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.

Standard time zone

UTC/GMT +1 hour

Electricity

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

2018

Capodanno (New Year’s Day): 1 January 2018
Epifania (Epiphany): 6 January 2018
Pasqua (Easter Sunday): 1 April 2018
Lunedì dell’Angelo (Easter Monday): 2 April 2018
Festa della Liberazione (Liberation Day): 25 April 2018
Festa del Lavoro (Labour Day): 1 May 2018
Festa della Repubblica (Republic Day): 2 June 2018
Assunzione di Maria Vergine (Assumption):
15 August 2018
Tutti i santi (All Saints’ Day): 1 November 2018
Immacolata Concezione (Immaculate Conception): 8 December 2018
Natale (Christmas Day): 25 December 2018
Santo Stefano (St. Stephen’s Day): 26 December 2018

All information subject to change.

Many of Genoa’s UNESCO-listed Rolli palaces open to the public for a weekend in March and September, allowing visitors a rare opportunity to view the ornate interiors of the magnificent 16th- and 17th-century residences. These private homes were assigned to host important state visits during the height of Genoa’s power.

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.

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.

Aiming to provide a platform for young and new Italian filmmakers, the Genova Film Festival shows around 130 screenings and runs two competitions dedicated to short films and documentaries. The week-long programme also includes workshops, debates and special tributes to Italian directors and actors from the past.

Throughout June and July, dramatic shows incorporating theatrical performances and stondaiate (singing and storytelling) take place at different locations on historic routes throughout Genoa and the neighbouring countryside. Venues include local theatres, open-air squares, vineyards and castles, allowing audiences to explore Genoa beyond the city centre.

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.

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.

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.