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Before You Go
Italian Entry Requirements for US Citizens:
Passport required. Visa not required for tourist stays
up to 3 months. Contact Embassy
of Italy, 1601 Fuller Street, NW., Washington,
DC. 20009. (202) 328-5500, or consulates in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston,
LAX, Miami, Newark, New Orleans, NYC, Philadelphia or SFO. Dual Nationality:
US citizens also considered Italian citizens subject to compulsory military
service & other laws.
Italian Entry Requirements for EU Citizens:
Passport or Identity Card required.
Visa not required.
The Italian State Tourism Office in London:
Italian State Tourist Board
(ENIT)
1 Princes Street
London
W1B 2AY
Telephone: 24-hour Brochure Request Line: 090 65 508 925 (charged at
premium rate)
Tel: 020 7408 1254
Fax: 020 7399 3567
Or visit their website
Email:
italy@italiantouristboard.co.uk
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth updated
travel advisory for Italy. Updated 29th November 2002.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
The heightened tension in the Middle East has
led the Italian authorities to increase security around the Jewish quarter in
Venice. Extra police have been drafted in to guard the area. Security in the
Jewish quarter in Rome has also been increased.
Though levels of crime are low, visitors should
take care on public transport and in crowded areas where pickpockets and bag
snatchers may be operating. In Rome take particular care around the main railway
station, Termini, and on the number 64 bus, which goes to and from St Peter's
Square. Visitors should be particularly wary of groups of children (mainly girls)
who may try to distract your attention while you are being robbed. Passports,
credit cards, travel tickets and cash should not be carried together in handbags
or pockets. Only carry with you what you will need for the day and make use
of safety deposit facilities at your hotel.
An increasing numbers of robberies are taking
place from cars at rest stops/service stations on the motorways. Always lock
your vehicle and never leave valuables in the vehicle even though you will only
be away for a short time or are nearby.
Be vigilant when travelling on sleepers/night
trains. Thieves often take the opportunity, during the night period, to rob
sleeping travellers. Theft also takes place on trains during the day; do not
leave bags containing valuables unattended.
LOCAL TRAVEL
Travellers to Northern Italy should be aware that heavy rains over
the past few weeks have caused severe problems. Hundreds of people throughout
the region have been evacuated from their homes, landslides have blocked several
roads and some rivers and lakes have burst their banks. In the mountains of
the northeast there is a high risk of further landslides.
After being closed for nearly three years the Mont Blanc tunnel linking
Italy and France is now open to all vehicles except those with more than four
axles, those carrying dangerous goods and those which came into circulation
before 1 October 1993 and do not meet the Euro 1 and 2 pollution standards.
There are new speed limits and vehicle distance limits in place in the Tunnel;
details are signposted at the entrance and exit. Vehicles, which are forbidden
from using the Mont Blanc Tunnel should use routes along the Mediterranean coast
or through the Frejus Tunnel; there are, however, some restrictions on HGVs
using the Frejus Tunnel. Full details of these are available on the French Government-run
website: www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr
Trucks over 7,500 kgs (75 quintali) are not allowed on Italian roads,
including motorways, on Sundays from 0700 to 2400 hours local time. These restrictions
do not apply to those trucks already granted an exception such as those carrying
perishable goods and petrol supplies.
It is now obligatory to use dipped headlights during the day while
travelling on motorways and major roads outside cities. The same legislation
also introduced a stricter limit for alcohol in the bloodstream; it was 0.8
grams/litre and is now 0.5 grams/litre. The use of mobile telephones in cars
is now prohibited except where they are fitted with speaker devices.
NATURAL DISASTERS
Many parts of Italy lie on a major seismic fault line. Tremors and
earthquakes are almost a daily occurrence.
Earthquakes on 31 October and 1 November have affected the Southern
Abruzzo, Molise and Puglia regions of southern Italy. The centre of the worst
tremor was near Campobasso in Molise, where there has been loss of life and
rescue operations are still going on. Travellers are advised to stay away from
the mountainous areas affected, in particular around Campobasso.
There has been renewed volcanic activity on Mount Etna in Sicily.
The eruptions themselves appear to have subsided, but volcanic ash is causing
disruption to air travel in the area. Catania airport has been closed (it reopened
on 1 November) and Reggio Calabria airport is still closed. Travellers are advised
to check with their airline before travelling to the area, in case of further
airport closures. A small earthquake in the mountains near Mount Etna has also
caused disruption to travel in some rural areas.
Visitors who plan to climb the mountain should always follow the
advice of guides near the summit and should follow the signalled routes at all
times.
GENERAL
We strongly recommend that all travellers abroad
take out adequate comprehensive insurance. British visitors should always carry
a completed Elll, obtainable free of charge from British post offices. Although
it can help visitors get emergency medical treatment in Italian state hospitals
it is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance.
Passengers flying into Milan should check with
their travel agents or airline company which airport they are flying into.
For current Italy travel advisory updates visit
the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Website.
Health: Medical Facilities adequate for most emergencies. Many hospitals
in major cities have at least some personnel who speak English. Public hospitals
sometimes do not maintain same standards as hospitals in US, so obtain insurance
that covers stay in private hospital or clinic. In public hospitals, patients
are either billed upon discharge or are billed at US address at later date.
Private hospitals require cash payment before discharge; credit cards or foreign
medical coverage might or might not be accepted. Buy supplemental medical insurance
with specific overseas coverage.
Crime& Security:
Low rate of violent crime, little directed
toward tourists. Pick pocketing, theft from parked cars, & purse snatching
serious problems in large cities. Most thefts at crowded tourist sites, on public
buses & trains, or major rail stations, (Rome’s Termini, Milan's Centrale,
Florence's Santa Maria Novella & Naples' Centrale). Don't carry wallets
or purses. Hold shoulder bags tightly under arm with clasp facing body. Wear
waist packs in front. Extra cash, credit cards & documents better left in
hotel safe. Photocopy passports & financial documents & carry separately.
Thieves work in groups or pairs. Street urchins poke tourists with newspapers
or pieces of cardboard to divert attention so that another can pickpocket. Or
thief throws trash at victim; 2nd assists victim in cleaning up mess; and 3rd
takes victim's belongings. Criminals on crowded public transportation slit bottoms
of purses or bags with razor blade, remove contents through bottom. Theft of
small items such as radios, luggage, cameras, briefcases from parked cars major
problem. Robbers in southern Italy take items from cars at gas stations (by
smashing windows). In Naples, thefts from occupied cars stopped in traffic or
at lights. Keep car doors locked, windows rolled up with valuables out of sight
when driving in cities & major towns. In scam practiced on Rome-Naples highway,
thief punctures tire of rental or out- of-town car; accomplice encourages driver
to pull over. When driver stops, thief helps change tire, while other takes
driver's belongings. Avoid driving at night on highways in Southern Italy. When
stopped at service areas on Auto-strada, ensure car remains in sight. One person
should remain with car, partly because thieves mark unattended vehicles. Marked
vehicle followed by accomplices who use one of above scams. In scam practiced
on trains, primarily in north, one or more persons will befriend traveller &
offer a drink which is drugged & traveller robbed. Thieves impersonate police
to gain confidence of tourists. Thief shows prospective victim circular plastic
sign with words "police" or "international police." Insist
on seeing officer's ID (documento), as impersonators tend not to carry forged
documents. Terrorist Activities: Threat level varies from low to medium,
depending on location. Most of Milan classified as medium while Rome, Naples,
Palermo, Florence & Genoa have low terrorist threat level.
Money: Visitors to Italy should be aware that Euro notes and
coins have been introduced in Italy (and throughout the Euro area; Belgium,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Austria, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands,
Portugal and Spain) for all transactions from 1 January 2002. This means that
bills and change will be given in Euros. Cash machines will dispense Euro notes
only. Credit cards and debit cards will work as normal. Euro notes and coins
obtained in one country can be used throughout the Euro area.
Check Universal Currency Converter (tm) for
current exchange rate. Banks open from 8.00/8.30am-1.30pm & 2.30/3.00-4.00pm
from Monday to Friday.
Weather: Coldest
month, Jan.avg. low 40F (5C), while warmest month, July avg. high 87F (30C).
Advice & Tips for Italy:
Traffic Safety: Over 3,480 mi. of "Autostrade" or superhighways. Drivers
travel & pass on these well-maintained roads at high speeds. Streets in
cities often narrow, winding & congested. In northern Italy beware ground
fog & poor visibility. All Italian-specification cars equipped with special
fog lights. Speed limits in built-up-areas: 31mph (50kmh), outside built-up
areas on secondary roads: 55mph (90kmh), main roads 68mph (110kmh), motorways:
80mph (130kmh). Drinking & driving; blood alcohol limit 80mg. Use car lights
half hour after sunset until half hour before sunrise. No full beam lights allowed
in built-up areas.
Electricity & Voltage:
220 volts AC, 50Hz. To use US electric powered equipment,
bring converter and adapter.
Public Holidays: Jan 01 & 06; Apr 12-13; Apr 25; May 01; Aug 15;
Nov 01; Dec 08; Dec 25-26.
Airports
Rome, Leonardo
da Vinci – Fiumicino
By Car:
22 miles northeast of City. Ride time approx. 45 mins. Directions to Rome signposted
from airport exit.
By Taxi: Yellow & white taxis available at metered rates or flat
rate between FCO & City, 12-15 Euros. Ride time 35 mins.
Chauffeured Limo: Approx. 60-80 Euros
By Train: Direct Service between FCO & Termini Central Station
every hour. Fare ITL 13,000. Local trains every 20 mins. for 6 Euros
By Bus:
To Magliana underground station (05:35 to 22:25),
fare 3.50 Euros.
Lepanto underground station (05:30 to 19:10),
fare 5 Euros.
Tiburtina rail station (night) from 01:15 to
05:00, fare 8 Euros
Info Tel #: Call
(06) 6595-3640 or Your Airline
Domestic Terminal: Alitalia
International Terminal: Overseas
flights.
Inter-Terminal: 5
mins walk or shuttle bus.
Left Luggage:
None in Departures, nearest downstairs in Arrivals area (open 24 hrs)
Smoking Area:
Smoking terminals with some non-smoking areas.
Fully staffed nursery opposite Gate C12, open 07:00 to 23:00.
Rome Airport Hotel------(06)
569-2341
Duty-free importation for
non-commercial reasons & subject to declaration at frontiers: 200 cigarettes
or 100 small cigars or 50 cigars or 250 gr. of loose tobacco: 1 litre of alcohol
over 22 degrees or 2 litres of alcohol under 22 degrees; 2 litres of wine; 50
cc of perfume; 500 gr. of coffee. Tourists from EC countries can import larger
quantities of duty-free goods. In addition to personal effects, jewellery, two
cameras, one video camera, 1 radio, 1 TV, 1 tape recorder, 1 bicycle, 1 boat
(with or without motor), 2 pairs of skis, 2 tennis rackets, 1 canoe, 1 surf
board. Limits apply only to non-EU citizens.
Milan, Linate-Forlanini Airport
Mostly used for intra-European and Italian
domestic flights.
By Taxi: Fare approx. 18-25 Euros
Bus between Linate &
Malpensa Airports: Infrequent
service operated by Air Pulman. Fare Aprox. 20 Euros
By Public Bus: # 73 from S.Babila square every 5
mins. using air-conditioned bus. Fare 1 Euro
Info Tel #: Call
Your Airline.
Terminals: Main
Terminal serving Domestic & European destinations.
Amenities: All
the expected airport services and conveniences.
Duty-free importation for
non-commercial reasons & subject to declaration at frontiers: 200 cigarettes
or 100 small cigars or 50 cigars or 250 gr. of loose tobacco: 1 litre of alcohol
over 22 degrees or 2 litres of alcohol under 22 degrees; 2 litres of wine; 50
cc of perfume; 500 gr. of coffee. Tourists from EC countries can import larger
quantities of duty-free goods. In addition to personal effects, jewellery, 2
cameras, one video camera, 1 radio, 1 TV, 1 tape recorder, 1 bicycle, 1 boat
(with or without motor), 2 pairs of skis, 2 tennis rackets, 1 canoe, 1 surf
board. Limits apply only to non-EU citizens.
Milan, Malpensa International
Airport
Mostly used for inter-continental &
intra-European flights.
By Taxi: Very expensive. Fare to downtown approx. 80 Euros Ride:
40 - 80 mins.
By Car: 28 miles/45 kms from downtown.
Bus between Linate &
Malpensa Airports: Infrequent
service operated by Air Pulman. Fare Aprox 20 Euros.
By Public Bus: To/from Porta Garibaldi Station & Stazione Centrale. Every
1/2 hour 6 am - midnight. Fare approx. 10 Euros. Ride time about 1 hr.
Malpensa Express Connects Malpensa
airport with centre of Milan (Cadorna Station), with trains that leave in both
directions every half-hour. Ride time of 40 mins.
Info Tel #: Call
Your Airline.
Terminals: 2
passenger terminals called: Terminal 1 (Malpensa West Terminal), & Terminal
2 (Malpensa North Terminal)
Duty-free importation for
non-commercial reasons & subject to declaration at frontiers: 200 cigarettes
or 100 small cigars or 50 cigars or 250 gr. of loose tobacco: 1 litre of alcohol
over 22 degrees or 2 litres of alcohol under 22 degrees; 2 litres of wine; 50
cc of perfume; 500 gr. of coffee. Tourists from EC countries can import larger
quantities of duty-free goods. In addition to personal effects, jewellery, 2
cameras, one video camera, 1 radio, 1 TV, 1 tape recorder, 1 bicycle, 1 boat
(with or without motor), 2 pairs of skis, 2 tennis rackets, 1 canoe, 1 surf
board. Limits apply only to non-EU citizens.
Venice Airport
Location: 8 miles/13 kms from City. Ride time 15 mins by road.
By Water Taxi: Approx. fare 80 Euros.
By Regular Taxi: Fare Aprox. 30 Euros
By Water Bus: According to flight schedule. Fare 12 Euros. From outside terminal
to Piazza San Marco & v.v. Ride time 50 mins. Water Bus & Water Taxis
ticket booth in Arrivals area – 12 Euros for motoscafo to Venice.
Airport Bus: Connects with flights for fare ITL 4 Euros. To/from terminal
& Venice Bus terminal, Piazzale Roma.
Terminals: One
Main Building.
Post Office: Mon
to Fri: 8.10 a.m. - 1.30 p.m. Sat 8.10 a.m. -12.30 a.m.
Last day of month: 8.10 a.m. -12.00 a.m.
Tourist Office:
Pick-up free red Venice/Lido map & helpful handouts.
Departure lobby
- bank, a newsstand & some shops.
Luggage Carts -
Free
Food etc., 4
bars & self-service restaurant.
Currency Exchange: After leaving customs hall, make sure you get some lire from
money-exchange window. Bancomat (ATM) in Departures area may offer better exchange
rate.
Duty-free importation for
non-commercial reasons & subject to declaration at frontiers: 200 cigarettes
or 100 small cigars or 50 cigars or 250 gr. of loose tobacco: 1 litre of alcohol
over 22 degrees or 2 litres of alcohol under 22 degrees; 2 litres of wine; 50
cc of perfume; 500 gr. of coffee. Tourists from EC countries can import larger
quantities of duty-free goods. In addition to personal effects, jewellery, 2
cameras, one video camera, 1 radio, 1 TV, 1 tape recorder, 1 bicycle, 1 boat
(with or without motor), 2 pairs of skis, 2 tennis rackets, 1 canoe, 1 surf
board. Limits apply only to non-EU citizens.
Other Airports in Italy
(Click on link to go to website)
Abruzzo Bologna Florence Genoa Naples
Parma Perugia
Pisa Turin
Fruili- Venezia- Trieste
Palermo
Now You’re There
Regions and Cities
Italy: To north, the Alps separate Italy from France, Switzerland,
Austria & Slovenia.
Northern Italy: Alpine
regions, Po Plain & Ligurian-Etruscan Appennines. Piemonte & Val
d’Aosta with some of highest mountains in Europe & areas for winter sports.
Many rivers flow down towards Po Basin, passing thru Lake District (Maggiore,
Como, Garda). Po Basin extends as far south as slopes of Appennines, covered
with gravel terraces & rich alluvial soil & one of Italy’s most prosperous
regions. To east, where River Po flows into Adriatic, plains little higher than
river itself; artificial embankments prevent flooding.
Central Italy: Tuscany
(Toscana) has diverse landscape with snow-capped mountains (Tuscan Appennines),
lush countryside, hills & long sandy coastline with offshore islands. Le
Marche, lying between Appennines & Adriatic coast, region of mountains,
rivers & small fertile plains. Even more mountainous regions of Abruzzo
& Molise bordered by Marche to north & Puglia to south, separated from
Tyrrhenian Sea & to west by Lazio & Campania. Umbria is known as ‘green
heart of Italy’, hilly with broad plains, olive groves & pines. Further
south lies Rome, capital & largest city. Also Vatican City.
Southern Italy: Campania
consists of flat coastal plains & low mountains, from Baia Domizia to Bay
of Naples & along rocky coast to Calabria. Inland, Appennines are lower,
rolling countryside around Sorrento. Islands of Capri, Ischia & Procida
in Tyrrhenian Sea also part of Campania. South wilder than north, with miles
of olive trees, cool forests & rolling hills. Puglia, the ‘heel of the boot’,
landscape of volcanic hills & isolated marshes. Calabria, the ‘toe’, heavily
forested & thinly populated. Calabrian hills are home to bears &
wolves.
The Islands: Sicily (Sicilia), visible across 2
mile strait from mainland - fertile but mountainous with volcanoes (including
Mount Etna), lava fields & several offshore islands. Sardinia (Sardegna)
has mountainous landscape, fine sandy beaches & rocky offshore islands.
Entertainment
Italian nightclubs,
discotheques, restaurants and bars with floorshows and dancing can be found
in most major towns & tourist resorts.
Rome offers English-language films at Pasquine
Cinema, Vicolo della Paglia, just off Santa Maria in Trastevere.
Restaurants & cafés throughout
Italy will invariably have tables outside: in Rome the Massimo D’Azeglio is
hotel restaurant famous for classic food.
Open-air concerts in summer
organised by Opera House & Academy of St Cecilia, while open-air theatre
at Baths of Caracalla.
Jazz, rock, folk and country
music heard at various venues.
Shopping
Italian products are world-famous for their style & quality.
Shops for typical products with "made in Italy" label (clothing, leather
goods, shoes, jewellery, art objects) located in historical centres of cities.
Via Montenapoleone & Via della Spiga in Milan, Via del
Corso & Via Condotti in Rome, Via Toledo in Naples &
shops on Ponte Vecchio in Florence are famous worldwide. Shopping less
expensive in department stores found in various cities, & in chain stores
run by major clothing companies.
Antique Markets: Arezzo: 1st Saturday & Sunday of month. Bergamo: 3rd Sunday
of month. Lucca: 3rd Saturday & Sunday of month. Milan: last Sunday of month.
Modena: last Saturday & Sunday of month. Ravenna: 3rd Saturday & Sunday
of month. Turin: 2nd Sunday of month. Many other towns have flea markets &
small markets for antiques & collector's items, generally during weekends.
Take care when buying antiques since Italy is renowned for skilled imitators.
Prices generally fixed & bargaining not general practice, although discount
may be given on large purchase. Avoid hawkers or sellers on beaches.
Florence, Milan & Rome famous fashion centres, but smaller towns also offer
good scope for shopping. Some known for particular products, eg Como (Lombardia)
for silk, Prato (Tuscany) for textiles, Empoli (Tuscany) for production of bottles
& glasses in green glass, Deruta (Umbria) & Faenza (Emilia-Romagna)
for pottery, Carrara (Tuscany) for marble. Torre Annunziata (Campania) &
Alghero (Sardinia) are centers for handicraft products in coral, & in parts
of Sardinia business cards & writing paper made of cork. Cremona (Valle
d’Aosta) famous for handmade violins. Castelfidardo (Marche) famous
for accordion factories, & guitars & organs. Two small towns concentrate
on producing their speciality: Valenza (Piemonte), which has large number of
goldsmith artisans, & Sulmona (Abruzzo), which produces ‘confetti’, sugar-coated
almonds used for weddings. Vietri sul Mare (Campania) is one of most important
centres of ceramic paving-tiles, & Ravenna (Emilia-Romagna) famous
for mosaics.
Opening hours of shops vary from region to region.
In general shops open from 8.30am to 12.30pm & from 3.30/4pm until 7-7.30pm
from Mon to Sat. Usually closed Mon morning. Department stores & shops in
tourist centres may remain open all day & sometimes, until later in evening.
Have you been to Italy and know about some more great highlights worth a mention? Add details for other visitors to read about.
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