Italy

Currency

The currency in Italy is the euro. Approximate exchange rates September 2016: £1 = € 1.18. If travelling to Sicily and arriving at the weekend it is advisable to take sufficient cash with you as the cash machines are often empty.

You can pay by credit card in many places.

Opening times/Public holidays

Banks are in general open from Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 13:30 and from 15:00 to 16:00. In tourist areas banks are open without a break until 16:00.

Shops are open from 09:00 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00. Many shops in tourist areas are open all day and on Sundays.

In Northern Italy (Milan, Venice) shops open earlier in the afternoon and they also close earlier than in the south.

Chemists ('farmacia') are generally open from Monday to Friday between 08:30 and 12:30 and between 15:00 and 19:30. In larger towns many chemists are open without a break from 08:30 to 19:30.

• New Year’s Day
• 6 January (Epiphany)
• Easter
• 25 April (Liberation Day)
• 1 May (Labour Day)
• 2 June (National holiday)
• 15 August (The Assumption)
• All Saints' Day
• 8 December (Immaculate Conception)
• Christmas

Communication

The mobile network works well throughout Italy. There is a 3G network for mobile internet.

You can make use of a WiFi network at more and more public locations, often for free.

Most post offices are open from Monday to Friday until 14:00 and on Saturdays until 12:00.

Roads and traffic

In general, the further south you drive, the poorer the quality of the roads. You need to watch out for traffic overtaking you on the right in Italy. You should also look out for scooters and mopeds. You are not advised to drive on country roads after dark. The Italian automobile association (ACI) offers breakdown assistance on many roads. Foreigners can request free help (if they have breakdown insurance) from this service by using the emergency phones located every 2 km along the motorway: tel. 803116.

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) and speeds in kilometres per hour (km/h).

Traffic from the right has priority. Trams always have priority. Vehicles entering a roundabout have priority over vehicles already on it, but take care as not everyone adheres to this rule! On narrow roads a heavier vehicle has priority over a lighter vehicle. Uphill traffic on mountain roads has priority over downhill traffic. The use of winter tyres and/or snow chains is mandatory between 15 November and 15 April anywhere in Italy where this is indicated.

Maximum permitted alcohol level is 0.5‰.

Dipped headlights must always be used during the day outside built-up areas and also in all tunnels. Phones may only be used hands-free. Nothing may protrude from a car or trailer. This means that bikes on a bike rack may not stick out at the side!

Notification of fixed speed cameras by navigation systems or mobile phones is permitted.

The SS163 south of Naples is currently closed to caravans and motorhomes between Vietri sul Mare and Positano (a distance of 40 km) due to increasing traffic congestion.

Height 4 metres, width 2.55 metres and maximum length 18.75 metres (of which the trailer maximum 12 metres).

In a number of cities, such as Rome and Florence, a 'zona traffico limitato' (ZTL) has been introduced. This zone prohibits entry to the city centre to protect it from air pollution. Signs which denote a ZTL vary from city to city and are not always easily recognisable. Take care, as the police enforce this strictly and cameras register cars that drive into the ZTL.

Lead free petrol and diesel are widely available. LPG is easily available in northern and central Italy, less so in southern Italy.

Filling stations are open between 07:00 and 19:30 with a break from 12:30 to 15:30. You can usually pay by credit card. Outside opening times you can pay at unmanned filling stations at card terminals. Filling stations alongside motorways are open day and night.

The following mountain passes are prohibited for caravans: The mountain pass between Domodossola and Locarno, Col de St. Bernard between Martigny and Aosta, Timmelsjoch (Passo del Rombo) between 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.

Nearly all motorways are toll roads. You must also pay a toll in the following tunnels: Mont Blanc Tunnel, Fréjus Tunnel and the Great St Bernard Tunnel. You can pay in cash or by credit card or with a prepaid card (Viacard) which contains a credit amount for toll roads. More information: www.autostrade.it (in English).

112: the national emergency number for fire, police and ambulance.

Camping

Northern Italy (South Tyrol, Trentino, Lake Garda and Tuscany) has campsites which are among the best in Europe. Reserve in plenty of time. Campsites in Southern Italy, with a few exceptions, offer a lower level of quality than in the north of Italy. The islands of Sicily and Sardinia are becoming increasingly popular and campsites here are full in high season. The north of Sardinia is popular with divers and surfers. You must be able to identify yourself with an identity document at all Italian campsites. Your identity document will be kept at the campsite reception for the period of your stay. Free camping is allowed with permission from the landowner.

• Tourist tax is levied in Italy. Take into account surcharges for amenities and entertainment.
• Many swimming pools only open at the end of May and a swimming cap is often compulsory. Swimming shorts are often prohibited and you will need to wear traditional swimming costumes.
• You should always take a world adaptor with you.
• You can usually drink tap water. If in doubt, buy bottled water.

You can reach Sardinia by various routes. Several ferry services make the crossing to Sardinia directly or via Corsica, from France or Italy.