Italy Travel Guide - Facts About Italy Travel

4/28/2014
Italy Travel Guide - Facts About Italy Travel
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Quick links
When you travel to any foreign country, it can be hard

to get the lay of the land. So Select Italy provides for
your reference a mini-guide to navigating the Italian way
of life. Read it now to acquaint yourself with the basics
of how things get done in Italy. You can read through
the whole guide, or skip around to read the parts that
interest you more.
If there are topics that aren't covered in our mini-guide,
you can contact one of Select Italy's Travel Experts toll
free at (800) 877-1755. We're here to help.
Geography
Holidays
Italy is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean
The following are national holidays. Most
Time (GMT). The time difference between Italy
offices, banks and many stores close on these
and some major cities is as follows:
days; museums in the major tourist cities are
London: -1 hour
New York: -6 hours
open on holidays
with the exception of
Christmas and New Year's Day.
Chicago: -7 hours
January 1st: New Year's Day
Denver: -8 hours
January 6th: Epiphany
San Francisco: -9 hours
April 25th: Liberation Day
When first arriving in Italy, this can have a

dramatic impact on a traveler as jet-lag hits
May 1st: Labor Day

June 2nd: Festa della Repubblica
and your body tries to adjust to the sun being
August 15th: Ferragosto
up 2 or 3 hours after you are used to going to
November 1st: All Saint's Day
bed. Daylight savings time is observed from the
December 8th: Immaculate Conception
end of March to the end of October.
December 25th: Christmas Day
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December 26th: Santo Stefano
Tourist Registration
Hotels take care of the formality of registering
you with the police upon your arrival in Italy. If
staying with friends or in a private home, you
must register in person at the nearest police
station within 3 days. In Rome there is a
special police information office to assist
tourists and interpreters are available. The
telephone number is 06-461950 or 06-486609.
Weather
Italy's climate is one of the most hospitable in the world
with a general pattern of warm, dry summers and mild
winters. There are, however, marked regional variations
ranging from the more temperate northern part of the
country to the typically Mediterranean climate of the
south. Summers are hot and dry along the coastal
areas, especially as you move south, and cool in the
major mountain areas the Alps and Apennines.
Winters are mild in the south of the country, Rome and
below, but in the north they can be at least as cold as
anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere, especially across
the foggy plains of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna and
in river cities like Florence and Verona where the damp
cold penetrates and the central heating systems aren't
always as efficient as those in North America. The nicest time to visit Italy
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in terms of the weather and lack of crowds is April to mid-June, or

September and October.
Language
It'll come as no surprise that Italians all speak Italian. Many also speak
English and one or more other languages. When in doubt, you can find out
whether someone speaks English by asking "Parla inglese?". One
interesting feature of Italy's linguistic development is that almost every town
and small region has it's own distinct language or dialect. As little as 50
years ago many Italians didn't speak Italian, but rather their own regional
dialect. Now all speak standard Italian with many people speaking dialect
as well. Several dialects closely resemble standard Italian (which is based
on the Tuscan dialect), while others are in a league of their own. The
Sardinian dialect, for example, is an ancient patchwork of a language,
influenced by the Turkish, Latin, Basque and Corsican languages. Sicilian
is a mix of Latin, Greek, Italian, French, Arabic and Norse languages, owing
its history to the long line of conquerors of the most strategically important
island in the Mediterranean.
Check out Vol. 3 of our popular How to series for tips on how to not
speak like a tourist.
Currency
Italy was one of the original nations to enter the Euro
zone. Euros come in coin denominations of .01, .02, 05,
.10, .20, .50, 1 euro and 2 euro. The bills are 5, 10, 20,
50, 100 and 200. While each nation designs the coins
that they mint within the Euro zone, Italy is unique in that
it is the only nation with a different picture on each coin.
Tourists arriving in Italy without foreign currency can
obtain euros at any bank, ATM machine or exchange office (Ufficio di Cambio) at airports, seaports and railway
stations in the major cities. It is advisable to keep receipts of currency exchanged in the event it is necessary to
reconvert euros back into dollars before leaving the country.
Travelers Checks
Banking Hours
Most shops in major Italian cities and tourist
Banks in Italy are open Monday through Friday
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areas accept traveler checks. The rate of
from 8:35am to 1:35pm and from 3:00pm -
exchange is calculated on the official daily rate
4:00pm; afternoon opening hours may vary
of exchange printed in the newspaper.
from city to city but in many tourist areas

banks are open non-stop from 8:30am to 4pm.
ATMs & Debit Cards
Banks are closed all day Saturday and Sunday
Most reputable establishments accept major

credit/debit
cards.
Those
establishments
accepting credit cards will post the logos in

their front windows. ATMs (Automatic Teller
Machines) are known in Italy as Bancomats.
They can be found everywhere in the major
cities and in the main piazza of small towns.
The machines in Italy operate the same as
they do in North America; however, before
and on national holidays. Travelers checks can

be exchanged for Italian currency at most
hotels, shops and at the foreign exchange
offices in main railway stations and airports.
However, the exchange rate is not always the
most favorable; as noted above an ATM card is
your best bet.
Money Belt
putting your card in the machine, make sure
As in any other place in the world, there may
that it is compatible. The symbol on the back
be a risk of pickpockets when traveling on
of your card must match up with that on the
crowded buses or subways and at tourist
machine. Cirrus, BankMate and Plus are the
sites. When using public transportation in the
most popular and widespread banking systems
largest cities (Rome, Florence, Milan, Naples,
worldwide so it is safest to have one of these
etc.) and visiting the most crowded tourist
three.
areas, we recommend that you keep your
If you are unsure about compatibility of the

banking systems, contact your credit card
company or local bank before leaving home. It
is advisable to find out from your bank the
maximum daily amount that can be withdrawn
in cash and then convert this sum into euros;
this will help you to budget your money. If
given a choice, it is preferable to use a debit or
ATM card since many credit card companies
now charge fees of 2.5% to 4% for cash
advances. Your best bet is to use your regular
ATM card and simply withdraw money from
your bank account just as you do at home.
personal valuables close to you and secure.

Consider the use of a money belt for your most
valuable items.
Tax Refund for Purchases Made in Italy

by Non-Resident Visitors
According to European Union (EU) regulations,
as a non-resident visitor you can claim a refund
for the Value Added Tax (VAT) on all goods
purchased in Italy and intended for personal
use or to be given as a gift. The value of these
goods must exceed 154,94 euro purchased
from a single shop and they must leave EU
territory within three months of the date they
were acquired. Be sure to keep all sales
receipts since the goods will be inspected and
the forms stamped at Customs in the airport
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from which you depart the EU. Once the

stamped form is mailed back to the shop they
will reimburse the tax, either in euros or as a
credit to your credit card.
For more information on how to claim this
refund see the website of the Italian Customs
Agency (Agenzia delle Dogane).
For a fee, several companies specialize in
refunding sales tax:
Premier Tax Free
Global Refund
The Daily Bread

Italian food has earned its reputation as some of the best in the world. In the
tradition of many Mediterranean countries, the Italian meal schedule is
different from the standard US schedule. Breakfast for Italians typically
consists of a cappuccino and a croissant (called cornetto in Italian) often
filled with nutella chocolate or custard, eaten while standing at a
neighborhood bar. Many hotels offer more substantial buffet breakfasts in an
effort to cater to foreign tourists, but don't expect scrambled eggs & bacon
everywhere you go. In most places lunch is the main meal of the day; this
is especially true in southern Italy. Offices close down for two hours at
midday for the office workers to take a 3-course meal and a nap. Dinner is
usually eaten later, starting at 8 or 9 and may not be as elaborate as lunch.
As with breakfast, most restaurants in major tourist centers are flexible
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about meal times, if you show up at a pizzeria at 6:00pm and find it empty,
don't assume it's a bad place. The locals might not show up till 9. For
suggestions, you can check out our Tips For Traveler's database, which is
jam-packed with tried and true local hot spots.
Bars, by the way, usually tip more in the direction of what US travelers
would consider a coffeeshop; almost all offer some kind of light snacks or
ice cream in addition to coffee and some harder drinks. Many also have
beer or other liquors, but tend not to be what US bar-patrons would
expect.Pizzerie, as the name implies, usually specialize in pizza along with
a couple of appetizers and many open only for dinner. Enoteche typically
have a focus on wine, while trattorie and osterie tend to be less formal
thanristoranti.
Lunch and dinner are frequently multi-course affairs, starting with

anantipasto or appetizer, followed by a primo piatto (first course), frequently
a dish of pasta, or risotto or a soup, and then by a secondo, usually some
sort of meat, fish or other local specialty. Vegetable side dishes are usually
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served alongside or after the second course; these contorni may be fried
potatoes or greens cooked in olive oil and red chili. Then comes dessert,
the dolce, and only after dessert has been cleared should you expect to be
offered coffee, which is almost always Italian espresso, not a big mug of
American Joe. There was a time when you could expect to be sneered at
by a headwaiter if you didn't order a full 3-course meal, but by now, most
restaurants are accustomed to the peculiar eating habits of American
tourists, and if all you want is a pasta and a salad, you don't risk alienating
the whole service staff.
Learn more about eating and dining out the Italian way in Vol. 5 of our
popular How to tips series!
Tipping
Italians generally don't tip in restaurants and cafes, except for leaving a euro
or two on the table for particularly good service the tip is more than
covered by the service charge (servizio) and cover charge (coperto) that is
added to the price of the food and drink. In taxis, it's usual to round up to
the nearest euro: if the fare is 7,58 E give the driver 8,00 E. For guides and
other service providers a small tip is always appreciated and appropriate if
you feel that your guide went above and beyond the call of duty. For a halfday guide, we recommend no more than 20 euro.
Health
No vaccinations are required to enter Italy or to
Pharmacies (Farmacie)
re-enter the US and Canada. Tourists requiring

urgent medical care should call 118 or go to
Pharmacies generally follow local shop hours
the nearest hospital emergency room (Pronto
(from 8:30-9:00am to 12:30-1:00pm and from
Soccorso); airports and many train stations
3:30
also have medical teams and first aid facilities.
Saturday) but in large cities many pharmacies
Those with chronic illnesses or allergies should
are open non-stop. Night-time service is
always
their
provided on a rotating basis, and business
physicians certifying in detail treatments in
hours and night shifts are displayed outside of
progress or those that may be necessary.
each pharmacy. Medicines can be obtained
carry
special
note
from
to
7:30-8:00pm,
Monday
through
only from a pharmacy, whether they are by

prescription or over the counter.
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Health Services and Insurance Policy

Italy has no medical program covering US and
Canada citizens, therefore, tourists from these
countries are advised to take out an insurance
policy before leaving home and procure a
document certifying coverage by a H.M.O. or
local health-care service.
Telephone & Internet

Useful Emergency Telephone Numbers
12 for Phone Directory Assistance
112 for Carabinieri service
113 for Emergency Police Help
115 for the Fire Department
116 for the A.C.I. (Italian Automobile Club)
for road side assistance
118 for Medical Emergencies
176 for International Inquires
Area Codes (Prefissi telefonici):

Both
local
(urbana)
and
long
distance
International Phone Cards
(interurbana) calls require the proper area code

before dialling the number; for example, to
The most economical way to call home is to
place a call within Rome you must dial 06 +
use one of the pre-paid international phone
phone number, to call Rome from Florence dial
cards
06 + phone number and to call Florence from
newstands
Rome dial 055 + phone number.
Vectone's Europa card costs only 5,00 for
To call the USA or Canada from Italy dial

001 + area code + phone number.
To call another European country from Italy
dial 011 + area code + phone number.
available
or
for
purchase
tabacchi.
For
at
most
example,
350 minutes of conversation to the US,

Canada, other European countries or within
Italy. It can be used from phone booths, cell
phones or land-lines, and an English-speaking
operator is available to assist you.
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Public Phones
Cell Phones
Pay phones are available throughout Italy
Italy uses the GSM cellular phone system; to
although they are becoming harder to find due
use the network you must first set up global
to the ubiquity of cell phones; if you can't find a
roaming service with your service provider back
pay phone anywhere else in town try the main
home. It's also possible to rent a cellphone for
train station. Calls made from a pay phone
the period of your vacation. Auto Europe and a
require .10, .20, .50 or 1,00 euro coins or a
couple of other companies have a service
pre-paid card (scheda telefonica) available in
where the handset itself is sent to you via Fed
denominations of 3,00 or 5,00 euro; bend back
Ex before departure from home. You can use
and break off the bottom left hand corner before
the phone while in Italy, and when you return,
using the card. These cards can be purchased
you put the handset in a pre-paid mailer and
at tabacchi (tobacco shops), post offices and
send it back to the company.
newstands; the same stores also sell phone

cards offering reduced international rates.
Select Italy also offers Italian cell phones to

rent or buy, as well as Italian SIM cards for
those who already have a GSM compatible
cellular phone.
Internet Cafes
It is getting easier to find Internet cafes in Italy;
for a useful directory to the major Italian cities
see the sites below:
Italian Internet Cafe Directory
Net Cafe Guide
Remember to take your passport with you as
Italian anti-terrorism laws require that you
present a photo ID before logging on to the
Internet. Whatever e-mail service you use at
home, it is a good idea to set up a web-access
mail account just for your trip; for example, the
free
mail
service
offered
by Yahoo!, Hotmail,Gmail, etc. These are the

easiest to use abroad since the necessary
software and configuration is built right into the
browser. Set up this account before you leave
home so you don't waste valuable time abroad.
Many
Internet
cafes
also
provide
cheap
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international
phone
calls
and
faxes,
international package delivery, courier service,

cell phone rental and photo developing in
addition to Internet access. One Internet
franchise with outlets in all the major Italian
cities is Internet Train.
Postal Service
Post Offices are usually open from 8:30am -
General Delivery Service
5:00pm. On Saturdays they close at noon.

Post Offices at airports and the main Post
Mail can be addressed c/o Post Office by
Office in large cities are usually open 24 hours
adding "FERMO POSTA" after the name of the
a day
and telegram
town. The addressee can claim mail at the
services. If you have something you plan on
Central Post Office upon identification by
sending back to the US and you are going to
passport. The envelope should be addressed
be in Rome, you would be better served by
as follows:
for registered mail
taking your mail to the Vatican post office

which can be found near St. Peter's Basilica,
as the Italian postal service is notorious for
delays in sending and delivering mail.
Mr. John Smith

c/o Ufficio Postale Centrale
FERMO POSTA
00187 Rome, Italy
Stamps
Stamps may be purchased only at tobacco
shops and at the Post Office. Always doublehttp://selectitaly.com/suggestions/useful-tourist-info
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check the exact price of postage to the

country of destination. Posta Prioritaria is
comparable to "Priority Mail" in the US while
Posta Celere is like U.P.S.
Electricity
The current in Italy is 220V, 50Hz so you'll need to bring or purchase a
transformer for standard 110V North American appliances. Plugs have two
round pins instead of the prongs usual in the US; plastic adaptors can be
purchased from an electrical supply store (elettricista).
Driving in Italy
It is a legal requirement for all foreigners driving in Italy to obtain an
International Driver's Permit (IDP; not to be confused with the International
Drivers License) and many rental car companies are now starting to require
it. Only two organizations are authorized by the US State Department to
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issue an IDP: AAA and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (through
the National Automobile Club). To obtain a permit that is good for one year,
you must show up at one of their offices with a valid state-issued driver's
license, $10 and two passport-size photographs. For more information see
the National Automobile Club's website.
Besides having an international driver's permit, it is helpful to be aware of

local driving restrictions. Please see our traffic sign guide for a few of the
standard signs. Take special note of the sign marked "ZTL". This stands
for"Zona Traffico Limitato" or Limited Traffic Area. Only locals with special
permits are allowed to drive in these areas. This is usually controlled using
police cameras which will take a picture of your car and mail the bill at a
later date (as much as 6 months to 2 years after the fact). Most rental
companies will have your credit card on file and charge as soon as the
ticket is sent. For more tips on driving in Italy see Vol. 1 of our popular How
to tips series.
Customs Regulations
Overseas tourists arriving in Italy after visiting other countries are allowed to
carry with them souvenirs purchased in other countries up to a total value of
$500; only a verbal declaration is required. Purchases may include up to a
half-liter of perfume.
Exports from Italy

There are no restrictions on gifts purchased in Italy except for antiques and
works of art more than 100 years old. These require the authorization of
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theMinistero dei Beni Culturali e Ambientali, which the antiques dealer from
which you purchase them can help you obtain.
Food Products
Italian wine is one of the most popular things for tourists to bring back with
them. US law permits 1 liter of alcohol to be imported without paying
customs tax on it. There are also many food items that cannot be brought
back from Italy, such as meats and fruits.
Canadian Regulations on Purchases Abroad

Any person residing in Canada returning from a trip abroad can qualify for
personal exemption. All articles acquired abroad, whether purchased,
received as gifts or purchased at a duty free shop, either abroad or in
Canada, must be declared by the traveler on return to Canada.
US Regulations on Purchases Abroad

Each US tourist may bring back to the US duty-free $400 worth of goods
purchased abroad. The goods must accompany the traveler. A flat rate of
10% is assessed on the next $1,000 worth of goods purchased. Parcels
containing gifts may be sent from abroad to the US duty-free, providing the
total value of such parcels received by one person in one day does not
exceed $50. Each package should be marked "Unsolicited Gift." The
amount paid and the contents of the package should be declared on the
outside of the package.
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Passport Regulations
A visa is not required for US or Canadian
citizens holding a valid passport unless they
expect to stay in Italy for more than 90 days
and/or to study or seek employment. If, after
entering Italy, the tourist decides they would
like to stay more than 90 days, they can
apply,
one
time
station(questura) for
only,
an
at
any
police
extension
of an
additional 90 days. They will be asked to prove

that they are bona fide tourists with adequate
means of support and that the extension is not
for study or employment. As a rule, permission
is granted immediately. Non-American citizens
should check current visa requirements with
the nearest Italian Consulate before departure.
For
more
information
seewww.usps.com/passport.
Pets
Travelers entering Italy with a dog or cat must
have a veterinarian's certificate stating the
animal is in good health and has been
vaccinated against rabies between 20 days
and 11 months before entry into Italy. The
breed, age, sex and color of the pet and the
name and address of the owner must also be
stated. The certificate is valid for 30 days.
Forms are available from all Italian diplomatic
and consular representatives. Dogs must be on
a leash or muzzled when in public. Custom
officials may require a health examination of
any pet if they suspect it is ill or has come
directly from tropical regions.
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4/28/2014