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ENIT, Italy’s national tourist office, is well-intentioned but is often of little help for specific needs. There are branches in most major capital cities.

Rome has three main tourist offices across the city (see General Information). There are also 10 privately run information kiosks scattered about the city at prime tourist locations, although their material is less comprehensive than at the tourist offices.

Rome’s official website is www.romaturismo.com; the Vatican’s is www.vaticano.va. Database and search engines such as www.yahoo.com or www.excite.com have detailed travel and regional sub-menus linking useful private websites.

Citizens of the UK, Eire, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand need only a valid passport to visit Italy for up to 90 days. You may bring into Italy personal items with the following quirky limits: 400 cigarettes (or 550 grams of tobacco), 2 cameras, 10 rolls of film, a pair of skis, two tennis racquets and a litre of alcohol.

Most businesses, churches and some museums open at 8 or 9am, shut for riposo from 12:30 or 1pm until 3 or 4pm, and close around 6 or 8pm.

Italy is on 220V/50 cycles. To operate a 110V device you need an adaptor (most laptops and camcorders have this built in). You will also need an adaptor if your equipment has pronged plugs rather than Europe’s two round pins.

Most 3-star hotels and above have satellite TV with CNN and BBC news. English-language newspapers such as the International Herald Tribune (with an “Italy Daily” insert), USA Today , New York Times and magazines are sold at most newsstands. The weekly Roma C’è (“This is Rome”) beats the tourist office’s handout for events, entertainment listings, plus sightseeing information and special tours (section in English).

Rome has a temperate climate. August heat is oppressive; February snow flurries are possible. Spring’s middle ground keeps hotels booked; autumn is less crowded, but prone to downpours. High season is Easter to July and September to October. Rome is deserted much of August as residents head to the beaches or mountains to escape the heat and most of the city’s shops and restaurants are closed.

Public holidays include 1 and 6 January, Easter Sunday and Monday, 25 April, 1 May, 15 August, 1 November and 8, 25 and 26 December.

Italians dress well so try to bring one nice outfit. Few restaurants, however, require jacket and tie. Many churches do not allow you to enter with bare knees or shoulders (no shorts, miniskirts or vests) so make sure you have something to cover yourself up.