The national airline is Alitalia (AZ) (website: www.alitalia.com).

From London to Rome is 2 hours 50 minutes, and from New York is 9 hours 45 minutes.

Rome (FCO) (Fiumicino) (website: www.adr.it) is 32km (20 miles) southwest of the city (journey time - 30 to 55 minutes). To/from the airport: There is a direct rail link to Termini Station in central Rome and a bus service to the city centre and to Ciampino airport. Taxis are also available to the city. Facilities: Outgoing duty-free shop, car hire, ATMs, bank and bureau de change and bar/restaurants.

Rome (CIA) (Ciampino) (website: www.adr.it) is 15km (9 miles) from the city (journey time - 30 to 40 minutes). To/from the airport: Buses are available to the underground station Anagnina and to the city centre. Taxis are also available. Facilities: Bank/bureau de change, car hire, duty-free and souvenir shop and cafe.

Pisa (PSA) (Galileo Galilei) (website: www.pisa-airport.com) is 1.6km (1 mile) north of Pisa (journey time - 10 minutes). To/from the airport: Trains and buses run from Pisa airport to the centre of Florence (journey time - 1 hour). Rail services connect with arrivals and departures of all international flights and major domestic services. Facilities: Bank/bureau de change, car hire, shops and cafe.

Milan (MXP) (Malpensa) (website: www.sea-aeroportimilano.it) is 45km (29 miles) northwest of the city (journey time - 30 minutes). To/from the airport: The Malapensa Express train connects terminal one with the centre of Milan (journey time - 40 minutes). A free shuttle bus connects the airport terminals. Taxis are available. Facilities: Duty-free shops, banks/bureaux de change, business centre, left luggage.

None.

Main ports: Ancona (website: www.autoritaportuale.ancona.it), Brindisi (website: www.porto.br.it), Naples (website: www.porto.napoli.it) and Venice (website: www.port.venice.it).

Main ferry operators: Superfast Ferries (website: www.superfast.com), SNAV (website: www.snav.it), Ustica Lines (website: www.usticalines.it) and Navigazione Libera del Golfo (website: www.navlib.it). The main international routes are from Greece and Croatia. There are also links from Tunisia to Sicily. Cruise ships call at ports such as Genoa.

Trenitalia runs regular services covering national and international routes (tel: 892 020 from local land lines or (199) 166 177 from mobiles or land lines; website: www.trenitalia.com). The Artesia Service is the fastest railway link between France and Italy.

InterRail: offers unlimited first- or second-class travel in up to 30 European countries for European residents of over six months with two pass options. The Global Pass allows travel for a 22 day or one month period, or five days in 10 days or 10 days in 22 days across all countries. The One-Country Pass offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month in any of the countries except Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of residence. Travellers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children's tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (website: www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).

Eurailpass: offers unlimited first-class train travel in 20 European countries. Tickets are valid for 15 days, 21 days, one month, two months or three months. The Eurailpass Saver ticket offers discounts for two or more people travelling together. The Eurailpass Youth ticket is available to those aged under 26. The Eurail One Country Pass allows travel for one month in one of 17 single countries. The Eurail Selectpass is valid in three, four or five bordering countries and allows five, six, eight or 10 travel days (or 15 for five countries) in a two-month period. The Eurail Regional Pass allows 3 to 10 travel days in a two-month period in one of 25 country combinations. Available from The Eurail Group (website: www.euraildirect.com).

Routes to Italy run through Austria, France, Slovenia and Switzerland and most routes use the tunnels under the Alps and Apennines. Trenitalia runs regular daily services called auto al seguito (trains carrying cars), especially during the summer holiday season, covering national and international routes. These services operate from special railway stations and are generally bookable at the departure station. Owners must travel on the same train.

The documents required are the log-book, valid driving licence with Italian translation, passport, Green Card insurance and national identity plate fixed to the rear of the vehicle. For more information on routes, contact the Italian State Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses).

Coach: Eurolines (tel: 0870 514 3219 or 0871 781 881, in the UK; website: www.eurolines.com) runs regular coach services from the UK to Italy. Passes: Travellers can book a 15- or 30-day pass. Available from Eurolines (website: www.eurolines-pass.com).