Country information
General
Time
Italy uses Central European Time (CET) which is one hour ahead of BST (and 2 hours ahead of GMT). Set your watches and clocks one hour ahead. This applies to both summer and winter months as the clocks change on the same dates throughout Europe.
Languages
Italian is the main language in Italy but German is spoken in South Tyrol (Trentino).
Border formalities
Travel documents
Italy is a member of the European Union. UK citizens (including children under 16) and citizens from other EU countries need only a valid passport. Holders of non-EU passports should check with the appropriate consulate to see if a visa is required.
Car papers
- valid UK (or other EU) driving licence (not a provisional licence)
- car registration document (‘log book’)
- international green card - extra motor insurance is not compulsory but is advisable
- GB sticker on the back of the car and caravan (or integral in the registration plate)
Caravans
There are no special regulations for caravans.
Pets
Under reciprocal regulations some pets may be taken into Italy if accompanied by a passport, chip and the relevant vaccination. The regulations cover proof of vaccination, breeds and health certificates etc. You are strongly advised to check with your vet for the most recent information and restrictions. Take care to request information in plenty of time. Some vaccinations need to be administered a considerable time in advance.
If you carry 2 or more animals in the car they must be placed in the back in a dog or cat basket. Dogs in public places must be on a lead and muzzled. Take note: in most national (and some regional) parks dogs are not permitted, even if on a lead. You will need to inform the ferry or tunnel operator when booking. Depending on the route your pet may need to stay in the car or in special cages which can usually be rented on the ferry. Bringing pets back into the UK is strictly controlled with severe penalties for infringement. More information is available on http://europa.eu/abc/travel/pets/index_en.htm.
Currency
The currency in Italy is the euro, which is divided into 100 cents. Approximate exchange rates (September 2007): £1 = €1.48. Most debit and credit cards issued in the UK can be used in cash machines and to pay for goods and services in Italy. Cards with the Cirrus logo can be used to obtain cash and cards with the Maestro logo can be used at some outlets as Chip&Pin cards. Credit cards are accepted in many places though not as widely as in the UK. Make certain you know your PIN code before you leave as signatures are not always accepted. UK bank cheques (except travellers cheques) and Eurocheques are no longer accepted. Banks are in general open from Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 13:30 and from 15:00 to 16:00. Some banks are also open on Saturday mornings.
Customs regulations
For travel between EU countries you are permitted to take as much luggage ‘as you would reasonably need for personal use’. You may be required to prove that your possessions are personal and not for commercial use. Borders between EU and non-EU countries are more strictly controlled. There are restrictions on the amount of tax-free goods you may import from non-EU countries. More information from HM Revenue & Customs on http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/.
Medical cover
UK and Irish citizens should apply for the free EHIC (European Health Insurance Card which has replaced the old E111 form). Each member of your group will need a separate EHIC Card. It covers the cost of basic emergency expenses in Italy (and all other countries in this guide except Andorra, Croatia and Turkey). It can be ordered online, by phone or by post. More information on http://www.dh.gov.uk/ or http://www.oasis.gov.ie/.
Opening times and Public holidays
Post
Most open from Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 13:30 and on Saturdays from 08:30 to 11:30. Main offices in larger towns are also open in the afternoons until 19:00. The Italian Post is notorious for its unreliability. Letters can take from four days to two weeks to be delivered.
Shops
Opening times vary. Most shops are open from 08:30 or 09:00 to 13:00 and from 15:30 or 16:00 till 19:30 or 20:00. Most shops in tourist areas are open all day on Saturdays. Some department stores close on Saturday afternoons or Monday mornings.
Museums
Most museums are closed on Mondays. In many state-owned museums senior citizens and children under 18 have free or reduced entry on production of an identity document.
Public holidays
- New Year’s Day
- 6 January (Epiphany)
- Easter Monday
- 25 April (Liberation Day)
- 1 May (Labour Day)
- 2 June (Republic Day)
- 15 August (The Assumption)
- 1 November (All Saints)
- 8 December (Immaculate Conception)
- Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Roads and traffic
Traffic regulations
Remember, all traffic in Italy drives on the right and overtakes on the left! Headlight deflectors are advisable to prevent annoying oncoming drivers. Italy uses the metric system, so distances are measured in kilometres (km), speeds in kilometres per hour (km/h) and fuel is sold in litres (l). Traffic on classified roads outside built-up areas (roads with a number) have priority. Trams always have priority over all other traffic. When overtaking outside built-up areas, drivers must use indicators and horn. Dipped headlights must always be used during the day outside built-up areas and also in all tunnels. On motorways, keep to the inside lane. Dipped headlights are mandatory during daytime outside built-up areas.
Speed limits where not otherwise indicated:
- roads in built-up areas 50 km/h (± 30 mph)
- main roads 90 km/h (± 56 mph)
- trunk roads 110 km/h (± 68 mph)
- motorways 130 km/h (± 81 mph).
For trailers and caravans this is 80 km/h (± 50 mph) on motorways and 70 km/h (± 44 mph) on other roads outside built-up areas. The minimum speed on motorways is 40 km/h (± 25 mph). Permitted speed limits are displayed on border crossings. Fines for speeding are high. The use of anti-radar equipment is forbidden. Phones may only be used hands-free by drivers. Alcohol levels over 0.05% are an offence. Children under 12 must use a special child seat or a raised cushion unless they are taller than 1.5m.
Mountain passes
The following mountain passes are prohibited for caravans; Domodossola and Locarno, Col de St. Bernard between Martigny and Aosta, Timmelsjoch (Passo del Rombo) betwen Sölden and Moso, Staller Sattel between Anterselve and Erlsbach, Passo di Selva between Selva and Canazei, Passo di Garden between Selva and Corvera, Passo di Costalonga between Merano and Vipiteno, Passo di Penzes between Vipiteno and Bolzano.
In the event of breakdown
The Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI) arranges towing and roadside assistance on many roads. Foreign motorists may (subject to membership of a motoring organisation) use these services throughout the year by using the emergency telephones which are located every 2 km. The emergency number for ACI is 803116. The general emergency number is 112. The police can also be contacted on 113, the fire service on 115 and the ambulance on 118. In the event of a breakdown the emergency indicators must be used and an emergency triangle placed 50 m behind the vehicle. Reflective jackets must be worn by drivers and passengers who are standing by the side of the road following a breakdown in Austria. They have a fluorescent colour and white stripes (logos , text and suchlike must only be small). Permitted colours are fluorescent yellow or orange. They can be recognised by the EU safety standard EN471 which can be found on the label in or on the jacket.
Camping
You must be able to identify yourself at all camp sites. Your identity document will be kept at the camp site reception for the period of your stay. There are plenty of camp sites on the coast, inland they are quite rare. Free camping is allowed with permission from the landowner. Free camping is not permitted less than 1 km from a built-up area, within 50 metres of main roads, within 150 metres from any location where drinking water is sourced or within 100 metres of historic or cultural monuments. Many swimming pools only open at the end of May and a swimming cap is often compulsory. It is always recommended to take an electrical adapter plug with you to Italy.
Crossing to Sardinia and Sicily
You can reach Sardinia by various routes. Several ferry services make the crossing to Sardinia directly or via Corsica, from France or Italy. Below is a selection of the most important crossings. The most informative websites for ferry crossings are: http://www.directferries.co.uk/.
Useful addresses
Italian Embassy
14 Three Kings Yard
Davies Street
London W1Y 2EH
Tel: 020 7312 2200
Fax: 020 7312 2230
e-mail: emblondon@embitaly.org.uk
internet: http://www.embitaly.org.uk/
Italian State Tourist Board
1 Princes Street
London W1R 2AY
Tel: 020 7408 1254
Fax: 020 7399 3567
Brochure request: 09065 508 925
e-mail: italy@italiantouristboard.co.uk
internet: http://www.enit.it/
