traveldk.com

Now that the euro is the coin of many realms, life is much easier for visitors to Europe, although the changeover has resulted in some price inflation, especially in Italy. Euro banknotes have the following denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. Euro coins come in eight denominations: 1 euro, 2 euros, and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents. Visitors from outside the euro zone should check the exchange rates at the time of travel.

If you’re going to opt for this safety precaution, get your cheques directly in euros; that way you won’t have to pay any commission to cash them and in some places you’ll be able to use them as cash. Keep track of the serial numbers.

For ready cash, this is the best option. Bank machines are everywhere and Italian banks charge no transaction fee; you’ll only have your own bank’s fee to pay for using a non-branch machine. If you withdraw the maximum each time (usually $300) the fee will probably be only about 1 per cent. But then be sure to keep your cash safe.

Using your credit card is possible for almost everything in larger places. Only the smaller businesses will find it a problem, because of the 2–4 per cent commission that card companies charge them. Be aware that your own bank may charge you a 2 per cent currency conversion fee for every card purchase you make.

This expensive, time-consuming process should be considered only as a last resort. You can have your bank send money to a bank in Italy, but you must organize things at the Italian end first. Then expect it to take an indeterminate number of days, with substantial charges at both ends of the process.

For letters and postcards it’s better to avoid the queues in post offices and buy francobolli (stamps) at tabbachi (tobacconists). Italian mail is improving but even prioritaria (priority) mail sometimes gets delayed. Mailboxes are red and have two slots – one “per la città” (local) and one for “tutte le altre destinazioni” (everywhere else).

When dialling any number in Italy, you must include the area code and start with a zero. To call outside Italy, dial 00 then the country code, area code and number. Most public phones require a scheda telefonica (phonecard), available from tabbachi .

Many hotels are geared up to allow you to use your laptop for accessing the Internet, and others provide the service at a foyer desk. Otherwise, Internet bars and cafés are common sights in every town and city, even in villages.

In the central kiosks you’ll find a selection of international press. USA Today and the International Herald Tribune are generally available in tourist areas, as well as major British, German and French papers.

Most up-market hotels will have satellite TV and the international news channels that come with it. Area radio includes a station from the nearby US base (106 and 107 FM) and some Italian stations play international chart hits.