Roman ruins, Renaissance cities, alpine lakes, and a coastline that has been perfecting the art of doing very little for several thousand years.
Roman ruins, Renaissance cities, alpine lakes, and a coastline that has been perfecting the art of doing very little for several thousand years.
Italy is in the Schengen Area. Canadians can stay 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, counted across all Schengen countries combined rather than per country. ETIAS pre-authorisation is scheduled to become mandatory during 2026 — a short online form and a small fee, valid three years.
April to June and September to October are the sweet spot: warm, walkable, and without August heat or crowds. July and August are hot and busy, and many family-run businesses close for weeks in mid-August. Winter is quiet and cheap, and the northern cities are genuinely pleasant in the cold.
Rome, Florence, and Venice are the classic circuit and connect easily by fast train. Add the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre for the coastline, Bologna for the food, and Puglia or Sicily if you want somewhere that still feels unhurried. Distances are short — resist the urge to over-schedule.
High-speed trains between major cities are fast, comfortable, and cheaper booked in advance. Driving is only worth it for Tuscany, Puglia, and the mountains — and city centres are ringed by ZTL restricted-traffic zones that issue automatic fines to unfamiliar drivers. An International Driving Permit is required alongside your Canadian licence.
Euros, cards accepted nearly everywhere, though small trattorias and rural spots may still prefer cash. A coperto (cover charge) of €1–3 per person is normal and not a scam. Tipping is modest — rounding up or leaving a few euros is plenty. Coffee standing at the bar costs a fraction of the same coffee seated.
Healthcare is good and pharmacies are excellent for minor issues. Travel insurance is still strongly recommended. Petty theft is the main practical risk — pickpocketing on Rome buses, around major stations, and in crowded piazzas. Keep bags zipped and in front of you and the problem mostly disappears.
Agriturismi in the countryside are outstanding value and often include remarkable food. City hotels are small and old; expect character over square metres. Book Venice, Florence, and the Amalfi Coast months ahead for summer. Many towns levy a small per-night tourist tax collected at checkout.
Meals run late — dinner rarely starts before 8pm. Cappuccino after lunch marks you as a tourist but nobody minds. Cover shoulders and knees in churches, including major basilicas. Regional cooking is fiercely local: order what the region is known for rather than what you recognise from home.
EU roaming rules make a local SIM cheap and easy. TIM, Vodafone, and WindTre all sell tourist packages. Coverage is strong except in deep mountain valleys. Power is 230V — Canadian devices need a plug adapter, and anything not rated for dual voltage needs a converter too.
Direct seasonal flights run from Toronto and Montreal to Rome and Milan, with fares dropping sharply in shoulder season. Watch for open-jaw routings — flying into Milan and out of Rome saves backtracking and often costs no more. Your provincial health coverage does not travel with you; insurance is on you.
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