Europe Travel Guides

Disabled access

Italy is not an easy country for disabled travellers and getting around can be a problem for the wheelchair bound. Even a short journey in a city or town can become a major expedition if cobblestoned streets have to be negotiated. Although many buildings have lifts, they are not always wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair. The Italian State Tourist Office in your country may be able to provide advice on Italian associations for the disabled and information on what help is available. It may also carry a small brochure, Services for Disabled Passengers, published by the Italian railways company, Trenitalia, which details facilities at stations and on trains.

For children

Italians love children but there are few special amenities for them. Always make a point of asking staff at tourist offices if they know of any special family activities and for suggestions on hotels that cater for kids. Discounts are available for children (usually aged under 12 but sometimes based on the child's height) on public transport and for admission to sites.

Book accommodation in advance to avoid any inconvenience and when travelling by train make sure to reserve seats to avoid finding yourselves standing up for the entire journey. You can hire car seats for infants and children from most car-rental firms, but you should always book them in advance.

You can buy baby formula in powder or liquid form, as well as sterilising solutions such as Milton, at farmacie (pharmacies). Disposable nappies (diapers) are widely available at supermarkets, farmacie and sometimes in larger cartolerie (stores selling paper goods). Fresh cow's milk is sold in cartons in bars that have a 'Latteria' sign and in supermarkets. If it is essential that you have milk, carry an emergency carton of UHT milk since bars usually close at 20:00 . In many out-of-the-way areas in southern Italy, the locals use only UHT milk.

Gay & lesbian

Homosexuality is legal in Italy and well tolerated in major cities. However, overt displays of affection by homosexual couples could attract a negative response in the south and in smaller towns. The legal age of consent is 16. A few years ago the gay capitals of Italy were Milan and Bologna, but Rome is now giving both cities some strong competition. There are gay clubs in Rome, Florence and Milan, which may be listed in newspapers but can be more reliably tracked down through local gay organisations or publications such as Pride, a national monthly magazine, and AUT, published by Circolo Mario Mieli in Rome, both available at gay and lesbian organisations and bookshops. The international gay resource Spartacus International Gay Guide (available in bookshops worldwide) also has listings of gay venues all over Italy. The useful website it.gay.com (Italian only) lists gay bars and hotels.