Border controls
Due to the increased border controls, there may be longer waiting times at the border crossings. To keep these as short as possible, please have all identification documents on hand.

Tolls & environmental stickers
Most motorways in Italy are toll roads (strade a pedaggio). The current toll rates can be found here: https://www.autostrade.it/en/home. (English/Italian).  You can pay in cash or by credit card (toll gate Carte) or sometimes with an Irish debit card, without PIN code. You can also buy a toll badge, which is valid in 4 countries: Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal. This can also be bought online at tolltickets.com/en  Can't pay? Then the toll gate will open anyway, and you will receive a ticket and have to pay afterwards at, for example, a manned toll gate further down the road or online.

Many Italian cities have established environmental zones, called Zona a Traffico Limitato (ZTL). The rules are complicated and vary from city to city. There is no environmental sticker as in other countries. An environmental zone is indicated by a zona trafico limitato sign. High fines apply. It is best to park outside the zone and continue by public transport or on foot.

Current fuel prices and petrol stations: https://www.autostrade.it/en/aree-di-servizio1 Fuelling on the motorway is always a lot more expensive than along ordinary roads. Prices are lowest at self-service pumps (fai da te/self-service).

Electric vehicle?  Italy has greatly improved its charging station network. Along highways and in towns and cities you can always find a charging station. In the south and Sicily, they are harder to find. Charging points along the way can be found on this route planner: https://abetterrouteplanner.com/ of chargemap.com

Attention: Since 2024, the city of Venice has been charging an entrance fee for day tourists for several days! More information!

The shortest route to central and southern Italy is via Basel - St Gotthard tunnel - Milan.

The shortest route to northeast Italy including Lake Garda and Venice is via Innsbruck - Brenner Pass.

In order to avoid inconveniences, fines or even penalties, it is also worth reading the travel information from the Federal Foreign Office !

In 2025, Black Saturday will be the 2nd August . The weekends before and after will also be very busy.

Please note that in Italy the presence of a warning triangle and a safety vest is mandatory depending on the number of passengers in the car.

Tap water in Italy is generally safe to drink. If a tap is labeled Acqua non potabile (no drinking water), it is better to drink bottled water.

In Italy, bakeries and butchers open sometime between 07:00 and 08:00. Around lunchtime, they are closed for a few hours and then they are open until around 19:00. Many bakeries are also open on Sunday mornings. On Mondays, many shops are closed. The big supermarkets are open every day, all day, and often into the evening, They are often found just outside the cities, and in addition to food, they sell everything from books to washing machines. Well-known supermarkets include Esselunga, Ipercoop, Eurospin, and Conad, but in Italy, you will also find Lidl and Aldi.  Cigarettes and medicines are not for sale in supermarkets.

If you eat out at the campsite, you can often go early. If you go out to a restaurant outside the campsite, bear in mind that there will often be nobody there before 8 pm.  You can have a simple 3-course menu for around €15 (13 GBP) . Check the menu or the bill: if it says Servizio, the tip is already included. Coperto is the amount the restaurant charges for the use of crockery, table linen, cutlery, etc., and has nothing to do with tipping.

Italian health care is of good quality.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles you to necessary medical care in the event of illness or an accident during a temporary stay in Italy. Often it is not necessary to advance healthcare costs yourself. The personal EHIC can be found on the back of your health insurer's health insurance card or in their app.  Read more about the European Health Insurance Card EHIC

In the pharmacy, you can find all kinds of medicines and self-care products. Italian doctors are always very generous with the provision of medicines.

In case of hospitalisation or when specialist medical care is needed, it is best to contact your insurance company directly.

In Italy, COVID-19 measures no longer apply. It is also not necessary to get vaccinations.

Spring in Tuscany begins in March. The sun shines more frequently and becomes more intense. However, the number of rainy days also increases in spring. The first summer day is often recorded in April (at least 25 degrees Celsius), otherwise, it occurs in the first half of May.

From June onwards, precipitation suddenly decreases significantly. The possibility of a rainy day or a heavy shower (with thunderstorms) remains, but the wonderful weather will prevail. Summer has begun and will last until September. Daytime temperatures range between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius, sometimes a little higher. The lakes and swimming pools are now inviting you to swim. Outdoor life is in full swing, and the beaches are bustling with activity. Please bear in mind that even in summer there can always be a day or period when the weather is a little cooler. Severe thunderstorms are also possible in the peak months of July and August. 

From the end of September, the likelihood of less pleasant weather increases. The temperature drops at a reasonable pace, and the campsites slowly empty out. By October, the season is long over. Especially in the evenings, you notice that the heat has largely disappeared and autumn has arrived. A thick sweater is now almost always required for evening meals outdoors. 

Deepl and  Google Translate of course get you a long way, but it is also nice to know some phrases. We will help you get started:

In Italy, you pay with the euro. The price level is on average slightly lower than in the UK. You can pay almost anywhere with your regular debit card or with a credit card. There are many ATMs in Italy. Please note: withdrawing money with a credit card is usually not free.

At the time of publishing the 1 EURO =0,87Pound sterling

• If you are travelling to Italy, you will need a valid passport or ID card with which you can identify yourself. You don't need it to cross the border.
  
  
• For up-to-date Foreign Travel Advice visit here.
  
  
• The voltage found in the UK and Italy is exactly the same (230V and 50Hz).
  You will not need a transformer/converter but you should bring atravel adaptor as there are three associated plug types, types C, F and L.  Plug type C is the plug that has two round pins (most common), plug type F is the plug which has two round pins with two earth clips on the side and plug type L is the plug type which has three round pins.  
  
  

Important public holidays in Italy in 2025 :

Italy is a dog-friendly country, all breeds are allowed, but they must be at least 15 weeks old. In public places, your dog must be on a leash and muzzled. For your dog or cat, you need an EU pet passport, available from the vet. Dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before travel. The mandatory chip must have been inserted before the rabies vaccination (may be on the same day). More information can be foundhere.

Tip:photograph your passport/ID, insurance card, bank card, emergency numbers, and other important items before departure. Email or app them to yourself or other travel companions, so you still have important data at hand in the event of loss or theft.

Florence is the capital of Tuscany and a favourite city among holidaymakers. There is no shortage of museums and monuments in this historic city. Shopaholics are also in the right place with all the big brands and smaller unique shops. On one of the many squares or in the narrow streets there are plenty of cosy terraces.

 visit to one of Europe's largest caves is a surprising activity during a holiday in Tuscany. Glistening stalagmites, stalactites and clear little lakes. Various guided tours are organised, from a shorter route to a spirited 3-hour one.

In the town of Collodi, between Pisa and Lucca, you will find Parco di Pinocchio. A fun outing with children or the true Pinocchio fan. Walk through the story of Pinocchio with all the characters as statues, visit the museum and discover the different attractions.

Wine and Tuscany are inseparable. Be sure to visit one of the many wineries, some more impressive than others. Take a guided tour of the estate, walk through the vineyards and castle gardens, enjoy the hilly landscape and, of course, taste the local wines.

Looking for an adventure activity? Parco Aventura il Gigante is Tuscany's largest adventure park. This climbing forest has challenging routes for the whole family, from 1 metre above the ground to up to 10 metres.

Acqua Village is a water park with two locations in Tuscany, Cecina and Folonica. The parks consist of several themed pools and spectacular slides. There is plenty to do here for all ages.

A visit to attractive, car-free Lucca is not to be missed. This picturesque town is completely walled, which is a sight in itself. The city wall is perfect for exploring on foot or by bike. Visit one of the many cathedrals, the photogenic Piazza dell'Anfiteatro or climb the extraordinary Guinigi tower.

With Tuscany's rich history, there is no shortage of museums here. Admire, for example, Michelangelo's world-famous David at Galleria dell'Accademia. Taking the kids to a museum? Take a look at the Palazzo Vecchio family museum. An interactive museum with plenty to do for the kids.

Enjoy Siena's car-free, historic centre. Stroll around the shops, admire the cathedral or enjoy lunch in the circular square. Twice a year, in early July and mid-August, the square hosts the famous Palio delle Contrade, a kind of horse race. This means big parties throughout the city.

Toscane heeft naast het prachtige binnenland ook een indrukwekkende kustlijn. De Toscaanse kust bestaat uit voornamelijk zandstranden met helderblauw water. Geniet van een verfrissende duik in de Tyrreense zee of een drankje bij een strandtent.