Italy

Country Guide

Why a trip to Italy is worth it

Italy packs an extraordinary amount of variety into a relatively small area: ancient ruins and Renaissance art in the cities, gentle vineyard-covered hills in Tuscany, rugged cliffs along the Amalfi Coast, and powder-white beaches in Calabria.

Add to that a cuisine considered the benchmark worldwide, from pizza and pasta to regional specialties that differ noticeably from one area to the next. For travelers from Germany, Italy is also refreshingly easy to reach, whether by plane, train or car.

In August 2023 I spent two weeks driving across the country from Frankfurt, from Florence through Tuscany, Rome and Alberobello all the way to Tropea and the Amalfi Coast. Everything I share here comes from that road trip.

Good to know
One of the densest concentrations of UNESCO World Heritage sites anywhere
Huge climatic and scenic variety between the Alps and the Mediterranean
Regional culinary traditions with sometimes very different specialties
Good rail and road infrastructure, many destinations reachable without a rental car
As an EU country, wonderfully uncomplicated for German travelers, no visa, euro as currency

Interactive Map

Our Stops on the Map

Practical Info

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Getting There & Around

For my own road trip I started by car from Frankfurt, the pure driving time to Tuscany was around 10–12 hours over the Alps. Across the entire two-week tour, fuel and tolls in Austria and Italy added up to roughly €470–570 (roughly: €300–400 fuel, €20 Austrian toll, €150 Italian toll).

Alternatively, there are numerous direct flights from German airports to all the larger cities, flight time usually 1.5–2.5 hrs. Within the country the rail network is well developed, especially between the major cities in the north and center, but in tight coastal towns like along the Amalfi Coast I preferred taking the bus and ferry rather than my own car.

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Accommodation

I booked almost exclusively through Airbnb on my trip, from a simple holiday apartment to an agriturismo with a pool, prices usually ranged between €100 and €160 a night. If you're traveling by car like I was, it's worth specifically looking for accommodation with its own parking, especially along the Amalfi Coast, in Alberobello and in Tropea the streets are narrow and public parking is scarce and expensive.

In tourist hotspots like the Amalfi Coast, booking early pays off, especially in high season. It's also worth checking amenity details like air conditioning, at two of my accommodations, in Rome and at the Cascate del Mulino, the air conditioning was broken or missing entirely, which was quite noticeable on hot August days.

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Food & Drink

A cuisine with strong regional character: pasta and risotto in the north, pizza and seafood in the south, wine and cheese pretty much everywhere. Tap water is usually drinkable, restaurants often charge a small cover fee (coperto).

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Packing List

Comfortable shoes for cobblestones and lots of steps (especially along the Amalfi Coast) are essential. Light clothing for summer, plus a light scarf or long pants for visiting churches, where covered shoulders and knees are expected.

For the coastal towns, swimwear and comfortable sandals for pebble beaches are worthwhile. An adapter isn't necessary for travelers from Germany, since Italy mostly uses the same sockets (Type C/F), though Type L also appears in some older buildings.

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Drone Rules

In Italy a maximum altitude of 120 meters above ground applies, and the drone must stay within visual line of sight (VLOS) at all times. Drones weighing 250 grams or more, or with a camera/microphone, must be registered, which can be done online via d-flight.it and applies EU-wide. The drone must also be visibly marked with its registration number (e-ID).

Liability insurance is mandatory for every drone, whether used privately or commercially, and depending on the weight class you need an EU drone license, which is recognized across all EU countries. The minimum age for drone pilots is 16. In historic city centers like Rome or Florence, near airports, and in nature reserves such as certain beaches or national parks, drone flights are usually prohibited or allowed only with a permit, so it's always worth checking the current rules before takeoff.

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Health & Safety

No special vaccinations required, standard immunizations should be up to date. As an EU country, the European Health Insurance Card applies, additional travel health insurance is still recommended. Pickpocketing in tourist centers is the most common type of crime.

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Culture & Etiquette

When entering churches, dress appropriately, shoulders and knees should be covered. Punctuality is viewed more relaxed for private meetups, but expected for business. A friendly 'Buongiorno' when entering shops is good manners.

Where's your next trip?

Why a trip to Italy is worth it

Our Stops on the Map

My stops in Italy

Practical Info