Capital: Rome, with a population of over 2.6 million
Currency: Euro
Covers 116,347 sq mi and is often referred to lo Stivale (the Boot)
Located in the the Mediterranean Sea. Shares borders with France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, San Marino and Vatican City
Green Travel
Take public transportation: Italy (and all of Europe) has incredible rail and bus systems to travel throughout the country and many of the cities offer subway systems, or very inexpensive local buses
Look for new transportation options, such as ride shares and bike shares that are increasingly accessible across Italy
Bring a reusable, packable day pack or grocery bag to avoid plastic shopping bags - Italians are very good at bringing their own bags and you’ll be asked every time you check out at the grocery store if you've brought your own
Limit the use of plastic water bottles by taking advantage of Italy’s clean drinking water: Look for fountains around the country (found everywhere in Rome) that all offer cold, clean drinking water
Stay in a locally-owned apartment (AirBnB), TripAdvisor GreenLeader hotel, or Agriturismo: All are more sustainable options than your standard hotel
Eat and drink products made in Italy: It’s easy to do and you’ll reduce carbon emissions caused by international shipping (use the DOC or DOP labels [denominazione di origine] to find products made in specific Italian regions)
Look for recycling bins: They’re almost everywhere in Italy, whether in businesses, hotels, or right on the street (most places compost too!)
Responsible Travel
When looking for a place to stay, choose locally-owned apartments or independent hotels so the money you spend goes back into the community
If you have the option, donate when visiting historical/cultural landmarks to support preservation
Take a tour of a local producer: Wineries, farms, dairies, or olive oil producers, often offer free (or cheap) tours where you can learn about and purchase locally-made products
Learn a few phrases in Italian: While most Italians speak a little English, starting off a conversation with an Italian greeting can go a long way
