Trips to Sicily | October.

What do you need to travel to Italy?

Traveling to Italy is a unique and unforgettable experience . It is a tourist destination of first international level, with an optimal infrastructure and with comfortable and frequent forms of transport. However, there are certain precautions you must take before embarking on one of the most incredible adventures of your life. Read the tips that we have prepared then, to be well prepared.

WHEN TO VISIT ITALY?

The delicious climate of the country makes it a favorable destination 365 days a year. Obviously, northern cities experience a more severe winter, for which you will need appropriate outerwear. In the central and southern regions enjoy mild temperatures throughout the year, being especially stifling in the summer months. Spring and autumn are the great tricks for a delicious trip through Italy. In summer or during Spanish bridges, Italy is also a priority destination. That is why, if you can travel in the low season, when they are not official holidays, you will enjoy more affordable prices and more agile and reasonable waiting queues. In summer, the heat can become the topic of conversation throughout your stay, especially in the south, where you will be permanently looking for a shade or an ice cream shop to refresh you. During the winter, and in the months before Christmas, Italy dresses up as a party, with its traditional Christmas markets. It is a magical time in which to fall for this fascinating country. In sum, there is no bad time to travel to Italy; only that, if you want to travel in high season, you have to contract everything with extreme anticipation and assume the prices and queues derived from mass tourism.

TRAVELING TO ITALY AT A GOOD PRICE 

As often happens with all European destinations, ticket prices during Easter and summer are significantly higher. So, if you want to travel on these dates, be sure to purchase your flight ticket as early as possible.

TIME ZONE

The time zone in Italy is GMT+1 (no DST considered), as the rest of Central Europe.

EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES

British Embassy Rome

• Address: Via Venti Settembre, 80A, 00187 Rome
• Phone: +39 06 4220 0001

British Consulates 

          Milan

• Address: Via San Paolo 7, 20121 Milan
• Phone: +39 02 723 001

Documentation

As a member of the European Union and the Schengen area, you only need your valid passport to travel to Italy.

How to get to Sicily?

BY PLANE
Sicily has 6 main airports and several smaller ones. Many of them have direct flights with various UK cities, both with traditional airlines and low cost. The airports with the highest passenger traffic are Catania and Palermo.

HOW TO MOVE AROUND ITALY
Italy, including Sicily, offers an excellent train network between the main cities and regions of the country. The trenitalia.com page informs you of all the destinations, schedules and prices. The most convenient is to buy the tickets in advance in order to guarantee your place and it is even possible that a discount.

OR TRAVEL IN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
When using urban public transport, be aware that train and bus tickets must be validated. This means that, in addition to acquiring tickets, you have to pass them through a machine, which stamps the use of the same with date and time. On buses, tickets can be validated inside the vehicle. However, in the trains, the validation will have to be carried out before mounting on them, on the corresponding machines, which are green and gray, and are at the head of the train tracks.

OR BY BOAT
The main islands, Sardinia, Capri and Sicily, are connected to mainland Italy by  an intensive ferry service which, in addition to offering high standards of comfort, is frequent and affordable. There are different operators that offer these services; Before buying your ticket, compare prices and schedules, and make sure you are at the right port and early enough to catch your Ferry.

OR HIRE A CAR
It is another excellent option to explore the island without without being tied to schedules. However. Just bear in mind in Italy, as in most european countries they drive on the other side of the road, so be extremely precautious when renting a car. Also, try to get information on parking and restricted access when driving in the cities, as it is often the cause of various fines in a single trip. Driving outside the big cities is a rewarding and unforgettable experience, as well as a wonderful way to get to know the authentic beat of Sicily.

OR IN TAXI
In the transfers to the airports it is recommended to previously agree the price of the trip with the driver, to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Healthcare

Medical care in hospitals and outpatient clinics is correct. As a European, before traveling to Italy, you must obtain the European Health Insurance Card (or EHIC).

In your clinic they will be able to inform you better. With this card, you can receive medical attention in case of emergency. This card is in no way a substitute for travel insurance.

Additionally, it is advisable to get a travel insurance before traveling, which covers medical costs in case of emergency. This private insurance would be very useful in case you had to leave the country because of an illness or accident.

Currency

The euro is the official currency in Italy, so you will have to exchange currency.

ATMs
You will surely be able to withdraw money with your usual card in practically any ATM. However, you will have to consider the banks and cashier withdrawal commission. In many cases, the cashier will not report the commission that will charge you. Find out in advance at your usual bank.

CREDIT CARDS
Most of the establishments in the cities accept the majority of credit cards. Check with your usual bank to avoid uncomfortable surprises

BANK CARDS CANCELLATION PHONES

• VISA: 0800 89 1725
• MASTERCARD 0800 964 767
• AMERICAN EXPRESS +44 (0)1273 696 933

National holidays

January 6 - Epiphany of the Lord (Italian national holiday)
April 14 - Good Friday
April 17 - Easter Monday
April 25 - Anniversary of the Liberation (Italian national holiday)
May 1 - Labor Day
June 2 - Day of the Republic (Italian national holiday)
June 29 - Saints Peter and Paul (local party in Rome)
August 15 - Assumption of the Virgin (Italian national holiday)
October 12 - National Holiday of Spain (national holiday)
November 1 - All Saints (Italian national holiday)
December 6 - Constitution Day (national holiday)
December 8 - Day of the Immaculate (national holiday)
December 25 - Christmas
December 26 - Santo Stefano (Italian national holiday).

If I book Flight + Hotel, when will I receive my travel documents?

Once the booking is confirmed you will receive a confirmation e-mail. The voucher for the hotel will be also sent by email plus the vouchers for any other services (car hire, transfer, travel insurance) if booked.

Please note that no flight tickets are sent due to most airlines using e-tickets. You only need to print our confirmation email where the Airline`s booking reference appears and take it with you to the airport with your ID/Passport documents.

Important: Some Low Cost Airlines (Ryanair, Easyjet, Wizzair, Blueair and others) now request all passengers to check-in online and print the Boarding Cards before departure through their corresponding websites. Failure to do so, these airlines will charge you a supplement at the airport.

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