Italy is located in the South of Europe with a population of around 59 million. Countries that border Italy are Austria, France, Vatican City, San Marino, and Switzerland. Its capital city is Rome with other major cities including Milan, Venice, Naples, Florence and Sicily.
Places to go:
(click picture to find out top 10 things to do)
Foods to try:
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Language:
(click language to head to duolingo Italian page)
Hello – Salve (Sal-vey)
Goodbye – Ciao (chi-ow)
Please – per favore (pear – farv -or-ay)
Thank you – Grazie (Gra-si-ey)
English? – inglese? (in-gley-zay)
Pardon me – scusami (scu-sam-ee)
Toilet? – Gabinetto? (gab-in-etto)
How do I get here? – Comment on peut arriver ici? (com-ohn ohn pur ah-ri-ver ee-see)
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Sport:
The most popular sport in Italy is football (soccer), Italy is currently the second most successful football team in World Cup History (FIFA). Basketball, Volleyball and cycling are the next three popular sports all having a rich tradition in Italy.
Tipping:
Transport:
Italy has many convenient transport options. Extensive metropolitane (metros) exist in Rome, Milan, Naples and Turin, with smaller metros in Genoa and Catania. Trains in Italy are generally convenient and relatively cheap compared with other European countries. You must purchase bus and metro tickets before boarding and validate them once on board; passengers with invalidated tickets are subject to a fine.
You can also catch a taxi either outside most train and bus stations or by calling one. However, taxi meters start running from when you’ve called rather than when you’re picked up. Italy is also known for small cars and motorcycles running through their many small streets as well as bike rides increasingly becoming popular.
In Venice, due to the many canals, gondola’s are very popular especially with tourists.
Shopping:
Italy is known for their amazing fashion, food and souvenirs! Milan is widely visited for being a number one shopping destination and Italy’s fashion capital. Made up of four streets of pure fashion, Quadrilatero d’Oro is every shopaholics dream and Milan’s Golden Rectangle! Italy also has many exquisite markets for all types of shoppers. From food markets to shoe markets to flea markets! They generally open quite early in the morning and are expected to shut shop at around 1 or 2pm so make sure you get there early! Italy is a very cash-oriented society so it is very useful to be carrying cash around with you, however make sure to keep an eye out for pickpockets!!!
Animals:
Some native animals in Italy are marmots, ermine, ibex, rabbits, a small number of bear, a few wolves, lynx, stoat, black grouse, golden eagles and fallow deer can still be found. Many of these animals don’t live in the highly populated cities such as Rome and are instead found in larger numbers in the Alps where there is less human interference.
Fun Facts:
- Italy is the fourth most visited country in the world
- Italy is the world’s largest exporter in wine
- Around 3000 euros is thrown into the Trevi Foutain by tourists daily. The money is then collected and donated to charity.
- Italy has only been a country for 153 years
- Italy is home to Europe’s only three active volcanoes: Etna, Stromboli and Vesuvius
- Up until 1999, children only had to attend school until they were 14 years old
- Pizza was invented in Naples and dates back to 1860
- Lillie’s are the national flower of Italy.
- It is uncommon for women guests to pour the wine in Italy
Images:
Travel Teazer 