Italy is one of the world's most popular destinations, offering a unique combination of cultural history, modern cosmopolitanism, and breathtaking natural landscapes.

Whether you're into art, architecture, fashion, or just Italian food, one thing's for sure: you cannot call yourself a traveler if you've never been to the Bel Paese (the "beautiful country" in Italian).

But since the times are changing and traveling isn't as safe (or simple) as it used to be, there are three things you should keep in mind before booking a flight:

1. Unvaccinated travelers will have to self-isolate

If you’re considering visiting Italy, you should probably get vaccinated first.
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One of the European countries most affected by the pandemic, Italy requests proof of vaccination from all of its visitors. They also ask for a negative test completed 72 hours before the flight. Unvaccinated tourists are not so lucky: to enter the country, they will be forced to present a negative test and self-isolate for five days!

So if you're thinking of spending your hard-earned vacation days in the beautiful country of Italy, you should probably get vaccinated first. Or else, you may end up wasting most of the time quarantining by yourself.

2. Covid-specific insurance is a must

Insurance is a must for tourists in this day and age.
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The pandemic isn't just troubling for Italy but to pretty much every other country in the world. For this reason, you should buy yourself some Covid-specific travel insurance before leaving home to avoid any potential financial disasters.

If you test positive for coronavirus before leaving the country, you may be forced to go into quarantine for several days in a local hotel. This stay can get costly, especially if your recovery happens to take a bit longer than expected. To make sure you and your family will not waste half of your traveling budget in a dusty hotel near Rome's airport, get some Covid insurance to give your mind some rest.

3. It's not crowded, but it's not empty either

Just because of the restrictions, don’t expect the best spots in the city to be empty.
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Even in the toughest of times, Italy is a major touristic force and one of the most-visited countries in the world. So please make sure to reserve and buy everything in advance before going, or you'll risk missing out.

While most restaurants, hotels, and museums are not as booked as they used to be, that doesn't mean you can relax and simply show up at the door. Making reservations for everything is a must in Italy, especially if you're visiting during the summer or staying in one of the country's busiest cities, like Rome or Milan.