Heaven forbid you should need a doctor on your Italian vacation, but in case you do, you’re in good hands and you probably won’t break the bank either. Italy has a national healthcare system, called the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN). It’s been around since 1978 when it replaced the state insurance system that had been instated after World War II. The SSN covers all residents in Italy, as well as University students and retirees from other EU member states. It also provides emergency care to foreign visitors, regardless of their country of origin. So, if you DO experience a medical emergency, feel free to take the ambulance and GO TO THE HOSPITAL. Unlike in the US, a hefty bill will not arrive later on.

That being said, a travel insurance policy that covers theft, loss and medical problems is a good idea if you have a pre-existing health condition that may require care abroad, or if you are just a little nervous about going abroad in general.

Healthcare is generally readily available across all of Italy, but standards vary significantly as the SSN is managed by regional rather than a state-wide government. As with most development and infrastructure, hospitals tend to improve the further north you are and deteriorate further south.

If you have a mild medical issue, such as a headache or cold and need something that in the US would be sold over the counter, look for a big green cross and head into a pharmacy. Most drugs and supplements in Italy are only sold in pharmacies, not supermarkets, and you will have to speak to a pharmacist to get what you need. In heavy tourist areas, pharmacists tend to speak if not perfect at least some English, and they are a great resource for helping you get what you need. The drugs in Italy are branded differently, so you will need to explain your symptoms, and the pharmacist can determine what it is you are looking for.

The number for an ambulance is 118 and the emergency room is the pronto soccorso.

Visit the United States’ embassy in Italy’s website for more information about English speaking doctors.

My friend and I vacationed in Italy for a week and visited Venice, Florence, Rome, and Pompeii with the help of Hali at L&B Italian Tours.

Her planning and knowledge of the touristy and not so touristy attractions was exceptional. Hali recommended visiting the Grand Bazaar, which we found rather easily to navigate to with the rail system leaving directly from the airport.

Once we arrived in Italy, she suggested various restaurants and some main attractions. Additionally, she was great help on
finding the best deals for connecting trains between the cities, quality places to stay though Air BnB, and booked us tours that included “skip the line” passes so that we could avoid long lines at major attractions like the Vatican and the Coliseum.

We found her overall knowledge of the cities, transportation and room and board to really give us an incredible trip abroad without breaking the bank!

Our excursion to Italy….In one word was “PERFECT”!

We had an amazing time visiting several places in Italy and Hali’s suggested itinerary and careful planning made for a great holiday without any drama!

Her knowledge and experience of connecting us with amazing tour guides, wonderful accommodations and orchestrating the travel between each city, was very well organized.

Hali listened to our long and complicated bucket list which included everything from art & history in Florence, biking in Lucca, getting to the top of the Tower of Pisa and hiking Cinco Terre, all while staying in beautiful accommodations and eating AMAZING food, and she was able to pull it all together without a hitch!

Thank you Hali for making our visit to Italy a very memorable experience!!!Grazie Mille !!!

In May of 2014, my husband and I experienced the trip of a lifetime to Italy. L&B Italian Tours arranged the entire trip and we just showed up.

It was fantastic! We experienced fabulous food, scenery straight out of a storybook, and wine. Oh, the wine!

One of the best parts of the trip was our tour guide – Silvia. She showed us Florence, Greve, the beaches at Viareggio and various vineyards in the Tuscan and Chianti regions that we would never have found on our own.

The trip was first-class in every way and we can’t wait to return!

Our L&B tour guide Silvia provided us a wonderfully unique walking tour of Florence. Her vast knowledge of the city and her fun, personable nature made our day an incredible experience.

Silvia knows the places to go, whether it is visiting the major sights, enjoying local foods, or shopping for quality Italian clothing, leather goods, or perfume. Our boat trip on the Arno River floating under the Ponte Vecchio at sunset created a magical addition to our already awesome day!Since we had been to Florence previously, we wanted to explore the city from the perspective of a local.

Silvia tailored the tour specific to our requests and provided us an outstanding experience that made the day uniquely different from any of our previous trips. Absolutely fantastic way to explore Florence!

We wanted to let you know that our L&B tour guide Silvia was fantastic and that everything you provided for us was timely and awesome!It could not have been any better.

Our customized itineraries took into account every aspect of Italy that we were hoping to see and experience and the cooking classes you recommended were top notch. We loved the wine tastings and excursions as well. Thank you for everything!!

We loved your tours - Wonderful - meraviglioso / Fantastic - fantastico

 My family and I had an amazing time while in Italy. We visited Venice, Florence, Rome - Thank you L&B Italian Tours!

Your tours, tour guides, and customer service were excellent.  I will highly recommend you to all my family and friends.

We will be ready to go back in 2 years and I look forward to using your services again.  

L&B Italian Tours Houston - Katy - San Antonio

Business Phone: +1 210-413-0760

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If you would like to contact us, please fill out your details to the right. One of our representatives will get back to you as soon as possible. If you would prefer to talk to us, please give us a call.

L&B Italian Tours is a family-owned tour company with plenty of adopted family members, all of whom have a passion for tours & travel. We offer 250+ tours in over 20 cities with expert guides who will help you fall in love with Italy’s history, culture and food.

We have offices in Katy and San Antonio Texas for your convenience.

WE ARE LOCAL

Our enthusiastic team is on the ground in Italy and dedicated to finding the most authentic experiences. We have the expertise to suggest the best locations, local suppliers and local guides. Our headquarters are in the US and we have a staff in Florence and Venice, Italy, so we can be close to our clients during their trip.

WE ARE EXPERTS

With 15 years + in the travel business our strong and diverse team developed a deep knowledge and an extensive network. We are specialists in art and archaeology, food and wine, transfers and accommodations.

WE ARE PERSONAL

We love what we do…Italy is our specialty!

We are a small company so we can treat each client as truly unique. We offer only experiences that we personally love doing.

Growing up, the heart and soul of my family, were my grandparents who emigrated from Caserta, Italy, and arrived at Ellis Island in 1907. They brought with them the traditions and customs their family had practiced for decades. Their stories, traditions, and recipes were shared each Sunday at our family dinners as we gathered around my grandparent’s dinner table. It was their deep passion for Italy; the food, the culture, and the importance of family that ultimately lead to the birth of L&B Italian Tours.

We have the opportunity to help our clients explore and experience Italy through our tours. I am very proud of our company and I know my grandparents would be very proud of us too. And as for family, L&B are the initials of my two nephews and we work side by side every day in turning our customer’s vision into a reality and creating memories for a lifetime.