We recommend that you visit the Italy travel advice page on the Government of Canada website prior to booking your trip. This site provides you with travel information about Italy as well as entry and exit requirements. Travel insurance is highly recommended as your provincial health care plan may not include coverage when travelling internationally, so having a travel insurance plan with medical coverage (in addition to other helpful benefits) is always a good idea.

While no single plan fits the needs of every traveller, our All Inclusive Package is a great place to get started as it provides coverage for trip cancellation and trip interruption. This package also includes emergency medical insurance, baggage insurance and 24/7 emergency travel assistance. Be sure to review the policy wording for a full list of the terms and conditions of coverage including the covered risks and benefits of the All Inclusive Packages. Most of our insurance plan options are available online; however, additional options may be available through our World Service Centre by calling (866) 648-8422 or by contacting one of our industry partners.

Travel insurance is typically 5-7% of your total trip cost; however, other factors can have an effect on the overall price such as how many members are in your travelling party. For more information on the pricing of travel insurance, check out our article on how much travel insurance costs for even more detail.

Ready to book your travel insurance plan for your trip to Italy? Travel Guard’s travel insurance plans provide excellent coverage options and access to 24-hour emergency travel assistance. Compare our travel insurance plans to find the best option for your travels today.

Italy has consistently been ranked with a lower crime rating than other western countries. Most of the reported crimes directed at tourists are non-violent petty thefts, such as pickpocketing. Despite having a favourable safety ranking, it is always advised to take general precautions in any unfamiliar location. Crime is more prevalent in major cities, and petty crime rates are of particular concern in crowded areas, at tourist sites and on public transportation. Be sure to leave all important valuables back at your accommodations, preferably in a safe. Keep all valuables out of plain sight when out and about, and always keep your most treasured possessions (cell phone, wallets and identification) in your front pockets. Finally, always keep a paper copy of your passport and another official form of identification on your person, as Italian law requires that travellers always carry identification. 

Visit the Government of Canada website for up-to-date information on travel advisory levels and safety information for travellers to Italy. 

All Canadian travellers should enroll in the Registration of Canadians Abroad program, a free service offered to Canadian citizens travelling and living abroad. Enrolling in this program allows you to receive important information from the Government of Canada and helps them contact you in an emergency. 

Italy uses the Euro, as do most other countries throughout the European Union. While many establishments will have credit card readers that can accept most major credit cards, it is best practice to have some cash on hand in case you encounter somewhere that doesn't accept card payments. Most cities and towns will also have ATMs that will accept major Canadian card carriers, making it simple to withdraw cash while you travel – just be sure to check the international transaction fee with your bank before you go.

Italian is the predominant language used throughout Italy. While some tourist hotels and resorts in larger cities may have staff who can speak English, it is safe to assume that you will encounter some Italians who cannot. Fortunately, free translation services such as Google Translate can be installed on your smartphone and will work offline if the language has been downloaded in advance. This can come in handy if you have a specific piece of information that needs to be communicated. Otherwise, try to learn a few common phrases – Italians are generally quite friendly and will appreciate the effort on your part.

Canadian passport holders travelling to Italy for tourism do not require a visa for stays up to 90 days in any given 180-day period. Staying in the Schengen area for more than 90 days will require a visa. A valid Canadian passport is required to travel to Italy and must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you expect to leave.

The Canadian embassy to Italy is in Rome and provides service to Canadians visiting or living in Italy as well as Albania, Malta and San Marino. Visit the Canadian Embassy Government website for a list of up-to-date phone numbers and addresses.

Being situated along the Mediterranean, Italy generally experiences a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. However, given its drastically varying topography and sub-regions, it is always best to check local conditions before embarking on your journey.

The best time of year to visit Italy depends on where you are going and what you intend to do there. Given Italy's diverse terrain and climate zones, weather conditions can vary greatly across the country. The northern, mountainous portion of Italy is most desirable in winter for cold-weather activities like skiing or snowboarding, but this region is also stunning during the off-peak summertime given the mild, cool temperatures and gorgeous mountainous terrain. 

Coastal and southern Italy experiences hot Mediterranean summers, which is often perfectly desirable for many beachgoers hoping to soak in Italy's picturesque coastline and coastal villages. Keep in mind that summer is the peak travel season for most of these destinations, so along with the heat, visitors can expect crowded city centres and beaches. If an Italian summer is in your travel plans, perhaps consider arriving as early in the season as possible to avoid the most crowded periods.

When calling internationally from Canada, you’ll first need to enter code 011, which is an international prefix. Then, enter the Italian country or dial code, which is +39. Following that, enter the city code for the location you wish to call follow (for Rome, it’s 06), followed by the local telephone number. If you are in Italy and need to call back home to Canada, you will first need to enter code 00, which is the international prefix used to dial somewhere outside of Italy. You will then need to dial 1 (for Canada) + the area code and telephone number you are calling. For example, to reach our emergency medical assistance team, you would dial 00 + 1 + 416-646-3723.

Italy uses the same power sockets and voltage as other European countries: a Type C plug with two parallel pins and a 220-volt power supply. Most adapters will automatically adjust the voltage for modern North American electronics, so you shouldn't need any additional equipment to ensure that your devices will work.

Yes. Train services in Italy are ample, efficient and affordable. You can connect to most major cities and sites via train.

Yes, Canadian travellers can bring their children to Italy. All accompanying children, including babies, will need a valid Canadian passport and may require the following (we recommend you check with the Italian Embassy prior to travel to ensure you have all of the documentation needed):

• A letter of consent confirming the child has permission to travel outside Canada. This may be applicable if the child is travelling alone or with one parent or guardian.

• A birth certificate.

While not required, a pay-as-you-go Italian SIM card can help keep the cost of cellular services low if you plan to stay in Italy for a longer period — instead of paying international roaming charges.