Italy has long been one of the most romantic and popular countries in the world. Over the years, it has lost none of its appeal, as this sunny country exudes an atmosphere that encourages fun, socialising and relaxation to suit every taste.
Geography
Italy is situated in southern Europe in the central Mediterranean, comprising the Apennine Peninsula and the islands of Sicily, Sardinia and other smaller islands. Italy’s coastline is bordered by five seas: the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Seas to the west, the Adriatic Sea to the east, and the Ionian and Mediterranean Seas to the south. The main rivers are the Po and the Tiber.
Italy is a predominantly mountainous country: in the north lie the southern slopes of the Alps, home to Europe’s highest peak, Mont Blanc (4,807 m), Monte Rosa (4,634 m) and Cervino (4,478 m). Peaks over 2,800 m are covered in glaciers. The mountain ranges of the Alps are interspersed with lush valleys. Road and railway lines cross the mountain passes, and tunnels have been built in many places; to the south lies the Po Valley, and on the peninsula are the Apennine Mountains (the highest peak is Monte Corno at 2,914 m).
The most famous Alpine passes are the Simplon (2,005 m), the Saint-Bernard (2,469 m) and the Mont-Cenis (2,083 m). World-renowned climatic and ski resorts are located at almost every altitude in the Italian Alps. Italy is home to two of Europe’s active volcanoes – Vesuvius and Etna. In the north, Italy borders France, Switzerland and Austria, and in the north-east, Slovenia. The territory of Italy https://znaki.fm/places/italy-en/ includes two small states: the Vatican and the Republic of San Marino.
Nature
A land that is always welcoming and hospitable, bathed by the warm Mediterranean Sea and caressed by the sun. Kilometres of sandy beaches, the blue sea beneath a blue sky, the gentle curves of cypress-fringed hills, the steep slopes of dolomite mountains and the magically alluring volcanoes – Italy’s natural landscape is so diverse that there is something for everyone here.
Climate
The diversity of the climate is determined by the country’s geographical length along the meridian. In northern Italy, the climate is transitional, ranging from subtropical to temperate continental. In July, temperatures rise to +24 °C. In January, they are around 0 °C. The climate of peninsular and insular Italy is Mediterranean, which means that for two-thirds of the year there is a clear blue sky, with hot, dry summers (26°C in July) and warm, mild winters (between 8°C and 10°C in January). In the south of the peninsula, from March to October, dry, hot winds blow in from the Sahara – the sirocco. During this period, temperatures rise to around +35°C. The summer heat is tempered by a sea breeze (which is stronger on the Tyrrhenian coast and weaker on the Adriatic). The highest number of sunny days per year is recorded on the south-eastern coast of Sardinia.
Transportation
You can travel around Italy by various modes of transport, but the most convenient and affordable option is by train. You can get from Florence to Milan in three hours, whilst the journey to Rome takes between one and a half and two hours. The most expensive (and fastest) trains are the Eurostar. Seats on these must be booked in advance, especially during the Easter and Christmas holidays. In addition, there are intercity express trains, regular trains and commuter trains. Timetables can be found at the start of each platform (in paper form) and at ticket machines (in electronic form). Tickets are sold at ticket machines, ticket offices and travel agencies, and if you’re travelling a short distance (less than 200 km), you can even buy them at a newsagent’s. If you wish to travel around Italy by car, bear in mind that road types on maps, atlases and road signs are indicated by Latin letters: A – motorway; strade regionali – regional roads; and strade provinciali – provincial roads. Motorways are the most convenient routes; they are state roads, and you have to pay to use them. The only free section of such a route on the Apennine Peninsula is the stretch of the A3 motorway from Naples to Reggio Calabria. The cost of travel depends on the route chosen, the distance and the type of vehicle.
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