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CURRENCY
Euro ()
LANGUAGE
Italian
MONEY
ATMs at every airport, most train stations and widely available in towns and cities. Credit cards accepted in most hotels and restaurants.
VISAS
Generally not required for stays of up to 90 days (or at all for EU nationals); some nationalities need a Schengen visa.
MOBILE PHONES
European and Australian phones work; other phones should be set to roaming. Use a local SIM card for cheaper rates on local calls.
DRIVING
Drive on the right; the steering wheel is on the left side of the car. Be aware that headlights are legally required on all motorways (even during the day).
Your Daily Budget
BUDGET LESS THAN
Dorm bed: 1525
Double room in a budget hotel: 50100
Pizza or pasta: 812
Excellent markets and delis for self-catering
MIDRANGE 100200
Double room in a hotel: 80180
Lunch and dinner in local restaurants: 2545
TOP END OVER
Double room in a four- or five-star hotel: 200450
Top restaurant dinner: 50150
When to Go
HIGH SEASON (JULAUG)
Queues at big sights and on the road, especially in August.
Prices rocket for Christmas, New Year and Easter.
Late December to March is high season in the Alps and Dolomites.
SHOULDER (APRJUN & SEPOCT)
Good deals on accommodation, especially in the south.
Spring is best for festivals, flowers and local produce.
Autumn provides warm weather and the grape harvest.
LOW SEASON (NOVMAR)
Prices at their lowest up to 30% less than in high season.
Many sights and hotels closed in coastal and mountainous areas.
A good period for cultural events in large cities.
Websites
Lonely Planet ( www.lonelyplanet.com/italy ) Destination information, hotel bookings, travellers forum and more.
Trenitalia ( www.trenitalia.com ) Italian railways website.
Agriturismi ( www.agriturismi.it ) Guide to farm accommodation.
Slow Food ( www.slowfood.com ) For the best local producers, restaurants and markets.
Enit Italia ( www.italiantourism.com ) Official Italian-government tourism website.
Exchange Rates
Australia | A$1 | 0.72 |
Canada | C$1 | 0.71 |
Japan | | 0.98 |
NZ | NZ$1 | 0.57 |
Switzerland | Sfr1 | 0.82 |
UK | UK1 | 1.16 |
US | US$1 | 0.75 |
For current exchange rates see www.xe.com .
Important Numbers
To dial listings in this book from outside Italy, dial your international access code (00), Italys country code (39) then the number (including the 0).
Italys country code | +39 |
International access code | +00 |
Ambulance | +118 |
Police | +113 |
Fire | +115 |
Arriving in Italy
Fiumicino airport
Trains & Buses: every 30 minutes, 6am to 11pm
Night Bus: hourly, 12.30am to 5am
Taxis: 40 set fare;
45 minutes
Malpensa airport
Malpensa Express & Shuttle: every 30 minutes, 5am to 10.30pm
Night Bus: limited services, 11pm to 5am
Taxi : 79 set fare; 50 minutes
Capodichino airport
Airport Shuttle: every 20 minutes, 6.30am to 11.40pm
Taxi: 19 set fare; 30 minutes
In Italy to Shop!
Ever wondered how every Italian seems to own a stash of fine merino wool Prada knitwear, a Ferragamo bag and a whole host of designer footwear and eyewear? How do they afford it?
What you lack, but what every style-conscious Italian knows, is exactly when and where to shop for bargains. Time your trip right and pick up designer fashion for a snip of the usual price at the annual sales (saldi) in January and July. Discounts start at 30% and increase to 50% as the sale goes on, but get there early if you dont want to be left with the oversized, ill-fitting, odd-coloured items that have been rejected by the rest of the shopping fraternity. At other times of the year score at the big city flea markets or head for the discount outlets in Lombardy and Piedmont.
Florence & Tuscany
POP 1.03 MILLION
Includes
Why Go?
Laden with grand-slam sights and experiences, Tuscany (Toscana in Italian) offers the perfect introduction to Italys famed dolce vita . Despite incessant praise, its beauty and charm defy description. It has extraordinary art and architecture; vibrant festivals; a seasonal cuisine emulated the world over; and never-ending, picture-perfect landscapes of olive groves, vineyards and poplars. There are few places in the world where food, fashion, art and nature intermingle so effortlessly and to such magnificent effect.
Then there is that over-abundance of things to do and see: visit a World Heritage Site in the morning, drive through a national park in the afternoon and bunk down in stylish vineyard accommodation at night. Medieval sculptures, Renaissance paintings and Gothic cathedrals? Check. Spectacular trekking and sensational Slow Food? Yep. Hills laden with vines, ancient olive groveswhat more could one possibly desire?
When to Go