Rome
The Colosseum and the Forum, the Pantheon, the Baroque piazzas and the Vatican, then Trastevere in the evening: a city where every district layers the centuries.
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Destination guide
Italy
Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast and an art of living to be savoured slowly.
In Italy, beauty is part of everyday life. It is there in a village square at aperitivo time, in a lunch that lingers beneath a pergola, in the way each region champions its own cuisine, its wine and its customs.
Rome and Florence hold an immense share of the history of art, Tuscany unfolds its hills of cypresses and vineyards, and the Amalfi Coast clings its colourful villages to the cliffs. Further north, Venice and the great lakes complete a country that fast trains let you cross without hurrying.
Tukkiji designs tailor-made trips to Italy from Dakar: itinerary, hand-picked hotels, transfers and visits, shaped around your pace and your wishes.
Practical information
The essentials before you go.
- Capital
- Rome
- Languages
- Italian; German in South Tyrol and French in the Aosta Valley, alongside many regional dialects
- Currency
- Euro (EUR): €1 = 655.957 FCFA, fixed exchange rate (about 656 FCFA)
- Flights
- From Dakar, about 5 h 30 direct to Rome or Milan when a direct flight is scheduled, 7 to 9 h with one stop; about 2 h from Paris
- Time difference
- Same time as Paris; 1 hour ahead of Dakar in winter, 2 hours in summer
- Entry requirements
- EU citizens: valid national ID card or passport. Senegalese nationals and citizens of many non-EU countries: Schengen visa required, to be applied for several weeks ahead at the consulate or its visa centre
- Health
- No vaccinations required; travel insurance covering medical costs is compulsory for a Schengen visa, European Health Insurance Card for EU residents
- Electricity
- 230 V, type C, F and L sockets (an adaptor may be useful)
When to go
The best time to travel, month by month.
Italy has a Mediterranean climate, mild on the coasts and more contrasted inland and in the north. Spring and early autumn bring the loveliest light, pleasant temperatures and sites less crowded than in high summer.
- Jan12 °CGood time
- Feb13 °CGood time
- Mar16 °CGood time
- Apr20 °CIdeal time
- May24 °CIdeal time
- Jun28 °CIdeal time
- Jul32 °CGood time
- Aug32 °CGood time
- Sept27 °CIdeal time
- Oct22 °CIdeal time
- Nov16 °CGood time
- Dec12 °CGood time
- Ideal time
- Good time
- Rainy season
Average daytime temperatures in Florence and Rome. In July and August, the heat is intense in the art cities and the busiest sites; around 15 August (Ferragosto), many Italians are on holiday themselves. Winter is quiet and ideal for museums, but cool, and many hotels on the Amalfi Coast close from November to March. The grape harvest, in September and October, is a beautiful time in Tuscany.
Must-sees
The places not to miss.
Florence
The Duomo and its dome, the Uffizi, the Ponte Vecchio and the artisans' workshops of the Oltrarno: the cradle of the Renaissance, on a human scale.
The Tuscan countryside
Chianti and its vineyards, Siena and its shell-shaped piazza, the Val d'Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and estates where you stay among olive trees and cypresses.
The Amalfi Coast and Capri
Positano, Amalfi and Ravello suspended above the sea, terraced lemon groves, and Capri just a boat crossing away.
Venice
The canals, St Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace, then the quieter districts of Dorsoduro and Cannaregio, and the islands of the lagoon.
Lake Como
Villas and their gardens by the water, Bellagio and Varenna linked by boat, at the foot of the Pre-Alps, an hour from Milan.
Frequently asked questions
What travellers often ask us.
Do I need a visa for Italy?
Not if you are an EU citizen: a valid national ID card or passport is enough. Senegalese nationals and citizens of many other non-EU countries need a Schengen visa, obtained from the Italian consulate or its visa centre, applying several weeks in advance. An electronic travel authorisation (ETIAS) is planned for visa-exempt travellers. Check the requirements for your nationality before you travel.
When is the best time to visit Italy?
From April to June, then in September and October: days are mild and bright, and sites are easier to visit than in high summer. July and August suit the seaside, but the art cities are hot and crowded. Winter is ideal for Rome, Florence and Venice without the crowds.
How many days do you need in Italy?
Three to four days are enough for a first taste of Rome or Florence. Allow a week to combine Rome, Florence and the Tuscan countryside, and ten to fourteen days to add the Amalfi Coast or Venice.
When is the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast?
May, June and September are the most pleasant months: the sea is warm, the terraces are open and the roads are quieter than in July and August. From November to March, many hotels and restaurants are closed.
What is the best way to get around Italy?
High-speed trains link the major cities quickly: about 1 h 30 from Rome to Florence, just over 2 hours from Florence to Venice, 1 h 10 from Rome to Naples. For Tuscany, a car is best, avoiding the limited-traffic zones (ZTL) in historic centres. On the Amalfi Coast, a driver or the boat spares you the narrow roads.
How much does a trip to Italy cost?
Prices vary widely by season and region: Venice, the Amalfi Coast and central Rome are the most expensive. The currency is the euro (€1 = 655.957 FCFA) and cards are widely accepted. Allow for the tourist tax, paid at the hotel, and the coperto sometimes added to the bill in restaurants.
Your journey, at your own pace.
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