| Tips to European Countries: Italy | | | | is customary along with the service tax levied on the |
| About the county | | | | bill. Italy is famous for top designers of the world, so |
| Italy, the birthplace of pasta and pizza provides a | | | | do buy clothes and accessories to update your |
| wide range of choices for artwork lovers to | | | | wardrobe. Cruises have formal gatherings in the |
| experience. A temperate climate exists here with | | | | evening, so ensure to buy a cocktail dress or some |
| very hot summers and not so cold winters. The | | | | formal wear, though casuals can be worn at other |
| weather is the best in spring and autumn with | | | | times. |
| pleasant temperatures and scenic views. At that time | | | | Electricity |
| of the year, the place isn’t crowded much and | | | | The voltage used is 220 volts and 50 Hz frequency. |
| things can be enjoyed in leisure. Incase of emergency | | | | Getting there |
| call 112. For fire call 115 and for ambulance call 118. | | | | Alitalia is the national airline of Italy. Many other flights |
| Culture | | | | connect to Italy from USA, Canada and Australia and |
| Italian is widely spoken and is the official language. | | | | there is big competition to attract passengers giving |
| English isn’t very familiar to the locals. Family | | | | a wide range of offers to travelers. Rome airport is |
| ties are of utmost importance here and hence social | | | | located 26 km away from the city and it takes 45 |
| courtesies mean a lot to the locals. There is a great | | | | minutes to get there from the airport. Trains connect |
| impact of the Roman Catholic Church on the culture | | | | directly to Termini Station from where one can take |
| here. There is a high content of chlorine in tap | | | | taxi to get to their destination. Duty free shops, |
| waters, so bottled water is recommended for | | | | bank, car hire and restaurants are the other services |
| staying fit during the trip. Since Italian is spoken on a | | | | provided at this airport. Milan has another famous |
| wide scale, it is highly recommended to learn few | | | | airport here, which is at a distance of 45km away |
| common Italian phrases which can be of great use. | | | | from the city. |
| Social gatherings call for formal wear, but one can | | | | Brindisi, Ancona, Naples and Venice are the major |
| dress in casuals otherwise. At some religious places, | | | | seaports of Italy. Italian State Railways connects |
| sleeveless shirt and shorts are frowned upon. So | | | | many European cities. But, Eurostar provides the |
| they are better avoided. Purses and wallets should be | | | | fastest train service. |
| well guarded and in case of any theft, police should | | | | If choosing to drive, don’t forget to carry |
| be informed about the incident. | | | | international driving license and international insurance |
| Site Seeing | | | | certificate. Roads connect Italy to France, Austria |
| The first thing to check out is the leaning tower of | | | | and Switzerland. Many coach services are provided |
| Pisa, where Olympics originated. At places like | | | | from the neighboring countries. |
| museums and art galleries, photography, especially | | | | Duty Free Items |
| flash photography is restricted. Check out the ticket | | | | 1. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g |
| counter for more information. Italy should be majorly | | | | of tobacco |
| discovered on foot for a thorough viewing of all the | | | | 2. 2liter of wine and 1liter of spirits (over 22 per cent) |
| beautiful buildings and monuments. Coaches and trains | | | | or 2liter of fortified or sparkling wine |
| are a good option to get to a tourist spot. | | | | 3. 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette; 500g |
| Shopping | | | | of coffee or 200g of coffee extract (if over 15 |
| Shops here are open from 9am to 8pm, closed for | | | | years of age) |
| lunch. Quality of goods is great although the prices | | | | 4. 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract |
| are very less. Items like crystals, lacework, leather | | | | 5. Gifts not exceeding 89.96 (if entering from an |
| good, and jewelry can be bought at the stores. | | | | EU country), 175 (if entering from a non-EU |
| Remember to hold on to the receipt. Tipping of 10% | | | | country). |