Travel Info & Tips

Practical information for stress-free travel.

In order to make your Italy vacation as stress free as possible we have compiled a list of useful information about travelling in Italy.

Customs Regulations

Luggage is examined upon entering and leaving Italy. Free entry is allowed for the following items: clothing (new and used), books, camping gear, household accessories, fishing tackle, 1 pair of skis, 2 tennis racquets, laptop computer, CD player, iPod, cellular phone, baby carriage, 2 photo cameras, 1 video camera, binoculars, personal jewellery, portable radio set (subject to a license fee), 400 cigarettes and a quantity of cigars or pipe tobacco not exceeding 500 grams (1.1 lb).

All items mentioned above may be imported duty-free only on condition that they are for personal use only and are not being sold, given away or traded. With regards to consumable goods, a maximum of two bottles of wine and one bottle of hard liquor per person may be brought in duty-free. The bottles must not be opened. A maximum of 4.4 lbs. of coffee, 6.6 lbs. of sugar and 2.2 lbs. of cocoa are allowed duty-free.

Overseas tourists arriving in Italy after visiting other countries are allowed to carry with them souvenirs purchased in other countries up to a total value of $500. Only a verbal declaration is required for these items. Purchases may include up to a half-litre of perfume.

Please note that Italian legislations allow police to impose hefty fines on tourists caught purchasing counterfeit goods while visiting Italy. This is one of the toughest laws in the world as it carries fines of up to 10,000 Euros.

Exports from Italy

There are no restrictions on gifts purchased in Italy except for antiques and works of art. These require the approval of the Ministero dei Beni Culturali e Ambientali.

U.S. Regulations on Purchases Abroad

Each U.S. tourist may bring back to the U.S. duty-free $400 worth of goods purchased abroad. The goods must accompany the traveller. A flat rate of 10% is assessed on the next $1,000 worth of goods purchased. Parcels containing gifts may be sent from abroad to the U.S. duty-free, providing the total value of a parcel does not exceed $50. Each package should be marked as "Unsolicited Gift". The amount paid and the contents of the package should be declared.

Canadian Regulations on Purchases Abroad

After each absence of 24 hours or more

You can claim up to CAN$50 worth of goods without paying any duties. This is your personal exemption. You must have the goods with you when you arrive in Canada and you cannot include tobacco products or alcoholic beverages in this exemption. If the goods you bring in are worth more than CAN$50 in total, you cannot claim this exemption. Instead, you have to pay full duties on all goods you bring in.

After each absence of 48 hours or more

You can claim up to CAN$400 worth of goods without paying any duties. You must have the goods with you when you arrive in Canada. Although you can include some tobacco products and alcoholic beverages, a partial exemption may apply to cigarettes, tobacco products and manufactured tobacco. See the sections called "Alcoholic beverages" and "Tobacco products" for more details.

After each absence of 7 days or more

You can claim up to CAN$750 worth of goods without paying any duties. Although you can include some tobacco products and alcoholic beverages, a partial exemption may apply to cigarettes, tobacco products and manufactured tobacco. See the sections called "Alcoholic beverages" and "Tobacco products" for more details. With the exception of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages, you do not need to have the goods with you when you arrive.

To calculate the number of days you have been absent, do not include the date you left Canada but include the date you returned. Dates matter but not times. For example, we consider you to have been absent seven days if you left Friday the 7th and returned Friday the 14th.

For more information http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5056-eng.html

 

Passport Regulations

A visa is not required for a U.S. or Canadian citizens holding a valid passport unless they expect to stay in Italy more than 90 days and/or to study or seek employment. If, after entering Italy, the tourist decides to stay more than 90 days, they can apply, once only, at any police station (questura) for an extension of an additional 90 days.They will be asked to prove their tourist status with adequate documentation confirming that the extension is not for study or employment. As a rule, permission is granted immediately. Non-American citizens should check current visa requirements with the nearest Italian Consulate before departure.

Pets

A traveller entering Italy with a dog or cat must have a veterinarian's certificate stating that the animal is in good health. 20 days to 11 months before entry into Italy, the animal must be vaccinated against rabies. Thecertificate must also indicate the breed, age, sex, and colour of the pet and the name and address of the owner. This certificate is valid for 30 days. Forms are available from all Italian diplomatic and consular representatives and from the Italian Government Travel Office. Parrots, parakeets, rabbits and hares also require health certificates and in addition are subject to an examination upon entering Italy. A dog must be on a leash or muzzled when in public. Custom officials may require a health examination of any pet if they suspect it is ill or has come directly from tropical regions.

Registration for Tourists

The hotels one stays with attend to the formality of registering with the police within 3 days of a tourist's arrival in Italy. If staying with friends or in a private home, the visitor has to register in person at the nearest police station within a 3-day period. In Rome, there is a special police information office to assist tourists.

Health

No vaccinations are required to enter Italy or to re-enter the U.S. and Canada.

For Medical Emergency dial 118.

Healthcare and Medical Assistance

Tourists requiring urgent medical care should go to the nearest hospital emergency room (airports and many train stations also have medical teams and first aid facilities). Those with serious illnesses or allergies should always carry a special note from their physicians certifying in detail the treatments in progress or ones that may be administered.

Pharmacies (Farmacia)

Hours of operation generally follow store hours; approximately 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 3:00 to 7:30 PM, Monday to Saturday. In large cities many pharmacies are open 8:30am-7:30pm straight through. Business hours and night shifts are displayed outside each store and are also published in local papers. Before departure, it is advisable to procure a document certifying coverage by the national health-care service.

Health Services and Insurance Policy

Italy has no medical program covering U.S. and Canadian citizens. Therefore, U.S. and Canadian tourists are advised to take out an insurance policy before travelling.

First Aid Service (Pronto Soccorso) with a doctor on hand available at airports, ports, railway stations, and in all hospitals. Prescription or over the counter mediccation, can be obtained only from a pharmacy.

Travelers Checks

Traveller checks are accepted in all of Italy's major cities and tourist areas,. The rate of exchange is based on the daily rate of exchange shown in the newspapers.

ATMs and Debit Cards

Most reputable establishments will accept major credit cards and will display logos of accepted cards in their front windows, just as they do in the U.S. and Canada.

The ATM is known in Italy as Bancomat. Machines are easily found through out large cities and even in small towns. and operate exactly as they do in North America. Preferred language option is available.

To ensure the card is usable on that machine, match up either the Cirrus or BankMate symbol on the Bancomat and on your card. Cirrus and BankMate are the two most popular and widespread banking systems in the world so they are the best to have. If you are unsure about the compatibility or the banking systems, contact your credit card company or local bank.

After discovering that the system is compatible, simply withdraw money as you would at home. Of course, in Italy the money will be dispensed as Euros, but when you return home, your bank will have converted the Euros into dollars using the most beneficial exchange rate possible. Be careful however when using credit cards, as many banks are now charging large fees from 2.5% to 4% for cash advances which negate any advantage of using the Bancomat in the first place. One's best bet is to use your regular ATM card and simply withdraw money from your account just as you would do at your local bank.

Banking Hours

Banks in Italy are open Monday through Friday from 8:35 a.m. to 1:35 PM and from 3:00 - 4:00PM. In many tourist areas they are open from 8:30 AM straight through to 4:00PM. Banks are closed all day on Saturday and Sunday and on national holidays. The afternoon one-hour of operation may vary from city to city. Traveller's 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.

Emergency Telephone Numbers

Dial 112 for Carabinieri's service

Dial 113 for the police service

Dial 115 for the fire department

Dial 116 for roadside assistance

Dial 118 for medical emergency

Public Telephones

Public telephones are available throughout Italy. A local call from a public telephone requires the use of coins or calling cards (carta telefonica), available at tobacco shops, news stands, or coffee shops. Note that many public telephones only accept calling cards and few accept credit cards. When phoning within the city, always dial the area code before the number. Example: to call Rome, dial 06+ telephone number.

Long distance Calls (Interurbana)

Calls between major cities can be dialled directly on the public telephone by using the proper area code number. The use of calling cards is strongly recommended. Calls from Italy to the U.S. and Canada can be dialled directly by dialing 01 plus area code plus phone number.

Country Direct Service

To connect to a U.S. long distance service from major cities, dial: 1721011 for AT&T, 1721022 for MCI, 1721877 for U.S. Sprint. The numbers above work in Rome, Milan, Florence, Naples, Venezia, Torino, Catania, Vicenza, Livorno, Olbia, Bologna, Brindisi, Cosenza, Formia, Genova, Latina, Padova, Palermo, Perugia, Pescara, Pordenone, Pisa, and Trieste. When calling from a pay telephone, simply insert coins. You will automatically reach an operator in the country of destination, avoiding any and all language difficulty.

Internet Cafes

E-mail is a far less expensive means of communication. If you do not already have an easily accessible account, it would be advisable to set one before your trip Cyber Cafes are available through out Italy's large cities. You will have to pay to use the Internet. Note also that your online activity may be monitored.

Electrical Appliances

The electrical current in Italy is AC - the cycle is 50Hz 220 V. If you plan on brining electrical appliances to Italy, be sure to also pack a transformer and/or a plug adaptor - depending on whether your appliance accepts dual currents. Transformers and plugs can be also bought at a local electrical appliance shop in Italy. Electric sockets and plugs in Italy are round and not flat; therefore an adapter plug is required.

Please note that the conditions and use of air conditioning in Italy differs greatly from that in the United States.

Laundry & Cleaners

Most hotels have laundry and dry cleaning facilities. If the hotel does not provide these services, the desk clerk can direct you to the nearest shop (tintoria), or you can look in the Classified Telephone directory under Tintorie (cleaning and pressing) and Lavanderie (laundry).

Italian fire regulations do not allow hotels to provide irons for guests' use.

Shopping

Although normally store hour are 9:00 AM to 1:00PM and 3:30 - 8:00 PM, in many large cities and tourist areas stores often stay open 9:30AM to 7:30 PM. Popular department stores such as La Rinascente, Coin, and Upim are open from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM.

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.

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