For the keen walker, Italy offers a fabulous variety of scenery and challenges from the pink-hued rock faces of the Dolomites, to the stunning alpine landscape of Monte Rosa, and to the rugged coastlines of the Amalfi Coast and the Aeolian isles.

Capital city: Rome
Population: 60,808,000 (est. 2015)
Size of country: 301,340 sq km
Currency: Euro
Power supply: 220/240v
Sockets: 2 pin round
Language: ItalianTime difference: GMT +1 hr
Visas: Visas are not required for UK citizens to travel to Italy
Religion: Christian 80% (overwhelming Roman Catholic with very small groups of Jehova Witnesses and Protestants), Muslims NEGL (about 700,000 but growing), Atheists and Agnostics 20%
Popular dishes: In the Alpine region traditional Ladin dishes include ‘canederli’ (bread dumplings), barley soup and ‘tutres’ (ricotta cheese, spinach or sauerkraut pancakes). In Sicily pasta and 'peasant' dishes such as Maccu - a traditional bean soup - are commonly eaten. Neopolitan cuisine is characterised by delicious pasta dishes and an abundance of seafood as well as being the home of the modern pizza.
Popular drinks: Beer is very popular and the South Tyrol has several good local brews.
Did you know: The Ladin flag comprises three horizontal stripes – green, white and blue which represent the grass, snow and sky. The flag was banned by Mussolini during the Second World War as an anti-Italian symbol but was reintroduced once the war ended.
FCDO advice: FCDO travel advice

Italy