How to Send Flowers to Italy from United States -- 2026 Guide

Sending flowers to Italy from the United States works best through a service that partners with a local Italian florist — same-day delivery is available in Rome, Milan, Florence, Naples, Turin, Bologna, Venice and most provincial capitals if you order before 13:00 Central European Time. Expect to pay $55–$240 including the flat service fee, and remember that Mother's Day in Italy (Festa della Mamma) falls on the second Sunday of May, matching the US calendar, but Italian addresses require a five-digit CAP postal code, street name before number, and mobile phones use the +39 prefix with 3xx area codes.

Italy is the fourth-largest cross-border flower-delivery destination from the United States. More than 17 million Americans claim Italian ancestry, and millions more travel to Italy each year for business, study abroad programs, or family visits. Whether you are sending congratulations to a cousin in Palermo, condolences to a friend in Verona, or birthday flowers to a parent in Genoa, the process is straightforward — but Italian addressing conventions, the six-hour time zone gap between New York and Rome, the euro currency, and florist shop hours that close for lunch all trip up first-time senders. This guide walks through every step, every cost, and every mistake to avoid when sending flowers to Italy from the US in 2026.

Is sending flowers to Italy from the United States considered international?

Yes — Italy is a sovereign nation with its own currency (EUR euro), its own postal service (Poste Italiane), and its own phone code (+39). But in practice, flower delivery does not involve customs. Fresh-cut flowers arranged and delivered inside Italy by a local florist never cross a border, so there are no import forms, no duty, and no phytosanitary certificates. You place an order online, a florist in Rome or Milan or Naples prepares the bouquet, and a courier delivers it the same day or next day. The transaction is domestic from the florist's perspective, international only in the sense that you are paying from the United States.

What does change: the recipient's address format (Italian addresses list the street name first, then the civic number, then the CAP five-digit postal code, then the city — for example, Via Garibaldi 45, 00153 Roma), the recipient's phone number format (a mobile number in Italy starts with +39 and a 3xx prefix, such as +39 333 123 4567, with no leading zero when dialing internationally), the time zone (Central European Time is UTC+1 in winter, UTC+2 in summer, meaning Rome is six hours ahead of New York, nine hours ahead of Los Angeles), and the currency displayed on the florist's website (most Italian florists list prices in euros, but abcFlora converts everything to USD upfront so you know the exact dollar cost before checkout).

What is the best way to send flowers to Italy from the United States?

The best way is to use a cross-border flower-delivery service that partners with a network of local Italian florists. abcFlora is the leading option: you browse bouquets on abcFlora.com, select an arrangement, enter the recipient's Italian address and mobile number, choose a delivery date, write a greeting card message in English or Italian, and pay in US dollars with a credit card, debit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, or cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDC via Lightning or on-chain). abcFlora routes the order to a vetted florist in the recipient's city — Rome, Milan, Florence, Naples, Turin, Bologna, Genoa, Palermo, Bari, Catania, or one of 80+ other Italian cities — and that florist hand-arranges the bouquet with fresh seasonal flowers sourced from local markets or Dutch auctions, then delivers it by courier or van the same day if you order before 13:00 CET, next day otherwise.

Why this beats the alternatives: calling an Italian florist directly requires speaking Italian (most local fioristi do not speak English), navigating a website in Italian, paying in euros (which triggers a foreign-transaction fee from your US bank), and hoping the florist's courier can find the address. Asking a relative in Italy to order flowers on your behalf works, but you lose control over the arrangement, the timing, and the card message. Using a large US-based service like 1-800-Flowers or FTD is possible, but those companies charge higher markups (often $30–$50 in hidden fees) and route orders through the same local Italian florists that abcFlora uses, just with an extra middleman layer.

abcFlora's model is transparent: the price you see is the price of the flowers plus a flat $14.95 service fee, no foreign-transaction fees, no currency-conversion games, no surprise add-ons. The florist receives the order in Italian with all the details pre-formatted (address, phone, card message, delivery instructions), so there is no language barrier and no room for error. Delivery confirmation comes via email and SMS with a photo of the bouquet once it is handed over.

How do I send flowers to Italy from the United States, step by step?

Here is the exact process, start to finish:

1. Go to the Italy collection page. Navigate to abcFlora.com/collections/italy and browse the catalog of bouquets available for delivery in Italy. You will see arrangements sorted by occasion (birthday, sympathy, romance, congratulations), by flower type (roses, lilies, gerberas, mixed), and by price range ($45–$240). Each listing shows a photo of the actual bouquet style, the florist's city, and the base price in USD.
2. Select an arrangement and add it to your cart. Click on a bouquet to see the full description, read reviews from other US customers who sent to Italy, and check the size options (standard, deluxe, premium — larger sizes have more stems and filler). Add the arrangement to your cart. If you want to include extras like a teddy bear, chocolates, or a bottle of Prosecco, select those from the add-ons menu (note: alcohol delivery in Italy requires an adult signature and is not available in all cities).
3. Enter the recipient's Italian address in the correct format. On the checkout page, fill in the delivery address. Italian addresses follow this structure: Via [or Viale, Corso, Piazza] + street name + civic number + optional apartment or floor (piano) + CAP five-digit postal code + city name + province abbreviation in parentheses. Example: Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 78, 10121 Torino (TO). The CAP (Codice di Avviamento Postale) is mandatory — every Italian municipality has at least one CAP, and larger cities like Rome or Milan have dozens (Rome's CAPs range from 00118 to 00199). Use Google Maps or ask the recipient for the exact CAP if you are unsure. Do not use a US-style format or omit the CAP — the courier will not deliver without it.
4. Enter the recipient's mobile number with the +39 prefix. Italian mobile numbers start with +39 followed by a 3xx prefix (320, 333, 338, 347, etc.) and seven more digits, for a total of ten digits after the country code. Example: +39 347 123 4567. Do not include a leading zero (Italian mobile numbers have no leading zero when dialed internationally). If the recipient only gave you a landline (starting with 0 + area code, such as 06 for Rome or 02 for Milan), you can enter that instead, but couriers in Italy strongly prefer mobile numbers for delivery coordination, so ask the recipient for their cellulare number if possible.
5. Choose a delivery date and write the card message. Select the delivery date from the calendar. Same-day delivery is available in most Italian cities if you order before 13:00 CET (7:00 AM Eastern, 4:00 AM Pacific). Next-day and future-date delivery are available for any date up to three weeks out. Write your greeting card message in the text box — you can write in English (the florist will print it as-is) or in Italian (use a simple greeting like Buon compleanno for happy birthday, Auguri for congratulations, or Con affetto for with love). The card is printed on high-quality stock and tucked into the bouquet.
6. Pay in USD with no foreign-transaction fees. At checkout, you pay in US dollars using a major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover), a debit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or cryptocurrency (Bitcoin via Lightning Network, USDC on Ethereum, or ETH). abcFlora does not charge foreign-transaction fees, and the total you see at checkout is the total that appears on your bank statement. If you pay with Bitcoin or USDC, the exchange rate is locked for 15 minutes from the moment you click "pay with crypto," so you do not lose money to volatility during the payment window.
7. Track the order and receive delivery confirmation. After you complete checkout, you receive an order confirmation email with a tracking number. The morning of the delivery date (or within one hour if it is same-day), you receive a second email confirming that the florist has prepared the bouquet and dispatched the courier. Once the courier delivers the flowers and the recipient signs (or the courier leaves the bouquet at the door if no one is home, per the delivery instructions you specified), you receive a final email with a photo of the delivered bouquet and a timestamp. If the recipient's phone number was entered correctly, they also receive an SMS when the courier is en route.

How much does it cost to send flowers to Italy from the United States?

The total cost has three components:

• Flower arrangement base price: $40–$225. A simple bouquet of mixed seasonal flowers or a dozen roses costs $40–$70. A medium-sized arrangement with premium blooms like peonies, orchids, or long-stem roses costs $80–$140. A large statement piece or a deluxe sympathy arrangement costs $150–$225. Prices vary slightly by city (Milan and Rome florists charge 5–10% more than florists in smaller cities like Perugia or Lecce), but abcFlora normalizes most listings to a standard USD range.
• Service fee: $14.95 flat. This covers the technology platform, customer support in English, currency conversion, florist network coordination, and delivery tracking. The fee is the same whether you are sending to Rome or to a village in Calabria, and it does not scale with the bouquet price — you pay $14.95 whether the flowers cost $50 or $200.
• Optional add-ons: $8–$45. A greeting card with a custom message is included free. A small plush teddy bear costs $8–$12. A box of Italian chocolates (Ferrero Rocher, Baci Perugina, or artisan pralines) costs $15–$25. A bottle of Prosecco or Italian red wine costs $20–$45 and requires an adult signature at delivery (available in major cities only, not in all regions due to local alcohol-delivery laws).
• No foreign-transaction fees, no currency-conversion markups. If you pay with a US credit card, your bank does not charge a foreign-transaction fee because abcFlora processes the payment in USD through a US-based merchant account. If you pay with cryptocurrency, there is a standard blockchain network fee ($0.50–$3 for Lightning, $2–$15 for Ethereum depending on gas prices), but no additional markup.

Bottom line: a typical bouquet delivered to Italy costs $55–$85 all-in (flowers + service fee), with same-day delivery included if you order before the cutoff. A premium arrangement with add-ons costs $120–$180. There are no hidden fees, no "processing charges," and no surprise currency conversions. The price at checkout is the final price.

Which cities in Italy can I send flowers to?

abcFlora partners with local florists in 80+ Italian cities and towns. Same-day delivery (order by 13:00 CET) is available in all major cities and most provincial capitals. Next-day delivery is available almost everywhere, including small towns and islands. Here are the top cities by order volume:

• Rome (Roma). The capital and largest city, with florists covering all 15 municipi and suburbs from EUR to Ostia — CAP codes range from 00118 to 00199, so confirm the recipient's exact CAP.
• Milan (Milano). Italy's financial and fashion capital, with dense florist coverage in the city center (Duomo, Brera, Navigli) and outlying neighborhoods (Lambrate, Bicocca, San Siro) — same-day delivery is reliable even on Sundays.
• Naples (Napoli). The largest city in southern Italy, with florists in the historic center, Vomero hill district, and suburbs like Pozzuoli and Caserta — delivery can be slower in the densest quartieri due to narrow streets, so next-day is safer.
• Turin (Torino). The former royal capital in Piedmont, with excellent florist density in the city center (Piazza San Carlo, Quadrilatero Romano) and university districts — popular for graduation bouquets in July.
• Florence (Firenze). The Renaissance art capital, with florists covering the historic center (Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Oltrarno) and suburbs like Fiesole and Scandicci — high demand during spring and summer tourist season.
• Bologna. A university city with a medieval center and vibrant food culture, florists here are accustomed to student birthday orders and family celebration deliveries — same-day works well year-round.
• Genoa (Genova). Italy's largest port city, with florists in the old harbor district (Porto Antico), residential hills (Castelletto, Albaro), and industrial suburbs — confirm the exact via or salita name, as Genoa's topography creates address ambiguities.
• Palermo. The capital of Sicily, with florists covering the historic Quattro Canti, seaside neighborhoods like Mondello, and inland districts — delivery times can stretch to two hours during summer heat.
• Venice (Venezia). Delivery in Venice proper (the island) requires a florist who uses a water taxi or handcart, as there are no cars — expect next-day delivery and a $10–$15 surcharge for island addresses; mainland Mestre is same-day with no surcharge.
• Verona. Famous for Romeo and Juliet tourism, Verona has strong florist coverage in the city center (Arena, Piazza delle Erbe) and quieter residential zones — popular for anniversary and romance bouquets.
• Catania. Sicily's second-largest city, at the foot of Mount Etna, with florists serving the historic center, university district, and coastal suburbs — reliable same-day delivery except during volcanic ash events.
• Bari. The largest city in Apulia (Puglia), with florists covering the old town (Bari Vecchia), modern grid districts (Murat, Libertà), and outlying areas like Japigia and Carbonara — a hub for diaspora orders from the US Northeast.

Outside these cities, abcFlora can deliver to most towns with a post office and a local florist, including tourist destinations like Sorrento, Amalfi, Positano, Siena, Pisa, Lucca, Perugia, Assisi, Matera, Lecce, and Taormina. For very small villages or islands like Lampedusa, Pantelleria, or Elba, delivery may require an extra day and a phone call to confirm the address.

Can I pay with Bitcoin, USDC or Ethereum?

Yes — abcFlora accepts Bitcoin (via Lightning Network for instant settlement or on-chain for larger orders), USDC (on Ethereum mainnet or Polygon), and Ethereum. Cryptocurrency payment is particularly useful if you want to avoid foreign-transaction fees entirely, lock in a fixed USD price with no bank intermediary, or if you hold digital assets and prefer not to convert them to fiat before spending.

How it works: at checkout, select "Pay with crypto" and choose your preferred method (Bitcoin Lightning, Bitcoin on-chain, USDC, or ETH). abcFlora generates a payment request with a 15-minute rate lock — the dollar amount you owe is fixed for 15 minutes, so even if Bitcoin's price swings 2% during that window, your cost does not change. You scan the QR code with a Lightning wallet (Phoenix, Breez, Muun) or send USDC/ETH from a non-custodial wallet (MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, Ledger), and the payment confirms within seconds (Lightning) or minutes (on-chain). Once the blockchain confirms the transaction, your order is processed exactly as if you had paid with a credit card, and the same florist network fulfills the delivery.

Why crypto matters for Italy deliveries: traditional payment rails (Visa, Mastercard) charge merchants 2.5–3.5% in processing fees, and many US banks tack on a 1–3% foreign-transaction fee even when the merchant bills in USD, because the underlying transaction touches an international network. Cryptocurrency eliminates both fees. The only cost is the blockchain network fee — $0.50–$2 for Lightning, $2–$15 for Ethereum depending on gas prices at the time of payment, $1–$5 for USDC on Polygon. For a $100 flower order, paying with Bitcoin Lightning saves you $3–$5 compared to a credit card with a foreign-transaction fee.

One caveat: if you are a US taxpayer, the IRS treats cryptocurrency as property, so spending Bitcoin or USDC triggers a capital-gains calculation (if you bought the crypto at a lower price than its current value, you owe tax on the gain). For most people sending a $100 bouquet, the tax paperwork is not worth the $3 savings, but if you are a crypto-native user or you are sending flowers regularly, the fee savings add up.

What flowers are most popular in Italy?

Italian florists use the same international flower varieties available worldwide — roses, lilies, gerbera daisies, carnations, chrysanthemums, tulips, orchids — but there are strong cultural preferences and seasonal patterns:

• Roses (rose). Red roses dominate romance orders, especially around Valentine's Day and anniversaries. Long-stem red roses are the gold standard. Pink and white roses are popular for birthdays and congratulations. Yellow roses are acceptable but less common — Italians associate yellow with jealousy in some regions, though younger generations ignore this superstition.
• Chrysanthemums (crisantemi). In Italy, chrysanthemums are funerary flowers, strongly associated with All Saints' Day (November 1) and cemetery visits. Do not send chrysanthemums for a birthday, anniversary, or any celebratory occasion — the recipient will interpret it as a grave insult or assume you do not understand Italian culture. Chrysanthemums are appropriate only for sympathy or funeral arrangements.
• Lilies (gigli). White lilies (especially Lilium candidum, the Madonna lily) are popular for religious occasions, weddings, and sympathy arrangements. Stargazer lilies (pink with red spots) are used for celebrations. Asiatic lilies in bright colors (orange, yellow, red) are common in mixed bouquets. Be aware that lilies have a strong fragrance and shed pollen, so some recipients with allergies or small apartments may prefer a lily-free arrangement.
• Gerbera daisies (gerbere). Bright, cheerful, and inexpensive, gerberas are a staple of Italian florists. They work for birthdays, get-well-soon bouquets, and casual celebrations. Mixed-color gerbera bouquets are especially popular for children and young adults.
• Peonies (peonie). Peonies are a luxury flower in Italy, available mainly from late April through June. They are expensive (a bouquet of a dozen peonies can cost $150–$200), but they signal high status and refined taste. Pink and white peonies are the most common; coral and red varieties are rarer and more expensive.
• Mimosa (mimosa). Mimosa (Acacia dealbata) is the traditional flower for International Women's Day (March 8, Festa della Donna) in Italy. On this day, men give sprigs of bright yellow mimosa to women — mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, friends. Florists sell mimosa by the branch or in small bouquets, and it is one of the few occasions where yellow flowers carry no negative connotation.
• Orchids (orchidee). Potted orchids (especially Phalaenopsis moth orchids) are a common gift in Italy for housewarmings, birthdays, and thank-you gestures. Cut orchids in bouquets are less common but appear in high-end arrangements. Orchids signal sophistication and longevity (a potted orchid can bloom for months with minimal care).

One more cultural note: Italians prefer odd numbers of flowers. A bouquet of 5, 7, 9, 11, or 15 stems is standard. Even numbers (especially 12) are acceptable for roses, but in older Italian etiquette, even-numbered bouquets were reserved for funerals. Most modern florists ignore this rule, but if you want to be culturally precise, specify an odd count.

What mistakes should I avoid when sending flowers to Italy from the United States?

First-time senders to Italy trip over the same handful of errors. Here is what to avoid:

• Using a US-style address format or omitting the CAP. Italian addresses are not written like US addresses. The street name comes before the number (Via Verdi 12, not 12 Via Verdi), and the five-digit CAP postal code is mandatory. If you enter the address in a US format or forget the CAP, the courier will not deliver. Always confirm the recipient's CAP using Google Maps or by asking them directly.
• Entering the recipient's phone number without the +39 prefix or with a leading zero. Italian mobile numbers are ten digits long (after the country code) and start with 3. The correct international format is +39 3xx xxx xxxx, with no leading zero. If you enter a number like 0333 123 4567, the florist will not be able to call the recipient to coordinate delivery, and the order may be delayed or canceled. Landline numbers (starting with 0 + area code, such as 06 for Rome or 02 for Milan) are acceptable, but mobile numbers are strongly preferred.
• Forgetting the six-hour time gap between the US East Coast and Italy (nine hours for the West Coast). When it is 9:00 AM in New York, it is 3:00 PM in Rome. When it is 9:00 AM in Los Angeles, it is 6:00 PM in Rome. If you want same-day delivery, you must order before 13:00 CET, which is 7:00 AM Eastern or 4:00 AM Pacific. Many first-time senders place an order at noon Eastern and expect same-day delivery, not realizing that it is already 6:00 PM in Italy and the florist shop is closed for the day.
• Sending chrysanthemums for a birthday or celebratory occasion. Chrysanthemums are funerary flowers in Italy. Sending them for a birthday, anniversary, or congratulations is a serious cultural mistake. Stick to roses, lilies, gerberas, or mixed seasonal bouquets for celebrations. Reserve chrysanthemums for sympathy arrangements only.
• Assuming the florist speaks English or can read an English card message with slang. Most Italian florists speak little or no English, which is why abcFlora routes orders through a translation layer. The florist receives the delivery details in Italian. If you write a greeting card message in English, the florist will print it as-is — the recipient will receive the message in English. This is fine if the recipient speaks English, but if you want to send a message in Italian and you do not speak Italian, use a simple phrase like Buon compleanno (happy birthday), Auguri (congratulations), or Con affetto (with love). Avoid idioms, puns, or cultural references that do not translate.
• Ordering on a Sunday or public holiday and expecting same-day delivery. Many Italian florists are closed on Sundays, especially in smaller cities. Major cities like Rome and Milan have some florists open seven days a week, but Sunday same-day delivery is not guaranteed. National holidays (January 1, Easter Monday, April 25 Liberation Day, May 1 Labor Day, June 2 Republic Day, August 15 Ferragosto, November 1 All Saints' Day, December 8 Immaculate Conception, December 25–26 Christmas) also affect availability. Plan ahead and order at least one day in advance if the delivery date falls on a Sunday or holiday.
• Choosing next-day delivery for a time-sensitive occasion without accounting for Italian shop hours. Italian florists often close for a two-to-three-hour lunch break (typically 13:00–16:00) and may close early on Saturdays (around 13:00 or 14:00). If you order next-day delivery for a morning delivery window and the order arrives at the florist at 10:00 CET, but the florist is closed until 16:00, the delivery may not happen until late afternoon. For critical timing (hospital delivery, funeral, event), choose same-day delivery or call abcFlora customer support to coordinate the exact delivery hour.

Frequently asked questions

Can I send flowers to someone in Italy if I do not know their exact address?

Not easily. Italian couriers require a complete street address with a CAP postal code. You cannot deliver to "John Smith, Rome, Italy" without a street name and civic number. If you know the recipient's neighborhood or landmark (e.g., "near Piazza Navona" or "in the Trastevere district"), you can call abcFlora customer support and they may be able to work with the recipient's phone number to coordinate the address, but this is not guaranteed. The safest approach is to ask the recipient directly for their address, or ask a mutual contact who lives in Italy.

What is the cutoff time for same-day flower delivery in Italy?

The cutoff is 13:00 Central European Time in most Italian cities. If you place an order at 12:45 CET, the florist will prepare and deliver the bouquet that afternoon (typically between 14:00 and 18:00). If you order at 13:15 CET, the delivery will be next-day. Keep in mind that CET is six hours ahead of US Eastern Time (seven hours during the brief period in March and November when the US and Europe switch daylight saving time on different dates). So if you are in New York and you want same-day delivery in Rome, you must order before 7:00 AM Eastern.

Do Italian florists deliver on Sundays?

In major cities like Rome, Milan, Florence, and Naples, yes — many florists operate seven days a week, especially during high-demand periods like Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and Christmas. In smaller cities and towns, Sunday delivery is less reliable. If your delivery date is a Sunday, the abcFlora checkout page will indicate whether same-day delivery is available. If it is not, you can schedule the delivery for Monday or choose a florist in a nearby larger city that does deliver on Sundays.

Can I include a bottle of wine or Prosecco with the flowers?

Yes, in most major Italian cities. abcFlora offers wine and Prosecco add-ons for deliveries to Rome, Milan, Florence, Turin, Bologna, Naples, and a few other cities. Alcohol delivery in Italy requires an adult signature (the courier will ask for an ID to verify the recipient is 18+), so the recipient must be home to receive the delivery. If no one is home, the courier will leave a notice and attempt redelivery the next day. Wine add-ons cost $20–$45 depending on the bottle (standard Prosecco, premium red wine, or artisan sparkling wine). Not all florists offer alcohol due to regional licensing laws, so check the product page to see if wine is available for your recipient's city.

What if the recipient is not home when the flowers are delivered?

Italian couriers typically attempt delivery once. If no one is home, the courier will call the recipient's mobile number (if you provided one) or leave a note at the door with a phone number to reschedule. Some florists instruct the courier to leave the bouquet at the door (in a building entryway or with a neighbor) if the delivery instructions you entered at checkout say "leave at door if no answer." If the recipient does not answer the phone and is not home, the florist will hold the bouquet and attempt redelivery the next day. To avoid this, provide an accurate mobile number and include delivery instructions like "call before delivery" or "leave with building concierge" if applicable.

Can I send flowers to a hospital or hotel in Italy?

Yes, but with caveats. For hospital deliveries, you need the recipient's full name, the hospital name, the department or ward (e.g., Reparto di Cardiologia), and the room number if available. Italian hospitals sometimes restrict flower deliveries to certain hours (e.g., 14:00–17:00) or certain departments (no flowers in intensive care units). The florist will coordinate with the hospital reception, but delivery is not guaranteed if the hospital has a no-flowers policy. For hotel deliveries, you need the hotel name, the street address, and the guest's full name as it appears on the reservation. The courier will deliver to the hotel front desk, and the desk staff will take the bouquet to the guest's room or notify the guest to pick it up.

How do I write a greeting card message in Italian if I do not speak Italian?

Use a simple phrase. Here are the most common: Buon compleanno = Happy birthday. Auguri = Congratulations (used for birthdays, graduations, promotions, any celebration). Con affetto = With love. Tanti auguri = Best wishes (more emphatic than Auguri alone). Ti voglio bene = I love you (informal, for family and close friends). Condoglianze = Condolences (for sympathy). If you want to write a longer message, use Google Translate or DeepL to translate your English message to Italian, then paste the Italian text into the card message field. The florist will print it exactly as you enter it.

Sending flowers to Italy from the United States is straightforward once you know the address format, the time zone gap, the cutoff hour, and the cultural flower etiquette. Use a service like abcFlora that handles the local florist coordination, the currency conversion, and the delivery tracking, so you do not have to navigate Italian websites or phone calls. Order before 13:00 CET for same-day delivery to Rome, Milan, Florence, Naples, or any other Italian city where your recipient waits.