Travel to Italy: which insurance to choose?
Are you dreaming of Italy for your next vacation? Its splendid nature, history and Mediterranean atmosphere, just a stone's throw from Switzerland, all come together in this easily accessible country. Find out in this article how to organize your trip to Italy quickly and easily!
Why travel to Italy?
The answer seems obvious... but we'll give it to you just the same: this country is full of treasures. Whether it's the mythical city of Pompeii, beautiful Rome, the gondolas of Venice, the Sistine Chapel, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the landscapes of Tuscany... From north to south, from mountains to sea, from land to coast, Italy's natural and cultural riches promise a real change of scenery. Not forgetting, of course, Italy's renowned gastronomy, with its pasta, risotto, mozzarella, wine and more. Wherever you go in Italy, your days will be marked by the delights of Italian cuisine.
Organizing a trip to Italy
Easy access
Planning your trip to Italy? Switzerland has the advantage of being right next door, and you can be there in less than an hour, depending on your point of departure! Whatever mode of transport you choose, Italy is really easy to get to:
- By plane: Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence... All these major cities have airports nearby, and departures from Geneva or Zurich, for example, are frequent.
- By train: there are frequent, easy connections to Switzerland's major railway stations. In just a few hours, you'll be in Italy, passing through some magnificent scenery.
- By road: car, motorcycle or even camper van are also very convenient for travelling in Italy. Once you've crossed the main passes between Switzerland and Italy, enjoy your trip at your own pace and with complete independence. Before you set off, don't forget to check your journey times, your vehicle and your insurance.
When to go to Italy?
As with many countries, the best time to visit is in summer, when you can enjoy the sea and the sun. However, if you want to avoid the hordes of tourists from all over the world, you can also plan your trip to Italy as early as April, to enjoy the mild climate without the risk of catching a cold. September is also a very pleasant month. With the end of the Covid-19 restrictions, Italy's calendar of cultural events is back on track:
- In February, Venice Carnival is in full swing: this festival dating back to the Middle Ages attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world every year. It begins 10 days before Ash Wednesday and lasts until Shrove Tuesday. Dates vary from year to year, but the carnival generally takes place between the end of January and the beginning of March.
- In December, the Milan Christmas market: Christmas is a major Italian celebration. In Milan, the market brings together no fewer than 400 stalls in an exceptional setting: the Sforza castle.
Between us, discover the 5 nuggets Elvio recommends you discover in Italy:
- The Langhe: a historic region of Piedmont with rolling vineyards
- The Damanhur Temples of Humanity: classified as the "Eighth Wonder of the World
- Civita di Bagnoregio: medieval village perched atop a rocky peak in the province of Umbria
- Bellagio on Lake Como
- Lazise: medieval town on Lake Garda.
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Getting around and traveling in Italy
Italy, like Switzerland, is a member of the Schengen Area. As a Swiss citizen or a European living in Switzerland, you can travel to Italy without prior authorization. Preparing a trip has never been easier! Crossing the border is easy, and all you need is your identity papers on you, either your identity card or your valid passport
What travel insurance do I need for my stay in Italy?
Depending on the length of my stay in Italy, which insurance should I choose?
Single-trip insurance seems to be the ideal option for you. It insures you for up to 180 days and offers all the coverage you need.
Trip cancellation, medical repatriation and medical expenses abroad, compensation for a missed or delayed flight, coverage in the event of loss, theft or destruction of luggage while being transported by a transport company... The cost of the insurance will depend on the options chosen and the duration of your trip to Italy.
Medical expenses in Italy
The European Health Insurance Card is usually on the back of your compulsory health insurance card. If this is not the case, contact your insurance company to obtain it. It gives you access to public medical facilities in European countries on the same basis as local insured persons. During your trip to Italy, this European Health Insurance Card will come in very handy. However, it should be noted that coverage for medical care must meet certain criteria, such as the following:
- Care must be provided in health centers (Aziende Sanitarie Locali) or by doctors approved by the National Health Service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale).
- They must fall within the scope of general medicine and may, if necessary, be submitted to specialist medicine with a prescription.
- A small fee is charged for non-emergency general consultations, or for consultations outside the opening hours of doctors' surgeries.
To ensure that you are reimbursed for any additional costs (your compulsory health insurance excess is not reimbursed) during your trip to Italy, don't forget to take out travel insurance before you leave.
Europ Assistance reimburses you for medical expenses incurred abroad and remaining at your expense after reimbursement by your insurance company (without reimbursing the deductible) and, if applicable, your complementary health insurance, up to the limit of the coverage amounts indicated in our various formulas.
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