US citizens can visit Italy without a visa, as long as their stay does not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism or short-term visits. This is because Italy is part of the Schengen Area and the US has an agreement with the EU that ensures visa-free travel for Americans across all EU countries. The Schengen Area is a group of 26 European countries that have abolished passports and any other type of border control at their mutual borders. This agreement allows citizens of the Schengen countries to travel freely within the area, as well as to other countries.