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-Emilian 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.

Italy is in the Central European Time (CET) Zone, 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), and observes Daylight Saving Time: at the beginning of spring the clocks go forward an hour in order to take advantage of an extra hour of sunlight in the late afternoon/evening. At the beginning of autumn the clocks are shifted back an order to standard Central European Time.

Shop opening hours 
Shops generally open at 09:00 in the morning and close at 13:00 hours, then after lunch Shops open again at 15:30 in the afternoon and close at 19:30 from Monday to Saturday.

Since 2001, the currency used in Italy is the euro. Bank opening hours are  Monday to Friday 08:30 -13:30 and 15:00 -16:00.

Italian is the official language of the country, although accents and dialects may vary widely from one region to another. A large number of local dialects are spoken in Italy. 

There are two regions, however, which have a second official language: the Aosta Valley, where French is also spoken, and Trentino Alto Adige, where German is also spoken. In these regions, road signs, as well as place names, for example, appear in both languages. There are also a number of small areas in which languages other than Italian are used, although these languages do not have official status: in Friuli-Venezia Giulia there is a Slovenian-speaking area, and in Calabria (in the Bovesìa area) and in Apulia (in the Grecia Salentina zone), Greek is spoken in some areas. In Sicily, in Piana degli Albanesi, you will find the largest Albanian community in Italy, where the Albanian language is widely used, even in official documents and on road signs.

Documents required to drive in Italy 

Driving licences issued by any of the EU member states are valid throughout the European Union, including Italy. Drivers in possession of a licence issued by any EU country do not require an international driving permit or a sworn translation of their own licence.

Electrical system

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

The supply of drinking water is guaranteed throughout Italy. The water from taps and fountains is checked regularly, and is perfectly safe to drink, unless there is a notice indicating otherwise.

It is easy to reach Italy and travel around the country once you arrive. Italy offers excellent air links with the rest of the world, but it is also possible to come here by train, by sea or by using the extensive motorway network. It is also easy to travel around within the country. All the main cities are connected with frequent daily flights. The rail network is spread over more than 15,000 kilometers, offering uniform cover throughout Italy, while travelling by coach or car is even more convenient still, with a dense network of motorways, dual carriageways and trunk roads allowing visitors to reach any location in the country simply and rapidly. To reach all of Italy's islands from the mainland, regular ferry services depart from the main towns and cities along the coast.

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Italy's main airports for intercontinental and international arrivals are 'Leonardo da Vinci' (Rome Fiumicino) and Malpensa (Milan); however, international flights arrive in almost all the country's numerous airports. A wide range of flights is available from both traditional and low-cost airlines, covering a vast array of destinations. Italy has air links with most European countries and with the rest of the world. The websites of the main regular and low-cost airlines provide further information on routes, flight times, prices and availability. More or less all the airports are serviced by a dense network of taxis, buses and trains, which allow to reach one's final destination with a certain ease. 

Travelling by air in Italy is easy, thanks to the wide range of flights and airlines that operate in the country. There are plenty of connections from one city to another, with frequent services from Rome-Fiumicino and Milan-Malpensa to all the other airports in Italy, and it is also simple and convenient to reach Sicily, Sardinia and the smaller islands from the mainland, with frequent services available. There are almost forty other small and medium-sized airports in Italy, present in every region except Molise and Basilicata.

For sea lovers, it is possible to reach Italy by ship. There are many national and international passenger ship and ferry companies that link the main ports in Europe to Italy. Ticket prices are very high in the summer and vary depending on the weight of the passenger's vehicle loaded on the ship. The Navi Veloci fleet sails between Barcelona and Genoa. Sea links between Greece and Italy are guaranteed on the busiest routes: from Igoumenitsa, Corfu and Patras, Blue Star Ferries sail directly to Venice and Brindisi, while Superfast Ferries operate services to Ancona and Bari. Fragline Ferries sail from Corfu to Brindisi; Grimaldi Ferries, one of the best-known Italian companies, link Tunis and Barcelona with Civitavecchia, Salerno, Livorno and Palermo. Tirrenia Navigazione ferries operate numerous services throughout the year between Tunis and the major Italian islands, Sicily and Sardinia. 

Travelling by train will never lose its particular charm, at least not for visitors in Italy. Both daytime and overnight services between Italy and the rest of Europe are known for their high quality, rapidity and excellent level of comfort. It is advisable (and in some cases compulsory) to book a seat. Some international rail companies also offer the opportunity for visitors to transport their own motor vehicle. Every day, a large number of international trains come over the border to Italy, connecting the country to the main towns and cities in Austria, Germany, France and Eastern Europe. 

For further information: 
www.trenitalia.it