Italy
ROME – KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Italy is an extraordinary feast of heart-thumping, soul-stirring art, food and landscapes rivalled by few and coveted by millions.
In few places art and life intermingle so effortlessly. This may be the land of Dante, Titian and Verdi, but it’s also the home of Prada, Gualtiero Marchesi and Renzo Piano. Beauty, style and flair furnish every aspect of daily life, from those immaculately knotted ties and perfect espressos to the flirtatious smiles of striking strangers. The root of Italian psychology is a dedication to living life well and, effortless as it may seem, driving that dedication is a reverence for the finer things. So slow down, take note and indulge in a little bella vita.
The Cuisine
It might look like a boot, but food-obsessed Italy feels more like a decadently stuffed Christmas stocking. From delicate tagliatelle al ragù to velvety cannoli, every bite feels like a revelation. The secret: superlative ingredients and strictly seasonal produce. And while Italy’s culinary soul might be earthy and rustic, it’s equally ingenious and sophisticated.
Banks
Most banks are open 8.30am-1.30pm & 2.45-3.45 or 4.30pm Monday to Friday Some do not take the midday break. ATM machines, called “bancomats”, are widespread.
Time & Weather
September is a great time to visit Rome if you want to enjoy the city and sunshine without feeling overwhelmed or uncomfortable because of the heat. Rome weather in September is very mild with cooler temperatures than previous months and plenty of sunshine. The climate cools down in September and temperatures are more comfortable with highs of 27°C. At night, you can expect temperatures to lower to around 16°C. You’ll have ten hours of sunlight per day, which is rarely interrupted by cloud coverage.
Credit Cards
All major credit and charge cards (American Express, Access/Mastercard, Visa, and Diners Card) are well known. Banks and cash dispensers are more likely to accept Visa Cards for cash advances, but Access (Mastercard) is accepted by more retail outlets in Italy. Take both if you have them.
Currency
Currency in Italy is the Euro (€) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2, 1 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents
Visas
Italy is one of the 15 signatories of the Schengen Convention, an agreement whereby participating countries abolished customs checks at common borders. EU citizens do not need a Schengen tourist visa to enter Italy. Nationals of some other countries, including Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland and the USA, do not need a tourist visa for stays of up to 90 days. To check the visa requirements for your country, see www.schengenvisainfo.com/tourist-schengen-visa .
All non-EU and non-Schengen nationals entering Italy for more than 90 days or for any reason other than tourism (such as study or work) may need a specific visa. See vistoperitalia.esteri.it or contact an Italian consulate for details.
Customs Regulations
Within the European Union you are entitled to tax-free prices on fragrances, cosmetics and skincare; photographic and electrical goods; fashion and accessories; and gifts, jewelry and souvenirs where they are available and if there are no longer any allowance restrictions on these tax-free items.
On leaving the EU, non-EU residents can reclaim value-added tax (VAT) on expensive purchases.
Duty Free Allowances
US citizens may bring back up to $400 US worth of foreign goods duty-free if they have been outside the country for at least 48-hours (and if they haven’t used the $400 US allowance in the previous 30 days). US residents over the age of 21 years can bring back 1-litre of alcohol duty-free. In addition, regardless of your age your age you can bring back 200 cigarettes or a 100 non-Cuban cigars duty free. Antiques, classified as more than a 100 years old by US customs can be brought back duty-free. The same rule applies for Original works of art made by hand.
Electrical Appliances
Electricity in Italy conforms to the European standard of 220V to 230V, with a frequency of 50Hz. Wall outlets typically accommodate plugs with two or three round pins (the latter grounded, the former not).
The following plugs are used:
Internet
In Rome some places offer public wi-fi hotspots. To use them, you will generally need to register online using an email address or your social accounts. An easier option is to head to a cafe or bar offering free wi-fi.
Emergencies
Should you require emergency services, please contact the front desk if you are in the hotel, or if out and about in the city dial:
Police, fire or ambulance service phone 112
Hospitals with Emergency Room:
- San Giovanni Addolorata
Address: dell’ Amba Aradam 8, 184 Roma
Tel. +39 0677055661 - Ospedale Generale Santo Spirito
Address: Lungotevere in Sassia 3, 193 Roma
Tel. +39 0668352241 - Madre Giuseppina Vannini
Address: Acqua Bullicante 4, 177 Roma
Tel. + 39 0624291255 - Sandro Pertini
Address: Monti Tiburtini 385, 157 Roma
Tel. + 39 0641431 - San Carlo di Nancy
Address: Via Aurelia 275, 165 Roma
Tel. +39 06 39706349 - Agostino Gemelli
Address: Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 168 Roma
Tel. +39 06 30151
Pharmacies:
- Farmacia Repubblica
P.za della Repubblica, 67, 00185 Roma RM
Tel. +39 06 474 0358
Open from Monday to Friday: 8.30am – 7.30pm / Saturday 8.30am – 01.00pm / Closed Sundays - Farmacia della Stazione
Piazza dei Cinquecento, 51, 00185 Roma RM
Tel. +39 351 926 5864
Open from Monday to Friday: 7.00am – 8.30pm / Saturday & Sunday 8.30am – 08.30pm - Farmacia Cristo Re dei Ferrovieri
Centro Forum Stazione Termini, 00185 Roma RM
Tel. +39 06 4880776
Open from Monday to Sunday: 7.00am – 9.00pm
Embassy:
- U.S. Embassy in Rome:
Address: Via Vittorio Veneto 121, 00187 Roma
Phone: (+39) 06.46741
Approx. 10 minutes walking from the Palazzo Naiadi and St. Regis Hotels
Appr. 3 minutes walking from the InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace - U.S. Embassy in Holy See:
Address: Via Sallustiana, 49, 00187, Rome, Italy
Phone: (+39)-06-4674-1
Approx. 10 minutes walking from the Palazzo Naiadi and St. Regis Hotels
Appr. 3 minutes walking from the InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace
Language
Italy’s main language is Italian. English spoken in hotels and tourist areas.
Safe
All Hotels are usually equipped with safes.
Safety Precautions
When sightseeing, only take as much money, or jewelry, as you can bear to lose; pickpockets are common.
You DO NOT NEED to carry your passports with you, no one will ask for it. The only case you may require a passport is in banks for money or travellers cheques change.
Traffic may be confusing. The streets are narrow and in many places there are no footpaths.
Be aware of what is happening around you as you navigate the city. Don’t attempt to cross lanes of moving traffic no matter what native Italians are doing! Respect the traffic signals and cross only when you are certain all vehicles have stopped moving.
Be particularly wary of motor scooters, which tend to come out of nowhere.
Shopping
Opening hours vary throughout the year. We’ve provided high-season opening hours; hours will generally decrease in the shoulder and low seasons. ‘Summer’ times generally refer to the period from April to September or October, while ‘winter’ times generally run from October or November to March.
Restaurants noon–2.30pm & 7.30–11pm or midnight
Cafes 7.30am–8pm
Bars and clubs 10pm–4am or 5am
Shops 9am–1pm & 4–8pm Monday to Saturday, some also open Sunday
Taxis
Legal taxis are white, and clearly marked. Ensure that the meter is engaged, and be prepared for surcharges for baggage and service at night.
All taxis are obliged, by law, to accept credit card payments. They might try to ask for cash (Euros). If you have cash, feel free to pay cash, but it is not required. Also, remember that tips for taxi drivers are not required and that rounding the sum up to the closest euro is fine.
Ride Shares
Unfortunately, Uber is not allowed in Italy. You might see that there are cars available if you open up the app, but they are very expensive and not regulated by law. It is not recommended to utilize Uber.
Train station in Rome
Roma Termini is Rome’s biggest train station, and one of Europe’s largest as well.
There are 29 platforms and daily service to cities all over Italy as well as elsewhere in Europe.
The entrance hall from Piazza dei Cinquecento is lined with shops and restaurants, along with a large ticket office, travel agents, and currency exchanges booths. There are two locations for the post office, one on either side of the platforms, and the tourist information desk for Rome is located near platform 24 next to all the car rental desks.
The Sala Blu, Trenitalia’s office of assistance for travelers with disabilities, is next to platform one.
The floor below the platform level contains even more shops, including a grocery store. This is also where you’ll find the KiPoint left luggage facility, plus two spas. On the upper level, there are still more shops and restaurants. Restrooms are only on the underground level.
You can catch the Metro at Termini, both the Red and Blue lines serve the train station and are accessed via the lower level. Piazza dei Cinquecento is a major hub for bus lines in Rome.
You can take a train directly between Roma Fiumicino Aeroporto (also known as Rome Leonardo di Vinci Airport) and Roma Termini. The journey takes 32 minutes. If you’re taking a flight into Rome Ciampino Airport, you’ll need to take a bus from the airport to the Ciampino train station, then the train to Roma Termini. The total journey takes around an hour.
Anantara Hotel to Rome Termini Station: 7 minutes walking distance
St Regis Hotel to Rome Termini Station: 10 minutes walking distance
Trains
The Italian railway system has options for all budgets. Cost and trip duration will depend on the class of train you take.
There are three grades of train and on two there is a choice of first class or second class. There is a complex system of advance purchase and day return fares.
Frecciarossa trains – These are the high speed trains, the pride of the Italian railways. Journey time is often twice as fast as alternatives. Fares are normally double that of the express inter-city trains.
Italo Trains – These are the high speed trains managed by the main competitor of Trenitalia, called NTV. https://www.italotreno.com/it
They often offer cheaper rates but normally travel less times per day
Inter-City trains – These are the normal inter-city trains with stops at major towns along the way.
You are allocated a reserved seat number when you book. Typically in a second class carriage you will travel in a compartment with six seats.
Regional/local trains – These are the opposite to the Frecciarossa trains. Trains are slow and relatively basic. What they have got going for them is price, typically 10%-20% of the price of a Frecciarossa train.
Tipping
Tipping is customary in restaurants, but optional elsewhere.
Taxis Optional, but most people round up to the nearest euro.
Restaurants Service (servizio) is generally included in restaurants – if it’s not, a few euros are fine in pizzerias, 10% in restaurants.
Bars Optional, though many Italians leave small change on the bar when ordering coffee. If drinks are brought to your table, a small tip is generally appreciated.
Private drivers Optional but most people leave from €10 to €30 or €40 depending on the transfer length
VAT (in Italy, imposta sul Valore Aggiunto, or IVA)
Italy, like Australia and most other European countries, imposes a value added tax. Visitors to Italy who are not residents of a country which is a member of the European Union may obtain a refund of the IVA on purchases of new merchandise exceeding € 155 per docket. No refund can be claimed for services, such as hotels, car rentals, entertainment, meals or transportation. The procedures for obtaining IVA tax refunds on Italian merchandise purchases follow:
If a store has a “Euro Tax Free” sign on its window or door this means that the store participates in the “Tax Free Italy” program. When making a purchase at such a store, present your passport at the cash register and ask the clerk to issue you a “Tax Free Shopping Cheque” together with a receipt for the goods. The store will charge you tax at the time of sale. However, the Tax Free Shopping Cheque will indicate the amount of IVA refund that you are eligible to subsequently claim. Take the merchandise, Tax Free Shopping Cheque and store receipt and present it to the Customs Office at the airport upon your departure from Italy.
The Customs official will examine the merchandise purchased and will stamp the Tax Free Shopping Cheque, provided that the merchandise matches the description on the receipt and the cheque. To obtain an immediate tax refund once your Tax Free Shopping Cheque has been stamped, simply present it at any “Tax-Free Cash Refund” booth at the airport.