Italy Review
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Throughout the pages of Italy Review, you'll find the very best of what Italy has to offer. There are more than three thousand pages on the website, covering every region, every island and split into various categories. The category pages are lists such as Cities of Italy, or Seaside Towns of Italy and so on, in which I've placed the very best places from each of the twenty Regions of Italy. On those category/list pages, I've placed the best of each category towards the top of the list.
This provides you with an at-a-glance guide to which are the most exciting places to visit. However, even if something is at the bottom of one of these lists, it still means it's been selected from thousands of places across Italy to be one of the very best in its category and therefore, of the highest standard. The places closer to the top of each list are simply unmissable. In the slide show below there's a photo for each of the main 14 categories, most of which then have sub-categories. You can either click on the photo that interests you most from those below, or you can use the menu options at the top of the website to navigate your way around. |
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I have personally visited every destination listed on the website with just a few notable exceptions: the islands of Montecristo and Gorgona (currently a prison), which are largely inaccessible to visitors and the Sicilian Island of Lampione which requires patience, detailed planning and a fair wind due to its remote location. All of the photos on the website are my own, except for those from the few places listed above that I haven't yet visited, and from the Sistine Chapel in Rome where photos are not permitted.
All of the opinions expressed on the website are my own and based upon my own experiences of each place I've visited. There are countless lists of "Best Beaches in Italy" for example, and no two lists are ever the same; these are not definitive lists, they are just opinions and of course we all differ in our views. I am also happy to hear from any of you whose views may differ or if you feel that somewhere has been unfairly omitted from these pages. The lists aren't set in stone and the beauty of a website (as opposed to a printed guide book), is that it evolves over time to give the most up to date snapshot as possible of how things stand at the present time.
So I hope you enjoy the way the website has been laid-out, but more importantly, that you find it to be a useful tool in planning your trip to Italy.
Dion Protani: founder of Italy Review.
All of the opinions expressed on the website are my own and based upon my own experiences of each place I've visited. There are countless lists of "Best Beaches in Italy" for example, and no two lists are ever the same; these are not definitive lists, they are just opinions and of course we all differ in our views. I am also happy to hear from any of you whose views may differ or if you feel that somewhere has been unfairly omitted from these pages. The lists aren't set in stone and the beauty of a website (as opposed to a printed guide book), is that it evolves over time to give the most up to date snapshot as possible of how things stand at the present time.
So I hope you enjoy the way the website has been laid-out, but more importantly, that you find it to be a useful tool in planning your trip to Italy.
Dion Protani: founder of Italy Review.
Italy Review Blog
Dion Protani - click photo for blog
The Italy Review Blog is a daily update on all things Italy by myself: Dion Protani. The year 2021 has just started and the world is still in the thrall of the Covid 19 pandemic, causing among other things, a good deal of uncertainty in the world of travel and holiday booking. Part of the reason for the blog is to provide updates on how things are progressing with the pandemic and how this may affect your trip to Italy.
I'll be scanning the Italian newspapers each day to make sure the advice I give is fully up to date, but I won't solely be focusing on the pandemic as I'm sure you're glad to hear! Although I was born and raised in the UK, I have Italian roots and have lived in the country for many years. I'm a devotee of Italian culture and hope to pass on some interesting insight along with travel tips in my daily missives. You can access the blog by clicking on my photo or be kept up to date with new posts by following the Facebook page.
I'll be scanning the Italian newspapers each day to make sure the advice I give is fully up to date, but I won't solely be focusing on the pandemic as I'm sure you're glad to hear! Although I was born and raised in the UK, I have Italian roots and have lived in the country for many years. I'm a devotee of Italian culture and hope to pass on some interesting insight along with travel tips in my daily missives. You can access the blog by clicking on my photo or be kept up to date with new posts by following the Facebook page.
Latest Coronavirus Cases and Restrictions in Italy
For those of you planning a trip to Italy, I'll be keeping this section of the home page updated with the latest restrictions in place to combat Covid 19/Coronavirus.
Last updated: Thursday 22nd April 2021 at 18:15 CET
Key: Purple shows an improvement and orange a deterioration
Number of new coronavirus cases in Italy today: 16,232 - decrease of 722 from equivalent day last week (Thursday 15th April - 16,954)
Number of people currently infected in Italy: 472,196 (decrease of 3,439 compared to previous day)
Weekly Comparison
Total number of new cases in the last 7 days (16th - 22nd April): 95,015
Total number of new cases in previous 7 day period (9th - 15th April): 112,192
Weekly difference: decrease of 17,177 (15%)
Vaccinations
Vaccinations carried out in last 24 hours: 520,449
Vaccinations carried out in previous 24 hour period: 220,452
First dose of two dose cycle vaccinations in last 24 hours: 345,586
First dose of two dose cycle vaccinations in previous 24 hours: 163,358
Fully vaccinated (first & second dose or J&J single jab) in last 24 hours: 174,863
Fully vaccinated (first & second dose or J&J single jab) in previous 24 hours: 57,094
Total number of vaccinations carried out: 16,414,981
Total number of people to receive first dose of two dose cycle: 11,240,175
Total number of people fully vaccinated (first & second dose or J&J single jab): 4,829,220
Testing
Number of tests carried out for today's figures: 364,804
Previous day number of tests: 350,034
Positivity rate: 4.4%
Yesterday's positivity rate: 3.9%
R number (rate of transmission)
Latest R number as of Friday 16th April: 0.85
Previous R number: 0.92
Deaths
Deaths in last 24 hours: 360
Deaths on equivalent day last week: 380 (Thursday 15th April)
Colour-Coded Zones with rules for each Region in Italy
The colour-coded zones have been in effect since Monday 1st February. The rules include a nationwide ban on travel between regions and a nationwide curfew between the hours of 22:00 and 05:00, which has now been extended until Tuesday 1st June.
As things stand today, Italy is split into four areas, colour-coded according to the prevalence of the virus in each region.
New road map
From Monday 26th April 2021 a new roadmap will be in place with gradual steps along the way to ease restrictions. From that date, the ban on movement between regions will be lifted for all regions within the yellow zones. The regions that will enter those zones haven't yet been announced but they are expected to be all the regions except for Puglia, Sardinia and Valle d'Aosta while there's a doubt over which zone the regions of Molise, Calabria and Sicily will be in. The decisions on those regions will be confirmed within the next few days.
Curfew between 22:00 and 05:00: will remain in place in all regions from 26th April - 1st June
Restaurants able to serve meals outdoors: from 26th April - 1st June in yellow zones
Restaurants able to serve meals indoors and outdoors: from 1st June in yellow zones
Movement between regions: from 26th April - 1st June in yellow zones only
Movement between regions not in yellow zones: available to holders of a green certificate confirming full vaccination status
Green certificates: available to people who have had both doses of a vaccine or the single shot J&J vaccine, people who have been infected with the virus and recovered or anyone who can provide a negative test taken in the previous 48 hours. The vaccination element of the certification is valid for 6 months after the date the full vaccination status was achieved.
Theatres, cinemas and shows: permitted in yellow zones from 26th April
Outdoor concerts and sporting events: from 1st June with limited numbers
Swimming pools: able to open from 15th May in yellow zones only
Gyms: able to open in yellow zones only from 1st June
Thermal spas and amusement parks: able to open in yellow zones only from 1st July
Exhibitions: permitted from 15th June in yellow zones only
Conventions/conferences: permitted from 1st July in yellow zones only
Colour-Coded Zones from 22nd - 25th April (zones and regions will be updated from 26th April)
Red Zone: Restaurants and bars closed except for takeaways and home deliveries. Non-essential shops closed.
Puglia
Sardinia
Valle d'Aosta
Orange Zone: Shops can open but restaurants and bars must remain closed except for takeaways and home deliveries. Non-essential shops can open.
Abruzzo
Basilicata
Calabria
Campania
Emilia Romagna
Friuli Venezia Giulia
Lazio
Liguria
Lombardy
Marche
Molise
Piedmont
Sicily
South Tyrol Province
Trentino Province
Tuscany
Umbria
Veneto
Yellow zone: Shops, bars and restaurants can open for outdoor service only. All shops can open. Movement between regions permitted without the need of a green certificate.
No regions currently in the yellow zone
White zone: No restrictions (except for nationwide restrictions detailed above)
No regions currently in the white zone
Current Entry Restrictions (effective until Friday 30th April)
Entry to Italy is currently only permitted to Italian residents, or for emergency purposes with a certificate of exemption.
Airline passengers must provide a negative coronavirus test, taken within the 72 hours prior to their date of travel.
On arrival in Italy, passengers must self-isolate for a period of 14 days and also complete a self-declaration form.
It's also necessary to contact the Covid 19 helpline of the region you will be visiting, to inform them of your visit.
Current UK Restrictions on Travel to Italy
The UK Government is currently advising against all but essential travel to Italy.
Travellers returning to the UK from Italy must self-isolate for a period of 10 days.
It is currently illegal for UK travellers to travel abroad for holidays or other leisure purposes.
Entry Restrictions for UK Citizens Arriving in Italy
As of 7th April the Italian government has slightly eased restrictions for UK citizens who wish to travel to Italy. It means that non-essential travel to Italy is now permitted and the quarantine period has been shortened from 14 days to 5 days.
Proof of a negative Coronavirus test taken no more than 48 hours before arrival in the country is required. Another negative test at the end of the five day period of quarantine in Italy is also required before leaving your chosen place of isolation. The tests can be obtained from a number of sources including pharmacies but must must be paid for by the individual.
Before your arrival in Italy you must fill out a self-declaration form which includes your nominated place of quarantine. Travel to and from this place can only be done by private means, including taxi.
It must be underlined that the restrictions on the Italian side do not apply to the restrictions on leaving the UK. At this moment in time, travel abroad from the UK is not permitted unless essential. The earliest date that this might change is May 17th; a date which is dependent on case numbers being sufficiently low along with numerous other parameters being met.
The UK government will soon be announcing a traffic light system with countries being placed into different colour categories dependent on their pandemic situation. At this stage it is unknown within which band Italy will be placed and the exact nature of the restrictions. As soon as they have been announced they'll be updated on this page.
Last updated: Thursday 22nd April 2021 at 18:15 CET
Key: Purple shows an improvement and orange a deterioration
Number of new coronavirus cases in Italy today: 16,232 - decrease of 722 from equivalent day last week (Thursday 15th April - 16,954)
Number of people currently infected in Italy: 472,196 (decrease of 3,439 compared to previous day)
Weekly Comparison
Total number of new cases in the last 7 days (16th - 22nd April): 95,015
Total number of new cases in previous 7 day period (9th - 15th April): 112,192
Weekly difference: decrease of 17,177 (15%)
Vaccinations
Vaccinations carried out in last 24 hours: 520,449
Vaccinations carried out in previous 24 hour period: 220,452
First dose of two dose cycle vaccinations in last 24 hours: 345,586
First dose of two dose cycle vaccinations in previous 24 hours: 163,358
Fully vaccinated (first & second dose or J&J single jab) in last 24 hours: 174,863
Fully vaccinated (first & second dose or J&J single jab) in previous 24 hours: 57,094
Total number of vaccinations carried out: 16,414,981
Total number of people to receive first dose of two dose cycle: 11,240,175
Total number of people fully vaccinated (first & second dose or J&J single jab): 4,829,220
Testing
Number of tests carried out for today's figures: 364,804
Previous day number of tests: 350,034
Positivity rate: 4.4%
Yesterday's positivity rate: 3.9%
R number (rate of transmission)
Latest R number as of Friday 16th April: 0.85
Previous R number: 0.92
Deaths
Deaths in last 24 hours: 360
Deaths on equivalent day last week: 380 (Thursday 15th April)
Colour-Coded Zones with rules for each Region in Italy
The colour-coded zones have been in effect since Monday 1st February. The rules include a nationwide ban on travel between regions and a nationwide curfew between the hours of 22:00 and 05:00, which has now been extended until Tuesday 1st June.
As things stand today, Italy is split into four areas, colour-coded according to the prevalence of the virus in each region.
New road map
From Monday 26th April 2021 a new roadmap will be in place with gradual steps along the way to ease restrictions. From that date, the ban on movement between regions will be lifted for all regions within the yellow zones. The regions that will enter those zones haven't yet been announced but they are expected to be all the regions except for Puglia, Sardinia and Valle d'Aosta while there's a doubt over which zone the regions of Molise, Calabria and Sicily will be in. The decisions on those regions will be confirmed within the next few days.
Curfew between 22:00 and 05:00: will remain in place in all regions from 26th April - 1st June
Restaurants able to serve meals outdoors: from 26th April - 1st June in yellow zones
Restaurants able to serve meals indoors and outdoors: from 1st June in yellow zones
Movement between regions: from 26th April - 1st June in yellow zones only
Movement between regions not in yellow zones: available to holders of a green certificate confirming full vaccination status
Green certificates: available to people who have had both doses of a vaccine or the single shot J&J vaccine, people who have been infected with the virus and recovered or anyone who can provide a negative test taken in the previous 48 hours. The vaccination element of the certification is valid for 6 months after the date the full vaccination status was achieved.
Theatres, cinemas and shows: permitted in yellow zones from 26th April
Outdoor concerts and sporting events: from 1st June with limited numbers
Swimming pools: able to open from 15th May in yellow zones only
Gyms: able to open in yellow zones only from 1st June
Thermal spas and amusement parks: able to open in yellow zones only from 1st July
Exhibitions: permitted from 15th June in yellow zones only
Conventions/conferences: permitted from 1st July in yellow zones only
Colour-Coded Zones from 22nd - 25th April (zones and regions will be updated from 26th April)
Red Zone: Restaurants and bars closed except for takeaways and home deliveries. Non-essential shops closed.
Puglia
Sardinia
Valle d'Aosta
Orange Zone: Shops can open but restaurants and bars must remain closed except for takeaways and home deliveries. Non-essential shops can open.
Abruzzo
Basilicata
Calabria
Campania
Emilia Romagna
Friuli Venezia Giulia
Lazio
Liguria
Lombardy
Marche
Molise
Piedmont
Sicily
South Tyrol Province
Trentino Province
Tuscany
Umbria
Veneto
Yellow zone: Shops, bars and restaurants can open for outdoor service only. All shops can open. Movement between regions permitted without the need of a green certificate.
No regions currently in the yellow zone
White zone: No restrictions (except for nationwide restrictions detailed above)
No regions currently in the white zone
Current Entry Restrictions (effective until Friday 30th April)
Entry to Italy is currently only permitted to Italian residents, or for emergency purposes with a certificate of exemption.
Airline passengers must provide a negative coronavirus test, taken within the 72 hours prior to their date of travel.
On arrival in Italy, passengers must self-isolate for a period of 14 days and also complete a self-declaration form.
It's also necessary to contact the Covid 19 helpline of the region you will be visiting, to inform them of your visit.
Current UK Restrictions on Travel to Italy
The UK Government is currently advising against all but essential travel to Italy.
Travellers returning to the UK from Italy must self-isolate for a period of 10 days.
It is currently illegal for UK travellers to travel abroad for holidays or other leisure purposes.
Entry Restrictions for UK Citizens Arriving in Italy
As of 7th April the Italian government has slightly eased restrictions for UK citizens who wish to travel to Italy. It means that non-essential travel to Italy is now permitted and the quarantine period has been shortened from 14 days to 5 days.
Proof of a negative Coronavirus test taken no more than 48 hours before arrival in the country is required. Another negative test at the end of the five day period of quarantine in Italy is also required before leaving your chosen place of isolation. The tests can be obtained from a number of sources including pharmacies but must must be paid for by the individual.
Before your arrival in Italy you must fill out a self-declaration form which includes your nominated place of quarantine. Travel to and from this place can only be done by private means, including taxi.
It must be underlined that the restrictions on the Italian side do not apply to the restrictions on leaving the UK. At this moment in time, travel abroad from the UK is not permitted unless essential. The earliest date that this might change is May 17th; a date which is dependent on case numbers being sufficiently low along with numerous other parameters being met.
The UK government will soon be announcing a traffic light system with countries being placed into different colour categories dependent on their pandemic situation. At this stage it is unknown within which band Italy will be placed and the exact nature of the restrictions. As soon as they have been announced they'll be updated on this page.
THINGS TO SEE IN ITALYThere are so many beautiful sights just waiting to be discovered in Italy. I've listed cities, islands, regions, seaside towns, hill towns, lakes, ski resorts and much more all in one place.
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TravelThe Travel section will help you to navigate your way around Italy with practical advice. The guide currently includes Italian Ferry Ports and there will shortly be much more such as rail and air links.
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Italy Review has teamed up with Booking.com to provide accommodation ideas for every region of Italy. Just enter your travel dates in the search box for the latest prices and best hotels.
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Italy is divided into twenty regions which I've detailed in the Italy section. For each region you'll find statistical information as well as photos and ideas for the best places to visit within each region.
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About Italy Review
The photos and descriptions are the fruit of my own personal travels around this great country since 2013 when I started the Ischia Review website. In the years that have followed I've visited in excess of 3,000 different places be they towns, islands, cities, beaches or other places of beauty, hungrily snapping away wherever I've passed. I still have an enormous list of places I want to visit in the country and I'll be updating the site with more photos and written content along the way. I hope, that through the website and the various social networking pages, you'll be able join me on this wonderful journey and get involved with comments and e-mails.
So for now, I hope you enjoy exploring Italy through these web pages and find some ideas for places to visit.
Dion Protani, founder of the Italy Review series of websites.
So for now, I hope you enjoy exploring Italy through these web pages and find some ideas for places to visit.
Dion Protani, founder of the Italy Review series of websites.
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