Regulations
Customs Regulations
Luggage is examined on entering and leaving Italy. Free entry is allowed for personal effects: clothing (new and used), books, camping and household equipment, fishing tackle, 1 pair of skis, 2 tennis racquets, portable typewriter, record player with 10 records, tape recorder or dictaphone, baby carriage, 2 still cameras with 10 rolls of film for each camera, 1 movie camera with 10 rolls of film, binoculars, personal jewelry, 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 items mentioned above may be imported duty-free only on condition that they are for personal use and are not be sold, given away or traded. A maximum of two bottles of wine and one bottle of hard liquor per person may be brought in duty-free. The bottles must 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 and only a verbal declaration is required. Purchases may include up to a half liter of perfume.

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

Canadian Regulations on Purchases Abroad
Any person residing in Canada returning from a trip abroad can qualify for personal exemption. All articles acquired abroad, whether purchased or received as gifts, or purchased at a duty free shop, either abroad or in Canada, must be declared by the traveler on return to Canada.

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 traveler. 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 such parcels received by one person, one day does not exceed $50. Each package should be marked "Unsolicited Gift". The amount paid and the contents of the package should be declared.

Passport 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 and/or to study or seek employment. 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 and that he does not request the extension 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 traveler entering Italy with a dog or cat must have a veterinarian's certificate stating the animal is in good health and has been vaccinated against rabies between 20 days and 11 months before entry into Italy. It must also give the breed, age, sex and color of the pet and the name and address of the owner. The certificate is valid for 30 days. The 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 formality of registering with the police within 3 days of a tourist's arrival in Italy is attended to by the hotels one stays with. 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. (Interpreters are available) telephone: 461-950 or 486-609

Health
For information on: Vaccination certificate, healthcare and medical assistance, pharmacies, health services and insurance policy.

Money
For information on: Travelers checks, ATMs and debit cards, banking hours, Euro, currency conversions.

Health
Vaccination Certificate
No vaccinations are required to enter Italy or to reenter the U.S. and Canada.

Emergency Telephone Number
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 that may be necessary.
Pharmacies (Farmacia), generally follow shops times (approx. from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 3:00 to 7:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday, but in large cities many are open no-stop. Nighttime service is provided on a shift basis. Business hours and night shifts are displayed outside of each chemist's (they 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 Canada citizens. Therefore, U.S. and Canadian tourists are advised to take out an insurance policy before traveling. First Aid Service (Pronto Soccorso) with a doctor on hand is found at airports, ports, railway stations and in all hospitals. Medicines can be obtained only from the pharmacy, whether they are on prescription or over the counter.

Money
Travelers Checks
In major Italian cities and tourist areas traveler checks are accepted. The rate of exchange is calculated on the daily rate of exchange shown on the newspapers.

ATMs and Debit Cards
Most reputable establishments will accept major credit cards. Those establishments accepting credit cards will post the logos in their front windows, just as they do in the USA and Canada.

The ATM (Automatic Teller Machines) in Italy is known as Bancomat. There are many to be found in the large cities and even in small towns The machines operate just as they do here; at the beginning of the transaction, it prompts the user for the preferred language.

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 or BankMate symbol (on the Bancomat and on your card) to insure the card is usable on that particular unit. 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 the system is compatible, simply withdrawal money as you would at home. Of course, in Italy the money will be dispensed as Italian Lire, but when you return home, your bank will have converted the Lire into dollars using the most beneficial exchange rate possible. Be careful though when using credit cards, as many banks are now charging large fees of 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 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.

EURO
January first, 2002 marks the beginning of the unique currency for Europe.

How to Get Lira
Tourists reaching Italy without Italian currency can obtain lire through any bank or exchange office (Ufficio di Cambio) at air, sea ports or in any town. In the major cities, there are exchange offices in variety of locations. While the offices are convenient one does pay for the service.

Non-residents may import Italian or foreign banknotes and bearer securities. If the amounts imported exceed the equivalent of 20 million lire (approximately $11,500) they must be declared at the customs office. The export of the above-mentioned Italian and foreign values for amounts exceeding the equivalent of 20 million lire is allowed within the limit of the previous import.

It is advisable to keep receipts of currency exchanged in case it be necessary to reconvert lire back into dollars before leaving the country.

Money Belt
Maybe. Crowded tourist sites all over the world are at pickpoket and gipsy risk and Italy is no exception. One should always be on alert for these petty thieves, but a good offense is the best defense. Keep your money hidden preferably in an inside pocket or money belt.

Telephone & Mail
Emergency Telephone Numbers

Dial 112 for Carabinieri's service
Dial 113 for the police service
Dial 115 for the fire department
Dial 116 for the A.C.I. (Italian Automobile Club) - for road side 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 a 200 lire coins or calling cards (carta telefonica), available at tobacco shops, news stands or bar (coffee shops) for the value of 5.000 or 10.000 Lire. Note that many public telephones only accept calling cards; little less numerous are the ones accepting credit cards. When phoning in within the city, always dial the area code before the number. Example: to call a Rome number dial 06+ telephone number.

Long distance Calls (Interurbana)
Calls between major cities can be dialed 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 dialed directly (dial 01 plus area code plus phone number).

Area Code (Prefisso Telefonico)
Following are the area code numbers for some of the principal cities of Italy. Example - a call from New York to Rome would be dialed as follows:

Country Direct Service
From phones in major cities, to connect to a US long distance service, dial:
1721011 for AT&T
1721022 for MCI
1721877 for US Sprint
The numbers above work for 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 pay telephones, just insert 200 lire coin. You automatically reach an operator in the country of destination, avoiding all language difficulty
Canada can be reached by dialing 1721001.

Internet Cafes
No matter how responsible you try to be with your phone card, you can run up
quite a bill when you call your parents/ your kids/ your significant other. E-mail may be an alternative and less expensive mean of communication.

Whatever e-mail service you use in your daily life, I would set up web-access mail for your trip (like the mail offered by Yahoo!, Hotmail, etc.). It is the easiest to use abroad since the only software and configuration you need are built right into the browser. Set this account up before you leave home, so you don't waste valuable time abroad.

Postal Service & Rates
General Delivery Service
Mail can be addressed c/o Post Office by adding "FERMO POSTA" after the name of the town. The addressee can claim mail at the Central Post Office upon identification by passport.

Stamps
Stamps may be purchased only at tobacco shops and at the Post Office. Always check at the counter for the exact fare to the country of destination.

Cost
The following only estimates.
Postcards to U.S. and Canada around 1200 Lire
Letters (20 grams) around 1200 Lire
Each additional (20 grams) around 400 Lire
Aerograms for all countries around 850 Lire

Post Office Hours
Post Offices are open from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. On Saturdays they close at 12:00. Post Offices at airports and main Post Offices in large cities are open 24 hours a day for registered mail and telegram services.

Miscellaneous
Electrical Appliances
The electrical current in Italy is AC - the cycle is 50Hz 220 V. A tourist carrying electrical appliances to Italy should have a transformer, either obtained before leaving your country or bought at an electrical appliance shop in Italy. Plugs have round prongs, not flat, therefore an adapter plug is needed.

Laundry and Dry 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 ).

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, jewelry, leather goods (handbags, cases, boxes, luggage), ceramics, gold and silver items, alabaster, woodwork, straw, embroidery, glass and crystal ware.