New Year travel planning is on the way and Italy remains high on everyone’s list.
What do you need to know about 2023 Italy travel?
Here’s a list of some key 2023 Italy travel considerations:
- Key travel dates to note for your Italy travels.
- Europe’s inflation and the energy crisis is affecting everyone’s budget.
- A new speedy train between Rome and Milan makes it easier to move around.
- Venice day trip entry fees are slated for 2023.
- Required VISA and electronic border control systems set for late 2023.
- Don’t forget your international driving license when visiting!
I’ll update the list as new info comes up!
Italy: 2023 Holiday Closure Dates to know
Rest and holidays are very serious in Italy. And, while you’ll find more going on in touristy places like Rome and Florence during key dates, it’s still going to be quieter. And remember, cities have individual dates they honor throughout the year, so if you are hitting walls, ask if there are closures due to a local holiday so you are prepared.
Important ones to keep in mind for your Italy travel planning:
- January 1 – New Year’s Day
- January 6 – Epiphany (Epifania or Befana)
- March or April – Easter Monday (Pasquetta)
- April 25 – Liberation Day (Festa della Liberazione)
- May 1 – International Workers’ Day (Primo Maggio)
- June 2 – Republic Day (Festa della Repubblica)
- August 15 – Ferragosto
- November 1 – All Saints’ Day (Ognissanti or Tutti i Santi)
- December 8 – Day of the Immaculate Conception
- December 25 – Christmas Day (Natale)
- December 26 – Saint Stephen’s Day (Santo Stefano)
INFLATION: Prices Continue to Rise
Inflation continues to be a global issue. In Europe, driven heavily by the energy crisis – the result of Russia’s gas supply reduction, which affects the price of electricity produced in gas-fired power plants and overall electricity prices.
Italy is in the top of European countries affected clocking a 12.3% annual change. While inflation in Italy is expected to slow down in 2023, timing is unclear and that doesn’t account for economic recovery. Keep traveling, y’all. We need it!
How does this affect your 2023 Italy Travels?
Hotels already started increasing prices coming off the pandemic. With inflation and increased electric and gas bills, prices are going up significantly.
It’s a domino effect: prices go up with personal and business expenses, so we see higher prices on everything from activities to logistics. As a service providers, I ask that you remember that cost of living is seeing a giant spike, so price increases are a must. We are all doing our best to manage it, but it does mean getting creative with changes and pricing.
TRAIN TRAVEL: New Rome to Milano rail link deemed ‘fastest ever’
I work with a lot of clients looking to go north and south so this is an exciting one. Trenitalia just launched a new non-stop service between Rome’s Tiburtina station and Milan’s Rogoredo in 2 hours and 45 minutes. It’s about a 15 minute difference from the to-date fastest connection via Rome Termini and Milano Centrale.
Services are set to run once a day:
- Frecciarossa 9682 departs Rome at 5: 30 with arrival into Milan at 8:15
- Frecciarossa 9681 departs Milan at 20:44 with arrival into Rome at 23:29.
Note that the route does NOT stop at Rome Termini or Milano Centrale in an effort to curb congestion in these main stations.
VENICE: Entry Fee Expected for Day Trippers in 2023
An initiative designed to control the tourist masses into Venice has been on a bumpy road starting with its historic 2019 floods followed by the pandemic. The tax looked ready to roll for mid-January 2023, but was again sidelined with aim to launch later in the year.
Expected cost is up to 10 eu to visit the city. If your 2023 Italy travel plans include a day trip tp Venice, keep up on this situation. Note that overnight tourists, holiday home owners, people staying with locals, students, commuters and other niche categories are exempt. Read more here.
USA TO EUROPE VISA REQUIREMENTS: Electronic system and visa changes expected in late 2023
For US travelers coming to Italy, expect some changes to support security measures as well as visa requirements.
First, the EU’s new entry and exit system means automated passport scans at EU external borders. The intent is to better control the 90-day rule of non-residents. The EES was set to rollout in May 2023 (after a previous delay in late 2022) and now is scheduled for late 2023.
The system requires non-EU travelers to register biometric data at the border and use of electronic kiosk for border passage. Read more here.
Also slated for November 2023 is the implementation of ETIAS, requiring tourists to register for a visa in advance of travel at a cost is 7 eu. Read all the details and process here.
Don’t forget your International Driving License!
Just a quick reminder here as a lot of people don’t realize it’s important.
To drive in Italy, an international driver’s license is a must. It’s long technically been necessary, but only in recent years has it become an issue at the rental car counter. It’s important you have this in advance with your proper documentation during your travels and while driving. In the U.S., access this easily via AAA.
I hope these tips help your 2023 Italy Travel Planning!
If you are ready to start logistical and activity planning, submit a request here and check out some of my planning posts!
Piedmont Travel Resources:
- Where to Stay in Barolo Wine Country
- How to Get to Alba: Planes, Trains, Automobiles
- When is the best time to visit Piedmont? Let’s review
- Getting Around Barolo and Barbaresco
- Barolo Wine Tour Planning – Things to know before you go!
- How to do a Barolo Day Trip from Turin
- Alba White Truffle: Frequently Asked Questions
- Italy wine map
