There are sunny isles and electric blue surf, glacial northern lakes and fiery southern volcanoes, rolling vineyards and an urban landscape that harbours more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other country in the world. Few places offer such variety and few visitors leave without a fervent desire to return.

Further south lies Rome, Italy’s capital city. Within its precincts is the Vatican City. The south of the country is hotter, wilder and much, much drier than the north, characterised by dry sierras, rocky mountain ranges and volcanic outcrops, including three of Europe’s most active volcanoes: Vesuvius, Etna and Stromboli. Puglia, the ‘heel of the boot’, is a mixed landscape of fertile plateaus, expansive olive groves and flat, ochre-coloured plains. The islands of Sicily and Sardinia lie offshore to the southwest and west respectively.

Currency

Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Electricity

230 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are of the two round-pin type.

2020

Capodanno (New Year’s Day): 1 January 2020
Epifania (Epiphany): 6 January 2020
Pasqua (Easter Sunday): 12 April 2020
Lunedì dell’Angelo (Easter Monday): 13 April 2020
Festa della Liberazione (Liberation Day): 25 April 2020
Festa del Lavoro (Labour Day): 1 May 2020
Festa della Repubblica (Republic Day): 2 June 2020
Assunzione di Maria Vergine (Assumption): 15 August 2020
Tutti i santi (All Saints’ Day): 1 November 2020
Immacolata Concezione (Immaculate Conception): 8 December 2020
Natale (Christmas Day): 25 December 2020
Santo Stefano (St. Stephen’s Day): 26 December 2020

All information subject to change.

Artists from over 35 countries take part in a captivating programme of theatrical productions, workshops, dance and music performances for nearly two weeks each June. Social and environmental initiatives are woven in too, and might highlight the stories of refugees or focus on recycling issues.

Genoese celebrate St John the Baptist’s birth with torches, candles and a midnight bonfire. There’s a cracking party atmosphere, with jugglers and musicians entertaining the crowds. The cathedral holds a special mass the next day, and a solemn procession of local brotherhoods heads to the sea carrying statues of Christ.

For four days in July, Filarmonica Sestrese hosts an international medley of marching bands, wind ensembles, show bands and orchestras in a spectacular festival of concerts and parades. The visiting musicians entertain summer crowds in squares, streets and nearby Ligurian resorts.

Over 100,000 visitors flock (or float) to Genoa’s prestigious boat exhibition, which has been seducing sailing enthusiasts since 1962 with shiny new vessels. There are usually around 1,000 boats on show on and off the water, along with snazzy gadgets and maritime-themed seminars and workshops.

Taking a new theme each year (such as ‘Horizons’, ‘Time’, ‘Future’ or ‘Imagination’), Genoa’s science festival is crammed with interactive exhibits, enlightening live demonstrations and engaging lectures and conferences led by leading international scientists. Over 200,000 visitors turn up to learn something new.

Big-name music, dance and theatrical acts take to the open-air waterside stage in the Old Port on summer evenings. Performers have included the likes of Massive Attack, Paolo Nuttini and Gorillaz Sound System as well as a whole host of Italian stars.