Go to the Italy section of travel.state.gov. Any threats to travelers would be covered there. You can also check out the U.S. Embassy in Rome website.

I beg your pardon? What "civil unrest"?

"I beg your pardon? What "civil unrest""

He means free citizens asserting in public their disagreement with government policies.

Obviously activity that's discouraged in the unaccountable dictatorship the poster lives in

jmncook,

The present government of Italy has made one of its priorities a non-confrontational relationship with unions even while trying to push through economic reforms. This has resulted in a situation where strikes and protests against austerity measures have been less frequent and less disruptive than in other European countries. Almost all organized public protest have been carefully managed by the unions, and they are announced well in advance.

If you are traveling on May 1, you can expect demonstrations in the university cities and some of the northern industrial cities.

To others,

It is absurd to pretend that austerity policies aren't producing civil unrest and riots in several European countries. It has been the open agenda of the Monti government in Italy to avoid them, and his warning to EU leadership not to push austerity so far it produces a contagion of the kind of unrest that has afflicted Greece.

Thanks, zeppole, for your thoughtful and helpful reply. It's much appreciated.

Thanks soleil17, I'll do that.

I would not consider organized, legal and peaceful demonstrations protesting against political issues "civil unrest". It's one of the basic rights that the constitutions of democratic states guarantee their citizens.