Page 208 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Milan & The Lakes

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PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Milan is one of Italy’s most efficient and operating. The public transport system is,
business-like cities, with an excellent public however, the best way to get around the
transport network and good public services. city. Pedestrians should stay alert in the
In the capital of fashion, appearances do chaotic traffic, and take particular care
matter, and you are likely to receive better crossing streets. Tourist offices are the best
service and attention if you are smartly places to go for practical information,
dressed. Milan has its share of petty crime, including maps. At the lakes, brochures are
and it is advisable to take some basic available from IAT offices, with information
precautions in order to enjoy your stay to on local festivals and other entertainment.
the full. Keep bags and cameras close to you Information can also be obtained ahead
at all times, and take extra care travelling on of your visit from the Italian tourist office
public transport, where pickpockets may be (ENIT) in your home country.
Tourist Information
Information on hotels and local
amenities is available from the
Italian tourist board, ENIT (Ente
Nazionale Italiano per il
Turismo), which has offices in
many major cities, including
London and New York. In
Milan, IAT (Informazione e
Accoglienza Turistica) offices
have information on the city,
including free lists of hotels
and restaurants, and details
of cultural events.
At the lakes, look for IAT
Visitors on the roof of the Gothic Duomo offices in larger towns, and
Pro Loco tourist offices in
When to Go All visitors to Italy must register smaller towns and villages;
Although Milan is great to with the police within eight these are usually located in
visit year-round, the mild working days of arrival. If you the town hall (comune) and
climate in June makes it one are staying in a hotel, this will be are sometimes open only
of the best months to go. The done for you. Otherwise, contact during the tourist season.I
balmy spring months are also the local questura (police station).
pleasant with cool breezes. Anyone wishing to stay for
Milan in August can be brutally more than three months (eight Opening Hours and
hot and many shops and working days for citizens from Admission Prices
restaurants are closed. Most countries other than those Most state-owned museums are
tourist attractions remain mentioned above) will have to open from Tuesday to Sunday,
open, however. Winter in obtain a permesso di soggiorno while privately owned museums
Milan can be very cold. The (permit to stay). EU citizens can operate their own timetables.
lakes are best visited from apply for a permit at any main Churches are open daily but
April to October, but they are police station. Non-EU citizens some close for lunch from 12:30
packed in July and August. must apply in advance in their to 2pm. Church services held
home country. on Saturday afternoons are
If you lose your passport listed as pre-hols in the guide.
Visas and Passports contact your embassy. EU residents aged under
Italy is part of the Schengen 18 and over 65 benefit from
Agreement, whereby travellers discounts in most state-run
moving from one Shengen Travel Safety Advice places, though proof is required.
country to another are not Visitors can get up-to-date travel The Milano Card gives free public
subject to border controls, safety information from the transport and reduced entry to
although there are spot checks. Foreign and Commonwealth several museums and galleries.
Other EU nationals and citizens Office in the UK, the State A three-day card, available from
of the US, Canada, Australia and Department in the US and the www.milanocard.it, is €13 plus
New Zealand do not need visas Department of Foreign Affairs postage costs if sent to your
for stays of up to three months. and Trade in Australia. hotel on arrival.
Bicycles for hire neatly lined up on a street in Milan

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