https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Italy in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed "Luxury is the opposite of the naturally necessary," wrote Karl Marx -- but tell that to guests at a new five-star Rome hotel in the former seat of the Italian Communist Party (PCI). https://www.thelocal.it/20261113/former-communist-headquarters-transformed-into-luxury-hotel-in-rome Fri, 13 Nov 2026 10:15:17 +0100 former-communist-headquarters-transformed-into-luxury-hotel-in-rome Rome's Colosseum was to remain closed for a third day, following the death of a 22-year-old killed while working inside the ancient amphitheatre overnight on Tuesday. https://www.thelocal.it/20260924/romes-colosseum-to-remain-closed-after-workers-death Thu, 24 Sep 2026 11:24:05 +0200 romes-colosseum-to-remain-closed-after-workers-death Cities across Europe will gain more leeway to curb short-term rentals such as Airbnb under plans to bring down housing costs in tourism hotspots that the European Union is to unveil Wednesday. https://www.thelocal.it/20260905/eu-to-help-cities-clamp-down-on-tourist-rentals Sat, 05 Sep 2026 10:38:52 +0200 eu-to-help-cities-clamp-down-on-tourist-rentals Want to see the Colosseum or Michelangelo’s David for free? You can on one date every month. https://www.thelocal.it/20220805/what-you-need-to-know-about-italys-free-museum-sundays Fri, 05 Aug 2022 15:42:53 +0200 what-you-need-to-know-about-italys-free-museum-sundays Taking a taxi in Rome can be stressful, from finding an available car to getting slapped with an unexpected surcharge. But once you know the rules, it's easy (and much simpler than using public transport). https://www.thelocal.it/20260825/what-you-need-to-know-about-taking-a-taxi-in-rome Tue, 25 Aug 2026 19:06:45 +0200 what-you-need-to-know-about-taking-a-taxi-in-rome If your checked bag is delayed or lost when flying to or from Italy, you'll want to follow these steps to get your belongings back and request compensation. https://www.thelocal.it/20260819/what-to-do-if-your-airline-loses-your-luggage-on-a-trip-to-italy Wed, 19 Aug 2026 18:17:03 +0200 what-to-do-if-your-airline-loses-your-luggage-on-a-trip-to-italy Did you find a new favourite place to visit in Italy this summer? Or do you have a tried-and-true summer spot you've been returning to year after year? Share your experience with fellow readers. https://www.thelocal.it/20260819/your-tips-where-are-italys-best-lesser-known-summer-spots Wed, 19 Aug 2026 18:12:52 +0200 your-tips-where-are-italys-best-lesser-known-summer-spots From 'decorum' rules on clothing and behaviour to increased entry fees, these are the new and expanded tourism restrictions you need to know if you're planning to visit Italy in summer 2026. https://www.thelocal.it/20260601/fee-hikes-and-group-sizes-new-rules-impacting-tourists-in-italy-this-summer Mon, 01 Jun 2026 15:44:21 +0200 fee-hikes-and-group-sizes-new-rules-impacting-tourists-in-italy-this-summer Depending on which non-EU country you're from, you may need a Schengen visa to visit Italy as a tourist. Here's what to know about the application process, fees and more. https://www.thelocal.it/20260817/a-quick-guide-to-getting-a-schengen-visa-for-italy-and-the-eu Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:36:30 +0200 a-quick-guide-to-getting-a-schengen-visa-for-italy-and-the-eu From language tips to getting around, here’s what to know if you’re planning a trip to this multi-faceted, multi-cultural part of Italy. https://www.thelocal.it/20260813/what-to-expect-if-youre-visiting-italys-south-tyrol-dolomites Thu, 13 Aug 2026 12:44:01 +0200 what-to-expect-if-youre-visiting-italys-south-tyrol-dolomites There are quite a few rules regulating how you can enjoy the sand and surf at Italian beaches, in addition to important rights that beachgoers should know about. https://www.thelocal.it/20260812/shells-smoking-and-sex-the-rules-you-have-to-follow-on-italian-beaches Wed, 12 Aug 2026 19:14:59 +0200 shells-smoking-and-sex-the-rules-you-have-to-follow-on-italian-beaches The Colosseum has extended opening hours at night this summer to allow more visitors to see the famous Roman amphitheatre in cooler temperatures after sunset. https://www.thelocal.it/20260814/romes-colosseum-extends-opening-hours-amid-summer-heatwaves Fri, 14 Aug 2026 16:05:47 +0200 romes-colosseum-extends-opening-hours-amid-summer-heatwaves Spectacular images of lava flowing down the slopes of an erupting Mount Etna have drawn flocks of sometimes ill-equipped tourists to the Italian volcano – drawing concern from local guides. https://www.thelocal.it/20260813/safety-warnings-as-tourists-rush-to-erupting-mount-etna Thu, 13 Aug 2026 11:26:10 +0200 safety-warnings-as-tourists-rush-to-erupting-mount-etna Before Italy tightened its citizenship rules, applicants were booking flights and signing leases on the strength of a government campaign urging them to connect with their roots. https://www.thelocal.it/20260724/shot-itself-in-the-foot-how-italys-citizenship-crackdown-stranded-its-diaspora Fri, 24 Jul 2026 12:59:14 +0200 shot-itself-in-the-foot-how-italys-citizenship-crackdown-stranded-its-diaspora European holidaymakers worn down by recurrent heatwaves are currently snubbing Mediterranean destinations for northern climes in hopes of cooler temperatures, but it remains to be seen whether it is just a fad or a durable shift in the tourism market. https://www.thelocal.it/20260726/will-heatwaves-push-european-holidaymakers-to-coolcations Sun, 26 Jul 2026 16:18:09 +0200 will-heatwaves-push-european-holidaymakers-to-coolcations Sardinia's beaches regularly appear in viral 'must-visit' rankings. But with heavy tourist pressure driving councils to bring in restrictions, not everyone can experience these spots. https://www.thelocal.it/20260703/like-winning-the-lottery-italys-top-ranked-beaches-are-among-the-most-tightly-controlled Fri, 03 Jul 2026 12:11:56 +0200 like-winning-the-lottery-italys-top-ranked-beaches-are-among-the-most-tightly-controlled After a spate of headlines about thieves snatching luxury watches and jewellery from tourists on the streets of Italy's cities, is this type of 'snatch and grab' crime something travellers should be concerned about? https://www.thelocal.it/20260717/how-common-is-street-theft-in-italys-tourist-hotspots Fri, 17 Jul 2026 12:32:37 +0200 how-common-is-street-theft-in-italys-tourist-hotspots Authorities are sending police and rangers to patrol tourist hotspots across the Dolomites from July amid a surge in the number of visitors - and complaints about their behaviour. https://www.thelocal.it/20260717/italys-dolomites-deploy-police-and-rangers-to-curb-tourist-crowds Fri, 17 Jul 2026 17:00:45 +0200 italys-dolomites-deploy-police-and-rangers-to-curb-tourist-crowds The Veneto Alpine Rescue service has issued an appeal for holidaymakers to keep clear of helipads after a recent rescue mission was delayed by sunbathing hikers. https://www.thelocal.it/20260702/anger-as-sunbathing-tourists-delay-dolomites-mountain-rescue Thu, 02 Jul 2026 12:36:23 +0200 anger-as-sunbathing-tourists-delay-dolomites-mountain-rescue Foreign tourists visiting Italy's capital during an unexpected heatwave have been caught off guard by the extreme temperatures. https://www.thelocal.it/20260630/tourists-soldier-on-in-rome-despite-heatwave Tue, 30 Jun 2026 19:05:38 +0200 tourists-soldier-on-in-rome-despite-heatwave