PRACTICALITIES

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Official languages

Italian

Time

GMT + 1

Calling code

+39

Area codes

Florence: 055, Milan: 02, Naples: 081, Palermo: 091, Rome: 06, Turin: 011

Internet TLD

.it

Shopping

Generally shops are open Monday–Saturday from 9am to 7pm (lunch break from 1 to 3pm). Some shops are closed on Saturday afternoons. In tourist areas shops are also open on Sundays.

National holidays

New Year’s Day	January 1
Epiphany	January 6
Easter	movable feast
Liberation Day	April 25
Labour Day	May 1
Anniversary of the Republic	June 2
Assumption	August 15
All Saint’s Day	November 1
Immaculate Conception	December 8
Christmas	December 25 & 26

Local holidays

St Mark (Venice)	April 25
St John the Baptist (Turin, Genoa, Florence)	June 24
St Peter (Rome)	June 29
St Gennaro (Naples)	September 19
St Petronius (Bologna)	October 4
St Giusto (Trieste)	November 3
St Nichola (Bari)	December 6
St Ambrose (Milan)	December 7

National dish

brioche or cornetto – a bread stuffed with jam, chocolate or cream
focacce – a pizza crust with cheese, tomatoes, spinach or meat
arancini or suppli – rice balls filled with meat sauce, tomato sauce or mozzarella
pizza – flat round bread with tomato sauce, mozzarella, herbs and various other ingredients
lasagne – a dish made of layers of pasta, meat, cheese and tomato sauce
spaghetti – a dish based on long, thin pasta which can be served in various manners (usually with cheese, meat, tomato sauce, garlic and herbs)
tortellini – small pieces of paste filled with meat

Electricity

Italy’s electricity runs on 220V/50Hz.

Passport/Visa

Citizens of EU, Norway, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand do not need visa for entry into Croatia (for stays of up to 90 days). Only a valid passport is required. Citizens of the Schengen Zone are entitled to travel freely within Schengen with the national identity card.

Useful numbers

Ambulance: 118
Emergency: 113
Fire Brigade: 115
Police: 112