Page 368 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Rome

366  SUR VIV AL GUIDE
PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Romans often seem unconcerned by the 2 or 3 hours over lunch, reopening in the
priceless art treasures and ancient ruins late afternoon. On a more positive note,
that lie casually among the streets and most of the main sights are within easy
buildings of their hectic 21st-century walking distance of one another. Start
city. However, it’s not always easy for your day early and wear comfortable
visitors to make the most of these shoes. Rome can be a delightfully
wonders; relaxed local attitudes make informal city to visit, but remember
for dozens of variations in opening to observe dress rules and cover up in
hours, and many places – including churches, since this is one area where
stores, banks, and offices – close for regulations are strictly enforced.

Foreign and Commonwealth
Office in the UK, and the
Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade in Australia.

Customs Information
Duty­free allowances are as
follows: non­EU citizens can
bring into Italy 200 cigarettes
or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or
250 grams of tobacco, 1 liter of
spirits or 4 liters of wine, and
50 grams of perfume. EU
residents do not need to
declare goods, but random
checks are often made to look
Steps leading to Michelangelo’s Piazza del Campidoglio for drug traffickers. To find out
what you can take back from
Italy to a non­EU country,
When to Go
are staying in a hotel, this will contact that country’s customs
Rome enjoys a Mediterranean be done for you. Otherwise, you department. The refund system
climate, with hot, dry summers should contact the local questura for value­added sales tax (IVA)
and mild­to­cold, rainy winters. (police station). European Union for non­EU residents is very
From late March through June, nationals, and citizens of the US, complex (see p327).
and from September through Canada, Australia, and New
October, the pleasant, sunny Zealand do not need visas for Tourist Information
weather allows for plenty of time stays of up to three months.
outdoors. Visitors can expect to Anyone wishing to stay for Information kiosks run by the
pay more to stay during the high more than three months (eight Comune di Roma are dotted
season, between March and working days for citizens from throughout the historic center
November. In hot August, most countries other than those and have English­speaking staff
Romans are on vacation, and the mentioned above) will have to that provides free maps, leaflets,
smaller stores and restaurants obtain a permesso di soggiorno and advice. Alternatively, call their
are closed, but all tourist sights (permit to stay). European Union Rome City Tourist Office for
stay open, the city is quieter, and citizens can apply for a permit at infor mation in English. Rome
you can find good hotel deals. any main police station. Non­EU Council’s two useful websites
citizens must apply in advance in have informa tion on all the sights
their home country for a permit as well as on current exhibi tions,
Visas and Passports to stay; it is very difficult for non­ events, and hotels in the city.
Italy is part of the Schengen EU citizens to obtain a work A privately run company called
agreement, which means travel­ permit. If you lose your passport, Enjoy Rome has an informative
ers moving from one Schengen contact your emb assy (see p369). website and offices close to the
country to another are not sub­ Termini train station. Note that
ject to border controls, although Travel Safety Advice admission prices and opening
there are occasional spot checks. times change often, and sights
All visitors to Italy must register Visitors can get up­to­date travel can be closed for long periods for
with the police within eight safety information from the restoration (chiuso per restauro)
working days of arrival. If you State Department in the US, the or because of a strike (sciopero).
Visitors exploring Rome by bicycle taxi

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Directory Listing template (Source v1) “UK” LAYER
Date 9th August 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm