Studies conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2023 report that Italy is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Australian citizens. More than 300,000 Australians traveled to various locations in Italy in 2023, and this figure is set to spiral in the coming years.
Historical Connection Between Australia and Italy
Since the 18th century, Italians have migrated to Australia as free settlers, wanting to get the benefits of the opportunities available in this new land. The numbers ramped up after World War II when hundreds of Italian soldiers discovered the beauty and possibilities here. They brought with them their unique culture, language, traditions and cuisine. Today, Italian cuisine is one of the most popular ones here, and items such as pizza, pasta, olive oil, tiramisu and other delicious Italian dishes have become regular features on menus across the country. Italian immigrants introduced the wine and coffee cultures that they were used to in their own country, into Australia. There are several economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
In terms of demographics, Italians make up the third largest ethnic group in Australia, and Italian is the third most widely spoken language Down Under. All this goes to point in the direction of the reason why traveling to Italy is so important in Australia.
Destination Italy: What Are Your Options?
The distance from Australia to Italy is more than 15,000 km and the time difference is 8 hours. Australia is 8 hours ahead of Italy in terms of the clock. If you plan to stay for 90 days or less for tourism, business, missionary work, study or sporting events, Australian citizens don’t require a visa to enter Italy.
In Italy, the currency is the Euro, and you will have to confirm the latest conversion rate before you travel, as this is a fluctuating number. Currently, 1 AUD = 0.6 Euro.
There are convenient flights from most major Australian cities to large metropolises in Italy. You can fly to Italian cities such as Rome, Naples, Florence, Bologna, Milan, Genoa, Palermo and more. In case you need to access some of the smaller cities, you can work with your travel agent to find the nearest large airport and then take a connecting flight, train, bus or taxi to your destination. Car hire is also available for self driving.
Leaving Your Car In Australian Airports: Things To Watch Out For
One of the most convenient ways to get to the airport while traveling out of Australia is to drive your own car, park it in the assigned spot, and pick it up when you return. This saves you the stress of trying to commute via public transport. If you have a lot of luggage, or you’re traveling with small children, senior citizens or wheelchair bound persons, this is the best option for hassle free arrival at the airport. You can pre-book your slot and ensure that you select one that’s closest to your terminal. If you want a more cost-effective option, you can comparison shop, look for deals and discounts, park off-site, avail of the shuttle service or select a smaller airport to fly out of.
While there’s no doubt that self driving is one of the most convenient options, there are some serious pitfalls that you have to keep in mind before you choose this facility. For more information, check useful websites.
Tech Glitches: Online booking your parking slot is touted as one of the wonders of modern technology. No question about it, it’s certainly easy and convenient, but the caveat is “When it works!” Many customers have complained about the delays in trying to log in to the parking system website. You can book without logging in, but there is a particular time window for booking. Other customers have had the experience of the QR code not working when they reach the entrance to the parking area. This can be highly stressful when you need to be on time to catch your flight.
Damage and Vandalism: If you plan to park your car long term, avoid parking in open lots or uncovered and unprotected areas. You could return to find your vehicle dented, damaged or scratched. Some customers have found their GPS or audio system stolen, the car broken into and tools or other stuff stolen. Though airport parking areas are supposed to have CCTV coverage, in reality these systems are poorly maintained and managed. Valet parking is a better option, even if you have to pay extra for it. Some travelers have returned after their holidays and found that their cars were moved without permission to outside areas or the street.
Congestion: Even if you have pre-booked your slot, entering the parking area could be a challenge during peak times. Other cars waiting to enter may clog the entrances, making it difficult to find your slot. While exiting, traffic congestion could be heavy, and you could lose your window of time, and end up having to pay more because you were unable to punch your time out.
Lack of prompt customer service response: Many travelers have complained that when they want assistance or to register a complaint, they find it difficult to access customer service. Others have experienced poor service, rude personnel and lack of satisfactory response where refunds are requested.
Exorbitant Rates: The biggest peeve that people have reported about airport parking is the inordinately high charges. You may not know it, but airports derive a significant portion of their revenue from parking. This is why they tend to hike rates frequently, making it difficult for the average traveler to use the parking facilities within the premises of the airport.
Poor Infrastructure: To keep their facilities well maintained and safe, airport parking authorities have to invest in infrastructure and maintenance. Unfortunately, many major airport parking areas are not user-friendly, don’t have adequate signage, are not cleaned properly or well-lit. Location signs may be faded or difficult to read, and the “Available” green light signs may not be correct, and you could end up circling round the area looking for a spot. This can cause unnecessary stress and you could even miss your flight.
