Rome
Attractions. It makes no sense to list all the sights of Rome, and it will take more than one vacation to see them. Many tourists start from ancient places – the Forum, the Colosseum, the Baths of Caracalla and the Circus Maximus. Further on the mandatory list are the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and a couple of dozen historical buildings. Separate tours are dedicated to the Vatican and its shrines.
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Shopping. There are several shopping streets in Rome – Via del Corsa, Via Nazionale, Via Cola di Rienzo and lanes around Piazza di Spagna. In total, there are several thousand shops for every taste and budget. But do not forget that the capital’s prices will not please thrifty guests. Souvenirs can be bought at any street “collapse”.
Florence
Attractions. The format of excursions in Florence can be divided into three conditional directions: through palaces, through museums and through churches. Pitti and Vecchiu palaces are considered the main attractions of the city, and at the same time – the largest museums. In third place is the Uffizi Gallery, the one where genuine works by Leonardo, Titian and Caravaggio are exhibited.
Shopping. There are hardly fewer shopping streets in Florence than in Rome. Via Tornabuoni is the main concentration of branded boutiques from leading Italian fashion houses. Via Cerretani is a street of craftsmen with handicrafts. And, of course, the best Italian markets – in Florence – are San Lorenzo and Delle Pulci.
Venice
Attractions. Venice, unlike other Italian cities, can rightfully be considered an open-air museum. In any part of the city there is at least one major attraction. So, it is up to each tourist to decide whether to start the tour from the Grand Canal or the Galleria dell’Accademia. And then – the Doge’s Palace, Murano Island, San Marco Square and a couple of dozen more places.
Shopping. The main shopping streets in Venice are Le Merceri and Lido Avenue. In addition, Venice is known for its outlets. They are located in a suburban area, but this does not make them less popular for tourists.
Rimini
Beaches. If you are attracted to “beach” Italy, a holiday in Rimini is the best option. In fact, the whole city is one big beach, to which almost all streets and avenues go. The coast is divided into 9 zones, uniting 150 sectors – these are the beaches themselves. Some sections are paid, some are free to enter, and everything else is for a fee.
Attractions. Despite the beach profile of the resort, Rimini has many historical buildings that are worth seeing. Among the main places are the bridge of Tiberius, the temple of Milatesta and the church of St. John the Baptist.
Shopping. Conventionally, shopping in Rimini is divided into two types. Within the city there is the main street of Augusta, where there are more than a thousand outlets, but the prices here cannot be called low. Around the city there are 10 outlets, which are considered the second after Milan’s shopping areas.
Palermo
Beaches. The best beaches of Palermo are located outside the city. Buses go here, you can take a taxi or rented transport.
Attractions. There are many memorable places in Palermo, but you have to look for them, sometimes only with the help of a guide. Must-sees are the Norman Palace, the Massimo Theatre, the Museum of Archeology and the Capuchin catacombs.
Shopping. Shopping in Palermo can be divided into two types: budget and luxury. The first option is the area of Piazza Verdi and Via Maqueda. The second option is Via della Liberta and Via Roma.
Italian Riviera
Beaches. Liguria is considered perhaps the best place for a beach holiday in Italy, despite the fact that geographically it is the north of the country. The most popular beaches are in Sanremo, Varigotti, Pietra Ligure, Ventimiglia and Levanto.
Attractions. The main attraction of the Italian Riviera is the Cinque Terre National Park. Among the cities, Genoa has been and remains the leader in the number of excursions.
Souvenirs
Venetian masks
They are sold in the city all year round, and it is not at all necessary to come to the carnival. Tourists buy inexpensive plastic options right on the street, but you will have to hunt for real hand-painted porcelain masks.
Murano glass
Another expensive souvenir that you can buy on the island of the same name near Venice. Beads, brooches are made of multi-colored glass, they decorate dishes and a variety of accessories.
Italian wine
Each region has its own winemaking traditions, and a bottle of a young vintage will cost quite a bit. The only thing you should not forget about is customs declarations, if you want to buy “for all your relatives”.
Sicilian honey
Its local beekeepers collect it near the slopes of Etna, where hardworking bees bring nectar from unique flowers that do not grow anywhere else in the world.
Visa and customs
Since Italy is one of the Schengen countries, Russian citizens need a visa of the appropriate type for tourist visits. A standard visa allows you to stay in Italy for up to 15 days, a multiple entry tourist visa – up to 90 days.
Italian customs regulations fully comply with European standards. A total import ban is imposed on any firearms without the appropriate permission of the competent authority of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Italy, explosives and drugs. In addition, Italy has special supervision over the import of pornographic and extremist products in any medium.
Read more about obtaining an Italian visa and customs regulations here.
