Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Gay & Lesbian Travellers
Homosexuality is legal in Italy and well accepted in the major cities. On the Tuscan coast, Torre del Lago
has a lively gay scene, best expressed by
Friendly Versilia
(
www.friendlyversilia.it
)
, a summer campaign
that encourages gays and lesbians to revel in Torre del Lago's fun-in-the-sun frolics from late April to
September.
Resources include the following:
Arcigay
(
www.arcigay.it
) Bologna-based national organisation for the LGBTI community.
Azione Gay e Lesbica Firenze
( 055 22 02 50;
www.azionegayelesbica.it
; Via Pisana 32r) Active
Florence-based organisation for gays and lesbians.
GayFriendlyItaly.com
(
www.gayfriendlyitaly.com
) English-language site produced by
Gay.it
, featuring in-
formation on everything from hotels to homophobia issues and the law.
Gay.it
(
www.gay.it
) Website featuring LGBT news, feature articles and gossip.
Pride
(
www.prideonline.it
)
National monthly magazine of art, music, politics and gay culture.
Health
Recommended Vaccinations
No jabs are required to travel to Italy. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all
travellers should be covered for diphtheria, tetanus, the measles, mumps, rubella and polio, as well as hepat-
itis B.
Health Insurance
If you're an EU citizen (or from Switzerland, Norway or Iceland), a European Health Insurance Card
(EHIC) covers you for most medical care in public hospitals free of charge, but not for emergency repatri-
ation home or non-emergencies. The card is available from health centres and (in the UK) from post offices.
Citizens from other countries should find out if there is a reciprocal arrangement for free medical care
between their country and Italy (Australia, for instance, has such an agreement; carry your Medicare card).
If you do need health insurance, make sure you get a policy that covers you for the worst possible scen-
ario, such as an accident requiring an emergency flight home. Find out in advance if your insurance plan
will make payments directly to providers or reimburse you later for overseas health expenditures.
Availability of Health Care
Pharmacists can give you valuable advice and sell over-the-counter medication for minor illnesses. They can
also advise you when more specialised help is required and point you in the right direction.
