Italy – a state in the south of Europe

SHOPPING
Shops are usually open all day from 9:00 to 20:00, some are open on Sundays. Lunch break is usually from 13:00 to 15:30. In resort places, shops often work until late evening and on weekends.
From Italy, you can bring straw hats, brooches with different versions of Venetian masks, porcelain dolls and clowns.
There are a lot of fur clothes and good shoes, high-quality leather goods (jackets, bags), Italian designers’ clothes, knitwear, beautiful linen, porcelain, crystal, jewelry and costume jewelry are sold at good prices.
In Italy, there are two periods of seasonal discounts and sales, in Italian sconti and saldi: from January 7 to March 1 and from July 10 to August 31. A trip to the country at this time promises to be even more enjoyable in terms of bargains.
WHERE TO STAY
In Italy, there is no uniform system of hotel standards and, in general, the level of service in this business lags behind the European standards, and the cost of living depends on the tourist season and the location of the hotel. Usually tour operators put stars to hotels on the basis of their own, more or less subjective ratings.
The most popular type of accommodation in the ski resorts in Italy are apartments and chalets. Hotels in the mountains, as a rule, are small, with half board, the situation in the rooms is very simple. When choosing them, the focus should be on their distance from the lift and the presence of the ski storage. Hotel accommodation is more expensive than in apartments and chalets, but there is food and other services.
Alberghi Hotels
Italian hotels are focused on European standards and, depending on the type and quality of services, have a gradation of one to five stars. True, it is not necessary to lose sight of the fact that each star means “Italian standard”.
In hotels with one or two stars, you will be offered a small room without air conditioning, with a shower and a very limited set of additional services. Sometimes in such hotels there is a small bar or cafe.
Hotels with three or four stars, as a rule, are very close in quality and a range of services, and differ mainly in the presence of a mini-bar in the room or a restaurant assortment.
In resort areas in such hotels there are fitness centers, lobby bars, swimming pools and dance halls.
Among the hotels with five stars, only a few meet all international standards and have a real “luxury” category. Hotels of all categories organize meals for guests, as a rule, breakfast is included in the price, and for lunch or dinner you need to pay extra.
Pensions
Family mini-hotels (for 5-10 rooms), where the owners prepare their meals, breakfast is served directly in the room or served in a small dining room, very popular among tourists. There is no porter in the guesthouses, and they are locked at night. Lunch and dinner are not included in the room rate, and they must be ordered specially.
Resident Hotels (Residenze Turistico Alberghiere)
Hotels with “Italian stars” from one to four, offering for accommodation separate apartments with a bedroom and a kitchen, are called resident hotels. There are no telephones and air conditioners here, and a TV is given for a fee, but cleaning is carried out, security is provided and a receptionist is present. Please note that apartments are cheaper than hotel rooms and such accommodation is especially convenient for traveling families.
Hostels (Locanda)
When characterizing this type of accommodation for tourists, it is necessary to clarify that this is actually a dormitory with rooms for 3-6 people and a shower on the floor. Hostels are most popular with young people, students and students, although subject to availability, anyone can stay here. Prices in hostels are several times lower than in the cheapest hotels.
Campgrounds (Campeggi)
The favorite place of parking for those who prefer active tourism. Here you can put your tent or trailer or rent them. Campgrounds have one or two stars, so there is no reason to expect the provision of special services, but here you will have the opportunity to take a shower, wash. Loading campgrounds in resort places at the height of the tourist season is very high, and reservations must be made in advance.
Apartments and Villas (Apartamenti e Ville)
In major cities and seaside resorts, you can rent furnished apartments or entire villas. Prices for such housing vary depending on the category, services, proximity to the sea and the season.
Tourist villages (Villaggi Turistici)
As a rule, tourist villages are located in resort areas and are territories specially equipped with everything necessary for living. Here are cottages or bungalows. Such houses come in all sorts of different categories, and such villages are only open during the tourist season.
SEA AND BEACHES
The beaches on the Italian coast are municipal. But they are often divided into plots and rented to entrepreneurs. Each site has its own beach caretaker, who keeps order.