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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
South African citizens require a visa to enter the Schengen territory, i.e. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
At which Embassy/Consulate/ Visa Issuing Authority should you apply? Read More
– If you intend to visit only one Schengen country, you must apply at the Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority of that country.
– If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority that is your main destination (i.e. your longest stay).
– If you intend to visit several countries but do not have a main destination, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority of the country of your first point of entry.
VISA INFORMATION
WEATHER
The climate varies considerably from the north to the south of Italy.
In the north of the country – the area between the Alps and the Tuscan-Emilia Apennines – the climate is harsh, with very cold winters and very hot, particularly humid summers. In central Italy the climate is milder, with a smaller difference in temperature between summer and winter and a shorter and less intense cold season than in the north; summers are longer, but the sultriness of the northern cities is mitigated by the sea. In southern Italy and the islands winters are never particularly harsh, and spring and autumn temperatures are similar to those reached in the summer in other areas of Italy.
The best time to travel – April and May (other than Easter week), and around mid-September through mid-October.
GENERAL INFORMATION
| Country: | Italy |
| Capital City: | Rome |
| International Airports: | – Abruzzo International Airport – Alghero – Fertilia Airport – Bari International Airport-Karol Wojtyla – Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport – Cagliari Elmas Airport – Cuneo International Airport – Turin – Federico Fellini International Airport – Rimini – Florence Airport, Peretola – Forli Airport – Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport – Lamezia Terme International Airport – Calabria – Malpensa Airport -Milan – Milan Linate Airport – Naples Airport – Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport – Orio al Serio International Airport – Bergamo – Pisa International Airport – Rome Ciampino Airport – Rome-Fiumicino Airport “Leonardo da Vinci” – San Francesco d’Assisi – Umbria International Airport – Treviso Airport – Trieste – Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport, – Turin-Caselle Airport – Valerio Catullo Airport – Verona – Venice Marco Polo Airport |
| Area: | 301,338 km² |
| Population: | 61 million |
| Time Zone: | Italy is in the Central European Time (CET) Zone, 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), and observes Daylight Saving Time |
| Religion: | Catholic, Apostolic Church, the Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter-Day Saints (Mormons), the Waldensian Evangelical Church and the Holy Orthodox Archdiocese, as well as Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and Buddhist communities. |
| Language: | Italian, but English is widely spoken and understood. |
| Currency: | Euro |
| Exchange Rate: | Please consult your local bank as exchange rates fluctuate. |
| Credit Card Payment Availability: | Visa and Mastercard are universally accepted in Italy. AMEX and Diners Club are not always accepted. |
| ATM Accessibility: | Easily accessible. |
| Dialling Code: | +39 |
TRAVEL TIPS
| Electricity: | In Italy the electrical current is 220 volts AC (50 Hz). Electrical sockets comply with European regulations. In most hotels you will find adaptors for different types of plugs. |
| Water: | Tap water is safe to drink. |
| Business Hours: | Shops Mon – Sat – 09:30 – 12:30 & 15:30 – 19:30 Shopping centres and department stores – 10:00 to 21:00/ 22:00 Pharmacies – 00 :30 – 12:30 & 15:30 – 19:30 |
| Banking Hours: | 08:00 – 15:00 Monday – Thursday, but close early on a Fri at 13:00. |
| Photography Restrictions: | No objections, BUT some museums DO not allow photography. |
| Tipping: | Normally the Tip is included in the bill, however it is always to your own personal discretion if you want to reward someone for excellent service. It will always be appreciated |
| Vaccination Requirements: | No vaccinations required, however always consult with your medical practitioner or travel clinic. |
| Dress Code Restrictions: | No dress code restrictions – except at the Vatican where you are required to be dressed respectfully. |
| Peculiar Customs to Observe: | – |
FESTIVALS
- Fair of Sant’Orso – Aosta Valley – January
- Carnevale – Venice – February
- Battle of the Oranges – Ivrea – February
- Carnevale – Viareggio – February
- Scoppio del Carro – Florence – April
- Marriage of the Sea – Venice – May
- Wedding of the Trees – Accettura – May
- La Corsa dei Ceri – Gubbio – May
- Snake Handlers’ Procession – Cocullo -May
- Game of the Bridge – Pisa – June
- Calcio Storico – Florence – June
- Infiorata – June
- Opera Festival – Verona – July
- Festa della Madonna Bruna – Matera – July
- Umbria Jazz Festival – Perugia – July
- Palio di Siena – Siena – August
- Film Festival – Venice -September
- Regatta, Venice, September
- Italian Grand Prix -Monza – September
- Feast of San Gennaro – Naples – September
- Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba – Alba – October
- Oh Bej! Oh Bej! – Milan – December
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“You may have the universe if I may have Italy.”
– Giuseppe Verdi