|
|
|
GEOGRAPICHAL PROFILE
THERE IS A GREAT
DEAL OF VARIETY in the landscape in Italy, although it is
characterized predominantly by two mountain chains: the Alps and the
Apennines. The former extends over 600 miles from east to west. It
consists of great massifs in the western sector, with peaks rising
to over 14,000 feet, including Monte Bianco (Monte Blanc), Monte
Rosa and Cervino (the Matterhorn). The chain is lower in the eastern
sector, although the mountains, the Dolomites, are still of
extraordinary beauty. At the foot of the Alpine arc stretches the
vast Po Valley plain, cut down the middle by the course of the river
Po, the longest in Italy (390 miles), which has its source in the
Pian de Re (Monviso) and flows into the Adriatic through a
magnificent delta. The Alpine foothills are characterized by large
lakes: Lake Maggiore and the lakes of Como, Iseo and Garda. The
Apennines form the backbone of the peninsula, stretching in a wide
concave arc to the Tyrrhenian Sea. A large part of central Italy is
characterized by green hilly landscapes, through which the rivers
Arno and Tevere (Tiber) run. The southern section of the chain
pushes out to the east forming the Gargano promontory and, sloping
down further south, the Salentine peninsula. It proceeds to the west
with the Calabrian and Peloritano massif stretching across the
Strait of Messina into Sicily. The principal islands are Sicily,
rising up to the great volcanic cone of Etna (10,860 feet) and
Sardegna. The main Archipelago, the Pontine Islands, the Aeolian
Islands and the Egadi Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the coast of
Sicily.
CLIMATE
THE MODERATING INFLUENCE OF THE
SEA and the protection given by the alpine barrier from the cold
north winds join to bless Italy with a temperate climate.
Nevertheless, the weather varies considerably according to how far
one is from the sea or the mountains. The winter is very cold in the
Alps, cold and foggy in the Po Plain and the central Apennines; mild
and even warm on the Ligurian coast, the Neapolitan coast and in
Sicily. The summer is hot and dry, but the temperature is mitigated
on the coast by sea breezes and in the Apennines and Alps it is
pleasantly cool. In mountain areas, winter is ideal for skiing, and
summer for excursions, hiking, etc. Seaside and lake resorts, with
their excellent hotel facilities, have an intense tourist season
during the summer, while the cities that are rich in art treasures,
like Siena, are ideal in spring and autumn.
HOLIDAYS
OFFICES AND SHOPS ARE CLOSED in
Italy on the following dates:
JANUARY 1 New year’s Day
JANUARY 6 Epiphany
Easter
Easter Monday
APRIL 25 Liberation Day
MAY 1 Labor Day
AUGUST 15 Assumption of the Virgin
NOVEMBER 1 All Saints Day
DECEMBER 1 Saint Ansano (only in Siena)
DECEMBER 8 Day of Immaculate Conception
DECEMBER 25 Christmas Day
DECEMBER 26 Santo Stefano
Offices and shops are also closed in the following cities on the
local feast days honoring their patron Saints: in Siena, it is
DECEMBER 1, in honour of Saint Ansano,
PASSPORT REGULATIONS
A VISA IS NOT REQUIRED for a U.S.
or Canadian citizen holding a valid passport unless he/she expects
to stay in Italy more than 90 days and/or study or seek employment.
If after entering Italy the tourist decides he would like to stay
more than 90 days, he can apply to obtain a “permesso di soggiorno”
(permit to stay), once only, at any police station (Questura) for an
extension of an additional 90 days. He will be asked to prove that
he is a bona fide tourist with adequate means of support and that he
does not request the extension for study or employment. As a rule,
permission is granted immediately. It is suggested that non-American
citizens check current visa requirements with the nearest Italian
Consulate before departure.
CURRENCY
The new monetary currency is the
Euro which is divided as follows: bills of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200,
500; coins of 1, 2, 5, 10 , 20 and 50 cents, 1 Euro and 2 Euro.
Tourists reaching Italy without foreign currency can obtain Euros
through any bank, ATM machine, or exchange office (Ufficio di
Cambio), at airports, seaports and railway stations in the main
cities. Foreign notes, travelers’ checks and letters of credit are
purchased by Italian banks at the current rate of exchange less a
commission.
BANKING HOURS
BANKS IN ITALY ARE OPEN
APPROXIMATELY Mon.-Fri. from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm and from 3 pm to 4:00 pm and closed all day on Sat. and Sun. and on national
holidays. Afternoon hours may vary from city to city. Travelers’
checks can be exchanged for Italian currency at most hotels and
shops and foreign exchange offices in main railway stations and
airports. Euros can also be obtained through any bank, ATM machine,
or exchange office (Ufficio di Cambio), at airports, seaports and
railway stations in the main cities. Foreign notes, travelers’
checks and letters of credit are purchased by Italian banks at the
current rate of exchange less a commission which varies from place
to place.
POST OFFICES
POST OFFICES ARE GENERALLY OPEN
from 8 am –1:30 or 2 pm from Monday to Friday, Saturday 8 – 11:45 am.
Some counters (e.g. registered mail, telegrams, etc.) have different
hours and in the main cities they may also be open in the afternoon.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
LUGGAGE MAY BE EXAMINED on
entering and leaving Italy. Free entry is allowed for personal
effects: Clothing (new and used), books, camping and household
equipment
Fishing tackle, Two pairs of skis, Two tennis racquets
One boat, One canoe, One surfboard
One bicycle, One television, Portable typewriter
Record player with ten rolls of film for each camera, One movie
camera with ten rolls of film, Binoculars
Personal jewelry, Portable radio set (subject to a small license fee)
400 cigarettes and a quantity of cigars of pipe tobacco not
exceeding 500 grams (1.1lb)
All items mentioned above may be imported duty-free only on
condition that they are for personal use and won’t be sold, given
away or traded. A maximum of two bottles of wine and one bottle of
hard liquor per person may be brought in duty-free. A maximum of 4.4
lbs of coffee, 6.6 lbs of sugar and 2.2 lbs of cocoa are allowed
duty-free. Overseas tourists arriving in Italy after visiting other
countries are allowed to carry with them souvenirs purchased in
other countries up to a total value of $ 500 and only a verbal
declaration is required. Purchases may include up to 50 gr. of
perfume and ¼ liter of cologne.
HEALTH SERVICES AND INSURANCE
POLICY
ITALY HAS NO MEDICAL PROGRAM
covering U.S. tourists. They are advised to buy insurance before
traveling. First Aid Service (Pronto Soccorso) is found at airports,
ports, railway stations and hospitals.
| |
