Italy

Italy (Italian: Italia), officially the Italian Republic (Repubblica italiana), is a country in Southern Europe, occupying the Italian Peninsula, as well as the Po Valley south of the Alps. Once the core of the Roman Empire, and the cradle of the Medieval and Renaissance Italy|Renaissance, it is also home to the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world, including high art and monuments.

Italy is famous for Italian cuisine|its delicious cuisine, trendy fashions, luxury sports cars and motorcycles, diverse regional cultures and dialects, as well as for its various landscapes from the seas to the Alps and Apennines, which makes reason for its nickname Il Bel Paese (the Beautiful Country).

An Introduction to the regions of Italy

{{Regionlist

| region1name=Northwest Italy | region1color=#71b37b | region1items=Piedmont, Liguria, Lombardy and Aosta Valley | region1description=Home of the Italian Riviera, including Portofino and the Cinque Terre. The Alps and world-class cities like the industrial capital of Italy (Turin), its largest port (Genoa) and the main business hub of the nation (Milan) are near beautiful landscapes like the Lake Como and Lake Maggiore area and lesser-known Renaissance treasures like Mantova and Bergamo.

| region2name=Northeast Italy | region2color=#8a84a3 | region2items=Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Trentino-Alto Adige and Veneto | region2description=From the canals of Venice to the gastronomic capital Bologna, from impressive mountains such as the Dolomites and first-class ski resorts like Cortina d'Ampezzo to the delightful roofscapes of Parma and Verona and these regions offer much to see and do. German-speaking South Tyrol and the cosmopolitan city of Trieste offer a uniquely Central European flair.

| region3name=Central Italy | region3color=#d5dc76 | region3items=Lazio, Abruzzo, Marche, Tuscany and Umbria | region3description=This region breathes history and art. Rome boasts many of the remaining wonders of the Roman Empire and some of the world's best-known monuments, combined with a vibrant, big-city feel. Florence, cradle of the Renaissance, is Tuscany's top attraction, and the magnificent countryside and nearby cities like Siena, Pisa and Lucca also offer a rich history and legacy. Abruzzo is dotted with picturesque cities such as L'Aquila, Chieti and Vasto, as well as Perugia, Gubbio and Assisi in Umbria.

| region4name=Southern Italy | region4color=#d09440 | region4items=Apulia, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania and Molise | region4description=Bustling Naples and the dramatic ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum and the romantic Amalfi Coast and Capri, laidback Apulia and the stunning beaches of Calabria, and up-and-coming agritourism make the region a great place to explore.

| region5name=Sicily | region5color=#d56d76 | region5description=The beautiful island is famous for archaeology, seascape and some of Italy's best cuisine.

| region6name=Sardinia | region6color=#b383b3 | region6description=Large island some 250 kilometers west of the Italian coastline offers mountains, beaches and the sea. ]] San Marino and the Vatican City are two microstates surrounded by Italy. As they use the euro and the Italian language and have no border controls and they are easy to visit.

Other Muslim Friendly Cities in Italy

There are hundreds of Italian cities. Here are nine of its most famous:

• Rome GPS: 41.9,12.5 (Italian: Roma) — The Eternal City has shrugged off sacks and fascists, urban planning disasters and traffic snarls and is as impressive to the visitor now as two thousand years ago
• Bologna GPS: 44.5075,11.351389 — one of the world's great university cities that is filled with history, culture, technology and food
• Florence GPS: 43.783333,11.25 (Italian: Firenze) — the Renaissance city known for its architecture and art that had a major impact throughout the world
• Genoa GPS: 44.411111,8.932778 (Italian: Genova) — an important medieval maritime republic; it's a port city with art and architecture
• Milan GPS: 45.466667,9.183333 (Italian: Milano) — one of the main fashion cities of the world, but also Italy's most important centre of trade and business
• Naples GPS: 40.845,14.258333 (Italian: Napoli) — one of the oldest cities of the Western world, with a historic downtown that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Pisa GPS: 43.716667,10.4 — one the medieval maritime republics, it is home to the famed Leaning Tower of Pisa
• Turin GPS: 45.066667,7.7 (Italian: Torino) — a well-known industrial city, home of FIAT, other automobiles and the aerospace industry. Le Corbusier defined Turin as "the city with the most beautiful natural location in the world"
• Venice GPS: 45.4375,12.335833 (Italian: Venezia) — one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, known for its history, art, and of course its world-famous canals

Other Muslim Friendly Destinations in Italy

• Amalfi Coast GPS: 40.633333,14.6 (Italian: Costiera Amalfitana) — stunningly beautiful rocky coastline, so popular that private cars are banned in the summer months
• Capri GPS: 40.55,14.233333 — the famed island in the Bay of Naples, which was a favored resort of the Roman emperors
• Cinque Terre GPS: 44.119444,9.716667 — five tiny, scenic, towns strung along the steep vineyard-laced coast of Liguria
• Italian Alps GPS: 46.505556,9.330278 (Italian: Alpi) — some of the most beautiful mountains in Europe, including Mont Blanc and Mount Rosa
• Lake Como GPS: 46,9.266667 (Italian: Lago di Como) — its atmosphere has been appreciated for its beauty and uniqueness since Roman times
• Lake Garda GPS: 45.633333,10.666667 (Italian: Lago di Garda) — a beautiful lake in Northern Italy surrounded by many small villages
• Pompeii GPS: 40.75,14.486111 and
• Herculaneum GPS: 40.806,14.3482 (Italian: Ercolano) — two suburbs of Naples covered by an eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79, now excavated to reveal life as it was in Roman times
• Taormina GPS: 37.852222,15.291944 — a charming hillside town on the east coast of Sicily
• Vesuvius GPS: 40.816667,14.433333 (Italian: Monte Vesuvio) — the famous dormant volcano with a stunning view of the Bay of Naples

Demonstration for Palestine and Gaza in Italy

Dear Supporters of the Palestinian Cause in Italy,

We are excited to announce a peaceful demonstration in support of the People of Palestine, set to take place in Italy over the next three days. This event is an opportunity for us to come together and raise our voices and the Palestinian Flag for a just and peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.

We want to emphasize that this demonstration is intended to be a peaceful and respectful gathering. Our goal is to show solidarity with the people of Palestine and call for a peaceful solution to the conflict. It is crucial that we maintain a peaceful and respectful atmosphere throughout the event.

Important Guidelines:

To ensure the success of our demonstration and to maintain a peaceful environment, we kindly ask all participants to adhere to the following guidelines:

Peaceful Protest: This is a non-violent demonstration. We do not condone any form of violence or vandalism.

Respect for Law Enforcement: Please treat law enforcement officers in Italy with respect and follow their instructions. Do not engage in confrontations with them.

Leave No Trace: Dispose of any trash responsibly and leave the demonstration area clean.

Thank you for your commitment to our peaceful demonstration in Italy, and let us stand together for a better future for all.

In solidarity, eHalal Italy

Italy Halal Travel Guide

Italy is largely a peninsula situated on the Mediterranean Sea, bordering France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia in the north. The boot-shaped country is surrounded by the Ligurian Sea and the Sardinian Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea in the west and the Sicilian and Ionian Sea in the South, and Adriatic Sea in the East. Italian is the official language spoken by the majority of the population, but as you travel throughout the nation, you will find there are distinct Italian dialects corresponding to the region you are in. Italy has a diverse landscape, but it is primarily mountainous, with the Alps and the Apennines. Italy has two major islands: Sardinia, off the west coast of Italy, and Sicily, just off the southern tip (the "toe") of the boot. Italy has a population of around 60 million. The capital is Rome.

History of Italy

Prehistory

There have been humans on the Italian peninsula for at least 200,000 years. The Etruscan civilization lasted from prehistory to the 2nd century BC. The Etruscans flourished in the centre and north of what is now Italy, particularly in areas now represented by northern Lazio, Umbria and Tuscany. Rome was dominated by the Etruscans until the Romans sacked the nearby Etruscan city of Veii in 396 BC. In the 8th and 7th centuries BC, Greek colonies were established in Sicily and the southern part of the Italy and the Etruscan culture rapidly became influenced by that of Greece. This is well illustrated at some excellent Etruscan museums; Etruscan burial sites are also well worth visiting.

The Roman Empire

See also: Roman Empire

Ancient Rome was at first a small village founded around the 8th century BC. In time, it grew into one of the most powerful empires the world has ever seen, surrounding the whole Mediterranean, extending from the northern coast of Africa to as far north as the southern part of Scotland. The Roman Empire greatly influenced Western civilisation. Its steady decline began in the 2nd century AD, with a "crisis" in the 3rd century AD that hit particularly hard, bringing leaders who mostly relied on the military and were often deposed in just a few years of rule. The empire finally broke into two parts in 395 AD: the Western Roman Empire with its capital in Rome, and the Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantine Empire with its capital in Constantinople. The western part, under attack from the Goths, Vandals, Huns and numerous other groups finally collapsed in the late 5th century AD, leaving the Italian peninsula divided. After this, Rome passed into the so-called Dark Ages. The city itself was sacked by Saracens in 846. Rome went from a city of 1,000,000 people in the first century AD to barely a dot on the map by the seventh century AD, and the stones of its ancient monuments were removed to build new buildings.

From independent city states to unification

Following the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the Italian peninsula was divided into many independent city states, and remained so for the next thousand years.

In the 6th century AD, a Germanic tribe and the Lombards, arrived from the north; hence the present-day northern region of Lombardy. The balance of power between them and other invaders such as the Byzantines, Arabs, and Muslim Saracens, with the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy meant that it was not feasible to unify Italy, although later arrivals such as the Carolingians and the Hohenstaufens managed to impose some control. Thus Northern Italy was under the tenuous control of dynasties from what is now Germany and many cities vying for independence challenged the rule of both pope and emperor, siding with either against the other from time to time. In the south and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, a result of unification of the Kingdom of Sicily with the Kingdom of Naples in 1442, had its capital in Naples. In the north, Italy remained a collection of small independent city states and kingdoms until the 19th century. One of the most influential city states was the Republic of Venice, considered one of the most progressive of its time. The first public opera house opened there in 1637, and for the first time allowed paying members of the general public to enjoy what had been court entertainment reserved for the aristocracy, thus allowing the arts to flourish. Italians turned to strongmen to bring order to the cities, leading to the development of dynasties such as the Medici in Florence. Their patronage of the arts allowed Florence to become the birthplace of the Renaissance and helped to enable men of genius such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo to emerge. Rome and its surrounding areas became the Papal States, where the Pope had both religious and political authority.

From 1494 onwards, Italy suffered a series of invasions by the Austrians and the French and the Spanish; the latter ultimately emerged victorious.

After Vasco da Gama sailed the Cape Route around Africa, and Columbus (who was from Genoa but working for the king and queen of Spain) Voyages of Columbus|sailed to the Americas, much of the Mediterranean commerce — especially with Asia through the Middle East — was displaced, making Italian merchants less important. While foreign empires such as Austro-Hungarian Empire, France and Spain came to dominate the Italian peninsula, it remained a centre of the fine arts, and was from the 17th to the 19th century the main destination for the Grand Tour of wealthy young people from Britain and Europe.

The Kingdom of Sardinia began to unify Italy in 1815. Giuseppe Garibaldi led a drive for unification in southern Italy, while the north wanted to establish a united Italian state under its rule. The northern kingdom successfully challenged the Austrians and established Turin as capital of the newly formed state. In 1866, King Victor Emmanuel II annexed Venice. In 1870, shortly after France abandoned it (because they were preoccupied in a war against Prussia that would lead to German unification by 1871), Italy's capital was moved to Rome. The Pope lost much of his influence, with his political authority now being confined to the Rome/Vatican|Vatican City, itself a result of a political compromise between the Pope and Benito Mussolini in the 1920s.

The Kingdom of Italy

After unification and the Kingdom of Italy occupied parts of Eastern and Northern Africa. This included the occupation of Libya, during which Italy scored a decisive victory over the Islamic Ottoman Empire.

At the outbreak of World War I, despite being in alliance with Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Italy refused to participate in the war. Eventually, Italy entered the war, but as allies of the United Kingdom and France. As a result of the victory of Italy and its allies, Italy annexed former Austro-Hungarian land. However, Italy was not able to obtain much of what it desired, and this, in addition to the high cost of the war, led to popular discontent. This was manipulated by the nationalists, who evolved into the Fascist movement.

In October 1922 and the National Fascist Party, led by Benito Mussolini, a former socialist who was thrown out of the party for his pro-war stance, attempted a coup with its "March on Rome", which resulted in the King forming an alliance with Mussolini. A pact with Germany (by that time fascist as well) was concluded by Mussolini in 1936, and a second in 1938. During the Second World War, Italy was invaded by the Allies in June 1943, leading to the collapse of the fascist regime and the arrest, escape, re-capture and execution of Mussolini. In September 1943, Italy surrendered. However, fighting continued on its territory for the rest of the war, with the allies fighting those Italian fascists who did not surrender, as well as German forces.

Italian Republic

In 1946, King Umberto II was forced to abdicate and Italy became a republic after a referendum. In the 1950s, Italy became a member of NATO and allied itself with the United States. The Marshall Plan helped revive the Italian economy which, until the 1960s, enjoyed a period of sustained economic growth. Cities such as Rome returned to being popular tourist destinations, expressed in both American and Italian films such as Roman Holiday or La Dolce Vita. In 1957, Italy became a founding member of the European Economic Community. Beginning with the Wirtschaftswunder (German for "economic miracle") of the 1950s, many Germans invested their new-found wealth in vacations in Italy and Northern Italy has been particularly popular with Germans ever since. Even to the point that the spread of Pizzas (a specialty from the South) to Northern Italy is said to have originated with German tourists demanding what they thought to be "Italian food".

From the late 1960s till the late 1980s, however and the nation experienced an economic crisis. There was a constant fear, inside and outside Italy (particularly in the USA), that the Party, which regularly polled over 20% of the vote, would one day form a government. Many machinations by the parties of the establishment prevented this. Italy suffered terrorism from the right and the left, including the shocking kidnapping and murder of Prime Minister Aldo Moro, who shortly before had forged the "historic compromise" with the Communists. Some attacks thought to have been perpetrated by leftist groups are now known to have originated with right wing groups trying to discredit the Party or with the Mafia. An involvement by the NATO "stay behind" organisation (supposed to function as a guerrilla force in the instance of a Soviet occupation), Gladio, that included many right-wing extremists has been alleged in several cases.

Since 1992, Italy has faced massive government debt and extensive corruption. Scandals have involved all major parties, but especially the Christian Democrats and the Socialists, which were both dissolved, after having dominated politics since the end of the war. The 1994 elections led to media magnate Silvio Berlusconi's tenure as Prime Minister; his allies were defeated in 1996, but emerged victorious in 2001. They lost the election in 2006, but won again in 2008, and lost in 2013. Berlusconi is a controversial figure inside and outside of Italy, and has found himself in court numerous times. Some people even say his political career began as an attempt to escape legal repercussions through parliamentary immunity. Following the 2018 elections, two populist parties agreed to form a government with a majority of seats in the Chamber of Deputies. This has resulted in an uneasy arrangement, with the anti-establishment Movimento Cinque Stelle (Five Star Movement) and the far-right Lega (League) uniting to form an unprecedented populist coalition government.

How is the Climate in Italy

The climate of Italy varies and often differs from the stereotypical Mediterranean climates|Mediterranean climate. Most of Italy has hot, dry summers, with July being the hottest month of the year. Winters are cold and damp in the North, and milder in the South. Conditions on peninsular coastal areas can be very different from the interior's higher ground and valleys, particularly during the winter months when the higher altitudes tend to be cold, wet and snowy. The Alps have a mountain climate, with cool summers and very cold winters.

Public Holidays in Italy

The Italian names are parenthesised.

• 1 January: New Year's Day (Capodanno)
• 6 January: Epiphany (Epifania)
• March or April according to the Gregorian calendar: Easter (Pasqua) and Easter Monday (Pasquetta)
• 25 April: Liberation Day (la Festa della Liberazione)
• 1 May: Labor Day (la Festa del Lavoro)
• 2 June: Republic Day (la Festa della Repubblica)
• 15 August: Ferragosto
• 1 November: All Saints' Day (Ognissanti)
• 8 December: Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Immacolata Concezione)
• 25 December: Christmas (Natale)
• 26 December: St. Stephen's Day (Santo Stefano)

Mosques in Italy

Italy, a country renowned for its rich cultural heritage and historical landmarks, is also home to a growing and vibrant Muslim community. This community is reflected in the architecture and significance of its masjids. Here, we explore some of the largest and most notable masjids in Italy, highlighting their cultural, historical, and architectural significance.

The Rome Mosque (Moschea di Roma)

The Rome Mosque, also known as the Grande Moschea, is the largest mosque in Italy and one of the largest in Europe. Situated in the Parioli district, this masjid was inaugurated in 1995 and serves as a pivotal center for the Muslim community in Italy.

Architecture and Design

The mosque’s architecture is a blend of traditional Islamic and modern Italian styles, featuring a stunning dome and a minaret that stands at 43 meters tall. The mosque's exterior is adorned with beautiful calligraphy and intricate geometric patterns.

Cultural Significance

Besides being a place of worship, the Rome Mosque houses the Islamic Cultural Center of Italy, providing educational and cultural programs aimed at fostering understanding between different faiths and cultures.

Capacity

The mosque can accommodate over 12,000 worshippers, making it a central hub for the Muslim community in Rome and beyond.

Milan Mosque (Moschea di Segrate)

Located in the suburban town of Segrate, near Milan, this mosque is another significant Islamic landmark in Italy. It serves the large Muslim population in the Lombardy region.

Architecture and Design

The Milan Mosque features a striking green dome and a tall minaret, designed to reflect classical Islamic architecture. The interior is spacious, with beautiful chandeliers and intricate artwork.

Community Role

The mosque not only serves as a place for daily prayers but also hosts various cultural and educational events, fostering a strong sense of community among Muslims in the area.

Capacity

The Milan Mosque can accommodate around 4,000 worshippers, making it one of the largest in northern Italy.

Bologna Mosque (Centro Islamico di Bologna)

The Bologna Mosque, located in the heart of the Emilia-Romagna region, is another important Islamic center in Italy.

Architecture and Design

The mosque’s design is modest yet elegant, featuring a main prayer hall with traditional Islamic decorations and a small minaret.

Educational Center

Attached to the mosque is an Islamic center that provides religious education and Arabic language classes to the local Muslim community. It also engages in interfaith dialogue initiatives.

Capacity

The Bologna Mosque can host approximately 2,000 worshippers, serving a diverse Muslim population in the region.

Palermo Mosque (Moschea della Misericordia)

In the southern island of Sicily, the Palermo Mosque is a testament to the long history of Islam in this region, dating back to the Arab-Norman period.

Architecture and Design

The mosque is housed in a historic building that has been adapted for use as a masjid, blending traditional Islamic elements with local Sicilian architecture.

Historical Significance

The mosque stands as a reminder of the rich Islamic heritage of Sicily, which was a thriving center of Islamic culture during the Middle Ages.

Capacity

The Palermo Mosque can accommodate around 1,500 worshippers, serving both local Muslims and visitors from around the world. Conclusion

The largest masjids in Italy are not only places of worship but also centers of community, education, and cultural exchange. These masjids reflect the diverse and growing Muslim population in Italy, contributing to the country’s multicultural tapestry. From the grandeur of the Rome Mosque to the historical significance of the Palermo Mosque, these Islamic centers are integral to the spiritual and social lives of Italy’s Muslims, fostering a sense of unity and cultural pride.

Travel as a Muslim to Italy

• EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, and some non-EU Muslims who are visa-exempt (e.g. New Zealanders and Australians), need only produce a passport which is valid for the entirety of their stay in Italy.
• Other nationals who are required to have a visa (e.g. South Africans) and even some who are not (e.g. travelers from the United States) must have a passport which has at least 3 months' validity beyond their period of stay in Italy.

Italy is a member of the Schengen Agreement.

• There are normally no border controls between countries that have signed and implemented the treaty. This includes most of the European Union and a few other countries.
• There are usually identity checks before boarding international flights or boats. Sometimes there are temporary border controls at land borders.
• Likewise, a visa granted for any Schengen member is valid in all other countries that have signed and implemented the treaty.
• Illegal migration has become the norm throughout the European Union due to countries such as Germany that has ignored the Dublin agreement.

All non-EU, EEA or Swiss citizens staying in Italy for 90 days or less have to declare their presence in Italy within 8 days of arrival. If your passport was stamped on arrival in Italy and the stamp counts as such a declaration. Generally, a copy of your hotel registration will suffice if you are staying at a hotel. Otherwise, however, you will have to go to a police office to complete the form (dichiarazione di presenza). Failing to do so may result in expulsion. Travellers staying longer than 90 days do not need to complete this declaration, but must instead have an appropriate visa and must obtain a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno).

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Italy

Larger airports are served by the major European airlines. Intercontinental flights mainly arrive in Milan and Rome and the main gateway into the nation.

Most mid-range international flights arrive in the following Italian cities:

• Rome - with two airports: Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport|Fiumicino (FCO - Leonardo da Vinci) and Ciampino (CIA) for budget airlines
• Milan - with two airports: Malpensa (MXP) and Linate (LIN); in addition, Bergamo (BGY - Orio al Serio) is sometimes referred to as "Milan Bergamo"
• Bologna (BLQ – Guglielmo Marconi)
• Naples (NAP - Capodichino)
• Pisa (PSA - Galileo Galilei)
• Venice (VCE – Marco Polo); in addition, Treviso (TSF - Antonio Canova) is sometimes referred to as "Venice Treviso"
• Turin (TRN – Sandro Pertini)
• Catania (CTA - Vincenzo Bellini)
• Bari (BRI - Palese)
• Genoa (GOA - Cristoforo Colombo)

Prominent airlines in Italy

• Alitalia - AZ - ☎ +39 892010 - Flag carrier and national airline of Italy. It's part of the SkyTeam alliance, and also codeshares with other carriers outside the alliance. Rome Fiumicino (IATA Flight Code: FCO) is the main hub, while Milano Malpensa (IATA Flight Code: MXP) has been relegated to a lesser role.

• Ryanair - FR| - ☎ +39 899 55 25 89 - Ten bases plus eleven more destinations in Italy.

• easyjet - U2 - - ☎ +39 199 201 840 - Two bases and many destinations in Italy.

• Wizz Air - W6 - - ☎ +39 899 018 874 - Links some Italian airports with Eastern Europe.

• Blu Express - BV - ☎ +39 06 98956677 - Mainly focused on domestic routes, links Rome Fiumicino with some international destinations.

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Italy

• From Austria via Vienna, Innsbruck and Villach
• From France via Nice, Lyon and Paris
• From Germany via Munich
• From Spain via Barcelona
• From Switzerland via Basel, Geneva and Zürich
• From Slovenia via Ljubljana to Opicina, a small village above Trieste or via Nova Gorica and a short walk to Gorizia, Italy

If travelling to or from France on the / Thello sleeper train, buy sandwiches or other food before the journey.

By car

Italy borders on France, Austria, Switzerland and Slovenia. All borders are open (without passport/customs checks), but migrants can be stopped behind the border for random checks.

By bus

Eurolines, Megabus and Flixbus offer domestic and international routes. There are regular buses between Ljubljana, Slovenian coastal towns and Istria (Croatia) and Trieste (Italy). These services are affordable and from Trieste onward connections with the rest of Italy are plentiful. There is also a bus that goes from Malmö, Sweden via Denmark, Germany and Switzerland and then goes through the nation and then back to Sweden.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Italy

See also: Ferries in the Mediterranean

Ferries arrive from Greece, Albania, Montenegro and Croatia. Most of them arrive at Venice, Ancona, Bari and Brindisi.

Regular ferry services connect the island of Corsica in France to Genoa, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Naples and Northern Sardinia. Barcelona is connected to Civitavecchia and to Genoa.

Regular ferry services connect Sicily and Naples to North African harbours.

A hydrofoil service connects Pozzallo on the south-eastern coast of Sicily and Malta.

There is a year-round service between Trieste and Albania and summer services between Trieste and Piran (Slovenia) and Porec and Rovinj in Croatian Istria. The service between Trieste and Rovinj takes less than 2 hours, which is quicker than the bus service.

How to get around in Italy

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Italy

Trains in Italy are generally a good value, frequent, and of uneven reliability. On some high speed rail|high-speed routes there is a choice between "Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori" (privately owned) and "Trenitalia" (state owned). On other routes, either Trenitalia or a regional operator provides the service.

• Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori - - ☎ +39 060708 - NTV's ".Italo" high-speed trains serve major cities. It is a luxurious service, and for some routes and dates and their prices are lower than the competition's.

• Trenitalia - ☎ +39 892021 - Trenitalia runs a wide range of train types: high-speed trains (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca), Intercity, regional trains (Regionali, Regionali Veloci) and international trains (Eurocity, Euronight).
  High-speed trains are very comfortable, travelling up to 360km/h and stopping only at major stations and connect only the main cities. They charge a supplement to the standard ticket, which includes the booking fee. Regional trains are the slowest, cheapest and least reliable, stopping at all stations. Intercity trains are somewhere between high-speed and local trains. They are generally reliable.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Italy

The advent of low-cost carriers made domestic air travel cheaper. When booked in advance, plane tickets for long trips are often cheaper than train fares. Alitalia, Ryanair, Easyjet and Blue Express operate domestic flights while small, new airlines appear and disappear often.

By car

Italy has a well-developed system of motorways (autostrade) in the North, while in the South it's a bit worse for quality and extent. Most motorways are toll roads. The autostrade are marked with green signs, while general highways are marked with blue signs. Speeding on the autostrade is nowadays less common than in the past. There are automatic systems to punish speeding and hazardous driving. Italian Highway Patrol (Polizia Stradale) operates unmarked cars equipped with advanced speed radars and camera systems.

Fuel prices are in line with those in western Europe and more expensive than in North America and Japan. As of December 2023, prices were about €1.75/L for gasoline and €1.63/L for diesel.

Traffic in large Italian cities is heavy and finding a parking spot ranges from a challenging to an imfeasible enterprise at times. Park your vehicle at a park-and-ride facility or somewhere in the outskirts and use public transport.

EU licences are automatically recognized. If you don't have an EU driving licence, you need an International Driving Permit in addition to your home driver's license in order to drive. To obtain a recognition of your driving licence (adeguamento or tagliando di riconoscimento) you will need to pass a medical examination.

All motor vehicles in Italy must have insurance (assicurazione) for at least third party liability.

[[File:Cart with a horse, Palermo, Sicily, Italy (9455472139).jpg|1280px|Cart_with_a_horse,_Palermo,_Sicily,_Italy_(9455472139)]]

Travel on a Bus in Italy

Local

Buy town bus tickets from corner shops, bus-company offices or automated machines before boarding (on some systems, tickets might be bought on-board from an automated machine). Buying tickets from the bus driver is generally not feasible.

The payment system for most mass transit in Italy (urban trains, city buses, subway) is based on voluntary payment combined with variable enforcement. Tickets are bought before boarding and validated on an on-board machine; inspectors may board the vehicle to check the passengers' tickets and issue fines to those lacking a validated ticket. The inspectors are generally recognizable by some item displaying the company's logo. When issuing a fine, inspectors are allowed to ask to see your documents, and they have to give some sort of receipt with date, time and location. They are never allowed to directly collect the fine (which generally can be paid at a post office). Assaulting an inspector during his work is a serious offense.

Daily, weekly, monthly and year-round tickets are generally available, in addition to multi-use tickets. These may or may not need to be validated. In almost every city there's a different pricing scheme, so check ticket formulas and availability in advance. For tourists it may be very convenient to buy daily (or multi-day) tickets that allow unlimited travel within a single day or period. Major cities have some type of City Card, a fixed-fee card allowing travel on local public transportation, visits to a number of museums, and discounts in shops, hotels and restaurants.

Intercity

Intercity buses used to be a niche market in Italy, but now Megabus, Flixbus and others have filled the vacuum.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Italy

Approaching Italy by sea can be a great experience and is a good alternative to traditional onshore “tours”. A yacht charter to Italy is a fulfilling way to experience the nation. Although the yacht charter industry is smaller than one would expect for this incredibly popular tourist destination and there are many reasons to choose a yacht over a more conventional onshore approach. The Italian coast, like the French coast, attracts luxury yacht charters of the highest standards. “Touring” Italy from a private yacht is surprisingly convenient and comfortable. Italy’s dramatic coastline is best appreciated from the sea. You may take a swim whenever you like, and many famous sights are near the seashore. Cruising on a private yacht shields one from the crowds and traffic infesting popular destinations.

Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast, Sardinia and Sicily are the main nautical regions. Each has its own flavor and is rewarding in its own particular way.

Local Language in Italy

{{seealso|Italian phrasebook]] Italian (italiano) is the language spoken natively by most Italians. Standard Italian is largely based on the dialect of Tuscan spoken in Florence. Every region in Italy has a distinct native Italic language in addition to Italian that may or may not be spoken by local residents, depending on the area. In Rome or Milan and the spoken language is nowadays usually Italian with some local influence, whereas in rural areas the local language is more common; though people usually speak italiano, too. Even though Italians call the native languages "dialects" and they are separate languages, much like Chinese languages; they even have their own way of writing. Some of these languages also have their own rich literary traditions and the most important ones being Neapolitan, Venetian and Milanese.

What to see in Italy

There is so much to see in Italy that it is difficult to know where to begin. Virtually every village has something to see.

• Etruscan Italy. If you have limited time and no potential to travel outside the main cities and then don't miss the amazing collection at the Etruscan Museum at Villa Giulia in Rome. Hiring a vehicle gives access to the painted tombs and museum of Tarquinia or the enormous burial complex at Cerveteri and those are just the sites within easy reach of Rome.

Bikini mosaic - Roman bikinis. Mosaic from the Villa Romana at Piazza Armerina, Sicily.

• The Greek influence. Well-preserved Greek temples at Agrigento in the southwest of Sicily and at Paestum, just south of Naples, give a good understanding of the extent of Greek influence on Italy.
• Roman ruins. From the south, in Sicily, to the north of the nation, Italy is full of reminders of the Roman empire. In Taormina, Sicily check out the Roman theatre, with excellent views of Mt. Etna on a clear day. Also in Sicily, don't miss the impeccably maintained mosaics at Piazza Armerina. Moving north to just south of Naples, Pompeii and Herculaneum were covered in lava by Mt. Vesuvius and, as a result, are well preserved. To Rome and every street in the center seems to have a few pieces of inscribed Roman stone built into more recent buildings. Don't miss the Colosseum and the Roman Forum and the Aqueducts and the Appian Way, and a dozen or so museums devoted to Roman ruins. Further north and the Roman amphitheatre at Verona is definitely not to be missed.

• The Byzantine cities. The Byzantines controlled northern Italy until kicked out by the Lombards in 751. Venice is of course world famous and nearby Chioggia, also in the Lagoon, is a smaller version. Ravenna|Ravenna's churches have some incredible mosaics. Visiting Ravenna requires a bit of a detour, but it is well worth it.
• The Renaissance. Start with a visit to Piazza Michelangelo in Florence to admire the famous view. Then explore the museums, both inside and outside Florence, that house Renaissance masterpieces. The Renaissance, or Rebirth, (Rinascimento in Italian) lasted from 14th to the 16th centuries and is generally believed to have begun in Florence. The list of famous names is endless: in architecture Ghiberti (the cathedral's bronze doors), Brunelleschi (the dome), and Giotto (the bell tower). In literature: Dante, Petrarch and Machiavelli. In painting and sculpture: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Donatello, Masaccio and Botticelli.
• Streets and squares. You could visit Italy's cities, never go in a church, museum or Roman ruin, and still have a great time. Just wander around, keeping your eyes open. Apart from the Po and Adige valleys, most of Italy (including the cities) is hilly or mountainous, giving some great views. Look up when walking around to see amazing roof gardens and classical bell towers. In cities such as Rome, note the continued juxtaposition of expensive stores with small workplaces for artisans. Search for interesting food shops and ice cream shops (gelaterie). Above all, enjoy the atmosphere.

Islands of Italy

• Sicily
• Sardinia
• Capri
• Ischia
• Elba
• Procida
• Aeolian Islands
• Ustica
• Pantelleria
• Aegadi Islands
• Pelagie Islands

Museums

Every major city has museums, but some of them have national and international relevance.

These are some of the most important permanent collections.

• Uffizi Museum - In Florence, is one of the greatest museums in the world and a must-see. Given the great number of visitors, advance ticket reservation is a good idea, to avoid hour-long queues.

• Brera Art Gallery - In Milan is a prestigious museum held in a fine 17th-century palace, which boasts several paintings, including notable ones from the Renaissance era.

• The Etruscan Academy Museum of the City of Cortona - In Cortona, Tuscany.

• Egyptian Museum - In Turin, holds the second-largest Egyptian collection in the world, after Egypt's Cairo Museum collection.

• The Aquarium - In Genoa, one of the largest and most beautiful in the world, is in the Porto Antico (ancient port) in an area completely renewed by architect Renzo Piano in 1992.

• Science and Technology Museum - In Milan, one of the largest in Europe, holds collections about boats, airplanes, trains, cars, motorcycles, radio and energy. Has also acquired the Toti submarine, which is open to visitors.

• Roman Civilization Museum - In Rome, hold the world's largest collection about ancient Rome and a marvelous reproduction (scale 1:250) of the entire Rome area in 325 AD and the age of Constantine the Great.

• National Cinema Museum - In Turin, located inside the historic Mole Antonelliana building and the symbol of the city.

• Automobile Museum - In Turin, one of the largest in the world, with a 170-car collection covering the entire history of automobiles.

• The Vatican Museums. Not, strictly speaking, in Italy as the Vatican is a separate territory. Visit the 54 "galleries" of the museums to see the Sistine Chapel and the rooms painted by Raphael, some amazing early maps, and artwork across the centuries, mostly Christian in focus.
• The Etruscan Museum at Villa Giulia, Rome. Amazing collection of Etruscan art.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Italy

One of the great things about Italy is that its long thin shape means that when you get fed up with sightseeing, you are often near a beach. In many of the more popular areas, large sections of beach are reserved as paid beaches. In the season they cover almost the entire beach with rows and rows of sunbeds (lettini) and umbrellas (ombrelloni). You have the right to pass through these establishments without being charged to get to the sea, and should be able to walk along the sea in front of them. More affordable are the beaches in Calabria: Many are free, so you will only need to pay for equipment if you choose to rent any.

South of Rome there are 20 km of free beach at the Circeo National Park. This is thanks to Dr. Mario Valeriani, who was in charge of that area after World War II and never gave permits to build anything, in spite of the very generous bribes offered by a multitude of would-be investors and millionaires, as he thought this was a natural marvel that should remain as it was intended. So today we can all enjoy this stretch of nature. You can bring your own chair and sun cover and you will only be charged a parking fee on the primary street.

While renting lettini for the day is not particularly expensive at establishments and they can fill up very quickly. There are some free beaches everywhere: they are easily identifiable by the absence of regimented rows of lettini. They are often crowded: on a Saturday or Sunday in the summer you won’t find an empty stretch of beach anywhere. Most establishments offer full services including entertainment, restaurant, gym classes and kindergarten. Close to urban areas you will never be far from a fish restaurant on the beach or, at the very least, a café. On the beach, topless women are more or less accepted everywhere but complete nudity is absolutely not accepted anywhere in Italy and it carries a hefty fine and/or arrest.

Cycling tours

Several companies offer cycling tours of the Italian countryside. They provide cycles, a guide and transportation for your suitcase, and for you if it all gets a bit too tiring. Tours vary to accommodate different interests. Normally you change city and hotel every day. If you like cycling this is an excellent way of seeing Italy off-the-beaten-track. Search Google, etc. for "Cycle Tours Italy" for companies.

Sailing

Sailing is one of the best ways to see the Italian islands such as Sardinia and Sicily. Most charter companies offer options from bareboat to crewed and cabin charter, with all types of the boats.

Spectator sports

Italy is sports crazy and as such Football in Europe| soccer, Rugby football| Rugby Union and several other sports enjoy a devout, if sometimes violent, following. In the 1980s Italy was one of the most notable first adopters of American Football in Europe, though corruption in the national federation and scandals have greatly reduced interest in this sport since.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Italy

Tipping

Tips (la mancia) are not customary in Italy but are offered when a special service is given or to recognise high quality service. Most restaurants (with the notable exception of Rome) have a price for the service (called coperto) and waiters do not expect a tip, but they will not refuse it, especially if given by foreign clients. In cafés, bars, and pubs it's however not uncommon, on paying the bill, to leave the change saying to the waiter or to the cashier tenga il resto ("keep the change"). Tip jars near the cash register are becoming widespread, however in public restrooms is often forbidden. Leaving the change is also quite common with taxi drivers, and hotel porters may expect a little something. When using a credit card, it is not feasible to add manually an amount to the bill, so it is feasible to leave some notes as a tip.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Italy

Italy is an expensive country and its cities are more expensive than suburban and rural places. Usually, Southern Italy is less expensive than Northern Italy, especially for food; this will, of course, vary by location.

Meals can be had from as affordable as €3 (if you are happy with a sandwiches [panino or falafel from a street vendor); restaurant bills range from €10 (a Burgers with fries or salad and a soft drink from a pub) to €20 (a starter, main course and water from a regular restaurant).

Unless otherwise stated, prices are inclusive of IVA sales tax (same as VAT), which is 22% for most goods, and 10% in restaurants and hotels. On some products, such as books, IVA is 4%. In training, you can forget about it since it is universally included in the display price. Non-EU residents are entitled to a VAT refund on purchases of goods that will be taken out of the European Union. Shops offering this scheme have a Tax Free sticker outside. Ask for a tax-free voucher before leaving the store. These goods have to be unused when passing the customs checkpoint upon leaving the EU.

While traveling through the nationside, do not rely on credit cards; in small towns they're accepted by few shops and restaurants.

Even during the winter months, it remains common for shops, offices and banks to close for up to 3 hours during the afternoon (often between 12.30 and 15.30). Banks, especially, have short hours with most only being open to the public for about 4 hours in the morning and barely an hour in the afternoon.

What to buy

Italy is a great place for all forms of shopping. Most cities, villages and towns, are crammed to the brim with many different forms of shops, from glitzy boutiques and huge shopping malls, to tiny art galleries, small food stores, antique dealers and general newsagents.

• Food is definitely one of the best souvenirs you can get in Italy. There are thousands of different shapes of Pastas (not only spaghetti or macaroni).
• Italian fashion is renowned worldwide. Many of the world's most famous international brands have their headquarters or were founded in Italy.

Milan is Italy's fashion and design capital. In the city one can find virtually every major brand in the world, not only Italian, but also French, English, American, Swedish and Spanish. Your main place for la-crème-de-la-crème shopping is the Via Montenapoleone, but the Via della Spiga, Via Manzoni, Via Sant'Andrea and the Corso Vittorio Emanuele are equally luxurious, if less-prominent shopping streets. The Corso Buenos Aires is the place to go for mass-scale or outlet shopping. And and the beautiful Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in the centre and Via Dante boast some designer boutiques, too. Virtually every street in central Milan has clothing stores of some kind.

However, Rome and Florence, are also fashion centres, and boast being the birthplace of some of the oldest fashion and jewelry houses in Italy. When in Rome and the chic and beautiful Via dei Condotti, leading to the Spanish Steps, will be your primary point of shopping reference, with boutiques, but subsidiary streets such as Via dei Babuino, Via Borgognona, Via Frattina, Via del Corso and the Piazza di Spagna. In Florence, Via de' Tornabuoni is the main high-fashion shopping street, and there you'll find loads of designer brands. However, in both cities, you'll be able to find a plethora of chic boutiques, designer or not, scattered around the centre.

Prestigious brands such as Armani, Gucci and Prada can of course be found in Italian cities; since their pricing is set internationally and they will likely not be much cheaper than they are in your homeland.

• Jewelry and accessory shops can be found in abundance in Italy. There are many jewelry and accessory stores which hail from Italy. Vicenza and Valenza are considered the nation's jewelry capitals, which are also famous for their silverware and goldware shops. All over Italy, notably Vicenza, Milan, Valenza, Rome, Naples, Florence and Venice, but also several other cities, you can find hundreds of jewelry or silverware boutiques. Apart from the famous ones and there are some great quirky and funky jewelry stores scattered around the nation.
• Design and furniture is something Italy is proudly and justifiably famous for. Excellent quality furniture stores can be found all over, but the best deals are in Milan. Milan contains among the top design rooms and emporia in the world. For the newest design inventions, attend the Fiera di Milano in Rho, where the latest appliances are exhibited. Many Italian cities have great antique furniture stores. So, you can choose between cutting-edge, avant-garde furniture, or old world antiques to buy in this country, which are, by average, of good quality.
• Glassware is something which Venice makes uniquely but which is spread around the whole of the nation. Venice is famously the capital of Murano (not the island), or glassware made in different colours. Here, you can get goblets, crystal chandeliers, candlesticks and decorations made in multi-coloured blown glass, which can be designed in modern, funky arrangements, or the classical style.
• Art shops are found throughout Italy, notably in Florence, Rome and Venice. In Florence and the best place to buy art is the Oltrarno, where there are numerous ateliers selling replicas of famous paintings. Usually, depending in what city you're in, you get replicas of notable works of art found there, but also, you can find rare art shops, sculpture shops, or funky, modern/old stores in several cities.

How to buy

In a small or medium sized shop, it's standard to greet the staff as you enter, not when you approach the counter to pay. A friendly 'Buongiorno' or 'Buonasera' warms the atmosphere. When paying and the staff usually expect you to put coins down on the surface or dish provided, rather than placing money directly into their hands (old money-handling etiquette to avoid messy coin droppings), and they will do the same when giving you your change ('il resto'). This is normal training and is not intended to be rude.

Haggling is very rare and only ever takes place when dealing with hawkers. They will generally ask for an initial price that is much higher than what they are willing to sell for, and going for the asking price is a sure way to get ripped off. Hawkers often sell counterfeit merchandise (in some cases, very believable counterfeits), and that hoping to buy a Gucci purse for €30 off the street might not be in your best interest.

In all other situations, haggling will get you nowhere. Always be careful about counterfeit merchandise: Italian laws can apply fines up to €3000 to people who buy it (this mostly applies to luxury brand clothing or accessories).

Halal Restaurants in Italy

Please visit the indevidual cities for a list of Halal restaurants

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Italy

Italy - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Italy, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Italy. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Italy and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Italy. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Italy. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inItaly: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Italy.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Italy: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Italy, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Italy.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Italy, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Italy, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Italy and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Italy, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Italy, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Italy without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Italy is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Italy.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Italy is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Italy, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Italy Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Italy

eHalal Group Italy is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Italy. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Italy.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Italy ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Italy. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Italy, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Italy are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly hotels in Italy

In major cities and touristic areas you can find a good variety of lodgings, from world-class brand hotels to family-managed bed & breakfasts and room rentals, but hostels are really few.

Camping is a good way to save money and camping sites are usually well managed, but especially during summer, managers tend not to accept last-minutes groups of young people (given the high chance of problems that such groups of Italian guys tend to cause), so you'd better book in advance. Farmstays are an increasingly popular way to experience Italy, particularly in rural areas of Tuscany, Piedmont, Umbria, Abruzzo, Sardinia and Apulia. They provide a great combination of good and healthy food, wonderful sights and not-so-expensive prices. If you prefer self-catering lodgings, it's quite simple to find them on the wonderful Amalfi Coast or the less commercial and more genuine Calabria coast.

Hotel star ratings can only be taken as a broad indication of what you will get for your money. There are many marvellous 2-star hotels that you will want to return to every year and many 5-star hotels.

Cope in Italy

Electricity

Italy uses 220 V, 50 Hz. Italy has its own electrical Electrical systems|plug design. The standard "European" two-prong plugs will fit, but grounded (three-prong) plugs from other countries will not. German-type "Schuko" sockets can also be found quite often, especially in the north, and you'll find adapters for that system in virtually all supermarkets. Adapters for other systems (including US plugs) are not that ubiquitous but can be found at airports or in specialised shops. In private apartments or hotels you will often find all three types of electric sockets in one room so if your device won't fit in one socket keep trying.

If you're using American appliances that were designed for standard US household 110 V, 60 Hz current, make sure you get a voltage adaptor, not just a plug adaptor. The higher voltage will damage or destroy your appliance, and could injure or kill you as well.

Power surges and power failures are virtually unknown in Italy, even less so than in the States; the energy, water and gas systems are state-run and very well equipped and maintained since even before WW2; the electrical system is fully updated to the latest tech specs and every household is required to comply when renovating. That includes the remote villages in the South, too.

Study as a Muslim in Italy

For English-speakers looking to study in Italy and there are several options. In Rome, Duquesne University, John Cabot, Loyola University Chicago and Temple University maintain campuses. Right outside of Rome the University of Dallas maintains its own campus in Marino. St. John's University has a graduate program in Rome for the international Relations and MBA. New York University has a study-abroad program in Florence available even to freshmen and maintains its own campus at Villa La Pietra.

For those who wish to go to local universities and the medium of instruction will generally be Italian. However, usage of English is widespread among those in the academic fields, and many universities will allow those in postgraduate research programms to publish their papers and complete their thesis in English. Italy's most prestigious university is the University of Bologna (Università di Bologna), founded in 1088, which is the oldest university in continuous operation in the world.

It depends on how you want to learn. Are you interested in studying in a huge tourist city like Florence or Rome? Or, are you interested in learning from a small town on the Italian Riviera. The smaller cities have better opportunity to learn Italian because English is spoken less. No matter where you decide, Italy is one of the best spots geographically to travel while you're not studying.

Think about learning what the Italians are best at: food, fruit cocktail, Italian language, architecture, motors (cars and bikes) and interior design.

How to work legally in Italy

Work in Italy is not easy to find. Many young adults, especially women, are without a job. Starting salaries in shops, offices, etc. range from €800 to €1,400 a month. There's a huge underground black market though, where you'll find many people working. This doesn't mean working in some kind of obscure crime syndicate: it simply means not being book-regulated. Most "black" workers can be found in small business such as bars, pubs and small shops, or as construction workers. Although this kind of job is illegal (but legal consequences are most on the employer) they're probably the easier thing to find if you're looking for a temporary job.

If you're thinking about establishing a small business be sure to get in contact with the local Chamber of Commerce and an accountant and they will help you to sort out the mess of Italian laws.

Stay safe as a Muslim in Italy

For emergencies, call 113 (Polizia di Stato - State Police), 112 (Carabinieri - Gendarmerie), 117 (Guardia di Finanza - Financial police force), 115 (Fire Department), 118 (Medical Rescue), 1515 (State Forestry Department), 1530 (Coast Guard), 1528 (Traffic reports).

Italy is a safe country to travel in like most developed countries. There are few incidents of terrorism/serious violence and these episodes have been almost exclusively motivated by internal politics. Almost every major incident is attributed to organized crime or anarchist movements and rarely, if ever, directed at travelers or foreigners.

Crime

Violent crime rates in Italy are low compared to most European countries. If you're reasonably careful and use common sense you won't encounter personal safety risks even in the less affluent neighborhoods of large cities. However, petty crime can be a problem for unwary travelers. Pickpockets often work in pairs or teams, occasionally in conjunction with street vendors; take the usual precautions against pickpockets. Instances of rape and robbery are increasing slightly.

You should exercise the usual caution when going out at night alone, although it remains reasonably safe even for single women to walk alone at night. Italians will often offer to accompany female friends back home for safety, even though crime statistics show that sexual violence against women is common compared to most other GCC countries.

There are four types of police forces a tourist might encounter in Italy. The Polizia di Stato (State Police) is the national police force and stationed mostly in the larger towns and cities, and by train stations; they wear blue shirts and grey pants and drive light-blue-painted cars with "POLIZIA" written on the side. The Carabinieri are the national gendarmerie, and are found in the smaller communities, as well as in the cities; they wear very dark blue uniforms with fiery red vertical stripes on their pants and drive similarly colored cars. There is no real distinction between the roles of these two major police forces: both can intervene, investigate, and prosecute in the same way.

The Guardia di Finanza is a police force charged with border controls and fiscal matters; although not a patrolling police force and they sometime aid the other forces in territory control. They dress fully in light grey and drive blue or gray cars with yellow markings. All these police forces are generally professional and trustworthy, corruption being virtually unheard of. Finally, municipalities have local police, with names such as "Polizia municipale" or "Polizia locale" (previously and they were labelled "Vigili urbani"). Their style of dressing varies among the cities, but they will always wear some type of blue uniform with white piping and details, and drive similarly marked cars, which should be easy to spot. These local police forces are not trained for major policing interventions, as in the past they have mostly been treated as traffic police, employed for minor tasks; in the event of major crimes and the Polizia or Carabinieri will be summoned instead.

After leaving a restaurant or other commercial facility, it is feasible, though unlikely, that you will be asked to show your bill and your documents to Guardia di Finanza agents. This is perfectly legitimate (they are checking to see if the facility has printed a proper receipt and will thus pay taxes on what was sold).

For all practical matters, including reporting a crime or asking for information, you may ask any police. The Italian Army has also been directly tasked with protecting key locations, including some city monuments you may want to visit that might be target for terrorist attacks; in case of emergency you can, by all means, ask them for help, but they are not police officers and will have to call the police for you to report a crime and so on.

Police officers in Italy are not authorized to collect fines of any kind and have no authority to ask you for money for any reason (unless you are pulled over in your foreign vehicle and fined, see "Get around/By car" above).

The main emergency number, handled by the State Police, used to be 113. The medical emergency number is 118, but personnel of the 113 call centre are trained to handle mistakes and will immediately hook you up with actual medical emergency services. Some regions (e.g. Lombardy) have adopted or are adopting the common European emergency number 112.

When entering with a vehicle into a city, avoid restricted, pedestrian-only areas (ZTL) or you could be fined about €100.

As in other countries and there are gangs known for tampering with ATMs by placing "skimmers" in front of the card slot and get a clone of your card. Check the machine carefully and, if unsure, use a different one.

Naples and Rome are the cities with the highest rates of crime towards tourists. These two cities are riddled with lowlifes and special care must be taken especially near such locations as the main historical monuments (the Colosseum for example) and the popular gathering places for tourists (Campo de' Fiori Plaza in Rome for example). It must be stated also that every train station in the nation attracts lowlifes, and in general train stations, at night, are not places where one might want to linger too long.

Islamophobia & Racism in Italy

Racially-motivated violence is common but it does make the news a few times a year.

Italians may assume a person with prominent "foreign" features to be an immigrant and, regrettably, treat him/her with some measure of contempt or condescension.

Tourists can generally expect not to be insulted to their face, but unfortunately casual racism and bigotry is not absent from conversation (especially bar talk, and especially if sports games featuring non-white players are on).

Sports-induced attacks (hooliganism) on foreigners are not unknown, and supporters of foreign teams playing in Italy should exercise extra care not to wear their colors openly on the day of the game, outside of the sports ground.

Medical Issues in Italy

Italian hospitals are public and offer completely free high-standard treatment for EU travellers, although, as anywhere else, you may have to wait quite long to be treated unless you're in a serious condition. Emergency rooms are called "Pronto Soccorso". Emergency assistance is granted even to non-EU travelers. For non-emergency assistance, non-EU Muslims are required to pay out-of-pocket and there is no convention with US health insurances (although some insurance companies might later reimburse these expenses).

Italy has a four-color code of urgency, red being the most immediate (assistance is given without any delay) and white being the lowest (anyone with a red, yellow and green code will pass before you). With a white code, meaning the treatment is not urgent and does not necessitate emergency personnel, you are also required to pay for the full consultation, so do not go to the Pronto Soccorso just to check your knee after last year's fall.

Water

While safe to drink and the tap water (acqua del rubinetto) in some peninsular parts of Italy can be cloudy with a slight off taste. With the exception of certain towns that use mountain water for their municipal supplies, such as Spoleto, most Italians prefer bottled water, which is served in restaurants. Make sure you let the waiter/waitress know you want still water (acqua naturale or acqua senza gas) or else you could get water with either natural gas or with added carbonation (frizzante or con gas).

Rome, in particular, has exceptional pride in the quality of its water. This goes right back to the building of aqueducts channeling pure mountain water to all the citizens of Rome during Roman times. Don't waste plastic bottles. You can refill your drinking containers and bottles at any of the constant running taps and fountains dotted around the city, safe in the knowledge that you are getting excellent quality cool spring water - try it!

Water in southern Italy might come from desalination plants and sometimes may have a strange taste, due to extended droughts, but it is always perfectly safe as the state runs continuous tests. If in doubt use bottled water. Elsewhere tap water is perfectly drinkable and very well maintained. If not, a "non potabile" warning is posted.

Many towns have fountains with tap water that you can use to refill your container, but do not use water from fountains with an "Acqua non potabile" sign on them.

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