Italy delays ‘sugar tax’ - again
A contested tax on sugary drinks will not come into force on July 1st after the government postponed its implementation to December 31st.
The levy was originally due to come into effect in early 2020, but a backlash from soft drinks producers persuaded successive Italian administrations to repeatedly delay its enforcement.
The measure, intended to address health conditions such as obesity and diabetes, includes a €0.10 tax on every litre of sugar-sweetened beverages such as sodas, sweet teas and energy drinks.
New flights to Italy
Several international airlines are set to launch new seasonal routes to and from Italy this month.
Spanish budget carrier Vueling will start twice-weekly flights between Rimini, Emilia Romagna, and Barcelona, Spain, on July 2nd.
This will be followed by thrice-weekly flights between Salerno, Campania, and Barcelona starting on July 3rd.
READ ALSO: LISTED: The new flights to and from Italy in summer 2025
Irish budget airline Ryanair will offer weekly flights (on Wednesdays) between Trieste, Friuli Venezia Giulia, and Stockholm, Sweden, starting on July 2nd.
Find a full list of new summer flights to Italy here.
Trenitalia launches new Italy-France night train
After a popular train line linking Paris to the Italian cities of Turin and Milan reopened in early April, rail travel between Italy and France is set to expand further this summer with the launch of a new night train linking Rome to Marseille.
Operated by Italy’s Trenitalia, the Espresso Riviera will run once a week from July 4th to August 30th.
Trains to Marseille will depart from Rome's Termini station at 7.57pm every Friday, while journeys in the opposite direction will leave the French city at 2.46pm every Saturday.
You can find further details about the Espresso Riviera service here.
Start of Italy’s summer sales
Retailers in Italy have two government-regulated sales seasons – one in the summer and one in the winter.
For all Italian regions except the autonomous provinces of Trento and Bolzano, this year’s summer sales will start on July 5th.
The saldi estivi are by far the favourite time of year for shoppers as businesses around the country apply generous discounts to their merchandise (these usually start at around 20 to 30 percent of the original price but can climb as high as 70 percent).
Though they run for at least one month in all parts of the country, the exact length of Italy’s summer sales varies from region to region. You can find a full list of this year's start and end dates by region here.
Transport strikes
Transport strikes are frequent in Italy, with at least two to three nationwide walkouts and several regional protests called each month.
July will be no exception as Italian trade unions have already announced multiple strikes affecting air, rail and local public transport services.
READ ALSO: KEY DATES: The transport strikes to expect in Italy in July 2025
Train passengers may face delays or cancellations on July 7th-8th as staff at rail operators including Trenitalia and Italo plan to strike for 21 hours (from 9pm on July 7th to 6pm on July 8th).
Flights to, from and across Italy may experience disruption on July 10th due to multiple airport staff walkouts.
You can find further details about these and other transport strikes in July here.
Uber launches helicopter taxis on Italy’s Amalfi Coast
American transport giant Uber is set to launch new helicopter services on Italy’s Amalfi Coast this month, providing well-heeled visitors with speedy connections between the seaside town of Sorrento and the island of Capri.
Uber Copter will operate every weekend from July 26th to August 23rd, with round trips coming in at €250 per passenger.
READ ALSO: LISTED: The big changes for travel to and from Italy in 2025
Besides new helicopter rides, Uber will also offer new boat services between July 26th and August 24th, taking passengers from the port of Sorrento to the picturesque cliffside town of Positano. You can find more details about the upcoming Uber Copter and Uber Boat services here.
2025 trial of Venice entry fee scheme ends
The 2025 trial of a contested ticketing system requiring visitors to pay an entry fee to access Venice’s city centre is set to end on Sunday, July 27th.
Venice’s entry fee scheme for day-trippers was reintroduced on April 18th after undergoing a 29-day trial in 2024.
The charge, which is part of broader plans to ease the strain of mass tourism on Venice's fragile infrastructure, has long faced strong opposition from residents' associations and grassroots groups, with critics arguing that it’s done little to reduce tourist numbers and has turned the city into a “theme park”.
Youth Jubilee in Rome
Around one million pilgrims are expected to travel to Rome in late July to attend the Youth Jubilee (Giubileo dei Giovani) – a major Catholic event inviting young people from around the globe to celebrate faith, unity, and hope through prayer.
The event, which is part of celebrations for the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year, is set to unfold from July 28th to August 3rd.
Summer festivals
Whether you live in Italy or plan to visit in the coming weeks, July offers a wealth of cultural events.
People in the central Umbria region can look forward to the Umbria Jazz Festival, held in Perugia from July 11th to July 20th, and Spoleto’s Two Worlds Festival, running from June 27th to July 13th.
READ ALSO: What's on in Italy: 10 of the best events to look forward to this July
Rome’s famous Caracalla Festival, which features a mix of outdoor opera, dance and theatre performances, runs throughout July and into the start of August, while Verona's celebrated Arena Opera Festival runs until early September.
Other cultural highlights in July include the Palio di Siena horse race on July 2nd, and Venice’s Festa del Redentore (Feast of the Redeemer) on July 20th.
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