home  F.A.Q.

Chapter Content

Introduction

Benvenuti!  The Land   Italy (panel)  
Point of reference

 Road Distances Between cities  Temperatures
Culture

Art & History  Historical Periods  Museums  Cuisine Useful Expressions and Words    Useful phrases  Restaurants      Transportation  Places to shop   Days of the week    Numbers    Changing Money
Music and Performing arts

Tickets    Major Opera Houses  Major music festivals  Other Musical events & festivals
Getting there  

Air   : (Alitalia; American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines,   Northwest Airlines, US Airways  .Airport Transfers &Connections  Milan,  Rome, Venice, Florence, Naples, Palermo

Marine transportation (Sardegna ,Sicily, Bay of Napoli; Ponza, Giglio, Ventotene, Gorgona, Capraia, Elba, Pianosa, Tremiti,   Greece, Malta)   Rail: (Train Classification, Train Reservation); Buses , Taxis, Auto
Accommodations Hotels  Bed and Breakfast Religious institution Private Homes  Youth Hostels Student Accommodations Agritourism Camping Alpine Huts Spas Winter sports Summer Skiing resorts
Sightseeing  & Tours Rome Florence  Venice  Milan 
Markets Arezzo,Bologna,Florence, Genoa, Lucca, Milan, Naples, Palermo, Parma, Rome, Trieste, Turin, Verona
Worship

Papal Audiences And Vatican City   Vatican Museum Vatican GardensCatholic churches  Non-Catholic churches ( Rome, Florence, Milan, Naples, Venice) Synagogues & Jewish Travel

Climate &

General information

  Holydays     Time  Currency & BanksBanking hours Duty Free Allowances    Health Services and Insurance Policy    Pets   Electrical Appliances  Telephones  Post Offices   Passport Regulations    Shopping and fashion Size chart ( Women’s dresses Women’s shoes Men’s suits Men’s shirts Mens shoes) Tax Free Shopping in Italy (I.V.A. refund)
Tourist Boards

 

 Abruzzo   Basilicata  Calabria   Campania    Emilia Romagna    Friuli-Venezia Giulia   Lazio   Liguria    Lombardy    Marche    Molise    Piedmont   Puglia  Sardinia Sicily Tuscany Trentino-Alto Adige UmbriaV alle d’Aosta Veneto

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 INTRODUCTION  

BENVENUTI!   

 When we dream of what lies across the Atlantic , we imagine one country, Italy.  A nation rich in art and culture, from numerous museums filled with stunning artworks to fabulous fashion designs. 

 A country filled with an abundant history, including famous families such as the de Medici of Florence to the Borghese family of Rome .  One destination so plentiful in artistic patrimony and beauty lying in every corner, from the Northern most tip of the Alps to the islands of Sicily and Sardinia , this funky boot never ceases to amaze with its many treasures. This ongoing magnificence we speak of is the ‘dream’ of Italy .

 Venture towards the Adriatic , and experience the splendid beaches of Italy ’s eastern coast.  Dare to take on the breathtaking mountains of the Dolomites, wander around the rolling hills of the countryside and take a stroll along the cobblestone streets of the earliest antique cities.   

Relax at a local trattoria, and treat yourself to one of the countries many great wines. Savour the delectable cuisine of cheeses, pasta and cured meats. Satisfy your cravings by indulging in the world of fashion and style in Florence , Venice , Rome and Milan or take a moment to view its memorable cinematic moments from Fellini’s Dolce Vita to Sophia Loren’s breathtaking beauty.  At last, surrender yourself to all of Italy and all it offers, in this delight created for you.  
A vacation to Italy is one of sheer bliss and paradise. Year after year, it has drawn people with its culture and romance.  Let Italy captivate you in this romantic experience, because the time for you to realize this dream is now!  

Italy is awaiting you…

 

 

THE LAND     

  Italy is a peninsula jutting into the Mediterranean , dominated by two mountain ranges: the Alps and the Apennines . Surrounded by the Tyrrhenian Sea on the west and the Adriatic Sea on the east, she also borders with France , Switzerland , Austria and Slovenia .

 This fosters Italy ’s astonishingly varied physical beauty: the sunny southern slopes of the Alps , the lush orange groves of Sicily , the coves, bays and cliffs of the Riviera . It has also formed her fascinating cultural infrastructure; since much of Italy evolved from independent city-states, customs and food differ greatly from region to region. This rich history is preserved in the celebrations and festivals that color all of Italy ’s regions throughout the year.

 Over 5,000 miles of coastline surrounds Italy and its islands, and most of the year the beaches are sunny. History, too, is always in season: choose any time of year to witness her artistic and architectural treasures, for this is a land that has been writing and preserving its history for over three thousand years.

 

ITALY (panel)     

AREA:  116,303 square miles  
POPULATION:  56,778,000  
CAPITAL:  Rome ( 2,775,000 inhabitants)  
OTHER IMPORTANT CITIES:
Milan (1,369,000) Naples (1,067,000) Turin (963,000)
Palermo (699,000) Genoa (679,000) Bologna (404,000)
Florence (403,000) Bari (342,000) Catania (333,000)
Venice (309,000) Verona (256,000)  Taranto (232,000)
 Messina (231,000) Trieste (231,000) Padua (215,000)
Cagliari (204,000) Brescia (195,000)

POINT OF REFERENCE    

Road Distances Between Cities – Distances are in Miles       

(To calculate into Kilometers, multiply by 1.61)

       

..

 

         
Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Agrigento

475

897

1,065

854

993

1,032

522

84

666

1,101

1,067

975

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Ancona 

295

130

298

158

307

266

255

751

183

340

301

208

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Aosta

671

242

280

326

159

113

630

1,133

485

78

369

289

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Arezzo

429

118

299

53

219

254

297

179

153

327

310

217

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Bari

-

423

590

487

600

558

200

456

299

633

593

469

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Bergamo

561

142

143

208

133

36

540

1,017

395

112

232

147

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Bologna

423

-

181

66

177

135

397

879

253

210

191

99

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Bolzano

590

181

-

247

248

171

578

1,045

434

253

209

139

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Caserta

217

384

565

318

458

526

17

521

131

565

576

483

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Catania

355

778

945

734

873

913

403

157

547

982

948

855

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Cervinia

673

244

282

328

160

115

632

1,135

487

80

370

286

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Como

588

165

175

231

127

30

563

1,044

419

106

267

183

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Cortina

593

191

68

257

310

234

589

1,049

445

316

140

102

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Cosenza  

168

591

758

548

687

726

216

287

360

795

761

669

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Ferrara

431

29

159

95

199

152

427

887

282

236

162

69

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Firenze

486

66

247

-

166

201

331

835

187

274

257

165

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Genoa

600

177

247

166

-

97

470

353

327

108

333

240

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

L'Aquila

263

262

430

218

371

398

162

666

89

479

433

340

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Lecce

95

518

686

582

695

654

279

467

395

728

689

596

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Lucca 

507

88

256

44

120

181

218

855

335

227

278

186

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Mantova

488

68

117

135

151

95

473

944

322

179

182

89

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Milan 

558

135

171

201

97

-

532

1,014

389

86

261

176

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Naples

200

397

578

331

471

533

-

503

144

579

588

496

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Padova

477

75

117

141

217

153

473

933

329

234

115

23

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Palermo

456

879

1,046

835

974

1,014

504

-

647

1,082

1,049

956

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Parma

479

56

159

122

121

79

453

934

309

154

224

131

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Perugia

380

168

348

102

268

303

253

757

109

376

337

244

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Pisa

508

100

269

57

118

180

352

856

207

227

291

199

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice
Rome 299 253 434 187 326 389 144 647 - 434 444 352
Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Siena

443

109

290

43

183

244

288

792

144

292

300

208

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Taormina

327

749

916

706

845

885

374

165

518

953

919

827

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Turin

632

209

253

274

108

86

578

1,082

434

-

342

257

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Venice

501

167

140

165

240

176

558

956

352

257

102

-

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Trieste

593

191

209

257

332

261

589

1,049

445

342

-

102

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice

Verona

496

875

93

153

175

102

485

952

341

183

159

75

Back Bari Bologna Bolzano Florence Genoa Milan Naples Palermo Rome Turin Trieste Venice
                         

 

Seasonal average 24 hours temperatures (in Fahreneit degrees) for principal cities and resorts in Italy

 TEMPERATURE         

 

....

  
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Alassio

60

72

55

49
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Alghero

61

76

66

50
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Amalfi

58

77

65

54

Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Bari

60

76

65

51
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Bellagio

57

75

58

40
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Bologna

57

74

58

36

Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Bolzano

54

70

53

26

Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Cagliari

60

79

65

48

Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Capri

59

76

66

51
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Catanzaro

51

78

65

46
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Cortina

49

69

55

35
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Elba

58

73

62

52
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Firenze

59

74

61

46
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Gardone

59

77

60

42
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Genova

61

75

62

48
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Merano

54

73

58

41
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Milano

58

74

56

38
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Napoli

64

79

67

52
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Palermo

65

74

68

50
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Perugia

53

71

59

38
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Pesaro

52

69

57

40
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

R.Calabria

58

79

67

54
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Stresa

58

69

59

40
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Rapallo

63

77

65

51
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Rimini

21

69

61

41
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Roma

63

72

68

49
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Salerno

58

77

65

56
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Sanremo

64

78

63

51
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Sorrento

57

73

63

53
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Taormina

70

76

73

58
Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Torino

55

72

56

35
Back T

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Trieste

58

72

59

43

Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Venezia

60

74

61

45

Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Verona

54

72

56

37

Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Viareggio

58

71

62

48

Back

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

 

ART & HISTORY    

One vast living museum, Italy is an art lover’s paradise. Few countries possess such a deep heritage of artistic creativity. In fact, a recent UNESCO study placed 40% of the world’s art within Italy , and these national treasures date from Prehistoric times through the Neoclassical period of the mid-nineteenth century.  

Each period is dramatically represented all over the country. From the Etruscan remains of Elba and Volterra to the Greek temples at Agrigento , Paestum and Siracuse; from the imperial glory of Rome ’s aqueducts, theaters and bridges to the remarkable Medieval churches of Ravenna ; from the Romanesque cathedrals of Lombardy and Tuscany to Gothic ecclesiastical art, dominated by Giotto’s frescoes.

The flowering of the Renaissance, Mannerism and Baroque periods is celebrated in galleries in all of Italy ’s main cities, but Florence ’s Uffizi Gallery and the Borghese Museum in Rome are among the greatest venues. Their walls showcase the work of geniuses such as Donatello, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Titian, as well as Bernini, Canaletto, Tintoretto and Caravaggio.  

Experiencing Italy ’s unparalleled art first-hand is to fall in love with the soul of the country. Whether visiting archeological sites, architecture, museums or galleries, you’ll discover the astonishing ways Italy ’s craftsmen and artists have expressed themselves and the values of their respective eras. 

 

   

HISTORICAL PERIODS     

   
THE ETRUSCANS 8th to 2nd Century BC
MAGNA GRECIA 8th     to 3rd Century BC
ROMAN PERIOD 8th Century BC to 5th Century AD
EARLY CHRISTIAN AND LATE MEDIEVAL ART 4TH to 11th Centuries
ROMANESQUE 11th - 12th centuries
GOTHIC 12th - 13th centuries
RENAISSANCE 14th - 16th centuries
LATE RENAISSANCE AND MANNERISM 16th - 17th Centuries
BAROQUE 17th - 18th centuries
NEOCLASSICISM Mid-18th - Mid-19th Century

   

 

CULTURE   

Culture is one that constitutes many things, from fashion to traditions, food to family; essentially it is in everything you see and do, when in Italy .  Culture is a compilation of all these things and more, because Italy is a place that has preserved, in her heart, many of the customs, traditions, and national loyalty of her heritage.  Language is just one of the many aspects that make up the strong culture of Italy , and when traveling there, being one with and entering into her culture, is learning to speak the language. As one of the romance languages, Italian has a beauty that cannot be matched, however can be enjoyed.  Below you will find many words, phrases and expressions to help you become a part of the culture of the Italian language.  

 

Useful Expressions and Words    

Hello                      Ciao   Cold    Freddo  
Hello (Formal)   Salve   Left    Sinistra  
Good morning  Buon giorno  

Right  

Destra  
Good evening Buona sera   Near Vicino  
Good-bye                      Arrivederci Far  Lontano  
Where is? Dove e’   Up  Su'
Toilet    Il bagno

Down                        

Giu'
 Excuse me    Mi scusi   Morning La mattina
Please                      Per favore     Afternoon                     Il pomeriggio  
Thank you   Grazie  Evening                         La sera  
Yes/No                         Si/No ATM    Bancomat
I don’t know                  Non lo so   Sir Signore  
Help  Aiuto Madam/Mrs.  Signora  
Police Polizia   Ms. Signorina  
Here   Qui Passport   Passaporto
There   La   Plane tickets  Biglietti aerei  
Hot  Caldo      

                      

Useful phrases   

 

  
How are you? Come sta?    
Pleased to meet you          Piacere di conoscerLa    
How do I get to? Come faccio per arrivare a …?    
How far is?   Quanto dista da qui..?    
Where is the phone?          Dov’e` il telefono?    
I am allergic                Sono allergica/o    
Do you have?                 Avete…?    
Do you accept credit cards? Accettate carte di credito…?    
Excuse me – may I get through Permesso    
It doesn’t matter Non importa    
See you soon  A presto  

See you later     

A piu` tardi    

Do you speak English               

Parla inglese …?    

I don’t speak Italian         

Non parlo italiano  
Please speak slowly          Per favore parla piu` lentamente    
Please repeat  Per favore ripeta    

      

Restaurants   

Breakfast                     Colazione   Red Wine Vino rosso  
Lunch                          Pranzo   White wine   Vino bianco  
Dinner                       Cena   Salt                          Il sale  
Appetizer                     Antipasto   Pepper Il pepe  
First course               Il primo Coffee                         Il caffe`
Main course            Il secondo Milk                        Il latte  
Dessert                       Il dolce Tea                          Il te`  
Knife                          Il coltello   Waitress/Waiter  Cameriera/cameriere  
Fork La forchetta   I would like      Vorrei  
Spoon Il cucchiaio   The check, please Il conto, per favore
Glass Il bicchiere   How much? Quanto costa  
Water Acqua   Tip                            La mancia
Carbonated Water                   Acqua gassata      
Wine                         Vino      

Transportation   

Train Il Treno Car Macchina  
Train station La stazione Rental car Autonoleggio
Taxi  Taxi   Bus stop La fermata dell’autobus  
Bus  l’Autobus   Airport L’aeroporto
Subway La Metropolitana      

Places to shop   

Pharmacy La farmacia Supermarket Il supermercato  
Bank  La banca   Tobacco shop  Il tabaccaio  
Delicatessen La salumeria Department store I Grandi Magazzini
Market  Il mercato   Jewelry Store Orefice
Beauty Salon Il parrucchiere    
 

Days of the week    

 
  Monday Lunedi`    
  Tuesday   Martedi`   
  Wednesday Mercoledi`    
  Thursday  Giovedi`    
  Friday                        Venerdi`    
  Saturday  Sabato    
  Sunday  Domenica    

            

 Numbers   

  1   Uno   20   Venti
2   Due   30   Trenta
3   Tre 40   Quaranta
4   Quattro 50   Cinquanta
5   Cinque 60   Sessanta
6   Sei 70   Settanta
7   Sette 80   Ottanta
8   Otto 90   Novanta
9   Nove 100   Cento
10   Dieci 1,000   Mille

Changing Money    

Where can I exchange some dollars? Dove posso cambiare dei  dollari?  
Is the bank open? E` aperta la banca?  
No it’s closed No, e` chiusa
Is there a currency exchange nearby? C’e` un ufficio cambio qui vicino?  
How much is the dollar worth today? Quanto vale il dollaro  oggi?  

           

CUISINE  

Food is culture. Food is art. Food is love. Food is passion.

Food may be a necessity, but it has also been a sophisticated pleasure, a philosophy, and a science since ancient times.

Decisions are made around a table set with food and wine, which, like culture, art and love, have its own rituals: They bring people together and make moments memorable

Throughout Italy ’s history, more than anywhere else in the world, the emotions and rituals associated with food and wine are integral to the country’s traditions and customs and are an essential part of the Italian way of life.

A fireplace, chestnuts roasting, polenta simmering, a bottle of wine, bread, cheese, olive oil on the table, a child playing, a mother’s hug, a father’s delight: this image we have is, indeed, a cultural truth.

Italy , the country with a language of millions of words, an infinite number of towns, innumerable churches, is also the country with multiple cuisines, countless recipes, and a myriad of wines.

Today Italian cuisine is highly cherished around the world and beyond the stereotypical pizza and pasta dishes, people are discovering a colorful, flavorful set of magnificent dishes, an explosion of simplicity and natural ingredients. 

Italy ’s extraordinary history has been defined by foreign invasions, political division and regionalism: This history is reflected in the variety of culinary practices, creating a widespread opinion that Italian food is a mixture of regional customs rather than a single tradition.

Every region has its own treasure, a signature dish, a particular wine and product, gifts of nature and heart of traditions.

Most Italian meals consist of a "primo", pasta or rice    course, "secondo", meat or fish, and "contorno", usually vegetables or salad on the side.  Meals can include "antipasto", hors d'oeuvre, "dolce", dessert, and "frutta" - fruit.

 

Ice Cream    

Gelato is the Italian word for ice cream which is one of the many sought after delicacies in Italy . It's impossible to imagine the Italian summer without gelato; you MUST taste it when you are in Italy !

Gelato Vocabulary  

cone cono
cup coppa  
whipped cream panna   

If you would like to add fresh whipped cream to your ice cream (as most Italians do) say "con panna" when you order. Most gelaterie (ice cream parlors) require you to pay before you eat, so first go to the cassa (cash register) and order and then present your receipt when you order.

  

Flavor Vocabulary   

nocciola  hazelnut bacio chocolate and hazelnut  
cioccolato chocolate   mela apple  
vaniglia vanilla   mirtillo blueberry  
caffe` coffee   cocco coconut  
gianduia Chocolate Hazelnut   limone lemon  
nutella hazelnut chocolate spread in vanilla gelato   arancia orange
stracciatella chocolate chip    pesca peach  
latte/panna/crema cream   fragola strawberry  
Pistacchio pistaccio nuts mixed with pistaccio flavored Gelato ananas pineapple  
Torrone Nougat-flavored Gelato   banana banana  
frutti di bosco mixed berries      

There are, of course, many other gelato flavors. These are just some of the most popular flavors.

Another favorite treat in Italy is called granita which is a slushy flavored ice drink. The most popular flavors are limone (lemon) and caffe`(frozen espresso)

 

 

Coffee    

The Italian word for coffee is caffe`. In Italy , making the perfect espresso or cappuccino has become a form of art.

Some rules to follow when ordering a coffee in Italy :   

  • Always remember that when ordering a coffee in Italy , you must say espresso, not expresso.
  • Only tourists order cappuccinos after lunch or dinner; Italians only drink cappuccino in the morning for breakfast. So unless you want everyone to know that you are a tourist, refrain from ordering cappuccinos in the afternoon and evening.
  • When ordering a coffee in a bar, you first have to get in line at the cash register and pay for your coffee; then take the receipt to the bar and give it to the “barrista” (bartender) and he will then make your coffee.  

Italian Coffee Vocabulary List 
espresso a small cup of very strong coffee  
cappuccino espresso infused with steamed milk  
caffè Americano American-style coffee  
caffè doppio double shot of espresso  
caffè stretto espresso with very little water  
caffè latte hot milk mixed with coffee  
caffè macchiato espresso "stained" with a drop of steamed milk  
caffè freddo iced coffee  

 

MUSEUMS   

There are over 3,500 museums, art galleries and archeological sites in Italy ; some are state-owned and some are privately-owned, so opening hours may differ. Check www.museionline.com for updated information.

Here is a list of the most popular museums, showcasing ancient and contemporary art:

The Uffizi Gallery, the Galleria dell’Accademia, the Palazzo Pitti with the Galleria Palatina, all in Florence; the Accademia delle Belle Arti in Venice; Palazzo and Pinacoteca Brera and Santa Maria delle Grazie (Da Vinci’s Last Supper) in Milan; the Egyptian Museum (Palazzo dell’Accademia delle Scienze) in Turin; In Naples the Palazzo Capodimonte with Pinacoteca, the Archeological Museum and the Royal Palace.

In Rome, Villa Borghese Museum, the Castel Sant’Angelo on the Tiber River, Scuderie Papali, Palazzo Altemps and the Museum of Modern Art.  

 

MUSIC AND THE PERFORMING ARTS   

Possessor of a proud tradition in composition, performance and, of course, opera, Italy perpetually resounds to music ancient, classical and modern. There are always musical events, official and impromptu, to delight both locals and visitors. Major symphonic series and recitals are organized at all times during the year by music conservatories, festivals and the country’s legendary musical institutions - frequently featuring world famous artists.

Among the most renowned and high-profile musical events are: the Verona Opera Festival, held in summer and attended by international crowds of over 15,000 every night; the concert season at Teatro La Scala in Milan ; Maggio Fiorentino in Florence ; the Festival Dei Due Mondi in Spoleto; and the Umbria Jazz Festival in various cities in Umbria .  

Tickets   

For opera and concert tickets you can contact the Theater, ask your travel agent, or visit the websites listed below. The Hotel Concierge will also assist you in obtaining tickets for performances. Tickets are not generally mailed from Italy but are held at the box office.    

MAJOR OPERA HOUSES  
Teatro alla Scala of Milan www.lascala.milano.it  
Teatro San Carlo of Naples   www.teatrosancarlo.it  
Teatro della Pergola of Florence www.pergola.firenze.it  
Teatro Regio of Turin   www.teatroregio.torino.it  
Teatro Comunale of Bologna  www.comunalebologna.it  
Teatro Comunale Giuseppe Verdi of Trieste  www.teatroverdi-trieste.com  
Teatro La Fenice of Venice  www.teatrolafenice.it  
Teatro dell'Opera of Rome www.opera.roma.it  
Teatro Regio of Parma  www.teatroregioparma.org   
Teatro Carlo Felice of Genoa  www.carlofelice.it  
Teatro Massimo Bellini of Catania  www.teatromassimobellini.it  
Teatro Massimo of Palermo  www.teatromassimo.it  

     

MAJOR MUSIC FESTIVALS      

Arezzo - Arezzo Wave (July) www.arezzowave.it  
Bologna - M-Tv Day (mid-September) www.mtv.it 
Firenze - Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (May and June) www.maggiofiorentino.com
Imola - Heineken Jammin' Festival (mid-July) www.heineken.it 
Osoppo (Udine) - Rototom Sunsplash (June to July) www.rototomsunsplash.com 
Pesaro - Rossini Opera Festival (August) www.rossinioperafestival.it
Pistoia - Pistoia Blues (July) www.pistoiablues.com
Ravello (Salerno) - Ravello Classical Music Festival (June - September) www.rcs.amalficoast.it 
Ravenna - Ravenna Festival (June - July) www.ravennafestival.org   
Roccella Jonica (Reggio Calabria) - Roccella Jonica Jazz Festival www.roccellajazz.net
Spoleto - Spoleto Festival (June - July) www.spoletofestival.it
Umbria - Umbria Jazz (July and December-January) www.umbriajazz.com
Verona - Arena di Verona (June to end of August) www.arena.it 

  

OTHER MUSICAL EVENTS & FESTIVALS   

Aosta: Organ Music Festival (mid-July to mid-August)

Barga ( Lucca ): Opera Barga (mid-July to mid-August)

Bolzano: Int’l Piano Competition Ferruccio Busoni (August)  
Brescia : Piano Festival (May and June)  
Catania : Performances at the Greek-Roman Theatre (June to September)