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AREA: 116,303 square miles POPULATION: 56,778,000 POPULATION DENSITY: 487/sq. mile CAPITAL: Roma (2,775,000 inhabitants) Milano (1,369,000), Napoli (1,067,000), Torino (963,000), Palermo (699,000), Genova (679,000), Bologna (404,000), Firenze (403,000), Bari (342,000), Catania (333,000), Venezia (309,000), Verona (256,000), Taranto (232,000), Messina (231,000),Trieste (231,000), Padova (215,000), Cagliari (204,000), Brescia (195,000). SITUATED IN MEDITERRANEAN EUROPE, Italy has land frontiers with France in the northwest, Switzerland and Austria in the north and Slovenia in the northeast. The peninsula is surrounded by the Ligurian Sea, the Sardinian Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea in the west, the Sicilian Sea and the Ionian Sea in the south and the Adriatic Sea in the east. Italian is the language of the majority of the population but there are minorities speaking German, French, Slovene and Latino. Sixty-seven percent of the population live in cities. THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF VARIETY in the landscape in Italy, although it is characterized predominantly by two mountain chains: the Alps and the Apennines. The former extends over 600 miles from east to west. It consists of great massifs in the western sector, with peaks rising to over 14,000 feet, including Monte Bianco (Monte Blanc), Monte Rosa and Cervino (the Matterhorn). The chain is lower in the eastern sector, although the mountains, the Dolomites, are still of extraordinary beauty. At the foot of the Alpine arc stretches the vast Po Valley plain, cut down the middle by the course of the river Po, the longest in Italy (390 miles), which has its source in the Pian de Re (Monviso) and flows into the Adriatic through a magnificent delta. The Alpine foothills are characterized by large lakes: Lake Maggiore and the lakes of Como, Iseo and Garda. The Apennines forms the backbone of the peninsula, stretching in a wide arc concave to the Tyrrhenian Sea. The Corno Grande Gran Sasso d'Italia) is the highest peak. A large part of central Italy is characterized by a green hilly landscape, through which the rivers Arno and Tevere (Tiber) run. The southern section of the chain pushes out to the east forming the Gargano promontory and, sloping down further south, the Salentine peninsula. It the proceeds to the west with the Calabrian and Peloritano massif stretching across the Strait of Messina into Sicilia. The principal islands are Sicilia, rising up to the great volcanic cone of Etna (10,860 feet) and Sardegna. The main Archipelago, the Pontine Islands, the Aeolian Islands and the Egadi islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the coast of Sicilia. THE MODERATING INFLUENCE OF THE SEA and the protection given by the alpine barrier from the cold north winds join to bless Italy with a temperature climate. Nevertheless, the weather varies considerably according to how far one is from the sea or the mountains. The winter is very cold in the Alps, cold and foggy in the Po Plain and the central Apennines; mild and even warm on the Ligurian coast, the Neapolitan coast and in Sicilia. The summer is hot and dry, but the temperature is mitigated on the coast by sea breezes and in the Apennines and Alps it is pleasantly cool. In mountain areas, winter is ideal for skiing, and summer for excursions, hiking, etc. Seaside and lake resorts, with their excellent hotel facilities, have an intense tourist season the summer, while the cities that are rich in art treasures are ideal in spring and autumn. IN TERMS OF STANDARD TIME ZONES, Italy is six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time in the U.S. Daylight saving time in Italy goes into effect each year usually from the end of March to the end of September, middle of October. JANUARY 1 New year's Day JANUARY 6 Epiphany Easter Monday APRIL 25 Liberation Day MAY 1 Labor Day AUGUST 15 Assumption of the Virgin NOVEMBER 1 All Saints Day DECEMBER 8 Day of Immaculate Conception DECEMBER 25 Christmas Day DECEMBER 26 Santo Stefano Offices and shops are also closed in the following cities on the local feast days honoring their patron Saints: APRIL 25 San Marco (VENEZIA) JUNE 24 San Giovanni Battista (FIRENZE, GENOVA, TORINO) JUNE 29 San Pietro and Paolo (ROMA) JULY 15 Santa Rosalia (PALERMO) SEPTEMBER 19 San Gennaro (NAPOLI) OCTOBER 4 San Petronio (BOLOGNA) OCTOBER 30 San Saturnino (CAGLIARI) NOVEMBER 3 San Giusto (TRIESTE) DECEMBER 6 San Nicola (BARI) DECEMBER 7 Sant’Ambrogio (MILANO) ALL SUNDAYS, although many shops are now open, especially in seasonally important tourist areas. A VISA IS NOT REQUIRED for a U.S. or Canadian citizen holding a valid passport unless he/she expects to stay in Italy more than 90 days and/or study or seek employment. If after entering Italy the tourist decides he would like to stay more than 90 days, he can apply to obtain a “permesso di soggiorno” (permit to stay), once only, at any police station (Questura) for an extension of an additional 90 days. He will be asked to prove that he is a bona fide tourist with adequate means of support and that he does not request the extension for study or employment. As a rule, permission is granted immediately. It is suggested that non-American citizens check current visa requirements with the nearest Italian Consulate before departure. For visa information please visit: www.italconsul.com For information on Italian corporations please visit: www.italtrade.com NO VACCINATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO enter Italy or to re-enter the U.S. The new monetary currency is the Euro which is divided as follows: bills of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500; coins of 1, 2, 5, 10 , 20 and 50 cents, 1,2 Euro. Tourists reaching Italy without foreign currency can obtain Euros through any bank, ATM machines, or exchange office (Ufficio di Cambio) at airports, seaports and railway stations in the main cities. Foreign notes, travelers'checks and letters of credit are purchased by Italian banks at the current rate of exchange less a small commission. BANKS IN ITALY ARE OPEN Monday to Friday from 8:35 am to 1:35 pm and from 3 pm to 4pm and close all day on Sat. and Sun. and on national holidays. Afternoon hours may vary from city to city. Travelers'checks can be exchanged for Italian currency at most hotels and shops and foreign exchange offices in main railway stations and airports. POST OFFICES ARE GENERALLY OPEN from 8 am –1:30 or 2 pm from Monday to Friday, Saturday 8 – 11:45 am. Some counters (e.g. registered mail, telegrams, etc.) have different hours and in the main cities they may also open in the afternoon. ITALY HAS NO MEDICAL PROGRAM covering U.S. tourists are advised to buy insurance before traveling. First Aid Service (Pronto Soccorso) is found at airports, ports, railway stations and hospitals. A TRAVELERE ENTERING ITALY with a dog or cat must have a veterinarian's certificate stating that the animal is in good health and has been vaccinated against rabies between 20 days and 11 months before entry into Italy. The certificate is valid for 30 days. The forms (from Ministero della Sanita’Mod. U) are available from all Italian diplomatic and consular representatives. A dog must be on a leash and muzzled when in public. THE ELETTRICAL CURRENT IN ITALY IS AC, the cycle is 50 and the voltage is 220. A tourist carrying electrical appliances to Italy should have a transformer, either obtained before leaving the U.S. or bought at an electrical appliance shop in Italy. Check the local voltage with the hotel before using electrical appliances. Plugs have two round-pronged plugs, making an adapter plug necessary. Many electrical appliances such as pressing steam irons, hair dryers and water heaters ate available in the U.S. for use abroad without the need of separate transformers or adapters. PUBLIC TELEPHONES ARE AVAILABLE throughout Italy. Either local or international calls require the use of a phone card (Carta Telefonica) which may be purchased at any newsstand, tobacco shop or "BAR"(coffee shop). Both local and long distance call require the proper area code before dialing the number. Ex: to place a call within Rome you must dial 06 + phone number. To call Rome from Florence : 06 + phone number; to call Florence from Rome : 055 + phone number. When calling a cellular phone, drop the zero of the area code, ex: 397 + phone number of the cellular. Useful Phone Numbers 113 Emergency Police Help 112 Carabinieri 115 Fire Department 116 Road Assistance (Italian Auto Club) 176 International Inquires 12 Phone Directory Assistance 118 Medical Emergencies Phone Area Codes FOLLOWING ARE THE AREA CODE (prefisso telefonico) numbers for some of the principal cities of Italy.
The American driving licence is recognized in Italy and you must be 25 years old to be able to rent a car. Traffic rules are the same as in USA, distances are indicated in kilometers (1km = 0.621 miles). The wearing of the seat belt in front and rear seats is obligatory, children up to 5 years of age should be seated in a car seat. Cellular phones can be used while driving if operated with head set. The wearing of a helmet is obligatory on two wheeled vehicles. Learn Italian : Learn Italian guide, all about how to learn italian and how to speak italian. www.learnitalianguide.com ALMOST ALL THE SERVICE STATIONS in the country are equipped with pumps for lead free (95 octane) and diesel fuel. The fuel distribution network for gas-propelled vehicles is reasonably developed (ask for information at the Automobile Club d’Italia offices). Service stations are open from 7 am to 12:30 pm and from 3 pm to 7:30 pm. Service is guaranteed 24 hours a day on the motorways. Automatic pumps function in the evenings and at night. SHOPS ARE OPEN FROM 9 am to 1 pm and from 3:30/4 pm to 7:30/8 pm Tuesday to Saturday, and Monday afternoon. From the middle of June to the middle of September, the shops are closed on Saturday afternoon but would be open on Monday morning. Suggestions: Clothes for men and women (dresses, shoes, gloves, silk ties, skirts); lacework, jewelry, leather goods (handbags, cases, boxes, luggage), ceramics, gold and silver items, alabaster; woodwork, straw, embroidery, glass and crystal ware. It is advisable to carry merchandise purchased with you in order to avoid any inconvenience. All major credit cars are honored in Italy. A proof of purchase (receipt) must be kept. THE IVA TAX IS 16.67% of the purchase price of nearly everything sold in Italy. Non-European residents shopping in Italy can claim a refund of IVA on each purchase that exceeds 300,000 lire. There are no rebates of the IVA tax on hotels, restaurants or tourist services. 1. Upon making a purchase, the buyer must ask for an IVA refund. This form itemizes what has purchased and stares the refundable IVA amount. Stores that display a Global Refund “Tax Free Shopping” sign offer IVA refunds in cash upon departure from Italy, otherwise the only refund options are by credit card or by bank check. Bank check refunds should be avoided, as fees to cash them in the USA can be very expensive. 2. As with all exports, purchases must be declared at the Custom Office upon departure from Italy or the European Union (EU) and a validation stamp must be obtained. Validation stamps can be obtained at the Customs Office of an Italian airport only if purchased goods are shown first to the Custom Officer and then inserted immediately into the luggage to be checked in for final destination outside of the EU. If the purchases will remain the traveler’s carry-on luggage, the customs stamp can only be obtained at the Custom Office of the EU airport where the travel will be in transit for final destination outside of the EU. If the traveler is departing the EU by train or car, the customs stamp for Italian IVA refund form must obtained at the border (travelers are departing the EU when they cross from Italy to Switzerland). 3. Stamped Global Refund Checks can be exchanged immediately for cash or credit card refund at the nearby Cash Refund Office. Allow two to three billing cycles for a credit card refund. All other IVA refund forms should be sent to their respective stores within 90 days of the date of the receipt. On receipt of this stamped form the vendor can then forward the IVA rebate to the tourist who made the purchase. For more information about shopping tax free in Italy call Global Refund at 800-566-9828 or visit their web site at www.globalrefund.com. CASALE MONFERRATO (Alessandria) “Antique Market.” Saturdays and Sundays of the second week of each month, except August. TORINO Porta Palazzo (Piazza della Repubblica) “Il Balon.” All day every Saturday. MILANO “Senigaglia Market” (Via Calatafimi). Every Saturday from 8 am to 7 pm. “Oh Bei! Oh Bei! Market” (Piazza Sant’Ambrogio). From December 5th to 8th every year. BOLOGNA “La Piazzola” (Piazza VIII Agosto). Friday and Saturday from 7 am until one hour before sundown. GENOVA Piazzatta Lavagna (off Via Luccoli). Daily Monday to Friday (mornings and afternoons). ARMA DI TAGGIA (Imperia) Fourth Saturday and Sunday of the month. FERRARA Piazza Travoglio. Every Monday. MODENA Via Corso Cavour – Viale Fontanelli – Viale Berengario. Monday from 8 am to 1 pm. AREZZO “Antique Fair” (Piazza Grande). The first Saturday and Sunday of each month (from Saturday morning to Sunday evening. FIRENZE Piazza dei Ciompi.Opening hours are like the shops. Open all day on the last Sunday of every month. - San Lorenzo (Piazza San Lorenzo) open 365 days a year. LIVORNO American Market, Piazza XX Settembre. Daily from 9 am to 7:30 pm. LUCCA Piazza del Duomo and adjacent to Via del Battistero. Third Saturday and Sunday of each month, except on religious holidays. VIAREGGIO (Lucca) In Piazzatta near the dock. Thursday mornings. FORTE DEI MARMI (Lucca) Piazza del Mercato. Wednesday morning from 8 am GROSSETO – Piazza De Maria and a part beneath the walls. Every Thursday holiday or on the weekday preceding a holiday. GUBBIO (Perugia) Via Baldassini. Second Sunday of each month. ROMA – Porta Portese. Every Sunday from 8 am to 2 pm. - Via Sannio (near Piazza San Giovanni). Daily except Sunday until sundown. LATINA - Via Quarto - Via Mugilla - Via Ardea - Via Sulmo. American market every Tuesday from 8 am to 1:30 pm. NAPOLI - Weekend Flea Market (in the Viale Dohrn of the Villa Comunale). Twice a month. - Crib Figurines Market (Via San Gregorio Armeno). Year round. - For food market try Porta Nolana. BENEVENTO - Piazza Risorgimento and Piazza Santa Maria. Wednesday and Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm. COSENZA - Via Lungo Crati De Seta. Every day. CATANIA - Piazza Carlo Alberto. Daily except Sunday from 8 am to 2 pm. MESSINA - Via La Farina (at the intersection with Viale Europa). Daily during the morning hours. PALERMO – Piazza Domenico Peranni. Daily from 9 am until sundown. Sunday and holidays until 1 pm. All major credit cards are honored in Italy. Although everyone loves Italian food, figuring out where and what to eat in Italy can pose problems for the traveler. Knowing what type of meal or snack you wish to have and considering time limitations, you may wish to consider one of the following choices: Bar: The place to have espresso and all its variations, rolls and small sandwiches, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Pay first and give the receipt to barman with order. It is usual to stand at the bar, as there is a service charge for sitting at a table. Bars in Italy are open from early morning to late night. Panineria: A sandwich bar, where a quick meal can be had. Trattoria: Less formal than a ristorante, where local specialties are served. Ristorante: The most formal type of place to eat when one is not in a hurry. The order of courses is antipasto, pasta or soup, main course, salad, and dessert, all accompanied by good wine. The Club Alpino Italiano (Club A;pino Italiano, via Silvio Pellico 8 Milano tel. 02 7202-3085 /7202-2557 owns nearly 600 huts in the mountain districts and publishes a yearly book with a map and information on access, equipment and tariffs for each according to grade. The Touring Club Italiano (Corso Italia 10, 20122 Milano, Tel. 02 85261, Fax 02 852-6362) publishes several volumes giving detailed mountain itineraries and excursion information that includes the huts. The number and variety of mineral springs in Italy have been known ever since Roman times. Today, Italy boasts a total of 193 spas, several of which are known all over the world for their elegance and the therapeutic effects of their waters. Almost the entire range of water cures can be taken in Italy, whether in the form of sulfur or mud baths, or in that of the natural waters with their varying content of beneficial mineral compounds of arsenates, iron bicarbonates, iodine, radioactive elements, etc.. Information is provided by: Italian Thermal Baths Association: Federterme, Via Piemonte 39, 00187 Roma. Tel: 06 4201-0666 fax: 06 4201-0315 www.spas.it Italy is the only Alpine country to encompass the entire Alpine Arc (1400 km). The Alps together with the Apennine Mountains, which stretch for an additional 1400 kilometers, make Italy a prime winter sport center with more than 400 well-equipped winter resorts. Many are internationally famous – Cortina d’Ampezzo, Sestriere, Cervinia and Courmayer to name a few. Clevedale – Capanna, Casati Santa Caterina Valfurva Colle Sommelier, Bardonecchia Colle del Gigante, Courmayer Ghiacciaio Val Senales, Masa Corto, Merano Lobbia Alta – Rigugio ai Caduti dell Adamello, Pinzolo Marmolada, Malga Ciapela, Caprile, Canazei Monte Livio, Passo Stelvio, Bormio, Trafoi Passo Monte Moro, Macugnaga Plateau Rosa, Cervinia Presena, Passo del Tonale, Ponte di Legno, Male Punta Indren, Alagna Valsesia Val di Lei, Madesimo Many other sports and outdoor activities (Golf, Yachting, Fishing, Scuba Diving and Spear Fishing, Water Skiing, Cycling, Horse-back Riding, etc.) are available throughout Italy. Information on each respective sport federation, with Tel./Fax numbers can be obtained from this office or the local tourist board. Taxi service is readily available throughout the country and rates are comparable to those charged in average U.S. and Canadian cities. Meters are provided and fares are displayed. It is recommended that only yellow, medallion metered cabs be used. Extra charges: Night service supplement between 10 pm and 6 am; Sundays and holiday supplement; luggage (per item). For taxi trips outside the city boundaries, fares will be based on distance. Churches are open early morning until 12:00 pm when many churches are closed for two hours and then re-open until the evening. Major cathedrals and basilicas are open all day. Roma Anglican Church of All Saints. Tel: 06 6794357 - Via del Babuino, 153 Baptist Church. Tel: 06 8814838 – Viale Jonio, 203 International Protestant. Te.: 06 745400 – Via Chiovenda, 57 Methodist. Tel: 06 4743695 – Via Firenze, 38 Firenze American Episcopal Church, St. James. Tel: 055 294417 – Via B. Rucellai, 9 Church of England. Tel: 055 295764 – Via Maggio, 16 Milano Anglican Church All Saints. Tel: 02 6552258 – Via Solferino, 12 Christ Church. Tel: 02 8056215 – Via del Bollo, 5 Napoli Anglican Church. Tel: 081 411842 – Via San Pasquale, 18 Baptist Church. Tel: 081 5546317 – Via Foria, 93 Lutheran Church. Tel: 081 663207 – Via Carlo Poerio, 5 Methodist Church. Tel: 081 364263 – Via Vaccaro, 20 Venezia St. George Anglican Church. Tel: 041 5200571 – Campo San Vio, 870 Lutheran Evangelical Church. Tel: 041 5242040 – Campo SS Apostoli, 4443 Evangelical Waldensian and Methodist Church. Tel: 041 5227549 – St. Maria Formosa, 5170 General audience with His Holiness are usually held once a week (Wednesday at 11 am) in Vatican City. They may be held inside the Basilica itself or in the hall of the Papal Audiences (Aula Paolo VI, seating 7000), and in summer in San Peter's Square or in the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. Tickets , free of charge, can be obtained in person from the office of Prefettura della Casa Pontificia, located on the north side of Piazza S. Pietro; open 9 am to 1 pm Mon&Tue. You may also write in advance to the same office: Prefettura della Casa Pontificia, 00120 Citta' del Vaticano , or Fax 00139-06-698-85378 (Reservation will be confirmed). On Sundays the Pope blesses the crowd in Piazza San Pietro from the library's window. Catholics are requested to have a letter of introduction from their parish priest. For this audience women should dress modestly , with arms and head covered . Dark or subdued colors are requested . Men are asked to wear tie and jacket and dark colors are suitable. For more details please visit: www.christusrex.org To visit the Vatican Gardens you must be part of a group. Tours are available every day except Wednesday and Holidays, starting 10 am. Starting point is the information office in Piazza San Pietro , Tel 01139-06-698.84.466 or Fax 01139-06-698.83.407 (Pilgrim Tourist Information Office). It is advisable to bring your passport and reserve ahead . Entrance in Viale Vaticano , Tel 01139-06-698-84947. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.15am to 4.45pm, Saturday 8.15 am to 1.35pm. Closed all Sundays except for the last Sunday of the month when admittance to the museum is free. Closing days: January 1 and 6 ; February 11; March 19; Easter Monday; May 1 and Ascension; Corpus Christi and June 29; August 15; November 1; December 8; December 25 and 26; Within the Vatican Museum special permits are required for Vatican Library Archives and the Raphael Loggia (general number for Vatican City is +39 06 6982). A guided tour of the pre-Constantine cemetery under the Cript of Saint Peter , where archeologist believe Saint Peter is buried, is also available. This tour must be booked in advance by contacting the Office of Prefettura della Casa Pontificia (no children under 14 allowed). For more information visit: www.christusrex.org ACTV How can we talk of Venice without mentioning its unique transport system? All information provided here. http://www.actv.it/home.php Atvo Information on public transport in Eastern Veneto. Shuttle service from Venice and Treviso airports. http://www.atvo.it Venice Airport - Marco Polo Searchable index of flights, departures and arrivals. http://www.veniceairport.it Motorways Information from the official site of Italy's motorway-management company http://www.autostrade.it/pagine_1/prehome.html The following is a listing of various airlines service from Key portal cities in the United States and Canada to Italy. Check with your airline to confirm service availability. Non-stop service from the US and Canada operated by scheduled national carriers (note: Customs is usually at final destination) Airline From To In addition to the above, allEuropean airlines offer connecting lights to major Italian cities. We suggest that you contact your travel agent or the individual airline for rates, schedules and special discounts. Connections cities-airports Connections are available almost among all the of the major Italian cities. Fiumicino-Roma Connections The main airport at Fiumicino , Leonardo da Vinci International Airport is located 35 Km/22 Miles from the city center. A taxi ride takes approximately 40 minutes. Trains to and from the airport to Termini Sation run every 30-40 minutes from early in the morning to late evening. Linate-Milano Connections Linate airport is about 10Km/10Miles from the City Center. A taxi ride takes approximately 20 minutes. Bus service by STAM Line (Tel 39 02 717106) between Linate Airport and Milano Centrale Railway Station departs every 20 minutes for the 20 minute ride from 5 Am to 9 PM. Malpensa Milano Connections Malpensa Airport is located 50 Km/31 Miles from the city center . A taxi ride takes from 40 minutes to one hour. The Malpensa shuttle between Milano Cadorna Rail Station and Malpensa airport departs every half-hour, from 5:20 AM to 10:30 PM (duration 30 minutes). Bus service is available from Milano Centrale to Malpensa airport. www.malpensaexpress.com Venice Airport-Venice Connections Marco Polo airport , 10 Km/6 Miles north of Venezia receives both domestic and international flights. Transfer are available by boat , bus , taxi , and train . The Cooperativa San Marco offers boat service throughout the day, from 4:45 AM to 10:50 PM. The starting point for the one hour trip is Piazza San Marco, tel. 39 041 522303 or 5235775. ACTV (the Municipal Tourist Authority) provides regular bus service between the airport and the city. The direct connection takes about 20 minutes. Water taxis and yellow taxis are also available. Florence Airport-Florence Connections There are connections between Amerigo Vespucci Airport and Santa Maria Novella Train Station. The direct bus line (SITA) runs every hour, starting at 6 AM , (duration 20/30 minutes) or ATAF bus # 66 runs almost every hour up to 11 PM (this service makes other stops). For more information contact SAF Societa' Aeroporto Fiorentino Tel. 39 055 30615. Naples Airport-Naples Connections There are connections between Capodichino Airport and Piazza Garibaldi or Piazza Municipio. The direct bus CLP (Tel. 39 081 5311706) , begins at 6 AM and runs until 11 PM , with a running time of 20 minutes. Another option to Piazza Garibaldi train station is city service Bus #14 (non direct service) which runs every 30-40 minutes. Palermo Airport-Palermo Connections BACK There are connections between Punta Raisi/Falcone Borsellino Airport and Stazione Centrale every 45 minutes to 1 hour, from 5 AM to 11 PM , running time 40/50 minutes. Contact Societa' GESAP Tel. 39 091 7020111. FOR information on the Italian airports please visit: www.italianairport.com The Ferrovie dello Stato is the state owned railway. There are also a few private railway companies. The rail network is adequately developed and widespread, especially between major urban centers and tourist areas. The fastest trains operate between the major cities , while the regional trains tend to be slower. Train service is reasonably priced and efficient. For information , schedules and rates call CIT 847 318 7101 or Fax 847 318 8894 or the tollfree number 800 CIT Rail (800 248 7245). Schedules and prices can be found at the Italian State Railway website : www.fs-on-line.com . Refund of Rail Passes Application for a refund of nused tickets must be submitted at the office where the tickets were purchased within one year of the issuing date. All unused tickets must be stamped "unused" by an official of the European Railroads. All refund are subject to a 15% cancellation charge , plus administration fees. Tickets purchased in Europe cannot be refunded in the U.S. Note: Rates are subject to change without notice. There is good motorcoach service between cities and towns. There is also good local bus service. A major Italian Company that operates throughout the country is called SITA, S.p.a. Viale Cadorna 105- 50129 Firenze ; Tel 055 294955 , Fax 055 4782272. For information on SITA bus service throughout Tuscany only call 055 214721, fax 284661. www.sita-on-line.com Motorways are indicated by the letter "A" followed by a number written in white on a green background. They are almost all subject to toll, except for some brief stretches , especially approaching urban areas. The speed limit is 130 km/h , with penalties for violation in proportion to the amount of the excess. A breakdown service (telephone number 116) is available from the Automobile Club Italiano (ACI) throughout the country. Calls for help on the motorways can be made from the emergency position, located every 2 km , 24 hours a day. Emergency positions contain a button with the symbol of a spanner for use in case of a breakdown and one with the Red Cross symbol if first aid is required. Tolls are paid in cash or by "Viacard"at motorway exit points. There is an extensive and well-maintained road network. As in the rest of continental Europe , vehicles travel on the right and overtake on the left. The wearing of seatbelts is compulsory for front and back seat passengers as well for the driver. The use of portable telephones is prohibited if they require intervention by hand to function. Speed limits are fixed at 50 km/h (31MPH) in urban areas , 90km/h (56 MPH) on main roads outside urban areas and 130km/h (80MPH) on motorways. Automobile Club Italia has its own offices in each prtovince, the head office is in Via Marsala 8- 00185 Roma- tel 06 49981 fax 06 499 82469. For more information please visit www.autostrade.it Also called benzina unleaded petrol is "benzina senza piombo" and diesel is "gasolio" . Almost all service stations in the country are equipped with pumps for lead-free petrol (95 octane) and diesel fuel Italy recognizes driving license and other traffic documents that are valid in other countries. Italy has a total of almost 5,275 miles of coastline, including the peninsula itself and all the numerous islands un the seas around the country. There are many services linking the islands in the sea around the country: the main links are by car ferries and hydrofoils. In addition , ships from all the country around the Mediterranean are moored in the well-equipped Italian port. For information about FERRIES all over Italy and from/to the Mediterranean countries, please visit: www.traghetti.com . For information on the boats, please write to GESTIONE NAVIGAZIONE LAGHI, Lake Government Administration, Via L. Ariosto 21,- 20145 Milano - tel 02 4676101, Fax 02 46761059 The Italian lakes , located throughout the peninsula , are enchanting. A lake holiday offers the tourist peace and quiet as wellas the opportunity to enjoy water sports such as swimming, sailing, surfing, water skiing, motorboating, canoeing and many others. In Northern Italy, the lakes of Orta, Maggiore, Lugano, Como, Iseo and Garda are popular. They have car ferry services linking the different point of the lakes. There are other smaller lakes as well, less well known,, but also extraordinarily beautiful. In central Italy , Bolsena, Bracciano and Trasimeno are examples of vulcanic lakes. Italy is an art lover’s paradise. It has been likened to one vast museum. No other country in the world has such a long and rich history of artistic creativity. A UNESCO study placed 40% of the art of the world in Italy. For your convenience, we will highlight the different art periods and list some of the most outstanding museums, art galleries and archaeological sites related to these periods.ù PREHISTORIC CIVILIZATION We will begin with the Balzi Rossi caves near Ventimiglia and the Lunense Museum in La Spezia (Liguria Region). Archeological sites and caves in Puglia, Sicily, Sardinia and Lombardy. The Sassi in Matera, the Graffiti in Val Camonica, the Pigorini Museum in Rome. Museums in Reggio Emilia, Bologna, Ancona, Perugia, Matera, Taranto, Siracusa, Agrigento, Lipari and Caglari. THE ETRUSCANS (8th to 2nd Century BC) Mostly Central Italy. Archeological sites of Populonia, Vetulonia, Island of Elba, Volterra, Fiesole, Arezzo, Ortona, Chiusi, Roselle, Perugia, Orvieto, Todi, Tarquinia, Bolsena, Norcia, Cerveteri, Vulci and Veio. The Villa Giulia Museum in Rome, the Archeological Museum of Florence and the Civic Museum of Bologna. MAGNA GRECIA (8th to 3rd Century BC) Greek or Greek influenced art, mostly in southern Italy. The Archeological sites: The Valley of the Temples at Agrigento, Doric Temples at Paestum and Segesta. Archeological sites at Cuma, Velio, Crotone, Sibari, Locri, Squillace, Metaponto, Nova, Siri, Taranto, Siracusa, Selinunte, Naxos and Taormina. The National Museum in Naples, Vatican Museums, Museo Ridola in Matera and Museums in Reggio Calabria, Palermo, Catania, Messina, Agrigento, Paestum and Siracuse. ROMAN PERIOD (8th Century BC to 5th Century AD) The main Roman buildings (bridges, theaters, acqueducts, roads, etc) are naturally in Rome itself and the surroundings (Ostia Antica and Tivoli) Pompei and Ercolano. Other notable remains are in Turin, Susa, Aosta, Milan, Brescia, Sirmione, Trieste, Aquileia, Verona, Rimini, Bologna, Ancona, Ascoli Piceno, Gubbio, Narni, Spoleto, Fiesole, Arezzo, Siracuse, Catania, Taormina, Lumi, Piazza Armerina, Nora and Oristano. The National Museum in Naples and several museums in Rome, like the National Roman Museum, the Capitoline Museums, the Vatican and the Museum of Roman Civilization. EARLY CHRISTIAN AND LATE MEDIEVAL ART (4TH to 11th Centuries) The most remarkable Churches of this long period are in Ravenna, notable ones are also in Rome, Spoleto, Milan, Padua, Stilo, Aquileia and throughout the Tuscany Region. ROMANESQUE Artists began to create highly individual works within the general artistic and cultural framework of the period (Antelami, Cimabue, Cavallini, Duccio, etc). Examples of Romanesque art can be found in the Regions of Lombardy, Veneto Trentino, Alto Adige, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Lazio, Campania and Puglia GOTHIC (12th to 14th century) The main artist of the period was Giotto (expecially in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padova, St. Francis Basilica in Assisi , Peruzzi and Bardi Chapels in Santa Croce in Firenze). The most important buildings are in Vercelli, Chiaravalle, Fossanova, Casamari, San Galgano, Firenze, Arezzo, Siena, Pisa, Pistoia, Milano, Como, Pavia, Bergamo, Venezia, Padova, Verona, Vicenza. RENAISSANCE (15th to 16th century) The Renaissance is probably the single most important artistic and cultural movement in the history of Western Civilization, a movement which also pointed the way for many future European achievment in the arts. It began in Firenze at the dawn of the 15th century . The work of artist of this period enrich not just Italy but many other countries , though it is obviously in Italy that you find the richest art collection , buildings, churches, etc. This is the age that gave to the world Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, Donatello, Piero della Francesca, Mantegna, Antonello da Messina, Carpaccio, Giorgione, Paolo Uccello, and many others. The most outstanding art collections of the Renaissance are : the Uffizi Gallery, Pitti Palace Gallery and San Marco Museum in Firenze; Vatican Picture Gallery and Borghese Museum in Roma; Brera Gallery in Milano; Accademia Gallery in Venezia,; Capodimonte Museum in Napoli; the Torino Picture Gallery; the Perugia National Gallery; the Parma National Gallery; the Urbino National Gallery. LATE RENAISSANCE AND MANIERISM (16th to 17th century) Palladio and Caravaggio are the supreme artists of this age but many others developed the Renaissance ideals in churches, palaces, architectural complexes and paintings, expecially Cellini, Sansovino, Pontiormo, Bronzino, Correggio, Tintoretto, Veronese, etc. The main works are found all over northern and central Italy. Most of the Renaissance art galleries display their paintings. BAROQUE (17th to 18th century) The work of the artists of these periods , in particular Bernini, Borromini, Loghena, Juvara, Vanvitelli, Canaletto, Carracci, Domenichino, Reni, Guardi, Longhi, Tiepolo, and Bellotto, are found all over Italy but expecially in Roma, Venezia, Torino, Parma, Modena, Bologna, Milano, Napoli, Caserta, Lecce, Palermo, Catania, Siracusa e Noto. NEO-CLASSICISM AND ROMANTICISM (18th to 20th century) The main work of the artist of these period is in Roma (expecially Canova), Milano, Napoli and Firenze. The most important modern art collections are in Roma, Firenze, Venezia, Milano, Napoli, Genova, the Canova Museum in Possago and the Civic Museum in Trieste. Opening hours vary according to place and season. There are 3,642 museum, art galleries and archeological sites in Italy, some state-owned and some are privately-owned, so opening hours may differ. Majority of the museums are closed on Mondays, however for more detail information please visit : www.museionline.com. Some museums required advanced booking, here is a list of the more popular museums of Italy: Uffizzi, Galleria dell’Accademia, Palazzo Pitti with the Galleria Palatina, all in Florence; the Accademia delle Belle Arti in Venice; Palazzo and Pinacoteca Brera and Santa Maria delle Grazie (Da Vinci’s Last Supper) in Milan; the Egyptian Museum (Palazzo dell’Accademia delle Scienze) in Turin; In Naples the Palazzo Capodimonte with Pinacoteca, the Archeological Museum and the Royal Palace. In Rome, extended hours apply to the Villa Borghese, the Castel Sant’Angelo on the Tiber River, Palazzo Altemps and the Museum of Modern Art. Major symphonic series and recitals are organized at all times during the year by music conservatories; associations and clubs with the participation of world famous artists. Most major Opera Houses have symphonic concert seasons and ballet seasons. The famous International Ballet Festival is held in Nervi, near Genoa, in July. Popular Music The two most important events are the Festival of Italian Popular Songs in San Remo at the end of January , the Festivalbar in Saint Vincent in July and the Traditional Festival of Piedigrotta in Naples in September. For opera and concert tickets you can either write directly to the Theater, ask your travel agent or visit the websites. Hotel managements will also assist their guests in obtaining tickets for performances in their cities. Tickets are not generally mailed from Italy but are held at the box office. For opera information all over the world please visit: www.operabase.org Italy, opera’s ancestral home, offers visitors a wide selection of opera season throughout the year. The Teatro alla Scala of Milan, the Teatro San Carlo of Naples and the Teatro dell’Opera in Rome are world renowned for technical perfection of performances and detailed magnificence of choreography and costumes. The opera season occurs from December to June in the major opera houses like Teatro La Fenice (Venice), Teatro Massimo (Palermo), Teatro Regio (Parma), Teatro Comunale (Florence), Teatro Petruzzelli (Bari), Teatro Massimo Bellini (Catania), Teatro Comunale (Bologna), Teatro Comunale Verdi (Trieste), Teatro Comunale (Genoa), and Teatro Regio (Turin). In summer, spectacular open air opera is presented at the Terme di Caracalla in Rome and the Arena in Verona (July/August), and the Arena Sferisterio in Macerata (July). Also during July/August, the Teatro Rossetti of Trieste presents an Operetta Festival. Two of the most important Italian Festivals for the performing arts are the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, (opera, concerts, ballet & drama) in Florence (May/June) and the Festival of the Two Worlds (opera, concerts, ballet, drama & art exhibits) in Spoleto (mid June/mid July) MAJOR OPERA HOUSES TEATRO ALLA SCALA Via Filodrammatici 2 – 20212 Milan Tel. 02/860787 Tel. 02/72003744 Fax: 02/861778 www.lascala.milano.it TEATRO SAN CARLO Via San Carlo 98F – 80132 Naples Tel. 081/7972331 081/7972412 081/7972111 Fax: 081/7972306 www.teatrosancarlo.it TEATRO della Pergola of FLORENCE Via della Pergola 12/32 50123 Tel. 055/22641 www.pergola.firenze.it TEATRO REGIO OF TURIN Piazza Castello 215 – 10124 Turin Tel. 011/8815241/8815242 Fax: 011/8815214 www.teatroregio.turin.it TEATRO COMUNALE OF BOLOGNA Largo Respighi 1 – 40126 Bologna Tel. 051/529011 051/529999 Fax: 051/529934 www.comunalebologna.it TEATRO COMUNALEGIUSEPPE VERDI OF TRIESTE Riva III Novembre 1 – 34121 Trieste Tel. 040/6722111 Fax: 040/366300 TEATRO LA FENICE OF VENICE San Marco 1965 – 30124 Venezia Tel. 041/786580 Fax: 041/786580 www.teatrolafenice.it www.cosi.it/fenice TEATRO DELL’OPERA OF ROME Piazza Beniamino Gigli 1 – 00184 Rome Tel. 06/481601 Fax: 06/4881755 06/4881253 www.opera.roma.it TEATRO REGIO OF PARMA Via Garibaldi 16A – 43100 Parma Tel. 0521/218910 0521/218685 Fax: 0521/206156 www.comune.parma.it TEATRO CARLO FELICE OF GENOA Galleria Cardinale Siri 6 – 16121 Genoa Tel. 010/589329 010/591697 Fax: 010/5381335 www.carlofelice.it TEATRO MASSIMO OF PALERMO Via R. Wagner 2 – 90139 Palermo Tel. 091/6053249 Fax: 091/6053325 www.teatromassimo.it Agrigento ALMOND BLOSSOM FESTIVAL First half of February, folk festival of song, Dance, costumes, fireworks. Arezzo GIOSTRA DEL SARACINO (Joust of the Saracen) First Sunday in September, tilting contest of the 13th century with knights in armor. Assisi CELEBRATION OF HOLY WEEK (Easter Week) Calendimaggio, celebration of spring according to rites dating back to medieval times. Ascoli Piceno TORNEO DELLA QUINTANA (Joust of the Quintana) First Sunday in August, historical pageant with people in 15th-century costumes Asti PALIO-SAN SECONDO May 2nd. A 700-year old ceremony with procession in 13th-century costume. FLAG THROWING PALIO, third Sunday in September: Ancient festival with 800 costumed participants; historic procession and horse race Bari SAGRA DI SAN NICOLA May 7th. Historic procession in costume Cagliari SAGRA DI SANT’EFISIO (FESTIVAL OF ST. EFISIO) May 1st to 4th. One of the biggest and most colorful processions in the world. Several thousand pilgrims (wearing costumes dating back to 1657) accompany the statue of the saint on foot, carts and horses. Firenze SCOPPIO DEL CARRO (EXPLOSION OF THE CART) Easter Sunday. A pyramid of fireworks in the Cathedral Square is set off by a mechanical dove driven from the Altar during High Mass. Foligno GIOSTRA DELLA QUINTANA (JOUST OF THE QUINTANA) Second Sunday in September. Revival of a 17th-century joust with 600 knights in costume, historical procession. Genova PALIO MARINARO DEI RIONI Rowing race in ancient dress (June 19th) Genzano INFIORATA (FLOWER FESTIVAL) Corpus Domini, a religious procession along the streets carpeted with flowers in magnificent designs. Gubbio FESTA DEI CERI (RACE OF THE CANDLES) May 15th. A procession in local costume in which tall shrines are carried to the church on the top of Mount Ingino. La Spezia PALIO DEL GOLFO (PALIO OF THE GULF) Second Sunday in August, rowing contest Marostica PARTITA A SCACCHI CON PERSONAGGI VIVENTI (LIVING CHESS GAME) Occurs the second weekend in September in even-numbered years. Chess game is played in the town square by living pawns in costume Napoli BACK FESTIVAL OF SAN GENNARO September 19th. Religious ceremony honoring the patron saint of the city Nola BACK FESTA DEL GIGLIO (THE LILY FESTIVAL) The Sunday following June 22nd, allegorical towers are carried in a colorful procession in costume Nuoro BACK SAGRA DEL REDENTORE (FEAST OF THE REDEEMER) August 27th to the 30th. Colorful procession in Sardinian costumes Oristano BACK SA SARTIGLIA February 24th to the 26th. Medieval procession and jousting of masked knights Palermo BACK FEAST OF SANTA ROSALIA July 10th to the 15th. Procession, bands, fireworks in honor of the patron saint of the city Piana degli Albanesi BACK CELEBRATION OF THE EPIPHANY FROM THE BYZANTINE RITE January 6th Pisa BACK GIOCO DEL PONTE (BATTLE OF THE BRIDGE) First Sunday in June. Medieval parade and contest REGATTA OF THE GREAT MARITIME REPUBLICS The friendly contest and the historic regatta in which each of the former maritime republics (Amalfi, Genoa, Pisa, and Venice race for a prize ) Roma EPIPHANY FAIR AT PIAZZA NAVONA January 5th. A fair of toys, sweets, and other presents takes place in the open air among the beautiful Bernini Fountains FESTA DE’NOANTRI July 19th to the 26th. Folklore of Old Rome in Trastevere,including a colorful procession for the Vergine del Carmine, folk dances and songs,carnival floats and fireworks. Sansepolcro PALIO DEI BALESTRIERI September 8th. Crossbow palio between Sansepolcro and Gubbio. Medieval contest with costumes and arms Sassari CAVALCATA SARDA (SARDINIAN CAVALCADE) Next to last Sunday in May. Traditional procession of more than 3,000 people in Sardinian costumes Siena IL PALIO July 2nd and August 16th. Procession and horse race. Participants are members of ancient city districts, competing for the banner (Palio).Colorful medieval pageantry Taranto PROCESSION OF THE MYSTERIES Good Friday. Renowned for its costumes and solemnity Venezia CARNIVAL IN VENICE February/March. Celebrations in costumes, entertainment in streets and Squares. Music, mimes and fireworks. IL REDENTORE (THE FEAST OF THE REDEEMER) Third Sunday in July. Procession of gondolas commemorating the end of Epidemic of 1575 First Sunday in September. Traditional competition between two-oar racing gondolas and procession of ceremonial boats Viareggio CARNEVALE (CARNIVAL) February/March. Highlight of the Carnival festivities is the procession of spectacular and colorful floats Abruzzo Viale Bovio 425 65124 Pescara 085/7671 085/7672067 www.regione.abruzzo.it Basilicata Via Cavour 15 85100 Potenza 097/411839 0971/36196 www.regione.basilicata.it Bolzano Via Raffeisen 5 39100 Bolzano 0471/993808 0471/993899 www.regione.taa.it/regione/bz_it Calabria Via S. Nicola 8 88100 Catanzaro 0961/8511 0961/726830 www.regione.calabria.it Campania Via S. Lucia 81 80132 Napoli 081/7961111 081/7962027 www.regione.campania.it Emila Romagna Viale Aldo Moro, 30 40127 Bologna 051/283353 051/283380 www.regione.emilia-romagna.it Friuli Venezia Giulia Via Rossini, 6 34132 Trieste 040/363952 040/365496 www.regione.fvg.it Lazio Via Rosa Raimondi Garibaldi, 7 00145 Roma 06/65931 06/51684044 www.regione.lazio.it Liguria Via D'Annunzio, 74 16121 Genova 010/541046 010/5704216 www.regione.liguria.it Lombardia Via Sassetti 32 20124 Milano 02/67651 02/67656292 www.regione.lombardia.it Marche Via G. Da Fabriano 60125 Ancona 071/8062165 071/8062117 www.regione.marche.it Molise Via Mazzini, 46 86100 Campobasso 0874/ 429521 0874/429523 www.molisedati.it/regione.htm Piemonte Via Magenta, 12 10128 Torino 011/4321503 011/4322440 www.regione.piemonte.it Puglia Via Bozzi, 45c 70121 Bari 080/5401111 080/5404784 www.regione.puglia.it Sardegna Viale Trieste, 105 09124 Cagliari 070/6061 070/6067255 www.regione.sardegna.it Sicilia Via E. notarbartolo, 9 90141 Palermo 091/6968201 091/6968151 www.sicily.infcom.it Toscana Via di Novoli, 26 50127 Firenze 055/4382111 055/4383064 www.regione.toscana.it Trento Via Romagnosi, 3 38100 Trento 0461/839000 0461260245 www.provincia.tn.it Umbria Corso Vannucci, 30 06100 Perugia 075/5041 075/5042483 www.regione.umbria.it Valle d'Aosta Piazza Navarrone, 3 11100 Aosta 0165/272725 0165/40134 www.regione.vda.it Veneto Palazzo Balbi Dorso Duro 2901 30123 Venezia 041/2792832 041/2792860 www.regione.veneto.it |
