Italy is a peninsula attached to the European mainland. The Alps separates it in the North from France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia. It is bordered by the Adriatic Sea to the East, the Ionian Sea to the South, The Tyrrhenian Sea to the South West, and the Ligurian Sea to the North West. In addition, Italy is composed of Sicily (an island which is located only 3 km from the mainland at the tip of the Italian 'boot', and Sardinia which is located just South of Corsica.

In total, Italy comprises 301,302 square kilometers of varied terrain. Northern Italy contains some of the highest mountains in Europe, and the Po River Basin which boasts fertile plains. Central Italy also has mountains and fertile plains, but also boasts a long coastline. Southern Italy is composed of flat coastal plains and low mountains, cool forests, and rolling hills.

6th Century BC - Etruscan settlements in Northern Italy.

3rd Century BC - Roman city state is well-established and extends its influence beyond the Italian peninsula

30 BC - Roman Empire at its height, encompassing a vast area surrounding the Mediterranean. Spreads Pax Romana to these regions.

5th Century - Disintegration of the empires.

6th Century - Italy fragments into 12+ states.

8th Century - Charlemagne controlled Northern Italy

11th Century - Independent city states came to the fore (esp. Florence, Genoa, Milan, and Venice ) and gained vast political and commercial power.

15th Century - Italian Renaissance

16th Century - Spanish victory over Italy, establishment of the Habsburgs in Milan, Naples, and Siciliy.

18th Century - Enlightenment. Opposition and deposition of the Habsburgs.

1914 - Italy was initially neutral in WWI, but joined Allied Forces in 1915 and gained some territory during peace-time talks.

Inter-bellum Period - Economic hardships, rise of the Fascists under Mussolini.

1939 - Mussolini joins forces with Hitler in WWII.

1943 - Italian forces surrender, Mussolini is arrested.

1946 - King Victor Emmanuel III abdicated. Italian Republic created.

Since the Republic's inception, there have been 50 governments in power. Italian governance is composed of a bicameral parliament (325 member Senate and a 630 member Chamber of Deputies) which is elected under a mixed system in which three-quarters are elected by majority vote in constituencies and the remaining by direct proportional representation. The two chambers and a 58 regional representatives constitute the electoral college which elect a President for a 7- year term. The President appoints the Prime Minister who is the leader of a Council of Ministers.

Language : Italian, but many dialects : German and Ladin near Austrian border; French near border with the Riviera and border with France and Switzerland; Slovenian near Slovenian border.

Religion : The country is primarily Roman Catholic, but Protestant minorities do exist as well. Family life is essential.

Dress : generally casual, but not beachwear.

Public Holidays : New Year's, Epiphany (Jan 6), Easter, Liberation Day (April 25), Labor Day (May 1), Assumption (Aug 15), All Saint's Day (Nov 1), National Unity Day (Nov 5), Immaculate Conception (Dec 8), Christmas, St. Stephen's Day (Dec 26).

AIR : Alitalia (tel: 800-223-5730) is the national airline. International airports exist at Rome, Bologna, Genoa, Milan (Linate), Milan (Malpensa), Naples, and Pisa.

RAIL : Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) is the Italian State railway and has a comprehensive network. Locale trains stop at nearly every station, diretto serves fewer stations, espresso stops at major stations, and rapido stops less and costs more. Tickets on thes express trains should be purchased in advance.

BUS : City bus tickets can be bought at tabacchi, newsstands, or kiosks. They should be validated on board.

	
	
ROMA :
	AIR : Most international and domestic flights arrive at Leonardo da Vinci Airport 
	also called Fiumicino), tel: 659 51. The airport connects with two trains which travel
	to the heart of Rome. You can find a tourist office, a bank, an ATM, a post office, and 
	a Luggage Storage in the airport.  

	RAIL : Termini station which is located in front of the Vatican boasts most train
	and both metro lines. The Metropolitana (M) subway system has two lines (Linea A which 
	runs from Ottaviano through the suburbs) (Linea B which runs from the suburbs through 
	Laurentina. The M runs from 5:30 am to 11:30 pm. A one-hour Metro ticket (or a  75 
	minute bus ticket) can be purchased at newsstands, tabacchi, and kiosks. Weekly passes 
	are also available. Contact ATAC (Aziende Tramvie Autobus Comunali) for additional 
	information. Tel: 469 51.

	BUS : Rome's bus system is extensive. Stops are signaled by yellow signs. Board
	the bus by the back door only and immediately stap your ticket in the yellow validator.
	Buses run from 6am - midnight.  

	

	
MILAN :
	AIR : Milan is serviced by two airports (for information call 74 85 22 00).
	Malpensa Airport which is located 45 km out of town services intercontinental flights.
	You can take a bus from the airport to P. Luigi di Savoia near Stazione Centrale.
	Linate Airport, only 7 km from Milan services dometic and European flights. You can take
	bus 73 from P. San Babila. 

	RAIL : Stazione Centrale (P. Duca d'Aosta, tel: 67 50 01) services Genoa, Turin, 
	Veice, Florence, and Rome. This station has a luggage storage facility. In Milan, there 
	are three Metropolitana Milanese (MM) lines. You can buy tickets for the MM at 
	newsstands, bars, and ticket machines in the stations. Tickets are good for one subway 
	ride or 75 min of bus/tram rides. All-day passes are also available at Duomo and 
	Stazione Centrale. 

	BUS : Most leave from Stazione Centrale and go to places not serviced by MM. 

	
	
BOLOGNA :
 

	AIR : Bologna (BLQ) Airport (also called G Marconi) is located 6 km
	northwest of Bologna. A bank, duty-free shop, cafe, and souvenir shop are located in the	
	airport. You can take a bus to the city.

	RAIL : Bologna is serviced by trains from Florence, Venice, Milan, and Rome amongst
	others. Shuttle service (buses 25 and 30) exists between the train station and P. 
	Maggiore. 

HOTELS : Groups travelling together may decide to stay at hotels as they may prove a better bargain and convenience than youth hostels. Hotel rates are set by the state, thus you must register by passport or special form. It is recommended that you check the room prior to handing over your passport. One-star pensioni are the cheapest. Breakfast and individual showers depend on the hotel. A Doppia has two beds in it, a matrimoniale has one double bed in it. Private baths are generally more expensive.

CAMPING : Sites are generally noisy but modern. A list of sites can be obtained from Federcampeggio, (Via V. Emanuele, 11, Casella Postale 23, 50041 Calenzano, Florence, tel: 055.88.23.91).

YOUTH HOSTELS : Associazione Italiana Alberghi per la Gioventu (AIG) is the principal youth hostel federation, and is especially well-represented in the north. Prices often include breakfast. However, curfews, lockouts, and remote locations are sometimes an inconvenience.

	
ROMA :
 
	HOTELS : Many rooms are available for tourists in Rome. Prices can be exorbitant.
	Groups may have the advantage in getting reservations. The price set by the state should 
	be posted on the room's door. 
		Pensione Tizi:
		-via Collina, 48, tel: 48 20 128
		Hotel Giugiu:
		-via del Viminale, 8, tel: 482 77 34		
		Albergo della Lunetta:
		-P. del Paradiso, 68, tel: 686 10 80


	YOUTH HOSTELS : 
		Youth Hostel Roma Inn Keiko: 
		-Via Urbana, 96, tel: 474 38 45
		

	
	
BOLOGNA :
	HOTELS : Accomodations in Bologna tend to be scarce 
	and relatively pricey. This is more of a student / business 
	town, than a tourist trap. 	
		 Ostello di San Sisto (HI):
		-Via Viadagola, 4 and 14 tel: 051 51 92 02
		 Albergo Panorama:
		-Via Livraghi, 1, tel: 051 22 18 02
		 Pensione Marconi:
		-Via Marconi, 22 ,tel: 051 26 28 32
	
	
	

	
MILAN : 
	HOTELS : Accomodations are plentiful in Milan but peak season 
	is practically year- round, so make reservations ahead of time if possible.
		Albergo 'Villa Mira':
		-Via Sacchini, 19, tel: 29 52 56 18
		Hotel Ca'Grande :
		-Via Porpora, 87, tel: 26 14 40 01
		Hotel San Marco : 
		-Via Piccinni, 25, tel: 29 51 64 14

	YOUTH HOSTELS : 
		Ostello Pietra Rotta : 
		-Viale Salmoiraghi, 1, tel: 39 26 70 95
		
		

Italian food is well worth a bit of indulgence. Pasta is an important part to many Italian recipes... but can often be served as an appetizer (save room for the main course!) Italy has over 20 major wine regions (chianti).

	
	
ROMA :
	MUSEUMS :
	Vatican Museums :
	-Etruscan Museum
	Musei Capitolini :
	-ancient sculptures
	Museo Borghese:
	-Bernini's early sculptures
		

	MONUMENTS :
	Vatican City:
	-Basilica di San Pietro
	-Vatican Grottoes
	-Sistine Chapel
	-Castel Sant'Angelo
	-Ponte Sant'Angelo

	The Ancient City:
	-Campidoglio
	-Roman Forum
	-Curia
	-Arch of Septimius Severus
	-Temple of Saturn
	-Basilica Julia
	-Temple of Castor and Pollux
	-Circus Maximus
	-Fori Imperiali
	-Forum of Trajan
	-The Colosseum
	-Baths of Caracalla
	
	Pantheon and Piazza Navona:
	-Pantheon
	-Piazza Minerva
	-Piazza Navona
	-Church of Sant'Agnese

	Campo dei Fiori to Via Giulia :
	-Campo dei Fiori
	-Piazza Farnese
	-Palazzo Spada
	-Via Giulia

	Piazza dei Popolo, Villa Borghese, and the Spanish Steps :
	-Church of Santa Maria del Popolo
	-Villa Borghese
	-Church of Santa Trinita dei Monti

	Trevi Fountain to Piazza Barberini :
	-Fontana di Trevi
	-Piazza del Quirinale
	-Sant'Andrea al Quirinale
	-Piazza Barberini
	-Church of L'Immacolata Concezione

	
	
BOLOGNA :
	MUSEUMS :
	Museo Civico Archeologico:
	-via Archiginnasio, 2
	

	MONUMENTS: 
	-Piazza del Nettuno
	-Piazza Maggiore
	-Basicilca di San Petronio
	-Piazza Porta Ravegnana
	-Basilica of San Bartolomeo
	-Church of Santa Maria dei Servi
	-Piazza Santo Stefano

	
	
MILAN :
	MUSEUMS :
	Museo Teatrale alla Scala :
	-opera memorabilia
	Museo Poldi-Pezzoli :
	-V. Manzoni, 12
	Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnica :
	-Leonard da Vinci's work
		

	MONUMENTS:
	-Piazza del Duomo
	-Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
	-Teatro alla Scala
	-Pinacoteca di Brera
	-Castello Sforzesco
	-Church of Santa Maria dell Grazie
	-Via Monte Napoleone
	

	
	
ROMA :
 
	BARS :
	-Jonathan's Angels, Via della Fossa, 16
	-Julius Caesar, Via Castelfidardo, 49
	-Druid's Den, Via San Martino ai Monti, 28
	-The Drunken Ship, Campo de' Fiori, 20/21

	
	
	
BOLOGNA :


	BARS :
	-Cassero, Via Saragozza
	-Cantina Bentivoglio, Via Mascarella, 4/B

	
	
MILAN :
	BARS :
	-Hollywood, Corso Como 15
	-Plastic, Viale Umbria, 120
	-Le Scimmie, Via Ascanio Sforza, 49
	-Capolinea, Via Ludovico il Moro, 119

Italian currency is the Lira which comes in bills of 100,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000; 5000; 2000; 1000, and coins of 1000; 500; 200; 100; 50; 20. Banks, railway stations, airports, and some hotels will exchange travellers cheques, cheques, and foreign money. Access/Mastercard, Diners Club, Visa, and travellers cheques are generally accepted everywhere.