Page 271 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Venice & The Veneto

PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  269

Taxes and Tipping
home country. An array
of publications and maps can Like other EU countries, Italy has
also be downloaded from each a form of Value Added Tax (VAT),
city’s tourist board website. which is called Imposta sul Valore
Aggiunto (IVA); see Customs
Information. The standard rate
Admission Prices of IVA on goods and services is
Most museums, art galleries and 21 per cent. Hotels generally
archaeological sites charge an include the tax in the room rate.
entry fee, but there are usually Always keep a few euros close
concessions for children, students to hand for hotel staff such as
and senior citizens over 65. porters and chamber maids. In
Venice’s civic museums pass, restaurants you may like to
valid for six months, is available round up the bill, though a
from any of the sights included service charge is often already
in the deal or online at Venezia added. Italian taxi drivers do not
Unica, where you can choose expect a tip, and there is no
which combination of services need to tip a gondolier.
you want. You can also pick up
a card from a Venezia Unica desk Basilica di Sant’Antonio in Padua Travellers with
at the airport, station, or the city’s
tourist offices. This includes entry in tourist areas, no lunch break Special Needs
to museums and churches, and is observed. Many super markets Venice’s many stepped bridges
savings on other admission fees, in the larger towns stay open all make it difficult for the
vaporetto tickets and car parking. day, seven days a week. wheelchair­bound to get
Verona has the Verona Card around the city; in addition,
(€18 for 24 hours or €22 for 48 many bridge lifts are being
hours), which covers entry to Etiquette removed, further limiting
the main churches, museums Any attempt by foreign visitors disabled access.
and monu ments, as well as to speak Italian is always Normal vaporetti (such as
travel on the city buses. The appreciated by the locals. Few line 1) are accessible to wheel­
card is available from Verona’s people speak English in the chairs since the deck is on the
tourist office and any of the Veneto, but hotel receptionists same level as the landing
participating sights. are usually helpful and will stages, and there is reserved
Some churches in smaller readily make any enquiries and space on board. Water taxis
towns may not charge an reservations on your behalf. (see p283), however, are
admission fee. To avoid offence, always dress hazardous for wheelchair
decently, particularly if visiting users and should be avoided.
churches, where bare shoulders The Venezia Accessibile
Opening Hours
and shorts are considered unsuit­ information pack details a wide
Due to constant restoration of able. Photo graphy is forbidden range of barrier­free itineraries,
many ageing palaces, museums in most churches. Being drunk with maps and route
and galleries, opening hours are in a public place is frowned instructions. It also shows
subject to change. The tourist upon, and smoking is banned places of interest that can be
office can supply a list of in all public buildings, including visited by or have special
opening times or, if you are in restaurants and bars, as well as on facilities for the disabled, and
Venice, you can also consult the vaporetti. Feeding the pigeons how to reach them by vaporetto
book lets Eventi e Manifestazioni in Piazza San Marco is illegal, or by land. Venezia Accessibile
or Un Ospite di Venezia, and if caught you may be fined. is available at tourist offices or
which are available from most download able from the Venezia
hotels. Museums are often shut Unica website.
on Mondays. Public Conveniences
Churches are usually open There are few public toilets in
mid­morning and late afternoon. the Veneto, although Venice
Many Venetian churches are is better served. Public
managed by Chorus, which conveniences in Venice are
sells a useful pass for multiple usually signed and cost €1.50.
church entries. You can also use the toilets at
Most food shops open at rail way stations and in cafés and
8am, while other stores open at bars. Ask for il bagno (the bath­
9 or 10am. Many close for a long room) or il gabinetto (the toilet).
lunch break from 12:30pm to Public toilets are always short
around 4pm, then stay open of paper, so it is a good idea A mechanically operated wheelchair ramp
until about 7:30pm. However, to carry tissues with you. across a bridge

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