Italy: Rome, Florence and the Coast — Where to Go and What to Try

Rome: the Eternal City

Rome means the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, where you can spend a whole day among ancient ruins. Nearby are the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona and the Pantheon, which is nearly two thousand years old. In the Vatican you'll find St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums with the Sistine Chapel.

In the evening, drop by Trastevere — a neighbourhood of narrow lanes, ivy-covered walls and plenty of restaurants where the locals have dinner.

Florence and Tuscany

Florence is the birthplace of the Renaissance: the cathedral with its enormous dome, the Uffizi Gallery and the Ponte Vecchio lined with jewellers' shops. From here it's easy to travel to Pisa, Siena or the Tuscan hills — to vineyards, olive groves and small medieval towns.

Venice and the north

In Venice, canals take the place of streets and boats take the place of cars. St Mark's Square, the Rialto Bridge and an aimless wander through quiet neighbourhoods are the best way to get a feel for the city. In the north of the country, Lake Como is well worth a stop, and mountain lovers should head for the Dolomites.

The south: the Amalfi Coast and Sicily

The Amalfi Coast means the colourful towns of Positano and Amalfi, clinging to the cliffs above the sea. Nearby are Naples, the birthplace of pizza, and Pompeii — a city frozen in time. Sicily is a world apart, with the Etna volcano, Baroque towns and a cuisine of its own.

What to try

Every region of Italy has its own cuisine, and it's the local dishes that are worth trying.

• Neapolitan pizza — in Naples and the surrounding area.
• Pasta carbonara and cacio e pepe — in Rome.
• Florentine steak — in Florence.
• Risotto and tiramisu — in the north of the country.
• Cannoli and arancini — in Sicily.
• Gelato, and espresso drunk standing at the bar.

Good to know before you go

A few simple rules will help you feel at ease in Italy.

• Restaurant bills often include a cover charge — that's normal.
• The historic centres of many cities have limited traffic zones for cars.
• Paper tickets for regional trains must be validated before boarding.
• Visit churches in clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.
• In August many Italians go on holiday, and in smaller towns some cafés and shops are closed.

Staying connected

In Italy you need the internet from the very first minutes: to open a map, buy a train ticket, call a taxi, or show your hotel booking or museum ticket. You can install your eSIM at home over Wi-Fi, so after landing you won't have to hunt for a SIM card at the airport or stand in queues. When a plan's validity begins is shown on the checkout page before you pay: for some plans it starts at the first connection in the destination country, for others on installation or right after purchase. Your main number stays in your phone, and calls and messages to it keep arriving as usual, under your carrier's terms.