Rolling countryside, great beaches, amazing art and wonderful food, it’s no wonder Italy is known as ‘Il Belpaese’ – the Beautiful Country. From the mountains to the seaside, from buzzing cities to charming villages, Italy is a delight from the moment you arrive. Italy is also one of Europe’s premiere destinations for Medical Tourism with a first rate Healthcare system and state-of-the-art facilities on offer. Many Medical Tourists choose to combine the delights of Italy with their medical treatment.

       Italy is a country which has inspired many generations of artist and it’s not hard to see why! Italy’s landscape is stunning and amazingly varied. There are snow-capped mountains, rolling hills of grapevines, rocky gorges and stunning coastlines. But Italy’s beauty is not the only reason to visit.

      The country boasts a healthcare system which frequently appears in the top ranked world medical systems. The medical tourism industry in Italy is growing fast thanks to the world class healthcare on offer and the fact that treatment costs are significantly reduced for many Medical Tourists. Travelling to Italy for lower cost medical treatment does not mean compromising on care and Medical tourists can combine their treatment with the vacation of a lifetime! For many, the beauty of Italy lies in soaking up the Italian atmosphere in a vibrant city or buzzing town.

      Cities like Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan have long been attracting return visitors. Italian cities offer a cultural experience like no other with museums, restaurants, cafes and not forgetting art galleries! And the countries beautiful architecture means Italy’s cultural heritage is apparent on every street corner. The intrepid traveller may choose to experience Italy by taking part in some of the many activities on offer around the country, from skiing to hiking, diving to biking.

Medical Facilities in Italy

      Italy’s Healthcare System is world renowned. In 2000, it ranked 2nd in the world. Italy’s Healthcare Performance ranks 3rd. There has been a public system in place since 1978 but some Italians do pay for private healthcare and use both the public and private systems. Italy is known for its cosmetic surgery and is a top destination for Medical Tourists seeking this type of treatment. However, it is also becoming known for other procedure areas, most notably dental surgery. The price of medical Treatment in Italy can be considerably lower than those in much of Western Europe and The USA.

      Italy is known for its standard of hospital care. Private Hospitals are often described as offering service and comfort similar to that of a 5 star hotel. Public hospitals usually offer both emergency care and non-emergency care and must uphold the Italian laws of quality standards. Private hospitals have state-of-the-art technology and offer a wide range of services to both local and international private patients. Private hospitals rarely have an emergency department. Doctors in Italy must train for a minimum of six years and further speciality training can take up to 4 more years. Doctors are trained to international standards and very highly qualified. Usually a doctors time is split between both private and public facilities.

    Italy is the perfect country for rest and recuperation post-treatment. The health benefits of Italy’s Mediterranean climate are known the world over and Italy offers the perfect environment to relax in whether you want to sunbathe on the beach, unwind in a lovely hotel or while away the hours sipping coffee in a typical Italian cafe. Italy is also known for its Spas. Spending time in one of Tuscany’s thermal spas could be the best way to convalesce. Italian hospitals are known for their comfort and many will offer patients aftercare facilities. A number of Medical Providers can help Medical Tourists with all areas of their visit including travel, transport, pre or post-treatment sightseeing and aftercare arrangements which can aid the recovery process.

     Italy’s major cities are served by numerous airlines worldwide. Citizens of most countries do not need a visa to visit Italy for personal travel including citizens of the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The national language is Italian but many locals in cities and many villages speak English so communication should not be a problem. Italy has many accommodation options for every budget from basic hotels to luxury rooms. The average hotel in a big city will cost between 60 and 80 Euros per night. There is also a big market for self-catering properties so if you are planning a stay of a week or more, this could be a good choice. The average cost of a meal in an inexpensive restaurant is around 14 Euros. A one way ticket on public transport cost about 1.20 Euros.