Italy Tips to Make Your Trip Easy and Fun Agenda
Time Difference Postal Services Means of Transportation Living on Italian Time Passes Churches and Mass in Airplanes English Taxis Health and Pharmacies Getting Around the City Food and Restaurants Money Night Life Credit Cards Do’s and Don’ts Telephone Time Difference
Italy is six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
Italy is seven hours ahead of Central Standard Time.
Italy is eight hours ahead of Mountain Standard Time.
Italy is nine Hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time. Means Of Transportation
TRAIN FS (FERROVIE STATO)
EUROSTAR (Pendolino) – fastest first class.
EUROCITY - links Rome and major cities in EU.
INTERCITY - links Rome and major Italian cities.
These train fares are more expensive but are faster and usually on time. Means Of Transportation
REGIONALI (ESPRESSO) They stop at major cities.
LOCALI They stop at every single stations.
These trains fares are usually more reasonable.
STAMP YOUR TICKET BEFORE DEPARTURE AT THE ENTRANCE OF EACH PLATFORM. (BINARIO ) Passes
TRENITALIA PASS
TICKETS Single ( andata ) Round trip ( andata e ritorno ) First and second class ( prima e seconda classe )
Buy them at the travel agency or at the ticket office ( Biglietteria ).
www.trenitalia.com Airplanes
Consider to take low cost airlines such as: RYAN AIR ( ROMA –CIAMPINO) EASY JET ( ROMA- CIAMPINO) MERIDIANA AIR ONE
They offer very reasonable fares especially if you are planning a trip in other major cities in Europe. Be sure to have small carry-on luggage. Taxi
Avoid unauthorized taxis.
Make sure you take only official taxis which have the license number clearly displayed and they all have a TAXI sign on the roof.
Take the taxi at one of the Taxi stands or make the reservation by phone. Call: RADIOTAXI.
Taxis fares can be really expensive.
Petrucci at [email protected] Getting around the city
Buses and Trams (ROMA E MILANO) It happens frequently that buses are NOT on time. Make sure you give yourself extra time!
Metro Roma (Linea A e Linea B)- STAZIONE TERMINI Milano (MM1-MM2- MM3)
Boats Venice (Vaporetti)
Walking Getting around the city
Bus or Metro Tickets must be bought BEFORE boarding. Buy more than one ticket or a day or week long visitor ticket. www.atac.roma.it ( web site for Rome public transportation) Where do I buy bus and metro tickets? Kiosks of the bus company ATAC - Roma- Tickets are valid one journey ATM - Milano- Tickets are valid for 75 min Bars/café’s,Tabacchi shops ( look for T sign) UD provides you with bus and metro tickets paid by your Rome Fee so you probably won’t need to purchase bus tickets in Rome. Money And Banks
The currency is the EURO Bills of 5, 10, 20, 50,100, 200, 500 Coins of 2, 1 Cents of 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, 1
Have some currency in EURO before arriving in Italy.
You can get Euros at ATM machines. Money And Banks
Use ATM machines called BANCOMAT. Credits cards with a Pin number will be accepted.
Banks are usually open from : 8:30 am to 1:30 pm and 2/2:30 to 3/3:30 pm
All banks are closed on weekends. You will probably not need to use banks. Credit Cards
Major credit cards are generally accepted throughout Italy. (Travelers will find that merchants generally prefer to take American Express, Mastercard and Visa.)
You will find that the credit card companies provide better exchange rates than you will receive from banks or exchange bureaus. However, many credit card issuers are now charging fees for foreign exchange transactions. Check with your card issuer if you have any questions about this. Telephone Numbers
Some useful numbers in Italy: 113 GENERAL EMERGENCIES 112 CARABINIERI 115 FIRE SERVICE 118 MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
Public Telephones require the use of a phone card. Coins are not used.
To call: USA 001+area code+ phone number Postal Service
Post Office Hours Post Offices are open from 8:30 am – 1:30/2:00 pm On Saturdays they close at 12:00pm. Post Offices at airports and main Post Offices in large cities are open 24 hours a day for registered mail and telegram services.
Stamps Stamps ( FRANCOBOLLI ) may be purchased only at Tobacco shops (TABACCHERIA ) and at the Post Office. Always check at the counter for the exact fare to the country of destination.
The VATICAN CITY has its own postal system and stamps. Usually it is more reliable. Letters or packages bearing Vatican Stamps can only be mailed in the Vatican mailboxes. Living on Italian Time
Most shops are open Monday to Saturday from 9:30am to 12:30 pm and from 3:30/4pm to 7/7:30pm. Clothing shops are generally closed on Monday mornings. Most stores are also closed on Sunday. In major cities like ROME, MILANO, FIRENZE, TORINO some department stores and regular stores for ex: LA RINASCENTE, COIN -especially if located downtown - are now open also on Sunday. Some tourist-friendly stores in big cities such as Rome are open all day. Most churches are open from early morning until noon and they reopen for late afternoon mass, usually at 6.00pm. A few major churches, such as St. Peter's in Rome, are open all day. Many museums are closed one day a week, often on Monday. Catholic churches where mass is celebrated in English:
(Note: Mass is celebrated in English on the UD Campus) Florence
Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence (Saturday at 5 pm) Church of the Hospital of San Giovanni di Dio, Borgo Ognissanti 16, Florence (Sundays and Holidays at 10 am) Rome SS. Martiri Canadesi, Via G. B. De Rossi 46, Rome (the national church of Canada) San Silvestro in Capite, Piazza San Silvestro 1, Rome (the national church of England) Sant’Isidoro, Via degli Artisti 41, Rome (the national church of Ireland) Santa Susanna, Via XX Settembre 14 , Rome (the national church of the USA) Health
Dial 118 for Medical Emergency
For urgent medical care go to PRONTO SOCCORSO ( ER )
Pharmacies Time Schedule Monday to Saturday: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm and 3/3:30- 7.30 pm
Night time service is provided on shift basis. Night shifts are displayed outside of each Pharmacy (Farmacia di Guardia). Restaurant / Food
Most restaurants are open: Lunch 12:30- 2:30/ 3:00pm Dinner 7:30- 10:00pm
In tourist destinations some of the restaurants are open non-stop.
You may consider to go to: Pizzerie ( pizza and good pasta) Trattoria ( good local food and cheap) Paninoteca (for sandwich) Restaurant / Food
Tipping is already included in the bill. It is normal and welcome to leave a 5% incremental tip in cash but is not obligatory.
Bars are the correspondent of “Coffee Shop” and where you have Italian breakfast in the morning or Aperitivo (Happy Hour) in early evening. Some bars also serve lunch (sandwich or pasta). Night Life
Major Italian and European cities offer different clubs (discoteca) and pubs (locali).
Disco usually open around 11:30 – 12:00am and close around 3:00 am.
Some require dress code and people with sneakers or jeans will not be allowed to enter. Be Safe: Do’s
USE COMMON SENSE. Use Money Belt. Minimize the amount of money you carry. Make a copy of your passport and record the number of your credit card in case stolen. Be aware of your surroundings and who is around you. Go out in groups. Plan your trips and have maps and travel guides. Be Safe: Do’s
Keep your luggage with you on the train.
Limit how many valuable items and jewelry you bring.
Pack versatile clothes. Layers work well on vacation, and when the climate changes. Be Safe: Don'ts
Do not sleep on trains, metros, bus stations, or in parks. Do not hitchhike or accept rides or drinks from people you do not know. Do not adventure go to clubs and pubs that are located in unsafe neighborhoods in large cities, especially at night. Do not travel on your own. Do not use public transportation after 10:00 pm. Use official taxis. Misc.
Electrical Appliances The electrical current in Italy is AC - the cycle is 50Hz 220 V. Check your appliances for their voltage. Most computers and many appliances are dual voltage. Do not bring 120 voltage appliances to Rome.
Get plug adaptors for Italy. Plugs have round prongs, not flat, therefore an European Plug Adapter (round pin) is needed. You can google “plug adapters for Italy”. Questions
Buon Viaggio in Italia Helpful Packing Tips
Millions of tourists visit Italy each year to visit La Scala in Milan or go to the museums of Florence. Since the Italians are known for being stylish, many tourists fret over what to pack for their next vacation to Italy. Even if you don't have many fashionable clothes, there is no reason to go on a shopping spree before you travel - wait until you get to Italy to hit the amazing boutiques! It's can be tempting to take your entire wardrobe, but I highly recommend editing down the number of things you bring if you plan to travel around the country on train. Lugging around heavy suitcases on cobblestones roads is quite a feat. When you travel by train, smaller suitcases can be stored above the seats but if yours doesn't fit size requirements (similar to carry-on luggage) you will have to stash them in between the cars. Always keep an eye on them if you do have to store them between cars and try to sit as close as possible to your luggage because often pickpockets will congregate in this area and go through them or grab them and bolt during train stops. The key to having a great vacation wardrobe is bringing separates that are versatile and easy to mix and match. Neutrals, such as black, white, camel, gray and cream, allow you to create the maximum number of combinations, without repeating yourself. Make sure to bring accessories or accents in a bright color (think red or pink). Layers work well on vacations since climate changes throughout the day. A cardigan can easily be thrown over a silk camisole for an evening dinner. Conider the fabric that you are bringing. Non-seasonal fabrics are the best investment in a wardrobe, especially when it comes to traveling. These include silk, cashmere, lightweight wool, silk jersey and micro-fiber blends. Always do the wrinkle test. Scrunch the fabric in your hands for ten seconds and see if the wrinkle holds to get a better idea how it will look after being tossed around in a suitcase. Cross those off your packing list- it's more trouble than it is worth. Clothing tip: Fitted Blazer and a white top is a Must Now it comes down to selecting which pieces of your wardrobe to bring. Start with a pair of fabulous fitting black pants and a pair of slimming dark denim jeans. Bring a knee-length skirt, perhaps in an A-line or pencil style, that flatters your shape and you feel the most comfortable in. Next you want a sleek sweater, preferably in cashmere, something you can wear over tops and not add extra bulk. A wrap-dress is a must- it is an effortless way to bring your from day to night if you don't have time to change at the hotel. Bring two tops for every bottom you have, but don't exceed the number of days of your trip. Always have a basic t-shirt, a button down white oxford, a feminine blouse, and a sexy camisole. Don't forget a fitted blazer, the simplest way to pull off that relaxed European sensibility. Last but not least, the "LBD". Every woman should own a reliable little black dress that they don't leave home without. Limit yourself to four pairs of shoes. Sounds impossible, doesn't it? It doesn't have to be if you choose wisely. Bring at least one pair of stylish walking shoes. I suggest Italian designer Tods' moccasins or Puma sneakers. Always bring a great pair of pumps or an evening shoe. The obvious choice is the classic pointy toe black pump but red always works well. The other two choices will depend on your personal lifestyle. In the fall or winter, you may opt for a pair of leather boots. In the summer, a chic pair metallic sandals or ballet flats are suitable. And just FYI, if you are the type of person who cannot resist wearing heels, do yourself a favor and invest in some wedges, which provide much more support than stilettos. Transfer your toiletries and makeup into airtight miniature bottles to save space. You can get toiletries and cosmetic bags nearly anywhere, but L.L.Bean makes a unique one with various zippered compartments and a hook to hang on the door so your goods are in plain sight. Pack them in your carry on in the case that your luggage is lost or they spill. Many woman wonder if they should bring real jewelry and diamonds on their trip. If you are going to be wearing them at all times, for example, your wedding rings, you shouldn't have any problems. Pickpockets exist in every city in the world and as long as you are careful, you will be fine. However, I advise you not to bring valuable jewelry that you will have packed away or stashed in a hotel room. Pack smart and have a wonderful trip!