Page 617 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  615

Customs maps. An EPT (Ente Provinciale di
On 30 June 1999, the intra-EU Turismo) has information on its
Duty and Tax Free Allow ances, town and surrounding province,
better known as duty-free and whereas an APT (Azienda di
mainly affecting such Promozione Turistica)
high-tax items as deals exclusively with
alcohol, perfumes and individual towns.
tobacco, were abolished. Both offices help with
However, for EU practical information
residents the amount of such as hotel bookings
these goods that can be and tours. They also
imported for personal provide free maps and
use has increased. guidebooks in various
Consulates can languages. The EPT
generally provide up- Sign for tourist and APT can refer you
to-date information on information to local tour guides
particular customs and advise on trips Daytime sightseeing on a tranquil canal
regulations. To find out what and excursions. in Venice
you can take back from Italy to Small towns will have a Pro
non-EU countries, contact that Loco, a tourist office run by the Sightseeing Opening
part icular country’s customs local administration, which is
department, which will be able sometimes open only during Hours
to advise you. the tourist season. It is usually Italian museums, particularly
located in the town hall. in the northern and central
regions of the country, mostly
Tax Exemption conform to regulations,
Tours
Value Added Tax (IVA in Italy) opening from 9am to 7pm
ranges from about 22 per cent, Many tour companies organize daily, except for Mondays. In
with a reduced rate of 4–10 per coach trips, with English- winter, museums may revert
cent on some items. Non- speaking guides, that include to slightly earlier closing times,
European Union citizens making all the main tourist attractions particularly on Sundays, so it is
purchases in Italy can claim an in Italy. Companies such as the best to check. In Rome many
IVA rebate, provided the total UK-based Leger Holidays offer museums are open daily.
expenditure in the one shop is coach tours that go all over the Privately run and smaller
over €155. It is a long process, country. If you are looking for museums set their own opening
and it is easier to get a refund if something a little more personal times, so it is best to phone in
you shop where you see the and off the beaten track, check advance to avoid disappoint-
“Euro Free Tax” sign, rather than the local pages of national ment. Archaeological sites are
from a market stall. In this newspapers for tour groups generally open from 9am to one
instance, show your passport or organizations. Local tourist hour before sunset, Tuesday to
to the shop assistant, complete boards will also be able to advise Sunday. Churches tend to open
a form, and the IVA will be you. Always employ official from about 7am to 12:30pm
deducted from your bill. guides and be sure to establish and 4 to 7pm. However, they
Alternatively, present a customs the fee in advance. For often prefer not to let tourists
officer with your purchases and information on specialist holidays, in during services, so Sunday
their receipts on your departure such as sporting or cultural is not the best day to visit.
from Italy. He or she will stamp activities, turn to pages 610–11.
the receipts, which you then Admission Charges
send to the vendor. A refund
should eventually be sent to you. Sightseeing fees range from €2
to €14. Churches are usually
free, but some expect a donation,
Tourist Information and you will need coins to
The national tourist board, ENIT, illuminate some works of art.
has a good website as well as Reductions for students are not
branches in capital cities always offered, but many state-
worldwide, and offers general run museums and archaeological
information on Italy. For specific sites allow free entry for visitors
requests, contact the local tourist under 18 and over 60 or 65
offices. The addresses and years of age. Large groups are
telephone numbers are listed often entitled to a discount as
under each town or city, directly well. If reductions are available,
under the title, and they are A guided group tour on the streets of Rome, you will need to show a valid
plotted on the town and city near Vatican City form of identification.

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