Most motorways in Italy are toll roads (strade a pedaggio). The current toll rates can be found here: https://www.autostrade.it/en/pedaggio. Payment can be made in cash or by credit card (toll booth Carte) or sometimes with an Irish debit card, without a PIN code. You can also buy a toll badge, which is valid in 4 countries: Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal. This can be done online. Can't pay? Then the toll gate will open anyway, you will receive a ticket and have to pay afterward at, for example, a manned toll gate furthehttps://www.autostrade.it/en/pedaggio away or online.

An environmental zone has been established in many Italian cities, the so-called Zona a Traffico Limitato (ZTL). The rules are complicated and vary by city. There is no environmental badge like in other countries. An environmental zone is indicated by a sign zona trafico limitato. There are high fines. It is best to park outside the zone and continue by public transport or on foot.

Current fuel prices and petrol stations: https://www.autostrade.it/en/aree-di-servizio1
Refueling on the motorway is always a lot more expensive than on ordinary roads. The prices are lowest for self-service pumps (fai da te/self service).

Italy has about a limited number of charging points. Charging points along the way can be found on this route planner: https://abetterrouteplanner.com/ or chargemap.com .

It is mandatory to have a warning triangle and a safety vest in the car.

Are you going by plane and renting a car? An Irish driver's license is valid in Italy, The driver must often be at least 21 years old and have had a driver's license for at least 1 or 2 years. Only with a credit card (with PIN code) in the name of the main driver can a car be rented.

The most important traffic rules in Italy can be found here. In 2024, Black Saturday will be on July 20 and 27 and Aug. 3 and 10.

Italy is the country of delicious cappuccinos, fresh pizzas and of course well-known brands such as Dolce & Gabanna. A country with something for everyone, but certainly also a mecca for real fashion lovers! Because besides sunbathing and a bite to eat, this is a country with unique boutiques and shops. Especially the Adriatic coast is highly recommended, and especially towns such as Rimini, Riccione, and San Marino.

Venice does not have large shopping centers, as can be found in Milan, Rome, and Florence. If you really want to make your move, go to Mestre, a suburb of Venice. Here is a large shopping center with supermarkets and clothing stores.

Tap water in Italy can generally be drunk safely. If a tap says Acqua non potabile (no drinking water), it is better to drink bottled water.

The bakers and butchers in Italy open somewhere between 07:00 and 08:00. Around lunchtime they are closed for a few hours and then they are open until about 19:00. Many bakeries are also open on Sunday mornings. Many shops are closed on Mondays. The large supermarkets are open every day, all day, and often until the evening, They can often be found just outside the cities, and in addition to food, there are also all kinds of other things for sale, from books to washing machines. Well-known supermarkets are Esselunga, Ipercoop, Eurospin, and Conad, but in Italy, you will also find the Lidl and the Aldi. Prices are on average slightly lower than in Ireland. Cigarettes and medicines (expensive in Italy) are not for sale in the supermarket.

If you go out for dinner at the campsite, you can often go early. If you go to a restaurant outside the campsite, keep in mind that there is often no one there before 20:00. Eating out is cheaper than in Ireland. You already have a simple 3-course menu for around € 20,-. Also, take a look at the menu or the bill: if there is Servizio, the tip is already included. Coperto is the amount the restaurant charges for the use of crockery, table linen, cutlery, etc., and has nothing to do with tips.

Italian health care is of good quality.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles you to necessary medical care in the event of illness or an accident during a temporary stay in Italy. Often it is not necessary to advance healthcare costs yourself. The personal EHIC can be found on the back of the health insurance card of your health insurer or in their app.

At the chemist (pharmacy), you can find all kinds of medicines and self-care products. The Italian doctors are always very generous with the provision of medicines.

In case of hospitalisation or when specialist medical care is needed, it is best to contact your insurance company directly.

In Italy, COVID-19 measures no longer apply at this time. It is also not necessary to get vaccinations.

Italy is a large country with large geographical differences. As a result, there are various climates.

• The climate of the Adriatic coast is characterized by warm summers and mild winters. In summer the temperature is around 27 degrees Celsius. Winters are mild. It hardly freezes. The average temperature during the day is around 9 degrees Celsius. There is less rain in this area than in the rest of Italy. The best time to visit the Adriatic coast is in May, June, September, or October. Then the temperature is the most pleasant. The summer months can be hot, but there is always a cooling breeze on the beach.

Google translate will go a long way, of course, but it's also nice to know some phrases. We'll help you get started:

In Italy, just like in Ireland, you pay with the euro. The price level is on average slightly lower than in Ireland. You can pay almost anywhere with your regular debit card or with a credit card. There are more ATMs in Italy than in Ireland. Please note: withdrawing money with a credit card is usually not free.

• If you are traveling to Italy, you will need a valid passport or ID card with which you can identify yourself. You don't need it to cross the border.
  
  
• The voltage found in Ireland and Italy is the same (230V and 50Hz).
  You will not need a transformer/converter but you should bring a travel adaptor as there are three associated plug types, types C, F and L.  Plug type C is the plug that has two round pins (most common), plug type F is the plug which has two round pins with two earth clips on the side and plug type L is the plug type which has three round pins.  
  
  
• Important holidays in Italy:

• Italy is a dog-friendly country, all breeds are allowed, but they should be at least 15 weeks old. In public places, your dog must be leashed and muzzled. You will need an EU pet passport for your dog or cat, available from your vet. Dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before traveling. The compulsory chip must be inserted before the anti-rabies vaccination (can be done on the same day). More information can be found here.  
  
  
• Italy is 1 hour ahead of the center of Ireland. We are using the Europe/Dublin and Europe/Madrid time zones.  
  
  

• Are you traveling alone with a minor child, for example, because you are divorced? Or are you taking a friend of your child with you? Then you must be able to prove that you have permission from the parent(s). You can do this with a permission slip.

  Put the phone number of a contact person in case of emergency as an ICE (In Case of Emergency) number in your phone. 

  Tip: before leaving, photograph your passport/ID, insurance card, bank card, emergency numbers, and other important items. Mail or app them to yourself or other traveling companions, so that you still have important data to hand in case of loss or theft.

The most fairytale city in all of Italy, with hundreds of bridges and bridges, sloshing water, the colorful houses. Visit St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace, the islands of Burano, Murano, and Torcello, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Rialto Bridge.

In this park, there are 273 miniatures of famous Italian and European buildings. In addition, the Grand Canal of Venice has been recreated on a scale of 1:5. In addition to the miniature world, Italia in Miniatura has other attractions, such as the cruise through Venice with boats, and various shows.

Fortified town in the north of the Adriatic coast, in the shape of a star. The town as a whole is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Pizzeria near Eraclea Mare has won several awards and even became the world champion of pizza baking in 2016. If you're hungry, try the Calzone pizza!

Rimini is the main seaside resort in Emilia-Romagna and is located on the Adriatic Sea. It is also the busiest and most famous seaside resort in Italy. Rimini has more than 15km of sandy beach. Known as a place to go out for young people, Rimini also has a beautiful historic center.

Chioggia is also called la piccola Venezia (little Venice). Here, as in Venice, you will find many bridges, boats, and colorful houses, but it is a lot quieter. In the adjacent town of Sottomarina is a nice beach.

Several water parks can be found on the Adriatic coast. From north to south, these are, for example:

Aquafollie (Caorle)
Caribe bay (Aqualandia Jesolo)
Atlantica Cesenatico (Cesenatico)
Mirabeach (Rimini)
Aquafan (Riccione)

The Po Delta National Park is a national park of 54km². The river Po, the largest in Italy, divides the vast plains of northern Italy by means of numerous smaller rivers into marshland, small islands, and lakes, where many birds breed. Ideal for spotting special animals and or enjoying nature. The park can be explored by bike, on foot, or by boat.

The bustling seaside resort of Lido di Jesolo is a paradise for shoppers with its 12 km long shopping street behind the boulevard that is located on a beautiful wide sandy beach. Here you will find countless shops, from luxurious Italian fashion stores and charming boutiques to cozy souvenir shops. And of course, the Italian ice cream parlors are not missing!

Padova is one of the nicest cities in Italy, with a car-free medieval center, squares, and terraces. In this student city, you will find the oldest botanical garden in Europe, which is also on the UNESCO World Heritage List.