Italian is the official language of the country.
English is generally well understood in major cities and popular tourist spots.
Direct flight: Approximately 8h
Connecting flight: 12h to 9h (depending on connection times)
Italy time zone: UTC+2 (summer), UTC+1 (winter)
6h ahead of Quebec (EST)
6h ahead of Quebec (EDT)
Euro (EUR)
Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) are accepted almost everywhere. However, it is recommended to also carry cash in euros for small purchases, tips, parking, local markets, and visits to smaller villages.
In Italy, tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated for good service. In restaurants, if the service charge is not already included in the bill, it is customary to leave around 5% to 10%. For taxis, guides, and hotels, a tip of 1 to 5 euros is sufficient.
Travelers should be cautious in Italy. Pickpockets are common, and thefts are frequent in crowded areas. It is recommended to keep your valuables and cash in an anti-theft bag.
Before any foreign trip, visit the Government of Canada’s Italy Travel Advice page to find out about the current situation in the country.
The trulli of Alberobello are traditional stone-built houses located in the Puglia region of Southern Italy. They are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With their lime-washed walls and conical roofs, these homes were designed to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. This authentic village is a must-see destination.
San Gimignano is one of Tuscany’s hidden gems. This medieval town stands out for its towers, cobbled streets, and breathtaking views of the surrounding hills. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it offers a deep dive into art, history, and local cuisine. It is a must-visit to experience the true essence of Italy.
The Dolomite Mountains offer breathtaking views of the Alpine peaks in Northern Italy. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this area is renowned for its stunning mountains and lakes and impressive landscapes. Perfect for hiking and skiing, it provides an unforgettable experience for nature lovers.
The Monster Park of Bomarzo is located in the Lazio region of Italy. The stone sculptures, depicting fantastic creatures and monsters, are what make this garden unique. It offers travelers a one-of-a-kind stroll where art, history, and imagination come together.
The trulli of Alberobello are traditional stone-built houses located in the Puglia region of Southern Italy. They are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With their lime-washed walls and conical roofs, these homes were designed to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. This authentic village is a must-see destination.
San Gimignano is one of Tuscany’s hidden gems. This medieval town stands out for its towers, cobbled streets, and breathtaking views of the surrounding hills. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it offers a deep dive into art, history, and local cuisine. It is a must-visit to experience the true essence of Italy.
The Dolomite Mountains offer breathtaking views of the Alpine peaks in Northern Italy. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this area is renowned for its stunning mountains and lakes and impressive landscapes. Perfect for hiking and skiing, it provides an unforgettable experience for nature lovers.
The Monster Park of Bomarzo is located in the Lazio region of Italy. The stone sculptures, depicting fantastic creatures and monsters, are what make this garden unique. It offers travelers a one-of-a-kind stroll where art, history, and imagination come together.
World-renowned gastronomy.
Unique cultural heritage: museums, monuments, and Renaissance art.
Philosophy of la dolce vita, celebrating the pleasures of food and life: sharing a meal, tasting wine, enjoying landscapes and good company, and living in the moment.
Wide variety of landscapes: Mediterranean beaches, picturesque villages, Tuscan vineyards, romantic lakes, and alpine peaks.
Italian trains are convenient, but delays of 10 to 20 minutes are common, especially on regional lines. Please keep this in mind if you have a tight connection.
Be cautious on countryside roads. Scooter riders often drive fast and overtake freely, even on curves or solid lines. Stay alert!
Watch out for pickpockets in busy tourist areas and historic sites and on public transportation.
Neapolitan pizza is a true culinary art, recognized by UNESCO as part of the world’s cultural heritage. It features a soft, thin centre with a puffy crust and simple toppings—San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil— and is baked in just a few minutes in a traditional wood-fired oven.
Rooted in Bologna, this traditional dish pairs fresh egg pasta with the city’s renowned Bolognese meat sauce—a rich blend of ground beef and pork, tomatoes, onions, celery, and carrots, slowly cooked to perfection for deep, layered flavour.
This creamy risotto is a signature dish of Milan, made with arborio or carnaroli rice and slowly simmered in a fragrant saffron-infused broth. The saffron gives it its golden hue and delicate flavor. A touch of butter and Parmesan are added to achieve an irresistibly smooth and velvety texture.
This beloved Sicilian classic features a crisp, golden shell of fried pastry dough filled with sweet ricotta cream. Decadent and irresistibly rich, it’s often garnished with crushed pistachios, chocolate chips, or candied fruit, then lightly dusted with icing sugar.
This traditional Italian ice cream is renowned for its dense, smooth and silky texture. Absolutely irresistible, gelato comes in a wide variety of natural flavors—from fruit and chocolate to hazelnut and pistachio—and is best enjoyed in a cone or by the spoonful.
Neapolitan pizza is a true culinary art, recognized by UNESCO as part of the world’s cultural heritage. It features a soft, thin centre with a puffy crust and simple toppings—San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil— and is baked in just a few minutes in a traditional wood-fired oven.
Rooted in Bologna, this traditional dish pairs fresh egg pasta with the city’s renowned Bolognese meat sauce—a rich blend of ground beef and pork, tomatoes, onions, celery, and carrots, slowly cooked to perfection for deep, layered flavour.
This creamy risotto is a signature dish of Milan, made with arborio or carnaroli rice and slowly simmered in a fragrant saffron-infused broth. The saffron gives it its golden hue and delicate flavor. A touch of butter and Parmesan are added to achieve an irresistibly smooth and velvety texture.
This beloved Sicilian classic features a crisp, golden shell of fried pastry dough filled with sweet ricotta cream. Decadent and irresistibly rich, it’s often garnished with crushed pistachios, chocolate chips, or candied fruit, then lightly dusted with icing sugar.
This traditional Italian ice cream is renowned for its dense, smooth and silky texture. Absolutely irresistible, gelato comes in a wide variety of natural flavors—from fruit and chocolate to hazelnut and pistachio—and is best enjoyed in a cone or by the spoonful.
A twist on the classic, featuring ricotta cheese and sunflower seeds. Close your eyes, take a bite... and experience Italy like never before! (Video in French only)
The best time to visit Italy is in the fall, from September to October. The weather is warm and pleasant, and popular tourist sites are less crowded. Spring, from April to June, is another ideal season, with mild temperatures and fewer tourists than in the summer. It’s best to avoid the peak summer months, when heat waves, heavy crowds, and higher prices can detract from the experience.
In Italy, high-speed trains are the fastest and most convenient way to travel between major cities, but for exploring rural regions such as Tuscany, Puglia, and Sicily, renting a car is recommended. It offers greater freedom and easy access to remote areas. Be sure to carry an international driver’s license and confirm that insurance is included in your rental. Ferries and boats are also popular for reaching islands and coastal destinations such as Capri, Cinque Terre, and Sardinia.
10 to 14 days
This is the perfect amount of time to experience Italy’s rich diversity—its major cities, charming countryside, and coastal villages.
Wine harvests and festivals take place in September and October across wine-growing regions such as Piedmont, Veneto, and Tuscany. It’s a time to celebrate the end of the grape harvest and promote winemakers’ agricultural traditions. Visitors can enjoy tastings, tour wine cellars, and stroll through picturesque vineyards directly at the producers’ estates.
The Venice Carnival, held in Venice in February, is one of Italy’s most iconic events. The atmosphere is romantic, mysterious, and festive. Visitors can admire costumed and masked characters, attend parades, and visit traditional mask-making workshops, among many other activities.
Christmas markets, from late November to early January, light up Northern Italy in cities such as Bolzano, Trento, Merano, and Verona. The atmosphere is magical—wooden cottages, ice rinks, handmade crafts, mulled wine tastings, regional specialties, breathtaking decorations, and so much more.
Mediterranean Sea
Departure: Sep 09, 2026
On demand price
The Mediterranean Sea and the Adriatic Sea
Departures: Aug 16, 2026, May 04, 2027
On demand price
Italy
Departures: Sep 07, 2026, Sep 06, 2027
On demand price
Up to 15% off
Fast, compliant and guaranteed service.
Useful for driving abroad.
Online application service.
Double-check the rules before you travel.
Suitcases, anti-theft bags, and more!
Create your personalized travel itinerary.
Road guides and road maps.
