Location: Europe
Local Time: GMT+1
From 30 Oct 11 to 25 Mar 12 GMT +1
From 25 Mar 12 to 28 Oct 12 GMT +2
From 29 Oct 12 to 30 Mar 13 GMT +1
From 31 Mar 13 to 27 Oct 13 GMT +2
Capital City: Rome
Population: 58 million
Area: 301,230357,021 square km, 116,305 square miles.
Language(s): Italian
Dialling Code: 39
Emergency: Police: 113. Fire: 115. Ambulance: 118
TV Standard: PAL
Driving: Driving is on the right. Pink UK licence required or International Driving Permit. Minimum driving age is 18
Electricity: 220V AC 50Hz
Currency: Euro (EUR 1 = 100 Cents)
Notes: EUR: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500
Coins: EUR: 1, 2. Cents: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50
Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Credit cards & Eurocheques are widely accepted
Opening Hours
Bank: 0830-1330 & 1445-1545 Mon-Fri
Office: 0900-1800
Shops: 0900-1300 & 1400-2000 (shops may close Mon am, some shopping centres open 24 hours)
Public Holidays
2012
In addition, local days may be held in honor of patron saints, usually however shops and offices remain open Dates include:- 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).
Business/Social Hints: Business is conducted in Italian, many executives speak French and English. Smoking is prohibited in most public buildings and on transport. Request permission before smoking in offices, cars and restaurants. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants, be reasonably punctual and dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. The minimum drinking age is 16 years
Tipping: A service charge is normally added to the bill, tips are not necessary but it is customary to leave small change, min EUR 0.50 or around 10%. Taxis round-up their fare, therefore tips are not necessary
