The following information was last updated on July 21, 2014 and therefore may now be out of date. Please consume with a pinch of salt!
Personal comments:
Lovely country to visit, but the road quality isn't the best! Roads tend to improve the further north you get, and the petrol also appears to be cheaper the further north you get. Municipal aires are generally in good condition and good places to stay overnight, although we did find one that had "no stopping" signs there... suggesting the land might be privately owned now.
EU Member:
Yes
Currency:
Euro
Language(s):
Italian
Numbers:
1 - uno
2 - due
3 - tre
4 - quattro
5 - cinque
6 - sei
7 - sette
8 - otto
9 - nove
10 - dieci
Useful words / phrases:
Hello - Buongiorno
Goodbye - Arrivederci
Yes - Sì
No - No
Please - Per favore
Thank you - Grazie
Sorry - Scusi!
I don't understand - Non capisco
How much does it cost? - Quanto costa?
Where is the toilet? - Dov'è la toilette?
Petrol - Benzina
Vignette / toll requirements:
Most motorways have tolls
Vehicle laws:
Speed limit is 130 kph on motorways (110 kph in wet weather), 110 kph on dual carriageways (90 kph in wet weather), 90 kph on main roads and 50 kph in built up areas
Dipped headlights compulsory during the daytime
Warning triangle, reflective jacket and snow chains are mandatory
Avoid driving in the rain, as road drainage can be poor
Discount fuel may be available at weekends
Wild camping rules:
Campsites are very expensive - look out for signs saying "Agri Tourismo" which will provide cheaper stops
Car parks should be fine... although they are often used by "lovers" and youths in the evenings!