Information on Italy | Hotels
in Italy | Italy Cities
Attraction Guide | Italy Transportation
| Exchange Rate
Customs Regulations
Luggage is examined on entering and leaving Italy. Free entry
is allowed for personal effects: clothing (new and used), books,
camping and household equipment, fishing tackle, 1 pair of skis,
2 tennis racquets, portable typewriter, record player with 10
records, tape recorder or dictaphone, baby carriage, 2 still cameras
with 10 rolls of film for each camera, 1 movie camera with 10
rolls of film, binoculars, personal jewelry, portable radio set
(subject to a small license fee), 400 cigarettes and a quantity
of cigars or pipe tobacco not exceeding 500 grams (1.1 lb).
All items mentioned above may be imported duty-free only on condition
that they are for personal use and are not be sold, given away
or traded. A maximum of two bottles of wine and one bottle of
hard liquor per person may be brought in duty-free. The bottles
must be opened. A maximum of 4.4 lbs. of coffee, 6.6 lbs. of sugar
and 2.2 lbs. of cocoa are allowed duty-free.
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 and 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. These require the authorization of
the Ministero dei Beni Culturali e Ambientali.
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 or 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.
U.S. Regulations on Purchases Abroad
Each U.S. tourist may bring back to the U.S. 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 U.S. duty-free, providing the total value of such parcels
received by one person, 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.
Passport Regulations
A visa is not required for a U.S. or Canadian citizen holding
a valid passport unless he expects to stay in Italy more than
90 days and/or to study or seek employment. If, after entering
Italy, the tourist decides he would like to stay more than 90
days, he can apply, once only, at any police station (questura)
for an extension of an additional 90 days. he will be asked to
prove that he is a bona fide tourist with adequate means of support
and that he does not request the extension 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.
Registration for Tourists
The formality of registering with the police within 3 days of
a tourist's arrival in Italy is attended to by the hotels one
stays with. If staying with friends or in a private home, the
visitor has to register in person at the nearest police station
within a 3-day period. In Rome there is a special police information
office to assist tourists. (Interpreters are available) telephone:
461-950 or 486-609 |
Vaccination Certificate
No vaccinations are required to enter Italy or to reenter the
U.S. and Canada.
Emergency Telephone Number
For Medical Emergency dial 118
Healthcare and Medical Assistance
Tourists requiring urgent medical care should go to the nearest
hospital emergency room (airports and many train stations also
have medical teams and first aid facilities). Those with serious
illnesses or allergies should always carry a special note from
their physicians certifying in detail the treatments in progress
or that may be necessary.
Pharmacies (Farmacia), generally follow shops times (approx. from
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 3:00 to 7:30 p.m., Monday to
Saturday, but in large cities many are open no-stop. Nighttime
service is provided on a shift basis. Business hours and night
shifts are displayed outside of each chemist's (they are also
published in local papers). Before departure, it is advisable
to procure a document certifying coverage by the national health-care
service.
Health Services and Insurance Policy
Italy has no medical program covering U.S. and Canada citizens.
Therefore, U.S. and Canadian tourists are advised to take out
an insurance policy before traveling. First Aid Service (Pronto
Soccorso) with a doctor on hand is found at airports, ports, railway
stations and in all hospitals. Medicines can be obtained only
from the pharmacy, whether they are on prescription or over the
counter. |
| Money
& Currency Exchange |
Travelers Checks
Will shops in Italy accept traveler's checks?
In major italian cities and tourist areas traveler checks
are accepted. The rate of exchange is calculated on the daily
rate of exchange shown on the newspapers.
ATMs and Debit Cards
Can I use my Credit Card/Debit Card in Italy?
Yes. Most reputable establishments will accept major credit cards.
Those establishments accepting credit cards will post the logos
in their front windows, just as they do in the USA and Canada.
Are there ATMs in Italy? Will I need to know Italian to use the
ATMs?
Yes. The ATM (Automatic Teller Machines) in Italy are known as
Bancomat. There are many to be found in the large cities and even
in small towns The machines operate just as they do here; at the
beginning of the transaction, it prompts the user for the preferred
language.
Using a credit card, or even better, a debit card or your local
bank ATM card is very easy. One must first locate either the Cirrus
or BankMate symbol (on the Bancomat and on your card) to insure
the card is usable on that particular unit. Cirrus and BankMate
are the two most popular and widespread banking systems in the
world so they are the best to have. If you are unsure about the
compatibility or the banking systems, contact your credit card
company or local bank.
After discovering the system is compatible, simply withdrawal
money as you would at home. Of course, in Italy the money will
be dispensed as Euros, but when you return home, your bank will
have converted the Euros into dollars using the most beneficial
exchange rate possible. Be careful though when using credit cards,
as many banks are now charging large fees of 2.5% to 4% for cash
advances which negate any advantage of using the Bancomat in the
first place. One's best bet is to use your regular ATM card and
simply withdraw money from your account just as you would do at
your local bank.
Banking Hours
Banks in Italy are open Monday through Friday from 8:35 a.m. to
1:35 p.m. and from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.; in many tourist areas they
are open no-stop from 8.30 a.m. to 4p.m. and closed all day on
Saturday and Sunday and on national holidays. The afternoon one
hour opening may vary from city to city. Travelers checks can
be exchanged for Italian currency at most hotels and shops and
at the foreign exchange offices in main railway stations and at
the airports.
EURO
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The new monetary currency is the Euro which
is divided as follows: bills of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200,
500; coins of 1, 2, 5, 10 Euros, 20 and 50 cents.
Welcome
to the Euro Official Site of of the European Union (EU)
Your
Euro-Calculator On-line
Image: European Union |
Currency Conversions
What is the exchange rate?
To find the current exchange rate between US Dollars, Canadian
Dollars and Euros, please visit The
Universal Currency Converter
How to Get Euro
Once in Italy, how do I convert my dollars in euros?
Tourists reaching Italy without foreign currency can obtain Euros
through any bank, ATM machines, or exchange office (Ufficio di
Cambio) at airports, seaports and railway stations in the main
cities.
It is advisable to keep receipts of currency exchanged in case
it be necessary to reconvert euros back into dollars before leaving
the country.
Money Belt
Maybe. Crowded tourist sites all over the world are
at pickpoket and gipsy risk and Italy is no exception. One should
always be on alert for these petty thieves, but a good offense
is the best defense. Keep your money hidden preferably in an inside
pocket or money belt. |
Emergency Telephone Numbers
Dial 112 for Carabinieri's service
Dial 113 for the police service
Dial 115 for the fire department
Dial 116 for the A.C.I. (Italian Automobile Club) - for road side
assistance
Dial 118 for Medical Emergency
Public Telephones
Public telephones are available throughout Italy. A local call
from a public telephone requires the use of a 200 lire coins or
calling cards (carta telefonica), available at tobacco shops,
news stands or bar (coffee shops) for the value of 5.000 or 10.000
Lire. Note that many public telephones only accept calling cards;
little less numerous are the ones accepting credit cards. When
phoning in within the city, always dial the area code before the
number. Example: to call a Rome number dial 06+ telephone number.
Long distance Calls (Interurbana)
Calls between major cities can be dialed directly on the public
telephone by using the proper area code number. The use of calling
cards is strongly recommended. Calls from Italy to the U.S. and
Canada can be dialed directly (dial 01 plus area code plus phone
number).
Area Code (Prefisso Telefonico)
Following are the area code numbers for some of the principal
cities of Italy. Example - a call from New York to Rome would
be dialed as follows:
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011
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+ 39
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+ 06
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+ 123456789
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Italy
|
Rome
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phone number
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Ancona 071
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Cagliari 070
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Messina 090
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Rome 06
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Aosta 0165
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Campobasso 0874
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Milan 02
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Siena 0577
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Bari 080
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Catania 095
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Naples 081
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Turin 011
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Bergamo 035
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Catanzaro 0961
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Palermo 091
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Trento 0461
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Bologna 051
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Florence 055
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Perugia 075
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Trieste 040
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Bolzano 0471
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Genoa 010
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Pisa 050
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Venice 041
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Brescia 030
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L'Aquila 0862
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Potenza 0971
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Verona 045
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Brindisi 0831
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Livorno 0586
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Reggio C. 0965
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Country Direct Service
From phones in major cities, to connect to a US long distance
service, dial:
1721011 for AT&T
1721022 for MCI
1721877 for US Sprint
The numbers above work for Rome, Milan, Florence, Naples, Venezia,
Torino, Catania, Vicenza, Livorno, Olbia, Bologna, Brindisi, Cosenza,
Formia, Genova, Latina, Padova, Palermo, Perugia, Pescara, Pordenone,
Pisa, and Trieste.
When calling from pay telephones, just insert 200 lire coin. You
automatically reach an operator in the country of destination,
avoiding all language difficulty
Canada can be reached by dialing 1721001.
Internet Cafes
No matter how responsible you try to be with your phone card,
you can run up
quite a bill when you call your parents/ your kids/ your significant
other. E-mail may be an alternative and less expensive mean of
communication.
Whatever e-mail service you use in your daily life, I would set
up web-access mail for your trip (like the mail offered by Yahoo!,
Hotmail, etc.). It is the easiest to use abroad since the only
software and configuration you need are built right into the browser.
Set this account up before you leave home, so you don't waste
valuable time abroad. |
General Delivery Service
Mail can be addressed c/o Post Office by adding "FERMO POSTA"
after the name of the town. The addressee can claim mail at the
Central Post Office upon identification by passport.
Stamps
Stamps may be purchased only at tobacco shops and at the Post
Office. Always check at the counter for the exact fare to the
country of destination.
Cost
The following only estimates.
Postcards to U.S. and Canada around 1200 Lire
Letters (20 grams) around 1200 Lire
Each additional (20 grams) around 400 Lire
Aerograms for all countries around 850 Lire
Post Office Hours
Post Offices are open from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. On Saturdays
they close at 12:00. Post Offices at airports and main Post Offices
in large cities are open 24 hours a day for registered mail and
telegram services. |
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Electrical Appliances
The electrical current in Italy is AC - the cycle is 50Hz 220
V. A tourist carrying electrical appliances to Italy should
have a transformer, either obtained before leaving your country
or bought at an electrical appliance shop in Italy. Plugs have
round prongs, not flat, therefore an adapter plug is needed.
Laundry and Dry Cleaners
Most hotels have laundry and dry cleaning facilities. If the
hotel does not provide these services, the desk clerk can direct
you to the nearest shop ( tintoria ) or you can look in the
Classified Telephone directory under Tintorie ( cleaning and
pressing ) and Lavanderie ( laundry ).
Shopping
Although normally shops are open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3:30/4
p.m. to 7:30/ 8 p.m., in large cities and tourist areas there
is a tendency to stay open from 9.30 a.m to 7.30 p.m. with possible
variations from town to town. Department stores such as La Rinascente,
Coin, Upim are found in many Italian cities and towns and are
open from 9.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Some excellent purchase options are: Clothes for men and women
(dresses, shoes, gloves, silk ties, shirts); lacework, jewelry,
leather goods (handbags, cases, boxes, luggage), ceramics, gold
and silver items, alabaster, woodwork, straw, embroidery, glass
and crystal ware.
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