In the roads of the art

Italy was cradle of empires and of artistic and philosophical movements that have transformed throughout the history the way of life and of thinking of the rest of Europe and of the world. The Roman Empire subjected under the badge from the laurel to numerous so important cultures as the Greek or the Egyptian, developing an own style whose samples can be seen, for example in Spain, Carthage or Britain. And if it is possible to admire those prints in other countries, it is, with more reason, in their territory, where they meet with more profusion and in very good conservation state. The imagination is shot and it is only necessary a minimum effort to be transported at other times to listen the public's screams during the combats among gladiators in the sand of the circuses, to the Christian praying in the catacombs, to the sentences pronounced in the debates of the Senate of the old Empire or to feel, very closely, the great bustle in the old Forums.

The Rebirth supposed an essential change in the man's thought. Of an oscurantismo stage, like it was the Half Age, he/she spends to a time in which the man is discovered with other proportions and measures and he learns how to be the own motor of his development. This movement is also born in Italy and the artistic samples of that revolutionary time stand out, majestic and imposing, as much in the cities as in natural places of great beauty.

The influence of cultures of other regions of the world has also left its print in the character of the Italians, an open and very willing town toward arrived people of other countries. They are welcoming, hospital and cheerful. It is also perceived a congenital touch of distinction and elegance in their expressions, fruit of their historical rich past.

Walking through Italy one has the feeling that the machine of the time has stopped, getting the effect of uniting the past and the present with the only end of provoking the most beautiful dreams. To stroll for cities that are rescued of fairy tales, to travel the romantic channels of Venice in a gondola listening the sones of sad songs of love, to contemplate the best works carried out by Miguel Angel and Rafael, to imagine and to feel the violent eruptions of Etna or the popular clamor that he/she took place with Julio's victorious return Caesar and the Roman impressive legions, all ésto appears before the traveler that Italy visits. It is not necessary to forget that the peninsula with boot form hides a magnificent work of art in any corner, in the most inhospitable street in a great city or in a remote town of difficult access. Everything it and much more for what is not strange that the Art has chosen these lands full with charm to offer its best face. We invite him/her to that is let capture for her.

301227 Km2

57650000

Euro

For the citizens of European Union, in trip of tourism, it is only necessary to present the National Document of Identity (DNI) to enter in Italy. If it is sought to remain more time, it is necessary to request a special permission in the Consulate of Italy of each country. Yes you comes from another point of the world the passport it will be had in order and some of them will need approved by what suits to be informed in the official corresponding centers. The visitors of European Union won't have problems to care the gifts and articles that have bought, whenever it is not sought to market with them. There is not limit for any product when going by the customs. The non residents of the Union will be able to go by the customs 500 cigarettes, 100 cigars or 500 gr. of tobacco for pipe, a liter of alcoholic drinks, two liters of wine, besides other tax-free articles in a total value of 300 Euro, approximately, or their equivalent one in other currencies.

The temperatures are very similar to those of Spain. The more to the coldest north being specially low the temperatures in Alps. In the south the temperatures are more stable due to the vicinity of the sea, while in the center of the country the winters are soft and the much warmer summers with high temperatures. Most of the Europeans won't have problems when adapting to the Italian climate. If you travels in winter to the alpine area it is necessary to be sheltered very well.

One hour more with regard to the Meridian of Greenwich.

The official language is Italian although in certain areas dialects like the Piedmontese, Venetian, Lombard, Tuscan, Sicilian or the sardo are spoken, more complicated and characteristic of Sardinia.

The electric current is from 220 volts to 60 Mhz. Plug type continental Europe.

The country that welcomes the Papal State could not stop to be Catholic and it is it in such a high percentage as of 99,5%, that is to say, only half Italian of each a hundred, it doesn't profess this religion.

Although they vary lightly, depending on the area in that is, the stores usually opens up from 8:30 to 12:30 h. and of 15:30 or 16:00 h. to 19:00 or 19:30 h. of Monday to Saturdays. It is necessary to remember that most of commercial establishments close on Mondays in the morning, in the months of winter. The department stores and the commercial centers don't usually close at noon.

The post offices and Italian Telegraphs work enough well. They usually remain open every day, except Sundays, from 8:30 at 14:00 hours. In the main cities it is possible that they open up in the afternoons, on Saturdays they shorten the schedule from 8:00 to 11:45 h. He/she can send himself a telegram for telephone marking the 186. The stamps can also be acquired in the cigar stores of tobacco whose poster "Tabaccaio" figures that are identified with an a letter "T" of white color in black bottom.