A Global Affair | Travel Italy: Visa Application, How To Reach To Must Visit Places - All You Need To Know

Explore Italy: If you are seeking a summer escape, Italy might be your one-stop destination, offering a wide range of unique art, historical places, and breathtaking natural wonders.

Italy's Leaning Tower of Pisa is a timeless symbol of architectural marvel, attracting thousands of tourists daily.

Source : Getty

“Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life.” - Russia’s famous poet Anna Akhmatova’s quote is enough to tell you why Italy is one of the most loved countries by tourists.

No wonder why travellers from across the globe are irresistibly drawn towards Italy as it gives a captivating experience whether you are looking for taste, art, or adventure. With a picturesque coastline taking your breath away to historical cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice, Italy offers the world’s best travelling experience that you will want to immerse yourself in its beauty. If you are also willing to live your Italian dream anytime soon, then here is your guide for all you need to know before embarking on your journey:

Manarola fishing village in the famous Cinque Terre, Italy (Image Source: Getty)

 

Visa Procedure:

Italy is a fascinating place that makes you fall in love with everything, and to plan your visit to this captivating destination, you have to get an entry Visa permit. Italy allocates visas to foreign nationals depending on their purposes and duration of stay. Situated in Europe, Italy comes under the Schengen countries, and foreign nationals outside the European Union willing to visit have these two visa options for different purposes. Remember that each visa category has different procedures and requirements to follow.

1- Schengen Visa (Visa C): If you are planning to visit for a maximum of 90 days or less, you have to apply for a C visa which is generally issued for purposes like tourism, business trips, transit, and family visits.

2- National Visa (Visa D): For visitors planning to stay in the nation for more than 90 days, they have to apply for visa D, which is generally issued for work, study, family reunion, medical care, and workcation.

Schengen Tourist Visa

A Schengen tourist visa is your ticket to this stunning courtyard which is valid for single entry for 30 to 90 days. As Italy does not offer Visa-on-arrival for Indians, must start planning your trip well in advance. Although it has a simple, straightforward procedure.

Conditions To Apply For A Schengen Tourist Visa For Italy:

There are certain conditions to opt for this visa:

1. When Italy is your only destination.
2. If you are travelling to other European countries as well, then Italy should be the main destination for your stay.
3. You are landing in Italy first to enter the Schengen border.

Visa Requirements For Indian Citizens:

Here are a few essential documents for an Indian national to apply for the Schengen tourist visa:
1- Entry visa application form.
2- Passport size photo.
3- Passport valid for at least three months with at least 2 blank pages.
4- Return ticket and proof of accommodation.
5- Health insurance covering a minimum of Rs. 27,15,000.
6- Financial proof to support your entire trip.

Points To Be Noted:

* Application must be submitted in person.
* Do not apply earlier than three months before your trip.
* Processing time is between 15 to 20 working days.
* Schengen tourist visa fee for those above the age of 16 is 80 Euros, for children 6 to 12 years it’s 40 Euros, and children under 6 years have no fees to pay.

Schengen Area Benefits With Schengen Visa:

Italy is part of the Schengen Area which currently includes 26 European countries allowing easy travel without any visa or border issues. So if you are in Italy you can also visit these 26 Schengen countries: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Vatican with St Peter's Basilica, Rome, Italy. (Image Source: Getty)

Travel Logistics:

Europe’s tenth largest country, Italy, is almost 6,500 km away from India and accessible by air, road, and sea. When choosing an airline that will be your cheapest and quickest way of travelling by the other two mediums can be a pain to your bank balance. There are several direct or connected flights from India to Italy. Pisa Galileo Galilei International Airport of Pisa, Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino International Airport in Rome, and Malpensa International Airport in Milan are some of the busiest gateways to Italy. There are multiple airlines such as Alitalia, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Air France, British Airways, and Air India you can opt for. Depending on the airline, you can reach Italy in 10 to 36 hours. Flight rates start from Rs. 18,000 Rs to Rs. 45,000 depending on the class and airline you choose to travel.

The sea route is one of the most beautiful ways to reach a destination and if you are looking for relaxing - luxurious travel, and have enough time, then you can opt for a cruise as well. This journey can take 15 to 20 days crossing more than 9 ports and 5 countries.

For road trip lovers, reaching Italy can also be a way that will take weeks and cost lakhs. There is no easy way to reach Italy first by road as you first have to enter France, Switzerland, and Austria. Although here you can cross the border without any hustle.

Transportation: Italy is a vast country with 100 cities and is well connected by air, train, road, and even ferry. Meridiana and Blue Express are the major domestic airlines in Italy.  Train journeys in Italy are quite famous among tourists as it is the quickest, cheapest, and most beautiful way to get somewhere. You can check the train's schedule online.

With a coastline of almost 40,000 miles, ferries are quite common in Italy. And if you like road trips and driving, then car renting is also a popular and cheap way to travel.

Accommodation: For your once-in-a-lifetime experience, Italy has immense options for stays to soothe your eyes here with breathtaking views. From homestays to villas, cottages to hotels, will give you a blend of luxury and natural retreat together. You can find stay options starting from Rs. 10,000 per night to Rs 100,000 per night. If you are a budget traveller or backpacker looking for pocket-friendly options, then hostels, Airbnbs, and Couchsurfing will be your best friends. You can find stays from Rs. 1,500 to Rs 3,000 as well.

With great accommodation options, Italy will hold your breath to extend your trip but if you can’t, then already take 10 to 15 days in your schedule for Italy as you will have a lot on your plate. However, if you have other plans and want a short trip then a 7-day visit will also be as memorable as the long one. 

As Italy is now a year-long destination, you may find it a bit heavy in your pocket. Depending on the season, airline, stay, and places you will explore, this trip can cost around Rs. 70-80 thousand to Rs. 1.5 lakh.

Currency: Italy uses the Euro as its official currency and as of now, one Euro is equal to approximately Rs. 90 which may change from time to time so do not forget to cross-check the currency exchange rate before embarking on your trip.

Piazza del Duomo, the Cathedral and equestrian monument to Vittorio Emanuele II. (Image Source: Getty)

 

Best Time To Visit:

Italy has something for each season, that’s why you will find tourists all around the year depending on the location you are heading to. The summer season, which lasts from May to June, is the peak season for tourism although April to June (spring season) and September to October (fall season) are also quite a fair time to experience peace.

Language:

Although Italy’s official language is Italian, it has almost 10 regional and local languages. You will also find people talking in German, English, and French as well. Being a European Union nation, you will find a blend of multiple EU languages and customs here. When you can find people speaking English in major cities, you will need basic Italian phrases to survive in remote and local areas. Before embarking on your journey or maybe during the trip, you must learn a few Italian words like: 
Ciao (Hi), Arrivederci (Goodbye), Grazie (Thank you), Per favore (Please), and Certo (Sure).

The Colosseum also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre structure, Rome, Italy. (Image Source: Getty)

 

Explore The Treasure Of Italy:

Italy has a treasure box for tourists containing rich history, marvellous architecture, majestic nature, culture, taste, and love and that's why It is said that you can never be done with Italy. It has the world’s highest number of world heritage sites, eye-catching landscapes, delicious food, and tonnes of adventure to embark on.

Italy is the home to some world-famous unique cities like Venice, Rome, Milan, Florence, Naples, and Turin. When almost all the cities attract huge numbers of people, Rome is still distinct from any other city, attracting most of the tourists for its majestic grandeur. With historical bridges, authentic cuisine, and beaches, soon you will find yourself immersed in the beauty of artistic streets. Another beautiful city Florence has been romanticised in Hollywood for centuries. It is called the city of love as well. You will find art on the streets and beauty on the corners.

Some major attractions of the country telling history in themselves are The Ponte Vecchio Bridge in Florence, The UNESCO world heritage site The Colosseum also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre structure built in the Roman Empire, Leaning Tower of Pisa, St Peter's Basilica church of Vatican City, Roman Forum for monuments of the Roman empire, Trevi Fountain a baroque of the 18th century and Pantheon in Rome.

For art lovers, MAXXI is the home of everything. Opened in 2009, this museum is home to some of Italy's most exquisite and contemporary artists. Experiencing the engineering masterpiece through the Rhaetian railway which connects Italy to Switzerland through mountains will leave you in awe. 

If you are looking for natural wonders after exploring architectural and art wonders, here you go. Viaggio Italiano has nature’s best version for you to rest and take a break from the city hustle. Vio Delle Cinque is for unforgettable cycling and hiking adventures and Po Delta is a paradise for bird watchers.

Italy has a perfect blend of snow-peaked mountains and crystal-clear seas with rich underwater life. if you are confused about where to head for what, then no worries: 

Aosta Valley, South Tyrol, Trentino, and Piedmont are a few regions in northeastern Italy for mountain lovers. If you want snow-capped Alps views, high-altitude sports, hikes, and camping under the stars then these will be your ideal destinations.

And for beach lovers, Sicily, Apulia, Lazio, and Sardinia are for sea lovers. Situated in West Central Italy, these locations are perfect if you want to experience underwater sports, beaches with crystal clear water, and tempting sunrise and sunset views. Campania is the region for beach lovers where you will find the sea in its most dazzling way with it's appealing beaches. When you can’t choose what to explore here, you can prefer Cilento, Alburni National Park, Island of Ischia, Capri, and Amalfi Coast.

Italy is a lively nation known for its fairs and nightlife as well. To experience the fun and joy of the Italian cities you can find several fests throughout the year. Most of the fests take place in June, July, August, and September. Festa Del Redentore a Venezia, Arezzo Antiques, Sherwood, Lucca Summer Festival, and Festa Di Santa Rosalia are some of the fests you can plan if you are near the location.

Food: Another speciality of this nation which no one can refrain from is its delicious taste. Italy has some of the world’s best cuisines so do not forget to delight yourself with Italian food. Try regional dishes like Risotto Alla Milanese, Tiramisu, Pizza Margherita, Pasta Carbonara, Spaghetti, Lasagna, Truffle Risotto, and Cannoli. These dishes will give you the fun, sweet, and lip-licking taste of Italy.