Page 17 - DK Eyewitness: Back Roads Northern and Central Italy (Travel Guide)

Practical Information 15

Left Regional bank of the Südtirol Middle Public telephone Right Sign for a post office
Banking hours in Italy are quite Saturday 9am–1 or 2pm; the same DIRECTORY
restricted, so its best to acquire some goes for privately owned museums,
local currency before you arrive. If but they may also open for several COMMUNICATIONS
you want to take cash euros, you hours in the afternoon. Sunday
might get a better rate of exchange opening is generally mornings only. Calling Abroad from Italy
00 followed by the country code:
by using online currency operators. Many large museums now open UK +44, Ireland +353, USA +1,
Once you have arrived, the best throughout the day year-round, with New Zealand +64, Australia +61
exchange rate for cash will usually late-night openings in summer (till Directory Enquiries
be obtained at an Italian bank, but 10pm or later Tuesday to Saturday and 1240
check the commission fees as they till 8pm Sunday). Most archaeological International Directory Enquiries
can vary widely. Bureaux de change sites open daily, from 9am until dusk. 176
can be found in most towns and
offer the convenience of long Time and Electricity Italy Country Code
+39
opening hours, but they tend to Like most of Europe, Italy is one hour
charge higher commission rates. ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), Operator Services
Rates in hotels and exchange booths year-round. Italian voltage is 220 volts. 176 (also for reverse charge and calling
are rarely competitive. Plugs have either two or three round card calls)
pins, which can vary in diameter; a Poste Italiane (Italian Post Office)
Tourist Information travel plug often comes in handy. www.poste.it
Most Italian towns have either ITALIAN AND INTERNATIONAL
an APT (Azienda di Promozione Smoking SIM CARDS
Turistica) or EPT (Enti Provinciali per Smoking was banned in bars, rest-
il Turismo) information office. These aurants and public buildings in 2005, Double Zero Double Four
www.0044.co.uk
can vary enormously in the level of though many places have an outdoor
service they offer, but will at least terrace where it is permitted. The Telestial
provide maps, travel guides and situation is different in hotels; make www.telestial.com
information on local events. sure that you request a no-smoking MONEY
room if you don’t want it smelling of
Opening Hours the last occupant’s favourite brand. Thomas Cook
www.thomascook.com
Most shops open Monday to Saturday
9am–1pm and 4–7pm, but many Below far left Walking-trail information boards, Travelex
remain closed on Monday morning Pietrarubbia Below left “Open” sign Below www.travelex.co.uk
and Saturday afternoon. State-run middle The Torrazzo (clocktower) in Crema TOURIST INFORMATION
museums tend to open Tuesday to Below Post box Italian State Tourism Board
www.enit.it

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