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Italy
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Italy is located at the north of the Mediterranean Sea, bounded by France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia.
Population - 57,679,955 mainly Catholic.
Size - 301,278 sq. km
Government - Democratic Republic. Italy is divided into 20 Regions. Rome is the capital city.
Language - Italian
Time Zone -Central European Time (CET) equals GMT plus 1 hour. Daylight saving during northern hemisphere summer
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Time Difference - 10 hours during northern hemisphere winter, 8 hours during European summer mid-May to mid September.
Passport and Visa Requirements -There are no visa requirements for holders of Australian or New Zealand passports for stays up to three months. For information on longer stays and work permits, please contact the Italian Consulate in your city.
The Australian Embassy is located in
Via Antonio Bosio, 5, Rome
Telephone: (+39) 06 852 721
Fax: (+39) 06 8527 2300
e-mail: consular-rome@dfat.gov.au
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Health Regulations - No inoculations are required although hepatitis B is always recommended.
Duty Free Regulations - Allowance for visitors over 18 years of age is 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, 2 litres of wine and 1 litre of distilled spirits or 2 litres of sparkling wine.
Business/Banking hours - Banks are usually open Monday to Friday from 8.00/9.00 am to 12.30/1.00 pm and from 2.20/3.00 to 4.00 pm. ATMs available.
Most businesses are open from 8.30am to 5pm.
Currency - Euro. 1 Euro = 100 cents. Credit cards accepted. Best exchange rate is in banks. On entering or leaving Italian territory, non-resident travellers may carry European and foreign currency without restriction. However, if the amount of currency exceeds the equivalent of 10,000 Euro, a written declaration is required (form V/2, issued by Customs Authorities
Postal and Phone Service - Italy has phone cards for public phones. Wide mobile phone range. Postal services from Monday to Friday.
Medical Services - High standard of services. Best services with private doctors. Travel insurance recommended.
Tipping - Service charges included with restaurants. Tipping optional.
Climate - Apart from the Alps, which have a mountain climate that varies with altitude, Italy has a continental climate in the north and a Mediterranean one in the south. Summer temperatures average 24 degrees throughout the nation but winter temperatures range from a January average of 1 degree in Bolzano, to 7 degrees in Rome and 12 degrees in Palermo and Sicily. Rainfall is average in the central and northern part of the country. The best time to visit the art cities is spring, the mountains in the winter and the summer, summer for the sea resorts.
Voltage and Plug Shape - 220 volt. Three pronged cylindrical plugs.
Personal Safety -Take care in cities and crowded places. Italy is considered quite secure.
Dress Requirements - Dress standards casual. Religious sites require modest dress.
Transport - Most direct flights ex Australia via Singapore, Dubai, Bangkok or Hong Kong. Italy is also reachable by train from the rest of Europe and by ship from the Mediterranean. There are internal air, train and bus networks and taxi services are available everywhere.
Driving - Right hand side of road. Signs in Italian only. Roads well maintained. Australian license holders need an International driving license for car rentals.
Accommodation - Full range of accommodation available from deluxe to budget. Most hotels include buffet breakfast in tariff.
Major Attractions - Rome, Florence, Venice, all the art cities, Pompeii, Vatican, Colosseum, Alps, ski and sea resorts, beautiful lakes. Italy has 19 national parks and nature reserves.
Food and Drink - Italian cuisine. Italian wine. Good value fruits, vegetables, salads. Cost comparable with Australia.
Water: Tap water not advisable in the cities. Ask locally. Bottled water available
Alcohol: No restrictions and freely available.
Entertainment - Italy has a rich and varied culture and nightlife.
Shopping - Shops are generally open from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm and from 3.00/4.00 pm to 7.00 pm. However most shops in the city centres remain open throughout the entire day with the exception of one morning per week (usually Monday).
Public Holidays
| 2011 |
| 1 January |
New Year's Day |
| 6 January |
Epiphany |
| 25 April |
Easter Monday |
| 25 April |
Liberation Day |
| 1 May |
Labour Day |
| 2 June |
Anniversary of the Republic |
| 15 August |
Assumption |
| 1 November |
All Saints' Day |
| 8 December |
Immaculate Conception |
| 25 December |
Christmas Day |
| 26 December |
St Stephen's Day |
In addition each city celebrates a public holiday on its "Saint Day", generally without closure of shops or offices.
Turin/Genoa/Florence: 24 Jun (St John the Baptist).
Milan: 7 Dec (St Ambrose).
Siena: 2 Jul and 16 Aug (Palio horserace).
Venice: 25 Apr (St Mark).
Bologna: 4 Oct (St Petronius).
Naples: 19 Sep (St Gennaro).
Bari: 6 Dec (St Nichola).
Palermo: 15 Jul (St Rosalia).
Rome: 29 Jun (St Peter).
Trieste: 3 Nov (St Giusto).
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Operators
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