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Dial 113 for general emergencies or the specific number for the police, ambulance or fire brigade. The car breakdown number is a pay towing service.

Italy is a remarkably safe country. Apart from pickpockets, there is little to fear. Violent crime is rare, and though women (especially young foreign women) may be propositioned strenuously, it’s mostly harmless. Even so, women should exercise caution when travelling alone. Many Italians drive aggressively, so be careful behind the wheel.

Pickpockets work the crowds on buses and around train stations and other areas where tourists congregate. Keep all your valuables (save a day’s-worth of cash) well out of sight.

Beware of forceful beggars including children who may be skilled at lifting valuables in a flash. A common ruse is for a group of children to swarm around the victim holding up pieces of cardboard with words scrawled on them. While you are either trying to fend them off or scrabble around for small change, the pickpocketing has already happened.

Scams, while not particularly rampant, are mostly attempted on the more clueless-seeming tourists. For instance, taxis might try to set the meter for “out of town” rates rather than local, or give the wrong change. Restaurants might try to pad the bill with items not ordered or try and double-charge your credit card.

There are two main police branches you might deal with, the regular polizia and the more useful, military-trained, national carabinieri force. The police office is called the questura .

EU visitors should obtain a form E111 from a post office in their home country, which entitles them to emergency medical treatment. Citizens from elsewhere must have medical insurance that covers Italy. Usually you must pay any hospital charges up front and apply for reimbursement when you get home. Blue Cross/Blue Shield members can visit affiliated hospitals in Italy.

Italian hospitals (ospedale ) are semi-privatized and efficient. The emergency room is called pronto soccorso . For uncomplicated visits not requiring admission, they’ll usually give you a check-up and write a prescription with no other paperwork involved. A free medical translating service for tourists is based in Florence.

Italian pharmacies (farmacie ) are usually very well equipped and knowledgeable in helping you with minor ailments. At night and on Sundays, a sign is posted at each pharmacy listing which ones in town have the turn to stay open.

Italian water is safe to drink everywhere except on trains and any source signposted “acqua non potabile” . Food is largely safe, though uncooked seafood is always risky. The BSE scare has led to a current temporary ban on all beef on the bone. (Bistecca fiorentina is made from an inferior cut than the usual T-bone.)