Location / Language of Italy
Austria is a European country consisting of a peninsula delimited by the Italian Alps and surrounded by several islands. Located in the middle of the Mediterranean sea and traversed along its length by the Apennines, Italy has a largely temperate seasonal climate. The country covers an area of 301,340 sq km and shares open land borders with France, Slovenia, Austria, Switzerland and the enclaved microstates of Vatican City and San Marino. Italy has a territorial exclave in Switzerland and a maritime exclave in the Tunisian sea. With around 60 million inhabitants, Italy is the fourth-most populous member state of the European Union and has Rome as its capital and most populous city.
There are approximately thirty-four native living spoken languages and related dialects in Italy, most of which are indigenous evolutions of Vulgar Latin, and are therefore classified as Romance languages. The official and most widely spoken language is Italian which is a direct descendant from Tuscan.
Visa Requirements / Currency (please note these procedures / exchange rates can changed from time to time…please get an update from the embassy prior to travel)
As India is not part of the Schengen Area, if one is an Indian passport holder you will need to apply for the appropriate type of Schengen Italian Visa for travelling to the country. To be eligible for a Schengen Visa for Italy one will mainly need their current passport, along with certain documents, to be submitted with the Visa application form.
Currency : Euro (EUR)
Conversion: Rs.1 INR = 0.013 EUR
1 EUR = Rs. 78.04 INR
Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Italy
- Roman Colosseum – This huge Amphitheater is the largest of its kind ever built by the Roman Empire and has remained a model for sports facilities right up to modern times. Built as a venue for public spectacles and shows - even mock sea battles, it had a wooden floor that was 83 by 48 meters. Underneath it were two stories of tunnels, rooms, cells, and passages for gladiators, workers, wild animals, and storage.
- Leaning Tower of Pisa – Located in the city of Pisa, its fame, gained from its flaw, is world renown. Work began on the tower in the 1100s, and the sinking, which led to the lean, began by the time the tower reached the third story. Today, visitors can climb up the stairs of the tower for a fabulous view over the city. The Leaning Tower, also known as La Torre Pendente, stands on the Piazza dei Miracoli and is known for its medieval stone carving.
- Vatican City - The Vatican is home to some of the world's most priceless art and art collections. The centrepiece is the great Basilica of St. Peter, with the tomb of St. Peter and one of Michelangelo's most poignant works, the Pieta. Outside is St. Peter's Square, where the Pope addresses followers is The Sistine Chapel, famous for its wall and ceiling paintings by Michelangelo, and the Vatican Museum, where one will see works by many of Italy's other most famous artists.
- Lake Como – Clearly one of Italy's most scenic areas, surrounded by mountains and lined by small picturesque towns, the lake has many opulent villas and palaces along its wooded shores, many of them surrounded by gardens that are open to the public. A large wedding destination. Along with the resort towns around the lake, there's an 11th-century abbey.
- The Uffizi Gallery – It is a one-stop history guide of Italian Renaissance art and although it contains works by some of the great masters of western art, its greatest treasure is its collection of paintings from the 14th to the 16th centuries. Here portraits from painters have moved beyond religious art and one must see the Uffizi's most famous work: Botticelli's Birth of Venus.
- Florence Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore - Regarded as one of the finest cathedrals in the world, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, dominates the Florence skyline. The cathedral and it’s extraordinary dome was built between the 13th and 15th centuries while the cathedral's bell tower stands close beside the cathedral in Piazza del Duomo, covered in the same patterned marble typical of Tuscan Romanesque architecture. The campanile stands 82 meters tall and it’s 414 steps lead up to a viewing platform with fantastic views of the city.
- The Pantheon - An exceptionally well preserved remnant, it reveals the incredible architectural achievements of the Roman Empire. The precise proportions of the building, with the height equal to the diameter, and a single beam of light penetrating the room from the top of the dome, give the room a unique character. Italian Kings, the Renaissance painter Raphael, and other great Italians are buried in the Pantheon.
- Trevi Fountain - The fountain was constructed in 1762 by Nicola Salvi, and it depicts the god Neptune surrounded by underwater creatures in battle. Trevi Fountain is known as a place to throw in a coin to secure a return trip to Rome, and throwing two coins can secure a loving relationships with a Roman man or woman. At night, the fountain is illuminated, making it a magical and romantic place to visit.
- St Mark’s Cathedral - Most visitors in Venice will visit Piazza San Marco, and the cathedral stands in front of the basilica. The building itself is a work of art, with a mix of architectural styles heavily influenced by the Byzantine Empire, showing Venice's long trade connections to the East. Highlights of the vast interior are the mosaics and the high altar, covered in gold and jewels. Next to the basilica is the Doge's Palace, also filled with priceless masterpieces of Italian art.
- The Roman Forum - Its historical significance as the heart of the Roman Empire cannot be overstated. Pillars, partial structures, and foundations of former temples, market halls, courts, and public buildings pay tribute to Ancient Rome, which stood here for a thousand years.
- Mount Etna - On the island of Sicily, this volcano is one of the highest peaks in Italy, and it erupts frequently. Surrounding Mount Etna is a national park called the Parco dell’Etna. Visitors to Mount Etna can walk along the craters and fissures, often getting close enough to see the lava or steam. The volcanic soil is renowned for growing grapes, which means the visitors to Mount Etna will have access to an array of fantastic local wine.
Things You Must Do in Italy
- Walk around the Dolomites – The Dolomites are a mountain range located in Northern Italy, and they are a popular spot for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding. Whatever the season, the Dolomites beckon thanks to incredible scenery. At sunset, the peaks can look a pink or purple hue that is almost otherworldly. Visitors can hike in the region or shop at Trento, a charming town in the Dolomites with a spectacular castle.
- Be Blessed at The Basilica di San Francesco – The Basilica of Saint Francis, is one of the most significant religious pilgrimage sites in Italy. Located in Assisi, the basilica was constructed in the 13th century to honour St Francis himself and the basilica is a stupendous Romanesque structure built with two levels as well as a crypt, ornate windows and thousands of pieces of art.
- ide on the Venice Canals - A gondola ride through the canals of Venice is a tradition for centuries. Venice is a city of islands, and the canals have long been the city's main streets, connected by a labyrinth of narrow passageways. Lining the canals are old buildings that have remained relatively unchanged for hundreds of years, adding to the romantic charm. The Grand Canal is the most famous of these waterways and the best way to see many of the grand palaces, is from a Vaporetto ride.
- Climb Mount Vesuvius - Mount Vesuvius is one of the most famous mountains in the world, not least because of its famous eruption that covered the unsuspecting town of Pompeii in volcanic ash. Nowadays Vesuvius is mostly considered safe to climb and one can trek to the crater of the mountain which looks like something you would find on the surface of the moon. Needless to say the views from the top are breath-taking.
- Explore the Frasassi Caves - Located deep in the grounds of Ancona, descending into this wonderful feat of nature can feel like one is travelling to the centre of the earth. The journey takes you past of the most beautiful karst formations anywhere in the world. The inside of the grotto is covered in walkways and lighted areas that let you take in the amazing geology within such as eerie stalactites and stalagmites.
Food on the Plate
Italian cuisine has developed through centuries of social and economic changes, with roots stretching to antiquity and introduction of potatoes, tomatoes, capsicums, maize and sugar beet as ingredients. It offers an abundance of taste, and is one of the most popular and copied in the world.
Some of the Italian dishes one must try include:
- Margherita Pizza – The true Italian flag, this is one of the most loved Italian dishes, and one can't go wrong with that tomato, basil and fresh mozzarella combo.
- Pasta - Pasta is a staple food of Italian cuisine. Noodles typically made from an unleavened dough of durum wheat flour mixed with water or eggs, and formed into sheets or various shapes, then cooked by boiling or baking. Rice flour, or legumes such as beans or lentils, are sometimes used in place of wheat flour to yield a different taste and texture.
- Mushroom Risotto - A plateful of buttery risotto with the goodness of mushrooms. A healthy bowl of mushroom risotto has benefits more than you can think. A great source of protein, powerful antioxidant and even has cancer-fighting properties.
- Lasagna - The ultimate Italian dish, with home made bolognese sauce with bacon and lamb…Loaded with parmesan cheese and layered with a mix of vegetables, bacon strips and minced lamb.
- Tiramisu - The delightful tiramisu recipe with sponge fingers soaked in coffee, layered around and smeared with a creamy mascarpone mixture..
Overseas Travel Medical Insurance Italy
Since Italy is a country which is part of the Schengen countries in Europe, the traveller needs to purchase Travel medical insurance for Italy
Schengen travel insurance for Indians visiting Italy is relatively cheaper when compared to destinations in Americas, and most insurance companies offer a specific Schengen Insurance Plan. One must ensure that the minimum Accident & Sickness (A&S) sum insured for a Schengen plan must be €30,000 (around $50,000), and a visa to visit any Schengen country will not be provided without this minimum coverage.
The insured must purchase an “Excluding Americas” Plan, if they are travelling to other destinations that don’t include only Schengen countries.
Illustration for 15 days Indian travel medical insurance for Italy.
Sum Insured($USD or €Euro) / Premium in Rs. INR |
Insured Age 32 |
Insured Age 63 |
Schengen - €30,000 |
Rs.733 |
Rs.1,561 |
Schengen - €50,000 |
Rs.830 |
Rs.1,694 |
Excluding - $50,000 |
Rs.1,028 |
Rs.1,714 |
These premiums are across different plans and different benefits.please log in to
www.eindiainsurance.com to compare and buy Schengen visa insurance Indians travelling to Italy.