visit absolutely anywhere in the country and travel in any direction.
5. You can find the hotel or apartment that suits you.
6. You can learn about the “non-tourist” life of Italian cities.
7. You can interact a lot with the local population of all the cities you visit.
8. You rarely encounter crowds of tourists.
9. You plan the entire travel budget yourself.
10. You will feel like a real adventurer.

This is just a small part of the benefits of independent travel. Each tourist has his own list of advantages that guide him when choosing a particular type of trip.

How to get a visa?

To visit the country you will need a Schengen visa. With it, you can travel not only to Italy, but also to other neighboring countries: France, Spain, Switzerland, etc. Visas are divided into 2 main types: short-term (business, tourist, guest) and long-term (national). You need a short-term tourist visa (type C), with which you are allowed to stay in the country for 30 days.

To obtain a tourist visa you will need the following documents:

1. A questionnaire filled out in accordance with all the rules.
2. Foreign passport and photocopies of all its pages. Remember that the validity period of this document must include 3.5 months after arrival from Italy to Russia.
3. Canceled foreign passport with Schengen visas for a 3-year period.
4. Russian passport with photocopies of all pages.
5. 2 color photographs.
6. Ticket and documents for booking a hotel/guest house/other accommodation.
7. Certificate from the place of work about the tourist’s salary and position. This document must be signed by the director or chief accountant.
8. Plastic cards (not credit cards), bank account statements, traveler's checks and other documents confirming the tourist's solvency. In addition to the originals, you will need photocopies of all the listed documents.
9. The travel budget should not be less than 1,000 euros. The minimum amount for a 1-day stay in Italy is 50 euros.
10. Insurance for the amount of 30,000 euros. It operates in all European countries.

When applying for a visa, you need to take into account some nuances. For example, if you do not earn enough money (the embassy may tell you this), then you will have to provide a photocopy of the Russian passport of your relative, who will act as a travel sponsor. In addition to your passport, you will need a document about your relationship status and a certificate from your “sponsor’s” place of work.

If you are a pensioner, then attach a pension certificate to the list of basic documents; students need to present a certificate from the dean’s office and a student ID. Housewives without a formal income who are sponsored by their husband are required to provide a marriage certificate.

To travel with minor children, you will need the child's birth certificate, parental permission and a photocopy of the passport of the person authorizing his or her travel to Italy.

To obtain a visa, Russians submit the collected package of documents to the visa center assigned to their district.

How to get to Italy?

After the tedious collection of documents and obtaining a visa, travelers have another important question: “How to get to the country?” You can travel to Italy on your own using the following types of transport:

1. Flight. The plane is the most popular mode of transport that will quickly take you to Italy. Many airlines often hold various promotions and ticket sales, so flying to the country can be several times cheaper. Don't forget to browse information about low-cost airlines, connecting flights and charters. You can book tickets both online and at the airports themselves (if that’s more convenient for you).
2. Railway. For those tourists who are afraid to fly, there is the opportunity to travel to Italy by train. This option cannot be called budget, but for some travelers the train is the only way to get to their vacation destination. Russian Railways offers only 1 option for direct train travel to Italy: from Moscow to Nice. You can also look at information about traveling by train with several transfers; here the number of options is much greater.
3. Bus. Those who are not afraid of pain from a stiff back and lower back can try going to Italy by bus. This travel option is considered one of the most budget-friendly. If you are not afraid of difficulties, want to see various European cities and have good health, then traveling by bus will be your first independent adventure. Departure to this country is carried out from Moscow.
4. Automobile. You can make your trip to Italy truly independent by using your own car. For a successful trip you need to have a working car, knowledge of traffic rules of the countries you will visit on the way to Italy, and that’s all necessary documents(both for passengers and for the car). You can come to the country along various routes, the most interesting and exciting trips will be:

• Through Belarus, Poland, the Czech Republic and Austria;
• Through Belarus, Poland and Germany;
• Through Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia.

Of course, you can travel all over Europe, visit every country that interests you and enjoy the wonderful views and hospitality of various European capitals and cities.

It’s very easy to organize an exciting trip to Italy on your own. Your desire, financial capabilities and the right attitude will help you make an interesting and educational trip that will be remembered forever.

Choosing housing

There are numerous hotels, country houses and guest houses in Italy, rented apartments etc. On various sites for booking hotels and renting rental housing, you can choose an option that suits you in all respects. Keep in mind: renting apartments in big cities is more expensive than in small ones. Use only proven services. Reservations and rentals of accommodation must be made in advance.

Remember that you are coming to see the country, and not to sit in a rented apartment. The money you save on housing could be better spent on shopping, delicious local food, or entertainment.

How to travel around Italy?

If you are traveling to Italy in your own car, then there are no issues with moving around the country. If you do not have personal transport, we suggest you use:

• By train or train. Road connections between Italian cities are excellent, so you won’t have any problems visiting the cities on your list.
• By bus. With this transport you can travel both around the city and nearby settlements.
• Taxi. An absolutely universal transport that will take you to any destination.
• By ferry. Will take you to any island or other country bordering Italy.
• By plane. When planning to explore all of Italy in a short time, it is better to take advantage of local flights.
• Rented car. Suitable for traveling around the city and throughout the country.
• By bicycle. On a two-wheeled “comrade” it is convenient to explore the sights and interesting places of any Italian city.

When choosing transport, be guided by the prices and convenience of the chosen method of moving around Italy. For example, the constant transportation of things from and to the airport will cause a lot of inconvenience, so plan your trip carefully, if necessary, purchase plane, ferry and train tickets in advance.

What money should I take to Italy?

The currency of Italy is the euro. Accordingly, to travel to the country you need euros. You don’t need to have only cash with you; put some of the funds on your card (either in rubles or euros). When paying with a ruble plastic card, rubles will be converted into euros, and your purchase or payment for services will go through without any difficulties.

In Italy you can use MasterCard and Visa plastic cards.

How to save money in Italy?

1. Choose inexpensive accommodation that is not located in the center of an Italian city. For example, the most expensive accommodation option would be a hotel, the cheapest would be a hostel.
2. When choosing a method of transportation, give preference to buses, trains, car rentals and the metro. Airplane flights and taxi services will cost more.
3. Buy tourist map. With it you will save up to 70% on the cost of traveling on local transport, visiting exhibitions and attractions.
4. Some museums and exhibitions offer tourists the opportunity to visit attractions during free hours and days.
5. Take advantage of free walking tours.
6. Shop in non-tourist areas and cities.
7. The northern regions of Italy are more expensive than the southern ones. Keep this in mind.

What to visit in Italy?

Italy is an interesting, multifaceted country with a huge number of various attractions on its territory. We recommend visiting the following:

1. Pompeii. A unique place that has preserved a lot of interesting structures from the times of the ancient Pompians.
2. Rome. The Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, numerous castles, cathedrals, palaces, etc. will not leave anyone indifferent.
3. Verona. Arena di Verona, Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore, Juliet's tomb, Castelvecchio Castle, etc. should be visited by every self-respecting tourist.
4. Milan. The Duomo, La Scala, the Leonardo da Vinci Museum, numerous galleries, castles and museums of the city will enchant you with their beauty and interesting history.
5. Venice. The Grand Canal, the Doge's Palace, the Cathedral of Santa Maria della Salute, the Venetian Arsenal, museums, galleries, palaces and other attractions of this city will be remembered for a long time.
6. Florence. Palazzo Pitti, Giotto's Bell Tower, Basilica of Santa Croce, Palazzo Vecchia, etc. are a must-see for every tourist.
7. Mantua. Palazzo Ducale, Basilica of St. Andrew, Palazzo Te, rotunda of St. Lavrentiya and others will immerse you in the atmosphere of an amazing medieval city.
8. Rimini. Here you can see such masterpieces as the Tiberius Bridge, the Arch of Augustus, the Palace of the Medieval Assembly, the Malatesta Castle, etc.
9. Pisa. In this city, be sure to see the following attractions: Leaning Tower of Pisa, Duomo, Baptistery, Ospendale Nuovo di Santo Spirito, Field of Miracles, etc.
10. Beach resorts in Italy. You can enjoy the warm sea, ride a yacht and get a great tan in Costa Smeralda, Lignano, Rimini, Riviera di Lazio, Sicily, etc.

Of course, this is not the entire list of interesting Italian cities and attractions. A properly planned trip will help you explore large number interesting places, become a participant in exciting adventures and stock up on bright emotions until your next vacation.
Now you know how to travel to Italy on your own. Full preparation for the trip, the presence of all the necessary documents, a good mood and a desire to explore new places will help you have a good rest and return home with a full set of interesting stories and unforgettable impressions.

You can plan your trip to Italy yourself, or you can use the ideas proposed in this article. Of course, there are a lot of similar routes, because the number of combinations is huge. Below we will consider a trip through Rome, Florence, Bologna, Venice, Verona and Milan (Bergamo). This is perhaps the most classic route. It is designed for 7-8 days. This time should be enough to see the main attractions. If you wish, you can stay in a particular city for a longer period.

The indicated route will be built according to the following scheme: You have arrived in Rome and are departing from Milan. If on the dates of your tour it is more profitable to use the reverse order of visiting cities, then choose it. At the same time, do not forget that in Milan and its surroundings there are two airports that are relevant for those flying from post-Soviet countries. These are Malpensa (http://www.milanomalpensa-airport.com/en) and Bergamo (http://www.orioaeroporto.it/Airpor/).

Rome (A)

The first couple of days of your trip should be taken with excursions around Rome. The specified period is enough to touch a whole layer of history. Read more about the eternal city in separate articles dedicated to it. Main attractions of Rome:

1. Vatican Museum (http://www.museivaticani.va/).
2. St. Peter's Basilica (http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_pietro/index_it.htm).
3. Mausoleum of Hadrian (http://www.castelsantangelo.com/).
4. Piazza Navona.
5. Campo de Fiori.
6. Pantheon (http://www.pantheonroma.com/).
7. Trevi Fountain.
8. Capitol Square.
9. Roman Forum.
10. Colosseum (http://archeoroma.beniculturali.it/).
11. Spanish Steps.
12. Galleria Borghese (http://www.galleriaborghese.it/).

Rome can be conditionally divided into ancient and medieval (Renaissance). The most famous representative of the first time period is the Colosseum, the second includes the Spanish Steps (Spanish Steps), Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, etc. A useful site for tourists who plan to visit Rome - http://www.turismoroma.it / .

Florence (B)

On the third day of the trip, it is worth setting off in the direction of Florence. By the way, for all movements from one city to another it is best to use trains. Read about how to do this in the article “Italian Railways: types of trains and purchasing tickets.” From Rome to Florence it takes only 1.5 hours by train. A ticket can be purchased for less than €20. The train stations in Rome and Florence are located in the central part of the cities. It's very convenient. If you book accommodation in the center, you can reach your overnight stay in 5-10 minutes on foot. In addition, all Florentine attractions will be within walking distance. The main ones are:

1. Santa Maria Novella (http://www.chiesasantamarianovella.it/).
2. Academy of Fine Arts (http://www.accademia.firenze.it/en/).
3. Baptistery of San Giovanni.
4. Santa Maria del Fiore (http://www.ilgrandemuseodelduomo.it/).
5. National Museum of Bargello (http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en/musei/?m=bargello).
6. Piazza Signorini.
7. Basilica of Santa Croce (http://www.santacroceopera.it/).
8. Uffizi Gallery.
9. Vecchio Bridge.
10. Pitti Palace (http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/) and Boboli Gardens.

During the season (midsummer), there are huge queues of people wanting to get into the Duomo Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore). Moreover, there are several queues: to the bell tower, to the cathedral itself, to the entrance to the dome. The latter is perhaps the most interesting, since viewing the frescoes up close is mesmerizing, as is the bird's eye view of Florence. If you don’t have the time or desire to stand in lines, then next to the Pitti Palace there is an observation deck, which also offers a beautiful view of the entire central Florence. Entry is free and there are no queues.

It makes sense to stay at least 2 nights in Florence. Let's say you arrive in the city in the evening: settle down for the night, and devote the next day entirely to exploring the sights. After spending one more night, travel to Venice via Bologna in the morning.

Website about Florence that may be useful for tourists: http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/. Here you will find a lot useful information about events, museums, exhibitions, shops, etc.

Bologna (C)

From Florence to Bologna it takes just over an hour by train. Main attractions of Bologna:

1. Piazza Maggiore.
2. Basilica of St. Petronius.
3. Temple of Santa Maria della Vita.
4. Towers of Bologna.
5. Basilica of San Giacomo Maggiore.
6. Basilica of Santo Stefano.
7. National Pinacoteca of Bologna (http://www.pinacotecabologna.beniculturali.it/).
8. University of Bologna (http://www.unibo.it/it).
9. Basilica of Santa Maria de Servi.

You should definitely climb to the very top of the famous towers of Bologna. From there you have a beautiful view of the entire city center. In addition, Bologna is famous for its numerous passages. Vaulted streets stretch along the sidewalks and if, God forbid, the weather is bad, then it is very convenient to walk around Bologna without an umbrella. Currently, major restoration work is underway in the city center, and some streets are blocked, however, there will be plenty of places to walk. Among other things, Bologna is home to the oldest university in Europe, which still educates young people to this day. Perhaps this is due to the fact that there are a lot of young people in the city and a fairly vibrant nightlife, especially on weekends.

If you don’t have much time, then it’s worth spending about half a day in Bologna, and then take a train or bus to Venice.

Venice (D)

It makes sense to stay in Venice for at least 2 nights. This should be enough to at least briefly get acquainted with the main attractions of the city (http://www.visitmuve.it/):

1. Correr Museum.
2. Piazza San Marco.
3. Basilica of San Marco.
4. Doge's Palace.
5. Bridge of Sighs.
6. Grand Canal.
7. Cathedral of Santa Maria Gloriosa.
8. Peggy Guggenheim Museum.
9. Church of San Giovanni in Bragora.
10. Church of San Francescodella Vigna.

)

Of course, you need to walk around Venice, or travel on the famous Venetian... no, not gondolas. Gondolas are now more of an attraction for wealthy tourists than a means of transportation. Of course, if you really want to, you can leave about €100 for a ride. By the way, there are very colorful gondoliers who tell very interesting things. Let's return to a more affordable option - the famous Venetian vaporetto (river buses). There are tickets for the whole day on sale, they cost about €13. With this pass you can ride along any route of the Grand Canal, as well as get to nearby islands.

The islands of Murano and Burano are definitely worth seeing. Murano is famous for its numerous glass factories. Murano glass is famous throughout the world. Most factories have small shops where you can buy a souvenir for yourself or something as a gift. In addition, here you will have the opportunity to watch how various figures are blown from glass.

Burano is a little further away. This is a very beautiful little island. There are no cars on it and local residents, in order to make their stay here more fun, paint houses in different colors rainbows. The picturesque canals will fascinate any tourist. Burano is a paradise for lace lovers. If you are partial to this matter, then on the island you can buy a souvenir for yourself directly from first hand. The choice is large, and the prices are lower than in the souvenir shops of Venice.

If you come to Venice during the warm season, you can swim in the Adriatic Sea. To do this, you need to take a vaporetto and get to Lido station. Lido is an island that faces one of its shores into the open sea. The coast is equipped with comfortable beaches. On the beaches you can rent a cabin; the price includes several sun loungers. The cabin is locked and you can leave valuables in it. If you want something simpler, all you need to do is take your towel and spread it on the beach. The beach is sandy, the sea is shallow. This is certainly not Bali, but you can swim.

1.5 days may be enough to visit the main attractions of Venice, Murano, Burano and Lido. If you arrive in Venice in the evening, you need to spend the night and spend the next day according to a very busy program. Stay overnight again and then head towards Milan, making a preliminary stop in Verona.

Verona (E)

It is very convenient to get to Verona from Venice by train. Verona is a city famous for the works of Shakespeare. Here you can see Juliet's house. In addition, the Roman Arena in Verona has been preserved in excellent condition. The map below shows the location of the city's main attractions:

1. Erbe Square.
2. Lamberti Tower.
3. Arches of the Scaligers.
4. Juliet's house.
5. Porta Borsari street.
6. Roman Arena.
7. Castelvecchio Museum.
8. Roman theater.
9. Giusti Garden.

If you don’t have a lot of time, then it’s better not to stay overnight in Verona. Stay here for a few hours and then continue your journey by train to Milan.

Milan (F)

In Milan you can stay for 1 or 2 nights, depending on how much time you have. Milan has a huge number of different attractions (http://www.visitamilano.it/) that are interesting for tourists. The most popular among them:

1. Sforza Castle (http://www.milanocastello.it/).
2. Monastery of San Maurizio.
3. Church of Santa Maria delleGrazie (http://www.grazieop.it/).
4. Basilica of San Ambrosio.
5. La Scala Theater (http://www.teatroallascala.org/).
6. Gallery of Victor Emmanuel II.
7. Duomo Square.
8. Duomo Palace.
9. Velasca Tower.
10. Monumental cemetery.
11. Pirelli skyscraper.

The Last Supper is located in the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazia. To get there, you need to stand in a huge line. Across the street from this place is an exhibition of various inventions and works of Leonardo da Vinci. It’s much easier to get here, there are no long queues. If there is something interesting on the day of your stay in Milan at the La Scala theater, then you can go there.

As for female tourists, it is difficult for them to resist going to the shops in Milan, especially if the tour time falls during the sales season. Via Montenapoleone (http://www.viamontenapoleone.org/) is the center of all the most fashionable boutiques. For avid fashionistas, visiting Milan and not going to Via Montenapoleone is equivalent to a movie lover visiting Los Angeles and not going to Hollywood.

It is worth saying that in country Italian outlets the prices are much lower than in Via Montenapoleone even during great discounts. Websites of the main outlets: http://www.mcarthurglen.com/, http://www.franciacortaoutlet.it/, http:// www.fidenzavillage.com/ , http://www.foxtown.ch/ .

Bergamo (G)

From Milan it is very convenient to get to Bergamo. If you don’t have time to explore the city itself, then buses depart from Milan Central Station and take you to Bergamo Airport for just €5. If you have free time, then Bergamo is a very nice town. It consists of two parts: flat and mountainous (CittaAlta). The second is led by transition paths and a funicular (http://www.trasportipubblici.info/funibergalta.htm). In addition, in Bergamo you can see:

1. Piazza Vecchia.
2. Palace of Rajone.
3. Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
4. Contarini Fountain.

The airport is very close to the city center. After sightseeing for a couple of hours, you can easily catch your flight. Bergamo is a good entry/exit point from Italy. Read more about this in the article “How to get to Italy: airports and airlines.”

In the following materials we will talk about other, no less interesting routes in Italy.

Tips and tricks for planning an independent trip to Italy, for both beginners and experienced travelers

When you start planning an independent trip to Italy, your eyes widen, even if you’ve been to Italy a hundred times. I would like to go to Milan, and to Florence, and, of course, to Venice; It would be great to go to the islands - Ischia, Sardinia, Sicily... And, of course, stop by Rome. Here you need to understand that to cover everything to the maximum and preferably in short term(a week or two) - utopia. Relax. Choose one or two regions and enjoy your next trip to Italy - after all, you will return more than once. On this page - review the best materials on SmartTrip dedicated to Italy.

Advice: Check for last minute deals and deals to Italy at TOP TRAVEL AGENT there might be something suitable right now!

Flights to Italy

Rome

Rome is usually the starting point for visiting Italy. Firstly, it’s simply convenient to fly to Rome. Many flights, both direct and with transfers, allow you to get to Rome almost any time and at a price that suits you (the cost of a ticket directly depends on how convenient it is). Then from Rome you can freely and inexpensively travel by train, travel by internal flights - or simply rent a car .

If you have never been to Rome, plan for at least 4 days, or the whole week. But what about the sea - you ask - I only have a week of vacation, I want to lie on the beach! The sea is nearby, 40 minutes away by a very comfortable train. There are fans who generally book a hotel in the Ostia area, relax on the coast, and go to Rome for walks.

Sometimes you hear things like “there is no real pizza in Rome, there is generally a problem with restaurants”, “shopping in Rome sucks”, “there is no nightlife in Rome”, “hotels in Rome are terribly expensive” and other nonsense. Rome has decent restaurants - from small authentic pizzerias to signature cuisine, shops, and nightclubs - you just need to know the places. Articles for SmartTrip are prepared by professional authors who travel a lot or even live in the region they write about. Our guide will be useful for both first-time visitors to Rome and experienced travelers:

Most hotels in Rome are modest 3*; at best, the windows face the street, but often they face the courtyard. Choose good hotel in Rome is not an easy task, so we have prepared a unique selection for you:

The former chief editor of the Autopilot magazine, Igor Maltsev, did not fly to Rome, but came there from Munich. Why? Well, he loves German cars. I took a good Audi A4 and drove through northern Italy, after which I wrote it for us. Even if fly&drive is not your format, the article will be useful for those who decided to start their trip to Italy from the north, from Milan. Bus and train services in Italy are well developed; taking a car or traveling by public transport is a matter of taste.

Italy hotels

There are so many hotels in Italy that it defies any classification. There are both modest 3* apartments for students and exclusive hotels with closed areas for discerning clients. With water slides for families with children - or designer ones for young couples. Start planning your trip, decide on cities and beaches, and only then choose hotels. Our articles, as a rule, contain tips in the form of links to unusual hotels. Want to stay in an ancient castle converted into a hotel? Please:

Beach holidays in Italy

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A seaside holiday in Italy is an obligatory part of the trip. Usually people combine an excursion program, allotting from 3 to 7 days, with a vacation on the coast. With the excursion program, everything is more or less clear: Italians like to say that they have more than 50% of the world's cultural heritage, which is certainly an exaggeration, but not far from the truth. For an excursion holiday in Italy, you can choose any city or route - good air and train connections allow you to combine a trip with any seaside resort, but there are nuances with the beaches.

RIMINI

The Italians call Rimini the largest open-air gymnasium. On the resort coast 15 kilometers long there is 227 equipped beaches. A bus runs along the coast. All beaches in Rimini are municipal, but they are rented by private individuals. Tenants ensure cleanliness, even the sand is sifted every morning.

Rimini can be recommended to those who are just beginning their acquaintance with Italy and experience a language barrier: in hotels, restaurants and on the beaches there are many staff who speak Russian. Rimini is for those who like to be surrounded by a lot of vacationers. Rimini is good for young people: unlike other beach resorts in Italy, it has nightlife, and it costs much less than, for example, Sardinia.

Holidays in Rimini are considered the cheapest in Italy. At the same time, you need to understand that even if you manage to get there on a budget and book a modest hotel, there will be many small daily expenses such as paying for a sunbed (all beaches are municipal) or food (there are almost no all-inclusive hotels here). So the rest will not be so cheap. Therefore, if your goal is only and exclusively a beach holiday at the lowest price, then it is better to choose another country.

Rimini is the most famous tourist region. However, few people know that this is just part of the rather extended Emilia-Romagna region with hundreds of beaches. Our review will help you navigate them, choose a hotel and plan a vacation to suit your preferences:

MARKE

Another large Italian region located on Adriatic coast, much less famous in Russia than Rimini. All resorts in Marche can be divided into two main types. The first includes large, noisy centers with vibrant nightlife, many foreign tourists and embankments densely built up with hotels. The other type is represented by many small resort towns with picturesque beaches, where villas and apartments are preferred to hotels; Often in the summer such places are filled with Italian families. If, when choosing a beach holiday in Italy, you prefer to have fewer compatriots around, feel free to choose something in this region:

SICILY

Southerners, especially Sicilians, do not like northerners, considering them arrogant snobs. This, in general, is true: northerners consider southerners to be rednecks and black-assed people. If you have traveled to the north of Italy, then in Sicily you will feel comfortable and cozy, as if in your grandmother’s village. If you are going to Italy for the first time, feel free to plan the Rome + Sicily route, it will be a wonderful trip plus an emotional backdrop for your next visit to northern Italy. Experienced travelers who have been everywhere and want new discoveries in Italy can recommend a secluded holiday on the Aeolian Islands (very close to Sicily).

LITTLE KNOWN BEACHES OF ITALY

We advise experienced and sophisticated travelers to pay attention to our review of beaches-reserves in Italy, which few people know about. If in the popular beach resorts discussed above there is nowhere to fall during the season, then on the protected beaches of Italy you can get a calm and secluded holiday. The article also contains recommendations on which hotel is better to stay at:

Excursion holidays in Italy

The most popular route for excursion holidays in Italy: Rome - Florence - Venice. The distances are short and can be covered by public transport. Plan a couple of days each in Florence and Venice:

Hotels in Florence: compare prices on different sites - save up to 50%

However, for such trips it is best rent a car. For example, a red Ferrari, why not?

If you're not ready for such foppery, just use this article as a guide. For those who like to travel while driving, we have a couple of good routes with detailed descriptions:

VENICE

An island city that looks like either a fish or a snake devouring itself. The city has attracted adventurers, writers and artists for centuries. A city on the water, and sometimes under water. A trip to Venice can be considered both in the context of a long route through Italy, and as a separate trip for several days. Many people arrange a romantic week-end in Venice, simply flying there for 2-3 days.

SAN MARINO

Visit one of the smallest states in the world! The Most Serene Republic of San Marino, with its small size, only 61 square kilometers (the area of ​​the state is more than 40 times smaller than Moscow), is one of the most visited places in the world by travelers, one of the richest and, of course, one of the most beautiful .

Holidays in Italy with children

Sometimes there are travelers who simply buy a ticket to Italy and spend their entire vacation in one hotel, periodically going on excursions. This is a rather controversial approach, since there are other countries for a beach holiday with children, such as Greece or the all-inclusive Türkiye. Italy is a travel destination, and if you have children, it will reveal a new side to you. Nowhere in any country in the world will you see such manifestations of love for children as in Italy. Holidays with children in Italy are positive emotions plus an excellent opportunity to unobtrusively introduce your child to history.

Ischia and Naples

When planning a trip to Italy, Naples is usually considered as a stopover point for a trip to Sicily, Puglia or Ischia. Plan a couple of days in Naples and try the most delicious pizza in the world. There is a ferry from Naples to Ischia, and a holiday in Ischia itself is an excellent opportunity to improve your health. If you spend a lot of time in the office at work and experience constant stress, try a holiday in Ischia, perhaps you will start coming here a couple of times a year.