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Italy - Italia (ENIT guide) PDF

36 Pages·2006·4.78 MB·English
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Italian State Tourist Board (E.N.I.T.) 1 Princes Street · London W1B 2AY · Tel. 020 7408 1254 · Fax 020 7399 3567 · E-mail: [email protected] www.italiantouristboard.co.uk · Call Centre: Freephone 008 00 00 482 542 (brochure request line) ITALIAN STATE TOURIST BOARD - ENIT 1 Princes Street, London W1B 2AY Tel: 020 7408 1254 Fax: 020 7399 3567 e-mail: [email protected] www.enit.it www.italiantouristboard.co.uk (Opening times to the public: Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm) Call Centre: Tel: 008 00 00 482 542 (free brochure request line) REGION CAPITAL CITY INTERNET SITE 1 ABRUZZO L’AQUILA www.abruzzoturismo.it Contents 2 ALTO ADIGE* BOLZANO/BOZEN www.suedtirol.info 3 BASILICATA POTENZA www.aptbasilicata.it 4 CALABRIA CATANZARO www.turismo.regione.calabria.it General Information 4 5 CAMPANIA NAPOLI www.turismoregionecampania.it Transportation 16 6 EMILIA ROMAGNA BOLOGNA www.emiliaromagnaturismo.it 7 FRIULI VENEZIA -GIULIA TRIESTE www.turismo.fvg.it Accommodation 24 8 LAZIO ROMA www.turislazio.it 9 LIGURIA GENOVA www.turismoinliguria.it Art In Italy 26 10 LOMBARDIA MILANO www.regione.lombardia.it Performing Arts and 11 MARCHE ANCONA www.le-marche.com other events 29 12 MOLISE CAMPOBASSO www.regione.molise.it 13 PIEMONTE TORINO www.regione.piemonte.it Tourist Offices in the 14 PUGLIA BARI www.pugliaturismo.com principal Italian 15 SARDEGNA CAGLIARI www.regione.sardegna.it destinations 35 16 SICILIA PALERMO www.regione.sicilia.it/turismo 17 TRENTINO* TRENTO www.trentino.to Note: The information contained in this 18 TOSCANA FIRENZE www.turismo.toscana.it booklet is as current as possible at time of going to press (May ‘06). The Italian State 19 UMBRIA PERUGIA www.umbria2000.it Tourist Board is not responsible for changes to 20 VALLE D’AOSTA AOSTA www.regione.vda.it/turismo schedules of services, rates and dates of events. It is always advisable to confirm this type of 21 VENETO VENEZIA www.regione.veneto.it information before departure. * Provincie autonome Produced in conjunction with the Italian State Tourist Board, 1 Princes Street, London W1B 2AY Telephone: 020 7408 1254 · Fax: 020 7399 3567 All rights reserved. No part of this guide may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any other means, electronic, mechanical, photographic, recording or otherwise without the prior written consent of the publisher. Advertising Sales – GST & Associates, Telephone: 01626 774783 · Photography courtesy of Italian State Tourist Board. PRODUCED BY WORLD TRAVEL GUIDES Graphic Design – GreenApple Graphics. A DIVISION OF GST & ASSOCIATES 83 RICHMOND AVENUE, SHOEBURYNESS, ESSEX SS3 9LE Although every effort is made to ensure that the content, both editorial and advertising are true and accurate at time of going to press neither the publisher TEL: 01702 580188 FAX: 01702 580188 E-MAIL: [email protected] nor the Italian State Tourist Board can be held responsible for any claims made within this publication. Front Cover: Detail of Andrea Mantegna’s (c1431-1506) frescoe ‘Scena Cavallo,’ Camera degli Sposi, Palazzo Ducale, Mantova, 3 and other Mantegna’s images shown in the brochure courtesy of“ARCHIVIO PROVINCIA DI MANTOVA-TONI LODIGIANI” Planning your trip to Italy Gargano promontory and, sloping down further PLEASE DO NOT FORGET: south, the Salentine peninsula. It then proceeds 1 Validate your tickets before travelling to the west with the Calabrian and Peloritano (see pull out section) massif stretching across the Strait of Messina into 2 The EURO (€) is now the only legal Sicily. currency (see page 9) VOLCANOES:Mount Etna - active (in Sicily 3 Smoking and non smoking (see page 10) between Catania and Messina, altitude 3323 4 Passport (see page 8) metres); Vesuvio (in Campania near Naples, 5 Taxis (see pull out section) 1281 metres); Stromboli – active (Aeolian Islands, 924 metres); Vulcano (Aeolian Islands, 391 metres). A few facts and The Cities figures about Italy After Rome, the other regional capitals of Italy Area: 301,337 square kilometres are Bolzano/Bozen, Trento, Trieste, Aosta, Milan Population:58.5 milion (Milano), Venice (Venezia), Turin (Torino), Bologna, Genoa (Genova), Florence (Firenze), Population density:194/sq.k. Ancona, Perugia, L’Aquila, Campobasso, Naples Capital: Roma (Rome) (2,553,873 inhabitants) (Napoli), Potenza, Bari, Catanzaro, Palermo and Cagliari. These cities are important not only for Other important cities: their size and population, but also for their Milano (Milan) (1,299,439) history, the fame and wealth of their monuments Napoli (Naples) (995,171) and museums, and the natural beauties of which Torino (Turin) (902,255) - Palermo (675,084) almost all of them can boast, as well as the Genova (Genoa) (605,084) - Bologna (374,425), intensity of their social and economic life. Firenze (Florence) (368,059) - Bari (328,458), Porta in “Milanese”; today the best follower of Catania (305,773) - Venezia (Venice) (271,251) Each of Italy’s main cities jealously guards its own this tradition is arguably the Sicilian Andrea Verona (259,068) character, its citizens taking special pride in their Camilleri. history, art, food and commerce. Sprawling Milan Other important statistics: is the industrial, banking and fashion capital of Provinces: 103 Geographical Profile Italy and an art and culture centre. Turin Woodland: 65,538 sq.k (Torino), at the foot of the Alps, is well known Coastline: 7,375 km There is a great deal of variety in the landscape for the manufacture of cars and its baroque Protected areas: 57,320 sq.k of Italy, although it is characterised architecture. Genoa (Genova), birthplace of Highest peak: Monte Bianco (4,810 m) predominantly by two mountain chains: the Alps Columbus, has been Italy’s most important port Longest river: Po (652 km) and the Apennines. The former extends over 600 since Roman times. Venice (Venezia) floats Source: ISTAT (www.istat.it) miles from east to west. It consists of great massifs dream-like on canals and lagoons. Trieste is a Currency:Euro € (see page 9) in the western sector, with peaks rising to over bustling and attractive port. Trento is an historic 14,000 feet, including Monte Bianco (Mont old city that has had many battles fought for it. LANGUAGE: ITALIAN IS THE OFFICIAL Blanc), Monte Rosa and Cervino (the Bologna is famous for its University and LANGUAGE OF THE COUNTRY. Matterhorn). The height of the chain is lower in gastronomy. Florence (Firenze), “the cradle of the Both Italian and German are official in the the eastern sector, although the mountains are Renaissance” is an Art City to rival any in the South Tyrol Province; both Italian and French still of an extraordinary beauty (the Dolomites). world. Ancona, the main town (of the Adriatic are official in the Aosta Valley region. Other At the foot of the Alpine arc stretches the vast region) of the Marche, is a beautifully situated languages, though not really official, are spoken Po Valley plain, cut down the middle by the seaside city. Perugia, the hilltop queen of the by some small local communities: e.g. Albanian course of the river Po, the longest in Italy (390 Tiber plain, is the seat of the University for in some parts of Sicily, Apulia and Calabria; miles), which has its source in the Pian de Re Foreigners. L’Aquila, crisscrossed by steep streets, Catalan in Sardinia (area of Alghero). Owing to (Monviso) and flows into the Adriatic through a is a mountain centre in the Apennines. Naples the extreme complexity of Italian history every magnificent delta. The Alpine foothills are (Napoli), on its famous blue bay, is the great city region has one or even more dialects. In some characterised by large lakes: Lake Maggiore and of the South. Bari, where the bones of St. cases great writers and poets have written in their the lakes of Como, Iseo and Garda. Nicholas lie, is a modem city surrounding a tiny dialects, exceptional works which can be medieval town. Palermo, major town of Sicily, The Apennines form the backbone of the compared to the very best literature in Italian. merges Norman and Arab history and culture. peninsula, stretching in a wide arc concave to Cagliari, the chief town of Sardinia, bears the Carlo Goldoni wrote his plays in Venetian; the the Tyrrhenian Sea. The Corno Grande (Gran stamp of a long and varied history. celebrated trio of Roman poets, Pascarella, Sasso d’Italia) is the highest peak. A large part of Trilussa and Belli used, of course, the central Italy is characterised by a green hilly “Romanesco”; Pier Paolo Pasolini mastered both landscape, through which the rivers Arno and Seas his native “Friulano” and the “Romanesco”; Tiber run and some lakes such as Trasimeno, Eduardo de Filippo, Salvatore di Giacomo and Bolsena and Bracciano. The southern section of Italy is a peninsular in the Mediterranean Sea, many song lyricists wrote in “Neapolitan”; Carlo the chain pushes out to the east forming the with a coastline of more than 5,310 miles. Rocky, 4 wooded cliffs are indented by an infinite variety of Apulia, one finds the Lido of Siponto on the the most fantastic and spectacular mountains of of beaches and bays. Along the full length of Gulf of Manfredonia, the Gargano peninsula and the entire alpine range. A happy combination of Liguria extend the two Italian Rivieras with the Tremiti Islands. factors has made the whole region – Trentino, Genoa (Genova) in the middle. To the west, Alto Adige, an immense park of natural beauty. almost an extension of the French Côte d’ Azur, And although it’s the northernmost zone of Italy, Mountains is the Ponente including such famous seaside it is one of the most favoured for its constant resorts as San Remo, Alassio and Varazze. The good weather and the frequency of its warm and eastern (Levante) Riviera boasts Nervi, The Alps: The highest and the most fascinating sunny days. As a consequence, the fame of the Portofino, Santa Margherita, Rapallo and Sestri mountains in Europe, the Alps separate Italy Dolomites is worldwide. Around such centres of Levante. from France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. international renown such as Merano, Madonna Almost all of the sunny southern slopes are in di Campiglio, Canazei, Ortisei and Cortina Other beaches popular with foreign visitors are Italian territory. The highest peaks include Mont d’Ampezzo have sprung up a host of smaller Forte dei Marmi, Viareggio, Castiglioncello, Blanc, Monte Rosa, the Cervino and the Gran summer holiday and winter sports centres, health Porto Santo Stefano, Porto Ercole and the Island Paradiso. These giants are all found in the Valle resorts and spas. These resorts can be found in of Elba in Tuscany; Ostia - Lido of Rome d’Aosta, which is not only unique, but perhaps the valleys, on the gentle uplands and beside the (Roma), Fregene, Anzio, Nettuno in Lazio; the most beautiful in the whole Alpine range. It famous Alpine Lakes. Thanks to up-to-date Capri, Sorrento and the Island of Ischia, is a magic realm for the tourist with mountain transport facilities, cable cars and chair lifts, Positano, Amalfi and Maiori on the Gulf of climbing, holiday and winter sports centres. tourists can reach the highest and most Naples (Napoli) and Salerno; Sardinia; and from North to South along the Adriatic Coast: Grado, Among the most famous of which are Cervinia celebrated viewpoints with ease. and Courmayeur. The Valle d’Aosta is rich in the Lido of Venice (Venezia), the Lido of Jesolo, The Apennines: “The backbone of Italy” runs magnificent natural scenery, monuments and Lignano Sabbiadoro and then the enchanting the full length of the peninsula, from the hills of castles. string of towns along the Coast of Romagna, Cadibona (near Savona) down into Calabria. among which Milano Maritima, Cervia, Rimini, The Dolomites: To the east between the valleys The Apennines reach their highest point in the Riccione and Cattolica stand out. On the coast of the Adige and Piave rivers lie the Dolomites – Gran Sasso (9,558 feet) which, along with the 5 Maiella (9,151 feet), forms a magnificent winter Food & Wine The best time sports area. Variously named from north to south – the Apennines in Emilia and Tuscany, the It is estimated that every year more than two to go to Italy Apuan Alps north of Lucca, the Lattari million tourists visit the Italian countryside and Mountains between the Gulf of Naples and its famous wine cellars. Salerno, the Matese Mountains also in CLIMATE The gastronomy, which is extremely popular in Campania, the Sila in Calabria and Aspromonte, its simple and genuine tastes, takes its origin from The moderating influence of the sea and the the southern tip of the Apennines. The a large range of products offered in great quantity protection given by the Alpine barrier from the mountains of Sicily and Sardinia repeat the from nature reflecting the warm climate of our cold north winds join to bless Italy with a natural beauties of the Alps and the Apennines, land. temperate climate. Nevertheless, the weather Etna, an active volcano on Sicily’s eastern coast and snow-capped most of the year, epitomises the Autumn is the favoured season for enoturismo, varies considerably according to how far one is incomparable contrast of nature, which is the which has become very popular owing to the from the sea or the mountains. The winter is very miracle of Italy. growth of wine routes. There are itineraries cold in the Alps, cold and foggy in the Po Plain which include visits to wine cellars with their and the central Apennines; mild and even warm own vineyards opened to the public. There are on the Ligurian coast, the Neapolitan coast and Lakes also historical buildings and museums where the in Sicily. The summer is hot and dry, but the tourist can taste various home-made products. temperature is mitigated on the coast by sea Mirroring the snow-covered Alps that surround breezes and in the Apennines and Alps it is However, as well as the official wine routes, the them, the lakes of Lombardy are the first magic pleasantly cool. In mountain areas, winter is ideal visitor also has an opportunity to make his or her wonder welcoming to Italy the tourist who enters for skiing, and summer for excursions. Seaside own wine route discovery on the basis of from the Simplon, St. Gothard or Spluga Passes and lake resorts, with their excellent hotel individual taste and preference. The wine regions through the mountains. The three largest lakes facilities, have a busy tourist season in the provide an enormous wealth for Italy and they are Maggiore (82 sq. miles.), Como (56 sq. summer, while the cities that are rich in art should be explored. miles), and Garda (143 sq. miles). These, along treasures are ideal in spring and autumn. with the smaller lakes, Orta, Iseo and Idro www.foodland.it · www.wineshop.it constitute a second Riviera of resorts with fine www.toscana.net · www.piemondo.it TIME hotels and villas on their shores that provide a FAI - FONDO PER L’AMBIENTE ITALIANO In terms of standard time zones, Italy is one hour busy season of swimming, sailing, golf and tennis (Foundation for the protection of the Italian ahead of UK time. Summer time in Italy comes from early spring to the late mild autumn. natural environment and treasures) into effect each year from the last Sunday of Jewel-like smaller lakes scattered among the www.fondoambiente.it March to the last Sunday of October. valleys of the Alps include Caldonazzo, Molveno, HEALTH SERVICE AND Levico, Carezza, Misurina and Santa Croce. MEDICAL COVER Boating, bathing and fishing are specialities of Private hospitals and clinics in Italy are very lakes in central and southern Italy: Trasimeno in good, but are expensive if you do not have Umbria, Bolsena, Bracciano, Nemi, Albano in medical insurance. The public health system is Lazio; Lucrino and Fusaro near Naples; and instead managed provincially by ASL (Azienda Varano and Lesina in Apulia. Sanitaria Locale) and can provide information on how to find the nearest hospital, clinic or any Spas other medical service you might require. First Aid Service (Pronto Soccorso) with a doctor on The restorative powers of the mineral waters and hand is found at airports, ports, railway stations mud baths that bubble up from Italian springs – and hospitals. If you need an ambulance, you can many of volcanic origin – have been renowned call 118 from anywhere in Italy. since Roman times, and the remains of Roman Citizens of EU countries are covered for baths are still to be seen in a number of watering emergency medical treatment in Italy on places. The accent on rest and recreation has presentation of a European Health Insurance made many spas into fashionable resort centres Card (EHIC) which replaced the E111 from 1 with excellent hotels, golf courses and theatres. January 2006. Treatment in private hospitals or The best known spas are Acqui, St.Vincent and clinics is not covered. You can inquire about the Lurisia in Piedmont; San Pellegrino, Salice European Health Insurance Card from your local Terme, Bagni di Bormio and Sirmione in health service. Most travel insurance includes Lombardy; Abano and Montegrotto in Veneto; medical cover. Check with your travel agency Merano in Alto Adige; Roncegno and Levico in when booking the travel insurance for your Trentino; Salsomaggiore in Emilia; Montecatini holiday. and Chianciano in Tuscany; Fiuggi, close to VACCINATION Rome; Agnano, Castellammare di Stabia, near Naples, Ischia Porto on the island of Ischia and CERTIFICATE & WATER Sciacca in Sicily. No vaccinations are required to enter Italy or to re-enter the UK. Tap water is drinkable in Italy. 6 MONTHLY AVERAGE 24 HOUR TEMPERATURES (FAHRENHEIT) FOR PRINCIPAL CITIES AND RESORTS IN ITALY CITY J F M A M J J A S O N D CITY J F M A M J J A S O N D Alassio 48 50 54 59 66 70 75 70 61 56 49 48 Palermo 52 56 60 64 72 79 64 80 75 68 60 43 Alghero 50 51 53 59 70 74 77 77 70 66 61 50 Perugia 36 37 45 54 60 68 73 71 67 57 53 41 Amalfi 55 52 53 57 64 78 77 75 71 70 55 56 Pesaro 37 40 42 54 60 68 72 66 63 59 50 42 Bari 50 52 57 60 64 73 77 78 71 68 55 50 R. Calabria 50 53 56 59 66 73 78 78 74 65 63 58 Bellagio 38 42 50 58 64 72 79 75 67 59 48 40 Stresa 39 42 50 59 64 72 60 75 67 59 50 40 Bologna 33 36 48 56 68 71 76 75 69 57 47 38 Rapallo 50 54 58 62 69 74 80 78 72 64 58 50 Bolzano 22 28 46 55 60 68 72 70 65 53 42 29 Rimini 35 46 50 58 64 74 60 73 70 60 53 42 Cagliari 46 50 54 60 66 77 80 80 75 64 55 48 Rome 49 52 57 62 70 77 62 78 73 65 66 47 Capri 50 50 53 57 66 74 77 76 73 65 60 54 Salerno 59 52 53 57 64 78 77 75 71 70 55 56 Catanzaro 45 44 45 50 57 66 67 73 74 61 60 48 San Remo 49 52 57 65 70 76 81 77 70 64 56 53 Cortina 29 36 41 49 58 64 72 70 64 55 47 40 Sorrento 51 51 52 55 64 71 75 73 70 65 54 55 Elba 51 53 53 56 64 70 75 73 67 64 55 53 Taormina 56 60 64 70 75 60 86 83 80 73 65 57 Florence 45 47 50 60 67 75 77 70 64 63 55 46 Turin 31 38 48 55 61 70 74 72 66 56 45 35 Gardone 40 44 52 59 66 74 80 76 68 60 53 42 Trieste 37 47 51 59 64 71 74 71 68 62 46 44 Genoa 48 50 55 61 68 73 78 75 70 62 54 45 Venice 43 48 53 60 67 72 77 74 68 60 54 44 Merano 40 42 45 55 63 70 75 74 66 57 50 42 Verona 37 40 47 54 62 69 74 72 67 55 45 36 Milan 36 40 50 58 66 72 75 74 67 56 45 39 Viareggio 48 51 52 55 68 70 74 70 65 64 58 46 Naples 50 54 58 63 70 75 83 79 74 66 60 52 Italian Breaks ❖ Long established leading agent for villas and apartments in Italy ❖ Central apartments in Rome, Florence, Venice ❖ Apartments and villas in Amalfi Coast, Sicily, Southern Italy, Umbria, Marche, The Lakes, Tuscany and Sardinia ❖ Fast friendly service with apartments and villas suitable from 2 to 20 people ❖ Competitive prices ❖ All properties viewed personally and highly recommended by “Italian Breaks” proprietor, who is Italian and has extensive knowledge of all locations Tel: 0208 660 0082 Fax: 0208 660 6655 E-mail: [email protected] · www.italianbreaks.com 7 Water from drinking fountains is safe unless there ITALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CUSTOM REGULATIONS is a sign “Acqua non potabile”. You might see London: 1 Princes Street, London W1B 2AY From 1 July 1999, duty-free sales within the EU this sign inside trains, camping sites, etc. Tel. 020 7495 8191 Fax 020 7495 8194 were partly abolished. Under the rules of the e-mail: [email protected] · single market, goods bought in and exported www.italchamind.co.uk Passport, Visa & within the EU incur no additional taxes, Edinburgh: 32a Melville Street, provided duty has been paid somewhere within Custom Regulations Edinburgh EH3 7HA the EU and the goods are for personal Tel/Fax 0131 225 3306 consumption. Holders of a valid British passport do not need e-mail: [email protected] a visa to enter Italy, however, the passport must www.italchamind.co.uk be valid when returning from Italy. Getting Married Manchester:111 Piccadilly, For detailed information concerning visa in Italy Manchester M1 2HY requirements, please contact the Italian Tel. 0161 244 5367 Fax 0161 235 8792 Consulate or visit the website e-mail: [email protected] If you would like to get married in Italy, here are www.embitaly.org.uk under the visa www.italchamind.co.uk a few tips to make things easier: information section. ITALIAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE 1. Allow plenty of time to organise your ITALIAN CONSULATE London: 39 Belgrave Square, wedding, as bureaucracy can be fairly GENERAL - LONDON London SW1X 8NX complex. 38 Eaton Place, London SW1X 8AN Tel. 020 Tel. 020 7235 1461 Fax 020 7235 4618 7235 9371 Fax 020 7823 1609 e-mail: [email protected] 2. If both of you are resident in Ireland, please e-mail: [email protected] www.italcultur.org.uk contact the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin (Department of Foreign Affairs, www.embitaly.org.uk Dublin: 11 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2 Consular Section, 80 St. Stephen’s Green, YOU CAN CONTACT THE FOLLOWING Tel. +353 1 676 6662/662 3268 Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland Tel: +353 1408 CONSULATES AND EMBASSIES Fax +353 1 676 6716 e-mail: 2568 from 09.30–12.30 to obtain an ACCORDING TO YOUR RESIDENCE [email protected] application form. You should request the WITHIN THE UK OR THE REPUBLIC www.iicdublino.esteri.it application form four months before the date OF IRELAND ITALIAN EMBASSY on which you intend to marry. Italy will then BEDFORD: Italian Consulate, 7-9 Greyfriars, London:14 Three Kings Yard, issue a Nulla Osta, which you take to the Bedford MK40 1HJ Tel. 01234 356647/326648 London W1K 4EH Town Hall or Council (known as Comune) Fax 01234 269699 Tel. 020 7312 2200 Fax 020 7312 2230 upon arrival. e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] You will need two witnesses and a translator. [email protected] www.embitaly.org 3. If one or both of you are Irish Nationals [email protected] / www.embitaly.org.uk Dublin: 63-65 Northumberland Road, resident in the UK, please contact the Irish BRISTOL: Italian Consulate Agency Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland Embassy in London (Irish Embassy, 17 Church Hall, 4 Northview, Westbury Park, Tel. +353 1 660 1744 Fax +353 1 668 2759 Grosvenor Place, London SW1X 7HR. Tel. Bristol BS6 7QB e-mail: [email protected] 020 7235 2171). The direct line for Tel. 0117 9737366 www.italianembassy.ie information on marriages in Italy is Tel. 020 7201 2506. The Embassy will then forward CARDIFF: Italian Consulate, 1st Floor, BRITISH EMBASSY your details to Italy to obtain the Nulla Osta 14 Museum Place, Cardiff CF10 3BH Rome: Via XX Settembre 80/A, in exactly the same way as the Dublin Tel/Fax 029 20341757 00187 Rome, Italy Office. Tel. +39 06 42200001 Fax +39 06 42202335 DUBLIN: Italian Embassy, 63-65 e-mail: [email protected] 4. If one or both of you are British nationals Northumberland Road, Dublin 4 www.britain.it you will need to contact the Foreign and Tel. +353 1 660 1744 Fax +353 1 668 2759 e-mail : [email protected] IRISH EMBASSY Commonwealth Office in London to obtain www.italianembassy.ie Rome: Piazza di Campitelli 3, 00186 Rome, Italy the British equivalent: Tel. 020 7008 1500 Tel. +39 06 6979121 Fax +39 06 6792354 www.fco.gov.uk EDINBURGH: Italian Consulate, www.ambasciata-irlanda.it 32, Melville Street, Edinburgh EH3 7HA 5. If one or both of you are Italian Nationals, Tel. 0131 2263631/0131 2203695 ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION please contact the Italian Consulate General Fax 0131 2266260 London: 37 Sackville Street, London W1S 3DQ in London for the UK on Tel. 020 7235 9371 e-mail: [email protected] Tel. 020 7734 2412 Fax 010 7734 2516 Fax 020 78231609, and the Italian Embassy www.consedimb.demon.co.uk e-mail: [email protected] www.ice.it in Dublin for the Republic of Ireland on Tel. 00 353 1 6601744 Fax 00 MANCHESTER: Italian Consulate, 111 Dublin: 16 St. Stephen’s Green, 353 1 6682759. Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2HY Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland Tel. 0161 2369024 Fax 0161 2365574 Tel. +353 1 6767829 Fax +353 1 6767787 For a list of tour operators specialised in e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] www.ice.it Weddings in Italy, please contact the Italian www.italianconsulate.co.uk For all information: www.esteri.it State Tourist Board. 8 BANKING HOURS of regional and national passes are available, including the Trenitalia Flexi Pass costing as little as £29.00 per day for unlimited travel. Banks in Italy are open Monday to Friday from 8.35 am to 13.35 pm and from 15.00 pm to 16.00 pm. Some banks are also open on Saturday morning until Travellers under the age of 26 should consider the InterRail Pass. Italy is in 13.30 pm. In some tourist areas they are open non-stop from 8.30 am to zone G of Inter-Rail Pass 16.00 pm. Banks are closed on Sundays and national holidays and also on Point to point tickets on the high speed long distance trains are often less the town’s patron Saint’s day. The afternoon hour may vary from city to city. expensive than in the United Kingdom. Example of approximate journey Travellers’ cheques can be exchanged at most hotels and shops and at the times and prices on the high speed network for some of the popular routes is foreign exchange offices in main railway stations and at the airports. highlighted below: CREDIT CARDS Route Approx 1st & 2nd Prices for one Prices for one Journey time Class way ticket (£) way ticket (Euro) All major credit cards are widely accepted in Italy (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, etc.). Rome to Florence ES (Eurostar Italia) 1.30h 1 31.00 42.35 EURO 2 22.00 29.44 Italy is one of the 12 EU countries that joined the EMU, Economic and INTERCITY 2.00/2.30h 1 23.00 29.80 Monetary Union, which introduced the single currency: EURO with the 2 18.00 21.95 symbol €. Rome to Milan From 1 January 2002 the Euro is effectively circulating in Italy and is now ES 4.30h 1 49.00 67.14 the only currency. For ten years (up to 1st March 2012) only branches of the 2 34.00 46.48 Banca d’Italia will change Italian Lire into Euros. INTERCITY 5.30/6.30h 1 41.00 53.87 2 30.00 38.17 Because the UK did not join the Monetary Union, the British pound will vary according to the fluctuating market. Generally, as a guideline – €1 Milan to Rome corresponds to £0.70 pence, and 1 UK pound is worth €1.41. ES 2.45h 1 21.00 28.92 2 15.00 20.66 Notes are issued for €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200, €500. Coins are divided in Eurocents as follows: €0.1, €0.2, €0.5, €0.10, €0.20, €0.50, €1 and €2. INTERCITY 3.00/3.30h 1 21.00 26.08 2 16.00 19.16 The EURO is now the only legal tender in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Rome to Naples Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal and ES 1.45h 1 24.00 32.54 Spain. 2 16.00 22.21 One of the advantages of the new currency is that it can be freely used INTERCITY 2.00/2.30h 1 17.00 25.21 without any restrictions in all 12 participating countries. In other words there 2 13.00 19.53 is no such thing as a “Spanish” Euro or an “Italian” Euro, but only the Euro. Rome to Venice At the moment the only countries belonging to the European Union, which ES 4.30/5.00h 1 49.00 67.14 have not adopted the new currency are the United Kingdom, Denmark and 2 33.00 44.93 Sweden. INTERCITY 4.30/6.00h 1 38.00 54.63 2 28.00 38.89 Typical purchases in Euro Note: Rates correct as at May 2006 and are subject to change without notice. (Please note that most prices vary considerably from city to city and shop to shop Bookings can only be made up to a maximum of 60 days before travel. according to the brand of goods) IMPORTANT NOTICE 1) TRANSPORT BY RAIL PLEASE BE AWARE THAT ONCE YOU HAVE PURCHASED THE TICKET, YOU MUST VALIDATE IT BEFORE BOARDING THE There is no better way to see Italy than by train on the Italian High Speed TRAIN AT THE SPECIAL YELLOW MACHINES THAT CAN BE rail network operated by the Italian Railways (in Italy there is one major FOUND ALL ALONG THE PLATFORMS. FAILURE TO DO SO company managing the railway system - Trenitalia, that used to be State WILL RESULT IN A FINE. owned - and a few other regional companies) just sit back and relax as majestic landscapes and beautiful cities pass by your window. The rail service NO SMOKING POLICY ON ALL TRAINS IN ITALY in Italy is renowned for being inexpensive, offering exceptional value for money and of a really high service. Train Classification ES: (also known as Eurostar Italia) - Fastest trains connecting all major cities Trenitalia offers a range of affordable and flexible travel options to help you on the high speed network with 1st and 2nd class accommodation and make the most of your trip to Italy. For further information and tickets you compulsory reservation. NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE ONE can visit the following websites: THAT WHISKS YOU UNDER THE SEA THROUGH THE FAMOUS www.italiarail.co.uk (you can also check their other websites: CHANNEL TUNNEL. www.internationalrail.com and www.simplyrail.com) · www.europeanrail.com · www.festtravel.co.uk · www.inntravel.co.uk · www.railchoice.co.uk · INTERCITY: High speed trains connecting all major cities with 1st and 2nd www.railsavers.com · www.railbookers.com · www.railwise.com · class accommodation; reservation is recommended www.trainseurope.co.uk INTER-REGIONALI: Regional train services connection most cities in If you are planning to use the rail network on a more regular basis, a selection Italy with 1st and 2nd accommodation 9 EXCHANGE RATES 4) ACCOMMODATION £ Sterling € Euro £ Sterling € Euro £ Sterling € Euro 4-star double bedroom in a city hotel from €160 to €240 (variable) (variable) (variable) 3-star double bedroom in a city hotel from €115 to €180 0.50 € 0.74 10 € 14.70 200 € 294.00 1 € 1.47 20 € 29.40 300 € 441.00 2-star double bedroom in a city hotel from €70 to €100 2 € 2.94 30 €44.10 400 € 588.00 3 € 4.41 40 € 58.80 500 € 705.00 1-star double bedroom in a city hotel from €30 to €80 4 € 5.88 50 € 73.50 1,000 € 1,410.00 5 € 7.35 60 € 88.20 2,000 € 2,820.00 5) GENERAL SHOPPING 6 € 8.82 70 € 102.90 3,000 € 4,230.00 7 € 10.29 80 € 117.60 5,000 € 7,050.00 A book €7.75 (paperback) €25.00 (hardback) · A compact disc €18.50 8 € 11.76 90 € 132.30 10,000 € 14,100.00 A man’s suit from €100.00 · A tie from €12.90 9 € 13.23 100 € 147.00 A shirt from €30.00 · Shoes from €50.00 REGIONALI: Local trains stopping virtually at every local station offering Men’s hairdresser from €12 · Ladies’ hairdresser (cut and blow dry) from €30 2nd class accommodation Photos developed (24) from €8 SLEEPER trains operate between major Italian cities and to foreign countries. The “Michelin” Italian Hotels and Restaurants guide €18 Video cassettes (recent release) €15 OTHER TRANSPORT INFORMATION Fully illustrated catalogues of major exhibitions from €40 Shuttle train from Rome Airport (Leonardo Express) to Termini Station €9.50 (www.adr.it) Tickets to major exhibitions €7.50 Shuttle train from Milan Malpensa Airport to city centre €5.00 Dorling Kindersley Travel Guides in English from €20 (www.malpensashuttle.it) Rome Bus/Metro Ticket BIT €1 - Daily travel card BIG €4.00 - Weekly ticket 6) SHOPPING IN A SUPERMARKET CIS €16.00 (www.atac.roma.it) 1 kg of bread €3 Milan Bus/Metro ticket €1 - Book of 10 tkts €9.20 - 1 day travelcard €3.00 - 2 1 litre of milk €0.70 day travelcard €5.00 (www.atm-mi.it/eng) Bottle of a good quality local wine from €2.50 1 Litre of petrol €1.35 · One day's typical car hire €80.00 Bottle of Scottish whiskey (non vintage) €9.80 2) RESTAURANTS & BARS 1 litre bottle of extra-virgin olive oil from €3.00 An evening meal in a restaurant from €30.00 to €60.00 Mineral water (1.5 litre bottle) €0.29 Dinner in a pizzeria (pizza and beer) €15 · A slice of pizza to take away €1.70 Coca Cola (2 litre bottle) €1.50 Sandwich from €2 to €3 Coffee €0.80 · Soft Drink €1.50 Beer (1 can of foreign) €0.39 A pint of beer in a bar €3.15 · A glass of whiskey or other spirit €3.50 Beer (66 cl bottle Italian) €1.09 SMOKING 1 packet of biscuits €2.00 NEW RESTRICTIONS FOR THE PROTECTION OF HEALTH NOW 1kg of Apples €1.89 APPLY - SMOKING IS NOT ALLOWED IN PLACES THAT CAN GENERALLY BE DEFINED AS “PUBLIC”. AIRPORTS, POST OFFICES, Shampoo €1.49 BANKS, HOSPITALS, CINEMAS, THEATRES, SHOPS, MUSEUMS, A bar of soap €0.70 ETC. SMOKING IS NOT ALLOWED IN RESTAURANTS AND BARS UNLESS THEY HAVE SEPARATE AIR-CONDITIONED AREAS FOR Suntan lotion €6.50 SMOKERS. ANYONE SMOKING IN THE PROHIBITED ZONE RISKS 24-exposure film €4.20 A FINE OF BETWEEN €25 AND €250. Mozzarella €1.54 3) SUNDRIES Baby food €3.50 (2 jars) Stamp for Europe €0.62 · Postcard €0.50 · Phone cards from €5 to €10 A packet of disposable nappies €5.99 Museum entry ticket from €10 to €15 · Cinema Ticket €7 Shaving foam €2.00 An Italian newspaper €0.90 · A copy of “The Times” €2.00 An English magazine €2.50 - 7.50 · 20 cigarette packet from €3.30 4 Gillette razor blades €4.50 A top rate ticket at La Scala Opera House from €85 to €105 1kg sugar €0.95 www.teatroallascala.org 25 teabags €1.70 First night opera tickets from €700 – €2,000 250g coffee €2.00 Arena di Verona Opera performances from €13.00 on the unnumbered stone steps to €157.00 for a seat in the stalls. 500g pasta €0.50 Football matches €11.85 €34.00 €69.60 1kg parmesan €18.00 10

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