• Most shops are closed in Italy on Sundays, specially in small town or countryside locations. If your arrival date is on a Saturday, it is a good idea to stop for some basic shopping on the road: most motorway restaurants have supermarket sections inside.

• Around lunchtime (12:30 to 14:30) many shops, museums and tourist attractions could be closed: refer to your travel guide or give a phone call in advance.

• National public holidays: 6 January (Epiphany, also called "Befana"), Easter Monday, 25 April (National Holiday), 1 May (Labour Day), 2 June (Republic Day), 15 August (Assumption Day, also called "Ferragosto"), 1 November (All Saints), 8 December (Immaculate Conception), 26 December (St Stephen).

• Some local public holidays: 24 June (St John - Florence, Genoa and Marsciano), 29 June (St Peter and Paul - Rome), 10 August (St Lorenzo - Perugia), 19 September (St Gennaro - Naples), 7 December (St Ambrogio - Milan).

• Mind your dress if you think you might want to go into a church: churches have strict dress codes, although often unwritten, e.g. women must cover bare shoulders and arms, perhaps with a shawl or light sweater, and shorts are not proper for anyone.

• European Union citizens with a valid Form E111 are entitled to free emergency medical treatment at any public hospital in Italy. Depending on where you leave, you may obtain Form E111 from local post offices or health offices.

• Electrical power is supplied at 220 Volts, 50Hz. Plugs with 3 round pins (in a row) are used, 2 pin plugs can also be used.

• The only official currency in Italy is the Euro. If you need to change your local currency, it is usually better to wait until you arrive in Italy. Avoid change offices because of high commission rates: you will receive the best exchange rate from the banks. Banks are usually open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 13:30 and 14:30 to 16:00.

• Food is of the highest standard in Italy: you will be surprised by the quality of the food available even from small, low-budget restaurants. Look for set menus which usually offer good value for money. However, vegetarian and ethnic food is not as widely available as in other countries.

• Although a service fee will most likely be included in your restaurant bills, a 10% gratuity is customary and will always be appreciated - if the service has been good.

• Italy uses Middle-European-Time (MET) and EU daylight saving time (end of March to end of October): London: -1; New York: -6; Los Angeles: -9; Tokyo: +8.

To contact us:

Strada Vicinale Torre-Cima
Vocabolo Le Ripe
06055 Marsciano PG (Italy)

Phone: +39 346 0146318