Travel Tips

Before you board your plane for Italy, here are a few things to know to help ensure a smooth trip.

Starting in 2026, all U.S. citizens planning to visit Italy must obtain a special travel authorization to enter any of the 27 Schengen countries.

Easter in Italy is a time to come together to enjoy delicious food and celebrate religious and family traditions. Each region of Italy has its own way of celebrating the season. Here are a few that stand out. One of the most famous Italian Easter traditions is the “Scoppio del Carro” or “Explosion of the Cart”. This tradition takes place in Florence on Easter Sunday. A cart filled with fireworks is pulled through the streets of Florence by a team of white oxen. The cart is then set on fire, and the fireworks explode in a spectacular display of light … Read more

Easter is an important religious holiday celebrated in many parts of the world, and Italy is no exception. In Italy, Easter is a time for religious observances, festive traditions, and delicious food. One of the most significant events leading up to Easter is Holy Week. In cities and towns across Italy, there are processions, reenactments of the Passion of Christ, and other religious ceremonies. The most famous of these is the Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross) in Rome, which takes place on Good Friday and is led by the Pope. During this ceremony, the Pope walks from the Colosseum … Read more

Although shopping is one of my least favorite activities, I do have some thoughts about what to buy when you are in Italy: Wine No, don’t bother.  It loses something when transported over the ocean and never tastes the same as when you are sitting in a charming piazza across from a Renaissance church with the bells tolling at dusk.  Drink the wine while in Italy! Leather  Yes, this is a product that is high quality at low prices, especially at the daily leather market in Florence.  Gloves are beautifully stitched and will easily slip into your suitcase as a … Read more

Il Chiostro workshops show you the real Italy, and we strive to make your experience with us as easy and seamless as possible. This includes providing you with the most up-to-date information about entering Italy in 2022. The following information was updated on April 19, 2022, and we will continue to edit this post as new information is made available. Italy is open, and we can’t wait for you to experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of our favorite place. With incredible food, fantastic wine, historical treasures, and beautiful, unspoiled countryside, it’s no surprise that visitors are clamoring to visit Italy … Read more

Gelato! It’s everywhere in Italy so, where is the best? Not an easy question, and until a few years ago I would have said that it is impossible to find truly authentic gelato anywhere. Before I spill the milk on which is my favorite, I need to explain the difference between gelato and ice cream. I am talking about the gelato served at a gelateria, not from a grocery store freezer section. That is a completely different frozen dessert and often contains butter and other ingredients not found in artisanal gelato (artigianale).  Despite being practically cousins, ice cream and gelato have some … Read more