Language: The official language is of course
Italian, but English is widely spoken throughout Italy – at
least enough to communicate basic information.
.
Predominant Religions: Christian
(Roman Catholic)
Time Zone: one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean
Time (+1 GMT). Italy operates on European Daylight Savings
Time is observed from March through October and is six hours
ahead of U.S. Eastern Time. Therefore, when it is 6:00PM
in Italy, it is 12:00 noon in New York, 11:00 AM in Chicago,
10:00 AM in Denver and 9:00 AM in Los Angeles. Unlike the
Unites States’ two 12-hour timetables, Italy follows
a single 24-hour time-table, for example 2:00pm = 14.00
hours, 9.30pm =21.30 hours etc.
Currency: The Euro is now
the official currency of EU member states (including Italy).
The first Euro coins and notes were introduced in January
2002. Euro (€) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations
of € 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations
of € 2, 1 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. Those arriving
in Italy with foreign currency can obtain Euros thru any
bank, ATM machine (or bureau de change). The exchange rate
fluctuates daily. For updates on the daily exchange rate
situation, you may like to visit following web site: www.x-rates.com
Major credit cards are accepted extensively throughout Rome as are traveler’s
checks. Foreign currency can be exchanged at the hotel, banks or exchange shops
although the best rates are typically available via ATM transactions.
Banks are generally open from Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM and
from around 2:45 PM to 4:15 PM.
Passport/Visa Requirements: Passport
needed by Australian, Canadian, U.K. and U.S. citizens. No
visa required if staying less than three months. Reconfirm
travel document requirements with your carrier before departure.
Once in Italy, you need to bring your passport with you only
in order to exchange travelers’ cheques, retire money
from bank offices through your credit card or where a document
is required (I.E. Casino…). A copy will be fine for
the rest and if in case you loose your passport the
copy will be very useful to issue a new one.
Shopping: Most stores are open from 9:00
AM - 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM, except for some in the
Historic Center that are open all day. Major supermarkets
and department stores are also open all day. Most stores
are closed on Sundays and sometimes Mondays’ mornings.
Normally, business offices are open all day. State-
and city-owned offices close for the day at 2:00 PM.
VAT: Italy, like most other
European countries, imposes a value added tax (VAT) on goods
and services. In Italy, VAT is known as the Imposta sul
Valore Aggiunto or IVA. This tax, typically
10%-20%, is included in the price of most goods and
services. E.U. non-resident passengers may be granted VAT
refund (Americans may obtain a refund of the IVA) on purchases
of new goods although not on the price paid for services
such as hotels, car rentals, entertainment, meals or transportation.
For more information on this issue, please visit: www.globalrefund.com
Electric current: the electric
current in Italy is 220-volt, 50 cycles AC. For 110-volt
appliances, it is necessary to bring:
a current converter appropriate for the wattage of the
appliance.
a two-prong, round plug adapter to operate 110-volt U.S.
travel appliances.
Telephone: the country code
for Italy is 39 and the city area code (06 for Rome; 02 for
Milan; 055 for Florence; 041 for Venice). When making a call
from the United States to Rome it would be dialed as 011
+ 39 + 06 + phone number.
Attire: comfort is the key
when going around, especially during city tours. In particular,
comfortable walking shoes are a must. Also, when entering
a church or holy site, specific attire is required: ladies
attire must cover knees and shoulders, while gentlemen’s
attire must include pants/slacks or jeans only (no shorts).
Deviation from this will preclude entrance to these particular
sites.
Tipping:
Tips are always appreciated, in Italy as in the rest of the world. It is customary
to tip waiters in bars and restaurants, porters and taxi drivers and, as a
general rule, anyone who is particularly helpful. Size of the tip may depend
on the bill and vary from 8 to 12%.
