 Italy is a land celebrated for the arts, and not the least among the arts that have attained their highest expression in Italy is the art of hospitality. The Italian welcome is as warm and traditional as a glass of fine wine. This comparison is apt, for travelers in ancient times gave the country its first name: Land of Wines. Italians are such good hosts because they get so much practice welcoming visitors from all over the world.
Visa 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. 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. As a rule, permission is granted immediately. Non-American citizens should check current visa requirements with the nearest Italian Consulate before departure.
Hotels, Apartments, Cruises, Vacations in Italy
Useful information
Currency:
As of January 1, 2002, the euro (€) replaced the national currency of 12 countries within the European Union.
You can exchange currency at any bank branch (hours are listed below).
Automatic cash machines can be found in most commercial centers.
Bank Opening 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.
Currency exchange
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.
 Telephone & Fax
Public Telephones
Public telephones are available throughout Italy. Either local or international calls require the use of a phone card (Carta Telefonica) which may be purchased at any newsstand, tobacco shop or "bar"(coffee shop).
Long distance Calls (Interurbana)
Both local and long distance call require the proper area code before dialling the number. Ex: to place a call within Rome you must dial 06 + phone number.
To call Rome from Florence : 06 + phone number; to call Florence from Rome : 055 + phone number.
When calling a cellular phone, drop the zero of the area code, ex: 397 + phone number of the cellular.
To call USA or Canada from Italy: 001+area code+ phone number.
Internet
Due to the increase in internet and e-mail use, Internet Cafes are becoming common place and can be found in most towns throughout Italy. Rates may vary, but you will be charged according to the amount of time spent using the computer. To find an Internet Cafe ask the local tourist office.
Directory of the Italian Internet Cafes
http://www.ecs.net/cafe/
Cybercafes Guide
http://www.netcafeguide.com/textindex.htm
TheNetGate
http://www.thenetgate.it
Electricity:
Voltage of city power grid - 220V, frequency 50HZ Time zone:
From the end of March until the end of October, French time goes from GMT+1 to GMT+2 (GMT = Greenwich Meridian Time).
 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, jewellery, leather goods (handbags, cases, boxes, luggage), ceramics, gold and silver items, alabaster, woodwork, straw, embroidery, glass and crystal ware.
Transport
Driving License Regulations
Italy recognises driving licenses and other traffic documents that are valid in other countries. U.S. and Canadian driving licenses are valid in Italy but the license must be accompanied by a translation or an international license (check your local AAA in USA or CAA in Canada). For motorists not in possession of an International Driving license, the ACI (Automobile Club d'Italia) will issue a declaration upon presentation of a U.S. or a Canadian license. The declaration is obtainable at any ACI offices. Seat belts are compulsory in Italy.
Validating Rail, Bus & Subway Tickets
Please note that in order to avoid heavy fines, it is vitally important to remember to validate any rail, bus and subway tickets purchased for use on the Italian public transport system.
In the case of rail travel, machines for date-stamping your ticket are located on station platforms and are usually yellow in colour. It is extremely important to validate your ticket before boarding to avoid fines.
Tickets for buses and the subway tend to be time-limited (often one hour) and it is therefore necessary to complete your journey within the allotted time and purchase a new ticket for any additional travel. Machines for date-stamping your ticket are located in the foyers and beside barriers in the case of subway travel and on board buses. Daily, weekly and monthly passes are also available. Tickets for buses and the subway cannot be purchased on board and must be obtained prior to boarding from newsagents, tobacconists, ticket kiosks or bars.
 Highways and Roads Highway
There is an extensive and well maintained road network. Tolls are charged on the autostrade (highways). As in the rest of continental Europe, vehicles travel on the right and overtake on the left. The wearing of seatbelts is compulsory for front and back seat passengers as well as for the driver. The use of portable telephones is prohibited if they require intervention by hand to function.
Highways and Roads Highways are indicated by the letter "A" followed by a number written in white on a green background. They are almost all subject to tolls, except for some brief stretches, especially approaching urban areas. Tolls are paid in cash at highway exit points. It is also possible to pay by Viacard Telepass cards (systems that make automatic payment possible without stopping at the toll booths) or Viacard a highway toll payment card which can be bought, at a value of either 25 / 50 / 75 Euro, on the highway, in many banks or in ACI offices.
ACI provides complete car service throughout the country. Calls for assistance can be made 24 hours a day by calling 803.116 or by using the emergency booths located every 2 km along the roadway, They have buttons with a wrench symbol, to be used in the event of a breakdown, and with a red cross symbol for a first-aid emergency.
Service areas are very frequent along all of the highways. The rest stops are always open, and, in addition to refueling, they also offer other services such as restaurants, bars, information offices, and banking windows.
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