CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Italy's Customs examine all luggage entering and leaving the country.
Personal effects you can take: clothing (new and used,) books, baby carriage, 1 pair of skis, 2 tennis raquets, 2 still cameras with 10 rolls of film for each camera, one movie camera with 10 rolls of film, binoculars, record player with 10 records, tape recorder, camping and household equipment, fishing tackle, portable computer, 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 these items may be imported duty-free only if they are intended for personal use (not if they are for re-sale, trade or gift)
One person is allowed to bring to Italy, duty free, two bottles of wine and one of hard liquor (bottles must be opened.)
A maximum of 6.6 lbs. of sugar , 4.4 lbs. of coffee, and 2.2 lbs. of cocoa are allowed duty-free.
Tourists arriving in Italy from other countries can have with them souvenirs purchased in the visited countries up to a total value of $500.

For US citizens:
You may bring to the US duty-free $400 worth of goods purchased in Italy. These goods must accompany the traveler. For purchases over $1000, a flat rate of 10% will be applied. Parcels may be shipped to one person to the US from Italy duty-free as long as the value doesn't exceed $50. Each package should be marked as "unsolicited gift".

PETS
Pets entering Italy must be accompanied by a veterinarian's certificate attesting the good health of the animal, and that it has been vaccinated against rabies (between 20 days and 11 months before entering Italy.) Parrots, rabbits, hares and parakeets are also subject to examination upon entering Italy. Form certificates and more detailed information are available by the Italian diplomatic and consular representatives.

Click here for a list of Italian Consulates in the world

TRAVEL INSURANCE

- Cultural Italy offers travel insurance through Travelex. Click here to get a quote.

PHONES & CELL PHONES

- To call Italy from abroad dial your country international access code + 39. (From Europe dial 0039; from the US dial 01139; from Japan dial 01039; from Australia dial 00139; for other countries, please call your operator and ask about dialing abroad.)

- All phone calls in Italy require dialing of the proper area code even when you are calling from the same area code. Telephone numbers in Italy not always have the same number of digits.

- Public telephones in Italy can be used with a phone card (carta telefonica) which can be purchased at newsstands or tobacco shops.

- For phone directory assistance: dial 12 from any phone

- Main area codes: Milan 02 / Venice 041 / Florence 055 / Rome 06 / Naples 081

- Cellular phone numbers area codes do not have a 0 in front (do not dial 0 when calling a cellular phone)

- Cellular phones can be rented. Usually rental car companies offer this service.

- To connect to USA direct services from Italy dial: (those numbers work from major cities)
1721011 for AT&T
1721022 for MCI
1721877 for Sprint

- To connect to CANADA direct services from Italy dial: 1721001

MONEY

- The Italian currency is the Euro. For current exchange rates check www.xe.com

- Tourist arriving in Italy without foreign currency can obtain Euros at exchange offices (Ufficio di cambio,) banks or ATM machines (Bancomat)

- Exchange offices can be found at the airports, main train stations, seaports and major tourist places.

- ATM machines can be found throughout Italy. Contact your local bank to ask about compatibility with the banking system. By inserting a foreign card, the system will prompt you to choose a language. To withdraw money you can use your ATM card (there is usually a daily limit; money will be dispensed in Euro) or your credit card (be careful though; some banks charge fees of 2.5% or 4% of the amount withdrawn for credit card cash advances)

- Banking hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 am - 1:35 pm (sometimes 2:00 pm) Some banks open in the afternoon from 3:00 pm till 4:00 pm.
Banks and exchange services in some tourist areas are open from 8:30 am till 4:00 pm

- Travelers Checks are accepted in major tourist cities.

- What's best? You will have to pay exchange fees no matter what. Base your money decision on the amount of cash that you think you will need daily, and /or on the amount of cash your bank allows you daily. For major restaurants and shopping in major stores and you can use your ATM or credit card; for smaller restaurants, shopping at the markets, museums and other attractions, you will have to use cash.

- Tax refund: a tax refund on personal purchases can be claimed by non-resident travelers. Make sure you get your receipt stamped at the custom office (be there in advance as lines are sometimes very long - also do not check in the items purchased, as you will need to show them to the custom agent in order to get your receipt stamped.)
For more info on the subject check www.agenziadogane.it/italiano/dcagp/iva/iva-inglese.htm
Companies specializing in sales tax refund:
Cash Back - www.cashback.it
Global Refund - www.globalrefund.com

- Tipping
Restaurants: Tips are not mandatory, therefore any tip you leave will bring you very good Karma
Hotels: it's customary to tip for bell boy's and room service.

ELECTRICITY, LAUNDRY, STORE HOURS

- Electrical Appliances: the current in Italy is ACand the cycle is 50Hz - 220 V. Plugs have round prongs.

- Laundry and Dry Cleaning: most hotels have laundry and dry cleaning facilities. Public services can be found (Lavanderia or Tintoria.)

- Shopping: normally shops are open from 9 a.m. to 12:30 or1 p.m. and 3:30 or 4 p.m. to 7:30 or 8 p.m. In tourist areas shops might be open without lunch break (orario continuato)

HEALTH
- No vaccinations are required. For medical emergencies dial 118 from any phone.
- In case of urgent medical care need, you should go to the nearest hospital (airports and main train stations also have first aid and medical facilities.)
- If you are taking with you a considerable amount of medicine for allergies or other conditions, you should carry a signed certificate from your doctor.
- Pharmacies are usually open 8:30 am till 12:30 pm and from 3:30 pm till 7:30 pm. Extended hours service is provided by one of the pharmacies in town, on a shift basis. This information is posted at all pharmacies and in local papers.
- All medicine (both prescription and over the counter) are sold only at pharmacies.

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS

113 Police
112 Carabinieri
115 Fire Deparment
116 Road Assistance (A.C.I. - Automobil Club Italia)
118 Medical Emergency
176 International Inquiries
12 Phone Directory Assistance

MAIL SERVICES

- Stamps can be purchased only at the post office or at tobacco shops. Mailing fares are different for different countries.

- Post offices are usually open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am till 5:00 pm (sometimes 2:00 pm), and Saturdays from 8:30 am till 12:00 pm.

- Mail services like Fedex, UPS, and others can be found in major cities

- You can mail to yourself in Italy as follows:
(mail will remain at the main post office of the addressed town and you will be able to claim it in person by presenting your passport)

Example:
Mrs. Anna Roger
c/o Ufficio Postale Centrale
FERMO POSTA
Milan, Italy

CLIMATE

Click here to see average temperatures in main towns

For updated weather information visit www.tempoitalia.it
(The site is available only in Italian, but the pictures make it easy to understand what's going on.)