Electrical sockets (outlets) in Itlay are generally their own standard, the "Type L" Italian CEI 23-16/VII. Also reported to be in use is the "Type C" European CEE 7/16 Europlug. If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into.

Electrical sockets (outlets) in Italy supply electricity 230 volts AC.

Travel plug adapters do not change the voltage, so the electricity coming through the adapter will still be the same 220-240 volts the socket is supplying. If you need to use appliances that are not compatible with 220-240 volt electrical input, you will need a voltage converter.

Currency

Italy uses the European monetary unit, the euro (€).

Traveler's checks, cheques and foreign money can be changed at banks, railway stations and airports and very often at major hotels (albeit usually at a less advantageous exchange rate). It is expensive to change foreign currency in Italy, exchange bureau fees are high. Banks will only exchange currency for their own customers.

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding €10,000 or equivalent must be declared if travelling from or to a country outside the European Union.

Banking

Bank opening hours are regulated by law, they open at 8:30am and close at 1:30pm for lunch. They open again in the afternoon at 3:00pm and close at 4:00pm from Monday to Friday. There are banks that open on Saturdays.

ATMs in Italy are known as Bancomat, and can be found anywhere in large cities as well as in small towns. 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, Plus, VPay, or BankMate symbol (on the Bancomat and on your card), to ensure the card is usable at that particular unit. If you are unsure about the compatibility or the banking systems, contact your credit card company or local bank.

Credit Cards

American Express, MasterCard and Visa are all widely accepted. ATMs are available everywhere, catering for Cirrus and Maestro symbols.

Tap water throughout Italy is safe to drink and to cook with when taken from taps in urban areas. Not all tap water in rural areas is safe for consumption, so take precautions if necessary.Milk is generally pasteurized and dairy products are safe for consumption. Past outbreaks of brucellosis in southern regions means unpasteurized buffalo mozzarella is best avoided. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are considered safe to eat.

Standards of hygiene, in relation to food health and safety in Italy,are generally high in hotels, restaurants, pubs and nightspots. Restaurants are subject to food safety control legislation, which is implemented by local government. Regulations include certification and regular inspections by health inspectors to ensure hygienic standards are maintained.

It is safe to eat fresh fruit, vegetables and salads, and to put ice in your drinks. Italy's fish, meat and chicken are of excellent quality, so there is no need to limit yourself when enjoying the local cuisine.

There are two cardinal rules of Italian cuisine – eat locally and eat seasonally. Imported foods are changing this picture, but faithful Italian cooks would never eat asparagus, tomatoes or artichokes out of season. Food is part of the rhythm of life, and so Italians eagerly await the arrival of seasonal ingredients from mushrooms in the fall to wild strawberries in the spring.

The climate varies considerably from the north to the south of Italy. In the north of the country – the area between the Alps and the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines – the climate is harsh, with very cold winters and very hot, particularly humid summers. In central Italy the climate is milder, with a smaller difference in temperature between summer and winter and a shorter and less intense cold season than in the north; summers are longer, but the sultriness of the northern cities is mitigated by the sea. In southern Italy and the islands winters are never particularly harsh, and spring and autumn temperatures are similar to those reached in the summer in other areas of Italy.

Alitalia (AZ) (www.alitalia.com) is the main domestic carrier. Other local budget operators are Meridiana (www.meridiana.it), Air One (www.flyairone.it), Windjet (www.volawindjet.it) and AirAlps (www.airalps.at). For the best deals on flights to Italy, travel out of season. Otherwise book ahead at peak times such as Easter week, the summer holiday period of July and August, and Christmas.

Italy has many regional airports offering good coverage of the whole peninsula. While flying may be the best option when travelling the length and breadth of the country, shorter routes are better served by the high-speed train network.

Italy has well developed public and private transportation options. The Italian rail network is extensive, especially in the north, generally eclipsing the need for an alternative such as bus or air (both of which, however, exist to some extent). While a number of private railroads exist and provide mostly commuter-type services, the national railway, Ferrovie dello Stato, also provides a sophisticated high-speed rail service that joins the major cities of Italy from Naples through northern cities such as Milan and Turin

DRIVING
Driving in Italy is on the right hand side of the road.

Self-drive car hire services are available in most cities, airports and resorts. Many international and Italian firms operate this service. Booking online, in advance, generally yields the best prices. The minimum driving age is 18. Speed limits are 50kph (31mph) in urban areas, 90kph (55mph) on ordinary roads, 110kph (68mph) on dual carriageways and 130kph (80mph) on motorways. Dipped headlights are compulsory outside built-up areas during the day. All vehicles must carry a red warning triangle. Seat belts are compulsory. Note: Fines for driving offences are on-the-spot and particularly heavy.

All EU member states’ driving licenses are recognised in Italy. In practice, many car hire agencies also accept many non-EU licences such as thos from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the US.

There is a very efficient inter-city bus service. The buses are modern, comfortable, fast and well equipped. They also provide a very economical way of traveling around the country.

There are a lot of islands off the coast of Italy, including the major ones of Sardinia and Sicily, so ferries are easily accesible throughout the coast.

Summers can be steamy, but shorts are still regarded as resort wear by most Italians. Cotton slacks or capri pants for women are a stylish alternative. The appeal of jeans is universal, and a quality pair matched with a sports shirt or blouse is acceptable casual wear in Italy. Pack a sweater or light jacket for travel in spring or early fall. Winters, even in the south, can be chilly, and a wool jacket or coat is a wise choice. Italians tend to regard down jackets and vests as ski resort wear. A small raincoat or travel umbrella is a smart accessory to have year-round.

Women should dress modestly in Italy, churches and some museums often require it. Signs outside many churches detail clothing that is not permitted: usually shorts, bare arms, low-cut dresses and short skirts for women; and shorts, bare arms and tank tops for men.

Please consult your health-care provider 4-6 weeks prior to travel to ensure you are receiving all required vaccinations, and that the medication has enough time to take effect. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance with medical benefits, and that you bring any personal medication with you. Please also check with your health department prior to departure for any changes in health regulations.

Recommended Immunizations/Vaccinations:
• Hepatitis A – recommended for all travellers over one year of age
• Hepatitis B – if not previously vaccinated
• Rabies – recommended for travellers spending a lot of time outdoors

Italy is safe in general. We recommend normal precautions be taken as you would for any city in the world. Be aware of your surroundings and stay in well-lit areas. Don’t flash wealth. If you have items of sentimental value, leave it at home. Visitors should avoid all political gatherings and demonstrations.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Make copies of all your important documents such as passports, driver’s licenses, credit cards, etc. Keep copies with you and back at home. If anything is lost or stolen this will be a lifesaver.

Passport:
Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended departure date. Please ensure you have at least two blank visa pages (not endorsement pages) in your passport.

Visa:
U.S. citizens do not require a visa for stays under 90 days. Non U.S. citizens should consult with your local embassy.

Language:

The official language is Italian.

National Emergency Numbers:

Ambulance 997
Police 112
Fire Service 115

Public Holidays:

The dates of certain public holidays change from year to year – refer below. If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, then the Monday is also declared a public holiday.

Jan 01 New Year’s Day

Jan 06 Epiphany

Apr 3 Good Friday

Apr 5 Easter

Day after Easter Easter Monday

Apr 25 Liberation Day

May 1 Labor Day

June 2 Republic Day

June 24 Feast of St. John

Aug 15 Assumption of Mary

Sep 19 Feast of Saint Januaruis

Time Zone:

Italy is on Central European Time and is 6 hours ahead of USA Eastern Time Zone.

Tipping:

Gratuities are left to your discretion and always appreciated. It is our recommendation that the quality of service should determine the extent of any gratuity. We are pleased to provide you with the following guidelines. Please feel free to offer more if you receive superlative service.

Driver guides:

About €50 – €120 per day.
Biking guides would be at the higher end of this scale

Drivers & One Day Guides:

About €35 – €50 per day.

The driver guide or driver will normally remove himself at meal times. However this time can be awkward for both guides and clients so if the clients would like to invite the guide or driver to join them they should make it very clear and would be expected to pay for the meal.

Transfers:

For a short Airport Transfer €5-10 is sufficient. For longer transfers €10-30.

Restaurants:

Generally there are three options, outlined on the menu.

· A Service Charge of x % will apply" – this means what it says, your final bill will be subject to an additional charge; no further tips are necessary.

· "Service included" – this means that the prices are a flat rate, no tips are required and the prices are final. Again if the server has been attentive a €5 or €10 left on the table will always be appreciated.

· If none of these apply servers will usually expect a tip of around 10-15%

Hotels:

Service is always included and in general no tips are expected but they are welcome nonetheless. For excellent or unusual services a few Euros (the classic "fiver", a €5 note) are appropriate left for the housemaid or the porter who brings your bags up.

Taxis:

Tips are not really expected but no taxi driver will object if you round the bill up a bit to the nearest euro.

Pubs:

If you try to tip in a pub you'll more than likely earn a happy but incredulous stare!

US EMBASSY

Mailing Address: Via Vittorio Veneto, 121, 00187 Roma, Italy

Tel: +39 06 46741

Website: italy.usembassy.gov